Jaw Pain Advice Needed

Hi Friends,

Tomorrow is my 34th and last radiation treatment. WoooHooo!!!!

But this weekend I started getting pain in my jaw, both upper and lower. Now I'm wondering if maybe I'm having a tooth problem, like an abcess. Is jaw pain usual and customary not involving tooth problems that will go away??

I haven't heard much that jaw pain is a normal side effect.

Thaks,

Rick

Congratulation!  I know you are happy.

I have had lower jaw pain since my radiation 08/05.  Been to several dentist.  It is sore and sometimes teeth feel like they are going to break.  They have gotten a little better, but the gums have receited down from the teeth a little. Radiation doctor says it was from the rays, the way they hit me trying to get the tonsil and neck area.

I've just lived on Advil 800 mgs 3 - 4 times a day.  Might go away, might not.  I've learned to live with hit.  I have found a dentist who deals with cancer patients only.

 Good luck to you and if you find more out let us know.

 Patricia

 

Thanks Patricia. That makes me feel better. Even though it hurts, if I just knew it was normal, I'm ok w. it.

R

Hey Rick,

Congratulations!!! The tough ride is behind you. Now you just have to heal. The problem with the healing part is that you are going to experience all kinds of undocumented aches and pains. Figuring out which ones are important and which ones aren't is going to be a bit tricky for a while. For about 6 months after I stopped treatment my teeth became extremely sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet things. My dentist helped my with Flouride mouthwashes which I continue to this day. I also got a temporary case of Bell's Palsy from the nerve damage that the radiation caused. It only lasted 2 weeks but that was enough to have me freaking out in the emergency room thinking I was having a stroke. Anyway, i think the radiation can cause all sorts of nerve problems in the jaw area. This may be what you're experiencing, however, if it continues to bug you it's always worth a mention to your dentist.

Good Luck!

Joe 

Thanks Joe.

The journey continues.

Rick

I'm with the other two. I've had pain off and on in my jaw since I finished radiation 4 months ago. The things they don't tell you!

I had about 3 weeks of intense sensitivity to cold and sweets. I'm using the Biotene Sensitivity toothpaste and that seems to help quite a bit, as do saltwater mouth rinses.

Congrats on finishing your radiation and good luck on your recovery.

Mike

I had my 'every 2 mos' checkup with my ENT last week and complained of jaw pain where the lower jaw meets the upper, by my ear (right side, where my SCC metastesized) Hard to now open my jaw as wide as necessary to bite into certain foods-and general achiness sometimes. Also, yawning hurts! He said-normal, and may end up needing to be treated as TMJ. He gave me jaw stretching ideas to do or it will get worse. He said radiation side effects/after effects can keep showing up for 2 years after completion of radiation!  I'm 10 mos out of treatments-sometimes seems as though it never ends, right??? Gayle

Thanks Gayle. Sounds exactly like my story. Just glad to hear it is most likely normal.

Rick

Hi Rick----I am 7 months out and as of now am experiencing swelling on my lower jaw(slight), fibrosis and pain of the neck(upper cervical area), bad ear pain, and Lhermitte' syndrome(damage to the myelin sheath of the spinal cord, resulting in an electric-shock sensation)

All of these side effects do not seem to be the 'typical' ones everyone else talks about. My doctor says it is normal.

That being said, I am back to work and was able to complete a 7 mile run yesterday--dry mouth and all. While the side effects are strange and annoying they are not holding me back.

Thanks.

I guess we all just have to take it as it comes. Whatever the side effects, they can be lived with I suppose. As long as I know they are normal, I'm ok w/ it. I just can't wait for the throat to heal above all else becuase I want to EAT!!

Congrats on your run. Way to go.

R