physical therapy

Hello all
I wanted to send an update on my physical therapy. I have had 2 sessions. Last week was my first, it was very interesting. I didn't realize how many facial muscles you have. Everything is connected, so when you have a problem, it just goes on and on. Now, I understand why I have headaches, neck pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain and facial pain. The therapist didn't do too much the first visit because I was so inflammed. He did do some ultrasound massage with a gel to help reduce the inflamation. He has me take 2 ibuprofen 2x a day for the next week. He gave me three different exercises to do each day. I really like him and feel very comfortable with him. He said it usually takes 4 to 6 times to get my tmj under control. I will never been healed, but should be free of problems and if and when the issues come back, I will know how to exercise to reduce the swelling and be free of pain again.
This past Tuesday, I went for another visit, he did a lot of manipulation. It hurt a little, but it was a good hurt. I was sore for the rest of the day. He did some massage inside of my mouth, moving my jaw and pushing on my cheeks. Then he massaged my neck and shoulders. I could have layed there all day! I have to go back again next week. I sure hope it helps, I am so tired of being sore. I have another exercise to do for my shoulders. I also need to watch what I eat, some foods are so hard to eat and really cause me pain. He said I will never eat gum again or eat a whole apple, I need to slice my apples first. Who would have thought that my jaw could cause so many problems. I would never believe the pain and discomfort if I didn't experience it myself. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
Hopefully I will see some changes soon. I will keep you updated.
thanks for checking in on us!

sick boys

hello from the sannes infirmary.
Last week, Will had a slight fever and very sore throat. He was home from school for 2 days. He was pretty miserable the first day and then started to feel better. Sunday morning, Jack started with a sore throat, earache, headache and feeling pretty rough. By 6:00pm, he had a temp of 103'. He was very sore and was feeling awful. I called our family dr at home and he went to the er and got Jack an antibiotic. By bedtime, he was better. He had a high fever in the middle of the night and now he is mostly suffering from a very sore throat and headache. I just hate when the boys are sick. I feel so helpless. I have been on the couch with him all morning. He likes when I rub his feet. I think it helps him to relax. He really needs to sleep and get rid of this bug! I hope the rest of us don't get this. I had a bout of strep throat that wouldn't go away about 5 years ago. I was miserable and I don't want it again. It will be tough if Charlie gets it, since he is so small. He fell of the stool this morning, so he was crying and crying. Jack was in the bathtub crying. It was a very interesting morning. I always tell Charlie to stop pushing the stool back when he is sitting in it, well this morning he pushed it back and fell off and cut his lip and hit the bottom of his chin. He was very upset. Lets just hope the rest of the day gets better and no one else gets sick!
I will post again when we are all healthy. talk to you soon.
Tammi

I DID IT !!!!!!!!!

What a day it has been. I am so glad it is over. I had my first set of fillings today. I was a little nervous, but not as bad as I thought. It didn't really hurt, just very weird. I haven't had any dental work done, except for cleanings, so I had no idea what was about to happen. I think the worst was the novacaine shot, she put a little on the roof of my mouth and that did sting. I really have a hard time keeping my mouth open that long. I know some of you beg to differ, because my mouth is rarely closed, but it was really hard. I do have a sore jaw tonight, which I expected. I did not like the numbness either. I even went to Sam's Club after, boy did I feel weird. It only lasted about 3 hours. Thank God! The hygienist told me it should be gone within 4 to 5 days. She was NOT funny. Dr. Kay and Laura were really having fun with me today, they loved getting me all excited. They couldn't believe that I never had a filling before.
I don't know why I get so worked up about this kind of stuff. I try to relax, but it doesn't always work. I have my first physical therapy session next Wednesday. I am hoping for lots of massages. Actually I just hope it works. TMJ really sucks. I am sure that is why I am sore tonight. I am having a very relaxing evening at home. I forgot to watch "The Biggest Loser" last night, so I hope it is online.
We have a busy weekend planned. Friday night I am going scrapbooking. Yeah, I am almost finished with 2004. It has been a little while since I did any scrapbooking, so it will be a lot of fun. Saturday Will has a basketball game. We will be going to Napoleon (about 35 miles from Linton). We love watching him play. Sunday we have our church supper, Paul and I are working in the kitchen from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. We have the best fall supper, if you are in the area come on over!
Well I better go for now, I need to help Will with a little homework. It just never ends.
good night

There is a First Time for Everything!!!!!!

Hello all. I am so surprised at what happened to me yesterday, I just have to tell you about my day. First of all I had a Dentist appt yesterday. I have been really suffering with what I thought was either TMJ or my 4 wisdom teeth that are through. I have been having tightness in my jaw, headaches, pain in my neck and shoulders, even my ears hurt. I broke down and made an appt with our dentist. Did I mention that I HATE going to the dentist??? I just had enough. I was very nervous about this visit because I was sure I was going to have my wisdom teeth pulled. So off we went to Bismarck to see Dr. Kay, which by the way is an very awesome dentist! She is so nice and made me feel so much better. I wasn't going to have my teeth cleaned because I was too worried about the wisom teeth removal, but they had time, so the hygienist said we would go ahead. Let me tell you she had her work cut out for her. I do not go to the dentist. I know, I know I need to go. Well, she had to remove a lot of tarter. Now that all of you are totally grossed out, I will continue with me story. I had full x-rays, cleaning and she measured and counted my teeth. It was quite the ordeal. I have always had such a hard time flossing and brushing way in the back and my teeth are very close together. When Dr. Kay came in, she was very surprised that I had such healthy teeth. She did a lot of poking and pushing on my jaw. She said that I didn't have a horrible bite, it was off a little so I do not need to have my wisdom teeth removed at this time. She said that they were all very straight and seemed to be ok. Whew, what a relief. She said it was TMJ, but my bite was good enough that I didn't require an appliance. Thank God!!!!! She felt that I needed to go to a physical therapist who specializes in TMJ, so she will refer me to one in Bismarck. I have never heard of physical therapy on your jaw. She said I will be amazed at how much better I feel. YEAH, I hope this requires lots and lots of facial massages. Now for the scary part, she found a little bit of decay on 2 teeth. Yes, I know you are amazed, as was I. At 41 years of age, I have my first cavity!!!!!!!! I have to go back for 2 fillings. The decay is right on top of the teeth and there isn't too much, so hopefully not much drilling. Can you believe that, how crazy is that. Wish me luck, I am a little nervous. I have never had novacaine or fillings or anything! Dr. Kay said she didn't feel too sorry for me since I hadn't had any yet. I have to promise her that I will floss my teeth once a day, every day. I went straight to WalMart and bought floss and new toothpaste. I will update you on the filling prcedure and the physical therapy.