Today I am going to blog first thing rather than later in the day. Over the weekend I had intended to write a post a day but by the afternoon my focus and the pain typing causes in my upper arms and shoulders I was unable to transfer my thoughts to words, so today I am going to get my post in first.
As you know I have been managing a flare up of TMJ for the last two weeks, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head and in my case it has been causing a stabbing and shooting pain almost constantly. The symptoms of TMJ can be very similar to an ear infection and whilst I was 99% sure I was experiencing TMJ I had to have the ear checked just in case. A visit to an ear nose and throat specialist confirm I did not have an infection.
Saturday morning my dentist took a look at me. I am very grateful to have such a great dentist. He came into work at 8:30am on Saturday to make time to help me. It turns out that my bite was out and causing me put pressure on a few points instead of an even application of pressure. I told me that this causes the jaw joint take the pressure and could be contributing if not causing the TMJ flare up. He adjusted my bite and I was able to see the changes in pressure after the adjustment. He told me that it could take a few days for the inflammation to subside although the collar is not helping by forcing the jaw together.
Since the adjustment on Saturday the pain has subsided, it is more controllable with pain killers and I am optimistic that it will continue to get better.
As I enter week 5 I am surprised at how much pain I am experiencing in the shoulders, arms and back. It is no longer debilitating pain but in is wearing and makes it hard to concentrate and do things. Later in the day even holding a book up is hard. It is hard as it is tempting to push myself to do things and let the pain killers run out, both of which I have done and found to be a really bad idea.
Ok by "do things" I mean, write a blog, or drive an RC car or do a little model painting, go for a walk or visit the shops.
The good news is that I am able to do a little of all of them and I am at last sleeping longer than 6 hours a night even if it is broken into 2/3 hour blocks.
Sarah mentioned to me yesterday how since the accident we have been blessed with random acts of kindness and whilst is it difficult to deal with an injury it is heart warming to experience simple acts of kindness. For example yesterday I took an old watch in for a new battery. Whilst there I looked at the new watches and Sarah shared my story with the assistant. When we picked up the watch she took us to one side and said it was free, it was only $15 but the thought and consideration was priceless.
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