I've been avoiding writing

because I didn't want to just go on a whinge rampage. For the last two months my bottom right jaw has been killing me - aching, throbbing pain that gets so bad it keeps me up some nights.
I went to see my dentist and he took an x-ray but couldn't find anything. Surprise surprise. We tried a week of antibiotics to make sure it wasn't an infection, but no result there. It's amazing how you can WANT something specific to be wrong just so there is a way to fix it (well, hopefully). But when the pain can't be located, as such, it's like looking for a needle in an hay stack!

Next stop was to see the endodontist. I was referred by my parents neighbour - they had gone to dental school together. I find it helps to have some sort of background or introduction to new doctors so they don't look at your chart and listen to you and think you're just an hypochondriac. You'd be surprised how many daft doctors there are out there. Or perhaps you wouldn't be...

I went to the endodontist on Tuesday morning. He looked, banging, made me bite hard things, blew cold air, etc. And again, he couldn't figure it out. It wasn't a failed root canal, it wasn't another tooth needing a root canal. He thinks it's nerve-related, but not "that" nerve type of thing where he would know what to do to fix "that" nerve. He was very nice and not too patronising. He said he would talk to some colleagues to see if they came up with anything. It's Friday and I've still not heard from him, so I'm guessing no one was able to come up with an idea.

Yesterday I went for acupuncture though. I told my doctor what was going on with my jaw, as well as with my hip (it's been wonky and limpish for the last couple of weeks) and knees (they're swollen and not happy). I filled him in on the PT I had been doing and told him I thought my hips were unhappy b/c of the core exercises. He agreed that could be it, even though the PT lady (who was v. nice and good) didn't think it should be a result of that. But he's had two hip replacements and does all sorts of keep-fit things, and he said ever since his hip replacements he's not been able to do core work either as it irritates it. So, yes an answer, but still a new catch - 22 b/c how am I meant to strengthen my core if I can't do the exercises?

Regarding my jaw, he felt it and said - "it could be the muscle there". There's a muscle there, under my tongue, and no one else thought to mention that? This is why it's good to have all different types of people around you - everyone thinks differently. So he shows me his Trigger Point poster - I love this thing because it's like someone who didn't know me drew it and put big X's on all of the parts that hurt me, what a coincidence! :-) And sure enough, on the green part that is the disxxxxx whatever name I can't say muscle, there is a big X EXACTLY WHERE IT HURTS!!! Now mind, is this 100% the problem? Who knows. But at least it's some sort of start and we can try to fix it and see what happens. This time we did more needling on my legs and hips than my neck, but a little on my shoulder and in my tmj. He needled me under my jaw into that muscle and sure enough, there was a trigger point - and a slippery one at that, took a bit to get the needle in (not pleasant) but (touch wood) afterwards I did feel a bit better. He things the trigger point is from clenching my jaw, related to my tmj, which is related to stress, which I've been under because of the world and the pain I've been and not being able to sleep and there goes the never ending cycle. So, as with all acupuncture/dry needling, we will wait a bit and see what happens. I am trying to be hopeful but not overly so because, well, I know my body.
I did feel all over a lot better when I left his office last night though. A combination between him and the treatment me thinks!
So next appointment is 30 April, the day before I leave for England. Fingers crossed!!!

Yay I finally got some sleep

Well it wasn't a complete night but at least 6 good hours so I'm quite happy about that. I was so desperate for it and it was desperately needed as well. Once more I didn't have to take a pain pill when I woke up, waited until about 10 am today! My parents think my walking with the crutches has gotten better too. Improvement all around methinks!

Today was a very busy day. I had a dentist appointment this morning. Yes you would think I had enough pain inflicted last week, but it was a long overdue visit. Thankfully I didn't have any cavities, and the cleaning wasn't too bad as the lovely lady numbed my mouth up first. I do have to go back next week to have some bonding done on 3 teeth as I have a few very sensitive spots and this seems to help them out, but thankfully it's not painful.

After the dentist I went for my eye exam. I hadn't had one in almost two years so thought it best that I got that out of the way whilst I am on the island as well. My eyes haven't gotten worse, and I got to get new glasses as well. All very exciting, considering my level of excitement has been nil. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my parents, but at least in the city I had some visitors. I'm going a bit mad being trapped out here in the boonies! Thankfully we will be returning to the city tomorrow and not back here till Saturday. I am completely wiped from the appointments though. The crutches, though much better than typical ones, still irritate my shoulders and hands, and it's quite tiring dragging yourself around with them as well.

I have another PT appointment on Wednesday afternoon and a post-op appointment with Dr. Kelly on Friday morning. I hope my stitches will be coming out and that he will tell me I can stop using the bloody CPM machine. It's not that I mind using it that much, it's just going to be another $350 for another 14 days, and am not looking forward to the additional cost. Bloody unbelievable the cost of these things!