Posted by learian on June 20, 2008 at 19:02:58:If I had written this update two weeks ago, I would have been saying that pretty much everything was at a stand still except for a TMJ attack. However, right now my teeth and gums feel as if they're filled with action--tingling, pulsating--and a hint of achiness. My conclusion is that sensation continues to return. Knowing that a year post MMA is a point in recovery where dramatic change slows down (SeattleBill give us eighteen months),I had begun to think that I was done. Now I'm going to look forward to the next six months and consider any change as bonus points. Food no longer tastes flat, and that's a very nice experience.
I still don't know exactly what triggered the TMJ. When I mentioned my two theories--clenching my teeth at night and overdoing nuts in the tossed salads--to Dr. KL, I can only tell you that the look on his face didn't give these ideas much play. If going back to soft foods and resting my jaws didn't result in improvement, he did give me a referral to an orthodentist who specializes in TMJ. Rest and tincture of time seem to have worked. The only other TMJ episode I've ever had was with that hideous dental device to advance my jaws.
I am scheduled for a pharyngeal lift--a less invasive procedure than a pharyngealplasty--which should tighten up the extra tissue hanging around in my throat and open up my airway a little more on 7/15/08 with Dr. KL. I have never, ever snored but must confess to letting loose with one big one the other night. I'm still debating if it was a true snore or just another apneic event--maybe it was one and the same--because I can't imagine anything else waking me up these days.
There's another post brewing in my head which will examine the reality that I will have had two soft tissue surgeries post MMA in a thirteen month period. I just have to gather my thoughts a bit.
Thank you for reading and best to you all.
- Re: 1 Year, 1 Week Post MMA sleepy-in-seattle 09:35 6/25/08 (0)