Jaw Surgery Forums » Post-Surgery and Recovery Questions

Ear Aches almost 2 weeks post-op

(7 posts)
  • Started 7 months ago by fatalframe
  • Latest reply from jawbreaker911
  1. fatalframe
    Member

    Hey everyone

    Just an update on how I'm doing and also a little story if anyone is getting any type of jaw surgery. I know for mine, I had double jaw surgery, well work done on both the upper and lower, and I have screws in both in the sides of my jaw holding everything in place.

    At the moment, I am on day 13, with tomorrow being my 2 week anniversary! It's hard to believe it has been two weeks. Like the forums have already specifically stated, day 3+4 are the hardest, but it does get better after that.

    I had a really hard time swallowing food and was constantly drooling. The constant drooling has stopped (which was one of those things I could do without from the surgery), and I still drool if I don't catch it because my mouth still hangs open a bit.

    I'm just curious though, my surgeon put some elastics on my braces from one of the top molars in the back to my eye teeth in the front, one on each side. At first it didn't hurt, but now only ONE side of my jaw, the right side, has a dull and at times very painful ache; first probably from the elastics (all that pressure, has to go somewhere) and probably because it is also still swollen.

    I am just curious if this is affecting anyone else and what their solution...if any was. I've tried many different pain meds, but none of them work. Usually I just try to rest, but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with what I do, as it seems to come and go.

    Anyways, I have 4 weeks of liquid diet left (as I am not wired shut) and after that should be smooth sailing! I've requested lasagna from my dad as my first 'real meal'! :)

    Posted 7 months ago #
  2. Euphobia
    Moderator

    I had the exact same thing. 15 days after my surgery I had tighter elastics put on the sides of my braces. On my left side I had what felt like earache and the pain got pretty bad at times. It got its worst about day 17/18 where I had a couple of nights where I'd wake during the night and I'd have some excruciating pain for a minute or so. You're right about pain meds not making any difference as none do with me either.

    By day 19 or 20 it was fine and the pain went and it's not come back since.

    Congrats on reaching the 2 week mark though. It's my 9 week milestone tomorrow as well :) You'll love it when you do finally get to eat your lasagne though. You might be able to have it sooner than two weeks though if you have the pasta sheets cut up etc as lasagne doesn't really require any chewing. I was eating pizza and McDonald's cheeseburgers by week 4 and a half, lol, as the liquid/soft mashed up food diet was doing my head in.

    Posted 7 months ago #
  3. xtina86
    Member

    That is so weird that you posted this b/c I am exactly 2 weeks post op & I am feeling the exact same thing but on my left side! At 1st I thought it was only me. It's like a throbbing & pressure feeling! I haven't had to take any pain meds but it is pretty painful. I see my surgeon on Tuesday & I am going to ask him about it.

    Posted 7 months ago #
  4. xtina86
    Member

    Oh & I forgot to mention...I am able to take my bands off while I eat. When I do, it relieves so much pressure & feels so much better. I think it's b/c the bands are pulling our teeth to fit into the correct spot while healing. It kinda reminds me of when I first got my braces put on. Sore & achy.

    Posted 7 months ago #
  5. jawbreaker911
    Member

    im 6 days post op and im in pain constantly on my left side
    its earch ache and from the mandibal close to my ear all the way across, but mostly affects the eardrum so it seems and also the bottom jaw left side directly under my ear drum
    my surgeon mentioned it was probably because the elastics were too tight, so shes going to do something about it on Wednesday, but Ive been feeling this pain ever since my surgery Oct 4th.

    Posted 7 months ago #
  6. fatalframe
    Member

    @Euphobia, thanks for that. It feels good knowing that people have experienced the same thing. Only difference is that my pain is so bad that I can't sleep or even get to sleep until I get really really tired and just pass out.. :(

    I don't mind the liquid diet right now. I know it's only 2 weeks in, but my grandma and mom have made a lot of soup for me. I also eat some ensures, yogurt, pudding and I can make my own fruit smoothies. Also icecream, whipped up with some milk added is awesome!

    @xtina86 That is also weird. I am seeing my surgeon on Tuesday as well! I am also able to take my bands off while I eat, but the first time I tried to change them, I literally spent 15-20min for one band because I couldn't get the hang of it. So, I just leave them on 24/7, which is what my surgeon basically wanted anyways. No pain, no gain...right?

    @jawbreaker911 I feel your pain. It seems that the pressure from the elastics, like I said before, has to go somewhere, and from there it causes pain in my jaw and also spreads to my temple, and usually comes and goes, and really comes when I try to go to sleep...and then I don't fall asleep.

    I'm heading back to school (university) tomorrow night, so we'll see how everything goes, with headaches, swelling and looking funny and trying to catch up!

    I wish everyone on this forum, because we're all connected in some way, the best! I'll post more in the future, when I'm further along.

    Posted 7 months ago #
  7. jawbreaker911
    Member

    fatalframe, take it easy...youll be fine and i ll be going back to University soon too lol im trying to get into med school and finish my degree I left back in my 20s. As for your face im sure you look gorgeous and your pain well that's another story. I feel it all the time unless im on pain meds, and Im worried that if my surgeon takes my bands off my jaw will relapse back to what it was like before, God forbid! I remember sitting through a whole psyche lecture (3hrs) and my eye dr put droplets in my eye made the pupil huge, the lecture that day was on hallucinogenic drugs and their side effects, needless to say she was kinda staring at me kinda funny throughout the whole lecture, and it was a class of 300 lol
    please let me know what your surgeon says about the headaches and what they recommend, Im going in on wed i ll let you know too
    goodluck :)

    Posted 7 months ago #

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