ChewingChallenged

Ever heard of this. Me neither. It has symptoms similiar to allergies but affects those without allergies. Runny nose; sneezing; nasal dripping; sinus headaches. These are all of the symptoms I am having without being allergic to anything. Who knew? I found it in an article in USA Today. There are some prescription medicines that seem to be effective. Will talk to my doctor about it next week when I see him. All along I thought it was the 16 screws and 4 plates in my upper jaw causing this.

We shall see. More later.

When I go to my 4 month check up my dentist now has a TV hanging over my chair. Ii like it sort of as it distracts from the pain, on the otherhand I feel locked into the hygenist’s preferences of programs. So far, my appt. has not been during soaps. I think I might say something about that. I have such trouble opening my mouth that I , in no way, want to alienate the hygienist.

Ellen

Because of the 16 screws and four plates which hold my jaw together, I have to have my teeth cleaned every 4 months. My teeth are so close together that it is hard to get out all the plaque and almost impossible to use dental floss. Toothpicks every night before bed help and are necessary.

At my last cleaning, two weeks ago, I had a new, brand new, right out of dental school, hygienist. She was cute and pert and dedicated. Too dedicated for me. She would not use the new(ish) water cleaning but the old pick and scrape. She had no idea of my history and no clue as to why I could not open my mouth to her satisfaction. I whined, a bit, to no avail. Usually at this dental practice, been going for 50 years, I have a hygienist who has been there a long time and knows all the trials I have been through. Not this time. By the time the cleaning was over—took an hour—I was battling back tears.

I should have said something, but did not, but when I made my next appt. I am getting Carol the above mentioned long time employee.

Have a good weekend.

Ellen

P. S Next time, the hanging TV over the dental chair. Who gets to decide what program I want to watch to kill the pain?

Interestingly enough my jaw has not been hurting me with tension because I have become the comp;lete care giver. My husband has just gotten an new knee and he is a very needy person right now. I have no time to feel tense ,but a lot of time to feel stressed. Caregivers rock and I will be more attuned to them in the future.

What is wrong with me? I have been very lax in keeping up this blog. My excuse is because no one out there reads it. I suppose because I am dull. But, I know that that is not so. I am an interesting busy person who loves to write and am constantly battling an horrific jaw problem.

Alas and alack, my jaw is on hold and I will try to be more inspiring. I have a new computer bought on black Friday at Walmart so this should help, right? Maybe.

Still need to deal with the stress in my life and Christmas does not help. I decided in October, too late, to knit four irish wool scaves for my family. Disaster. Scarves take longer than you might imagine. They are LONG. 60 inches. They took forever and I finally finished just the first week in December. Now to get on with the festivities.

If anyone out there is readin this: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The 16 screws that are holding my jar together are impinging on my sinuses, especially the right side. Thus, my face is swollen on that side. Very attractive!! and my nose is throbbing and I have swimmer’s ear on that side. I hate this. If I go to the sinus doc, he will ream it out and that is SO uncomfortable. If it becomes a full blown throbbing, then I resort to the antibiotics which takes care of it until the next time.

Here I am whining again, but it is so hard to function when the whole right side of your head is throbbing. By the time the end of the day comes, I have no energy left. Ah well, life goes on. Wish there were some suggestions out there from you all, But nobody finds me here in this lonely blog.

Ellen

Thought I had broken through this with just will power. Not so, it struck last night about 8. Easy to chew dinner too. I am getting very tired of all of this with my jaw. It is over 10 years now. Ellen

Drought then rain then drought, then cold weather. It plays havoc with the sinuses and thus my jaw. Have had to just lay on the couch and read a couple of days this week because moving my head was too painfull. No medication seems to help. Ugh.

Ellen

I can’t seem to get rid of the stress in my life. I live in this beautiful place on this beautiful lake and my jaw is just tight all the time. I keep trying deep breaths but I can’t get into a regular habit, and meditation seems beyond me. It is upping my blood pressure as well. Must do something.

Have neglected my blog for awhile. No excuse. A lot of stress going on which really takes a toll on my jaw.

I am married to a negative thinker. He is an “O woe is me” kind of guy.

” Chicken Little the sky is falling”. Of course I try to be positive but it is sometimes overwhelming and then my teeth clench, my jaw hurts, I can’t swallow and nothing to do but curl up in a fetal position and try to sleep it off.

Well, enough of this whining. It is 4th of July weekend and I was able to eat hot dogs and potato salad so it can’t all be bad.

Wish I was better at meditation. Will try harder. (That’s my positive side shining through)

Ellen