How long did you have pain/tension for post surgery?

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#1 Post by **bracesat30** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:26 pm

I'm now at 2.5 weeks post op double jaw, and completely immobilized still in splint and heavy duty bands with splint wired in to braces.

I just wanted to see what other people have experienced for pain post surgery?

I still find that I am getting pain in certain parts of my cheeks, around the jaw joints, and little shots of pain through my chin (this is likely nerves trying to eventually regenerate which I know will take a REALLY long time, if ever - fingers crossed! to come back). I think a big part of my pain is the fact that my jaws are completely fixated, so there's a lot of tension in my facial muscles and joints.

I find I still need to take naproxen or ibuprofen at least every evening as I find the pain is worse by the end of the day. I took the narcotic, hydromorphone less than a week ago as well.

I know everyone heals differently, but I'm just wondering what others experienced with pain and how long it lasted for, and long you were taking medication for it, so any feedback is really appreciated!!

I also find along my lower jawline that one side seems to be more swelled, almost harder than the other side which I assume is normal as well.

#2 Post by **trish222** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:36 am

Hi Bracesat30,
Regarding the pain, I'm almost one year post -op, so sometimes hard to remember. I did not take any pain meds post-op because the liquid form made me gag and I was so afraid to throw up. I eventually was able to squeeze in between my teeth some small round advil pill and sudafed for nasal issues. The pill form of pain meds was too big and they often, in the past, have made me ill.
The swelling on one side may be some blood clotting. I had major issues with this that wasn't diagnosed until 2 weeks post-op. I was told to put warm compresses on to slowly break up clot. I wish I had known this was a possiblilty as I would have been doing all along. They seemed to take forever to break up.

#3 Post by **OzzysMom** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:17 pm

My right lower jawline area was much more swollen than the left side. Even as the residual swelling went down, the right side was still puffier for months after but it wasn't really noticeable to anyone but myself. Nothing was wrong, that's just how my body healed. I do agree that heat would probably be good for it right now.