Holiday Update

Hey guys!

So I haven't update much despite being off the past two weeks and having the time.
I feel like every time I want to get around to update I either end up having a bad jaw day or I end up getting distracted by other things and it just doesn't end up happening.

So this holiday season has been up and down with my jaw. I saw my massage therapist twice. Last week I felt good for a few days after having the massage, but this week I have a horrible migraine and jaw pain after my massage so I don't know if its beneficial or not anymore.

I've had horrible jaw pain, neck pain and headaches for the past 12 hours or so, actually longer than that because I ended up passing out almost all afternoon yesterday.
Its almost 4pm and I've been in bed all day today. I decided to try ice packs instead of hot packs and smoothies to try to numb any feeling in my face. I was going to take a T3 but decided to take extra strength Advil instead.

My current disgusting state

This christmas was a good one. I skyped with my mom and stepdad in aussie for hours on christmas eve, which was christmas day over there so it felt almost like having them here for the holidays. I baked a lot of cookies. I almost managed to get my shopping done, although i hate the last minute rush that having exams drives me into. My only blood related sibling spent christmas in Quebec so I didn't see him, it was a very quiet christmas, but still nice with the family I do have here.

I went boxing day shopping with my best friend, we got up at 6am and I'd have to say we did pretty well. 

And here are some additional photos taken over the past couple weeks.
I also went to a Tiesto Concert <3

Ugh my stupid brace face lol

My fashionista

Boxing day pre tiesto 

My jaw is shifting away

Sugar cookies 

more of my home made cookies

TMJ and gaps

So I don't really want to be updating all the time but I really don't know what to do about my TMJ pain anymore. After my last adjustment I find my jaw is still very sore and its actually cracking a lot more than it usually does. The only real change I notice is that my midline is moving further and further apart and I feel the constant need to clench my teeth.

When I told the orthodontist about my pain he basically said that I have to go to my doctor because all he can do is put bite plates in that will probably irritate the TMJ a lot more. This is understandable as he is an orthodontist and not a medical doctor. I'm wondering if I should call my surgeon though as he is the one who will be working on my jaws? Hmmmm

I went in to see my doctor not long ago and she just advised me to keep taking any painkillers as I need them and that over the counter may no longer be strong enough. I've been taking Tylenol 3's every few days when it gets to the point that I have a migraine, otherwise I try to stay away from the painkillers.

I'm pretty worried about next term in regards to the pain. I'm starting to have more and more of those days where I am in so much pain I can't get out of bed, and I don't want to be drugged up every other day. My doctor suggested taking the term off as I might end up in a situation where I can't complete work or go to exams. I really hate the idea of taking time off school as I was initially trying to fast track (prior to knowing I would be having jaw surgery) I was willing to take this term off and go through the summer if I could have the jaw surgery earlier, but they keep setting it back.

In no way do I want to make my orthodontist sound bad, because he is great. My teeth have never looked this good, despite the underbite/open bite/cross bite lol I just wish that the timeline was more realistic at the start. Initially I was told around Christmas I would be ready and now it turns out that I won't be ready for another few months. Maybe it's just one of those things that are hard to predict but I would have liked to know this back then.

At this point all I can do is keep hoping that my teeth move to where they should be a lot faster so that I can have the surgery and hope that the pain resolves.

BTW my front teeth look awesome after the filing, the gap closed and they look perfect. The bottom teeth on the other hand now have a little gap, I don't know whats going on with my bottom teeth but at least stuff is moving.

Adjustment #4

Hey everyone

So I went to the orthodontist today for an adjustment and I still dont have a surgery date, go figure. 

Well anyway this is what went down lol

1. Top bracket changed, don't know why or what this tooth is called
2. New steel wires put in, these are the surgery wires
3. Power chain on top and bottom
4. Front tooth filed, apparently is was too wide on the bottom and too long

I have my next adjustment January 31 2012 

I also uploaded a video explaining more. 

Video update!

PAIN :(

Okay my TMJ is hurting so much right now. I don't know whats going on with my jaw but I think today I will be turning to painkillers.
My doctor was talking to me about taking next term off because I've already had to defer exams due to the jaw pain. I am starting to think more and more about it and I might do that if I can get a surgery date sooner. I really want to get this chapter over with so I can concentrate on school and not have to worry about migraines and jaw pain and all that stuff.
I'll update tomorrow post orthodontist appointment

Not enjoying the wait for jaw surgery

So I guess I'm just complaining about the same things again.
I have a lot of jaw pain going on, nothing out of the usual.
It just makes me feel like doing nothing all the time.
The headaches, the neck pain, the jaw pain, I just want to stay in bed all day.
Now the weather is changing and I feel less and less motivated to move.

I feel my bite change all the time, somedays my jaws line up better, some days they look like they're in a crossbite. I don't know whats going on but I know that the muscles in my face are sooooo tense right now and it hurts. I love having cold drinks like smoothies and just sitting with it at the side of my cheek because it sort of numbs these muscles and gets rid of the pain for a little bit.

I have a very busy term coming up next year and I am hoping I get a lot of rest when I'm done this term, which will be post Dec 17th.

I have an orthodontist appointment on Dec 7th, which is this coming wednesday, and I hope that I get a surgery date. I just hope that he looks at my teeth and says "yes they are ready!!"
We will see.

I'll probably have my next adjustment in late january or early feb more likely. which will mean my next next appointment will be pre surgery!!! yayyy!!!
I hate waiting!!

I also hate power chains, they get so dirty and collect everything I eat.
I have made it a habit to make a solution of mouthwash and water in my waterpik, and rinse my braces after I brush them to help clean the power chain and brackets, I notice this helps a bit.

I'll update in a couple days when I have my next adjustment. Wish me luck!!