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Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
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 2005-09-20 6:51 AM |
Giver  18427     |  Subject: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!This has been my life for the last seven weeks now. It started as a random occurence. I would be eating, and suddenly, while chewing, my jaw would lock and as I would bite down...screeming pain on the right side of my jaw like someone stabbing my in the face with an ice pick. Over time, this happened more and more often and got to the point where, about 3 weeks ago it would happen with every single bite of food. My jaw was dislocating. And the troubling thing is that it is painless when it happens, so when it does, I don't realize it until I feel the stabbing pain as I try to close my mouth with it out of joint. It is miserable, and with it brings anxiety and dread with every meal. Three weeks ago, I stopped eating solid food. I made an appointment with my doctor after a couple of weeks of eating nothing solid helped it not at all. The doc sent me to the dentist, and the dentist to an oral surgeon. In the meantime, my jaw was now slipping out while doing such random things as talking and breathing. And I had dropped 8 pouinds in 2 weeks. The oral surgeon took an x-ray, measured how much my jaw moved when I opened my mouth and moved it side to side, and found that I have a deformity in my temperomandibular joint (TMJ). The part of the temporal bone that my jaw (mandible) articulates with is supposed to be sort of cupped, the way your hip is in relation to the head of your femur. This cup holds the joint in place. Apparently, my temporal bone is more flatish than cuppish, which when coupled with stretched out ligaments, allows my jaw to sublux. So that's what's going on. The surgeon gave me a script for corticosteroids (as opposed to anabolic steroids...no performance enhancement for me--in fact, one of the side affects from the corticosteroids is "loss of muscle mass." Joy.) and another anitinflammatory. Also, no food for a month, and no opening my mouth wide for a month (as in yawning or talking). And if that doesn't work, they wire my mouth shut for a month. And if that doesn't work, they cut on me. That was a week ago. So I have three weeks left in the no-solid-food diet. The good news is it does seem to be getting better. My jaw only subluxes once in a while now, as opposed to all the freaking time. But the prospect of not having a proper meal until possibly December, and of this totally screwing me for my "A" race HIM in November (anyone ever try training with your mouth closed? On a liquid diet?) is totally depressing. I've been in a funk for about 4 weeks now. When people talk about food, when Amy orders a burger, when I smell food, I either have an anxiety attack or simply want to jab a fork in someone's eye. This totally sucks. |
| 2005-09-20 7:30 AM in reply to: #249952 |
The Original 7834  Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Yummmm....pizza, burritos, nice juicy burgers, wings- are you salivating yet?? |
| 2005-09-20 7:45 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Jim, my aunt had severe TMJ too. They said it was mostly stressed related, that it trigged whatever what wrong physiologically (dont listen to me I don't know what I'm talking about) and she started getting massages and going to the chiropractor (again, don't know what I'm talking about, I say get a massage for any reason and if a dr. tells you to, then do it!). She ended up going to several doctors, and more than one wanted to cut (dont know why, again, don't know what I'm talking about) but she ended up fully recovered without surgery. (I'm going to copy your post to her and have her tell me exactly what she did--I'll let you know) Hope you like soup for a couple months... |
| 2005-09-20 7:46 AM in reply to: #249966 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Did you see the part above about the fork and the eye? runnergirl28 - 2005-09-20 7:30 AM Yummmm....pizza, burritos, nice juicy burgers, wings- are you salivating yet?? |
| 2005-09-20 7:48 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Beer has a lot of carbs, thats good for you right? |
| 2005-09-20 7:51 AM in reply to: #249980 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Thanks, Comet. I've heard about it being stress related, but I can't put my finger on any high-stress events that could have triggered it (it started beore Katrina...). Also, I don't have any of the classic TMJ symptoms (headaches, teeth grinding, etc.). Looking at the x-rays, it really does look like it's just a physiological thing. But I do appreciate it... And soup sucks. But I can eat pasta, as long as it's not chunky and I can just swallow it down. TriComet - 2005-09-20 7:45 AM Jim, my aunt had severe TMJ too. They said it was mostly stressed related, that it trigged whatever what wrong physiologically (dont listen to me I don't know what I'm talking about) and she started getting massages and going to the chiropractor (again, don't know what I'm talking about, I say get a massage for any reason and if a dr. tells you to, then do it!). She ended up going to several doctors, and more than one wanted to cut (dont know why, again, don't know what I'm talking about) but she ended up fully recovered without surgery. (I'm going to copy your post to her and have her tell me exactly what she did--I'll let you know) Hope you like soup for a couple months... |
| 2005-09-20 7:52 AM in reply to: #249985 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Yes! The doc said pretty much anything w/calories that I don't have to chew is fair game. TriComet - 2005-09-20 7:48 AM Beer has a lot of carbs, thats good for you right? |
| 2005-09-20 8:11 AM in reply to: #249952 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Maybe you're jaw is just rebelling against you- kind of like what my feet did to me during marathon training?. Instead of you suffering from blistering, cahffing, and all that fun stuff you get TMJ when you tri train! Fork in the eye- no I missed that part. But is that why you're not answering you phone? LOL! Edited by runnergirl28 2005-09-20 8:14 AM |
| 2005-09-20 8:32 AM in reply to: #250002 |
| Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Sorry you're going through this, Jim. I feel for you. I suffered from TMJ twenty years ago, or so. Mine was cause by a malformed maxilla. It was corrected with surgery and braces. Not fun, but I haven't had any problems since. It's a drag that your nutrition is going to be screwed up before your A race. Hope you can accommodate it someway. |
| 2005-09-20 8:36 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Elite 2796 Texas | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Myoplex shakes are pretty good. They usually come with a recipe book in the box so you can have a little more variety. One other thing I would do...pickup some good spice blends from a specialty place like Penzeys (www.penzeys.com) and see how many ways you can make mashed potatoes. Roasted winter squash is tasty too, and soft. Man I really don't know what I'd do in your shoes, but I'd start with stuff like that. Good luck. |
| 2005-09-20 8:40 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Sent you a PM with her response... |
| 2005-09-20 8:46 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Queen BTich 12411 , | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Maybe Janelle is stressing you out. I think you should pick your friends better  |
| 2005-09-20 8:46 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Champion 5183 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! dang jim that sounds miserable! in solidarity, I will hereby not chew at lunch today (I packed applesauce, yogurt, and a PBJ which I can probably gulp down with some nice OJ since it's not chunky PB!) |
| 2005-09-20 8:48 AM in reply to: #250036 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I think you may be on to something... TriComet - 2005-09-20 8:46 AM Maybe Janelle is stressing you out. I think you should pick your friends better |
| 2005-09-20 8:51 AM in reply to: #250037 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Thanks, Hollis, but I don't wish this on anyone. Please feel free to chew at will, and maybe I'll get some good vicarious vibes as a result...heh. possum - 2005-09-20 8:46 AM dang jim that sounds miserable! in solidarity, I will hereby not chew at lunch today (I packed applesauce, yogurt, and a PBJ which I can probably gulp down with some nice OJ since it's not chunky PB!) |
| 2005-09-20 9:34 AM in reply to: #250038 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! run4yrlif - 2005-09-20 9:48 AM I think you may be on to something... TriComet - 2005-09-20 8:46 AM Maybe Janelle is stressing you out. I think you should pick your friends better Maybe you're just stressed out becuase my bike looks better than yours- not that she's painted! Hey- we should designate a day and see how many of us can go without chewing solid food. Just for fun and to share the pain with Jim! Maybe I'll try it tomorrow since it's a rest day |
| 2005-09-20 10:34 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Champion 7036 Sarasota, FL | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I feel for you Jim. I had a botched colonoscopy in March that landed me in the hospital for a week and put me on liquid diet for almost a month (and caused me to miss a race and six weeks of training). Chicken broth and green jello three times a day gets old real quick. Hope your docs can get it fixed without surgery. Mark |
| 2005-09-20 8:07 PM in reply to: #249952 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I can understand your pain (at least somewhat) - I've had TMJ for awhile now, but mine is caused by clenching and grinding my teeth. On the other hand, my brother has TMJ about as bad as you and we don't know what caused it. He's been able to control it pretty well from diet alone so far, so I hope that's the case for you. He was on a soft diet for awhile and he was able to reintroduce food as he could tolerate it. He still can't eat subs and some things, but he can eat solid food. Hang in there...it should get better. |
| 2005-09-20 9:26 PM in reply to: #249952 |
Champion 6285 Beautiful Sonoma County | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I used to wake up with my jaw locked closed. Braces helped me a little, but mostly I just have to be careful -- no gum, be conscientious about my stress-level, massage my jaw muscles, etc. I can't say I can relate to the whole liquid diet thing, sorry. I can imagine that it severely limits what you can eat. December is a long ways off, too. Just think about the delicious holiday dinner you'll be able to enjoy chewing! |
| 2005-09-21 8:35 AM in reply to: #249952 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! What's for lunch today Jim? I am thinking about a Nacho Mama's burrito- wanna join me? Oh wait- that's rightl...you can't chew- lol! Sorry- just getting back at you making fun at my training log entry- which BTW, my problem is getting better! |
| 2005-09-21 8:38 AM in reply to: #250800 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! runnergirl28 - 2005-09-21 8:35 AM What's for lunch today Jim? I am thinking about a Nacho Mama's burrito- wanna join me? Oh wait- that's rightl...you can't chew- lol! Sorry- just getting back at you making fun at my training log entry- which BTW, my problem is getting better! Whatever... |
| 2005-09-21 8:42 AM in reply to: #250803 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! run4yrlif - 2005-09-21 9:38 AM runnergirl28 - 2005-09-21 8:35 AM What's for lunch today Jim? I am thinking about a Nacho Mama's burrito- wanna join me? Oh wait- that's rightl...you can't chew- lol! Sorry- just getting back at you making fun at my training log entry- which BTW, my problem is getting better! Whatever... Oops- I hope that didn't make you mad enough to grit your teeth. I guess I'm not helping hte situation at all. I should be more supportive and encouragining. I can get you a burrito and ask them to blend it for you? But no really, a burrito doesn't require THAT much chewing- you might be safe with that. It's all soft stuff- except for the chicken. |
| 2005-09-21 8:43 AM in reply to: #249952 |
Master 2447 Marietta, Ga | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I went though something similar a year ago. Out of nowhere, my jaw started hurting and popping in and out of joint. It got to the point that I couldn't open my mouth without severe pain. I went to the doctor and the dentist. Both credited it to stress and clamping of my jaw at night when I slept. It took a few months, but eventually went away on its own. I hope your condition clears up quickly. |
| 2005-09-21 8:46 AM in reply to: #250809 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Thanks, everyone, for your support. The weird thing about this is that I don't have the classic TMJ syndrome symptoms (teeth grinding, popping of clicking noises in my jaw, headaches). It does seem to be getting better with the meds and rest, hopefully I won't have to go to plans B and C. |
| 2005-09-21 8:50 AM in reply to: #249952 |
The Original 7834 Raleigh/Durham | Subject: RE: Chew...chew...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! How much longer are you giving it until you have to resort to plan B or C?? |
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