ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: LADavid on April 27, 2008, 01:10:21 pm
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Hi All
One more of those questions about something that is really annoying. I guess this applies more to those with synkinesis -- possibly with palsy. Since my AN side cheek is stretched so tight, everytime I bite into something, I bite my cheek a long with it. I finally am to the point where I am eating soft foods and taking half bites. This has been going on since I developed sinkinesis two weeks ago. It's come to the point where I really don't want to eat. Drinking is a joke as well. Does anyone have any suggestions? Does it improve? I have a pre-pysical tomorrow for my eye surgery. Is there anything I sould tell or suggest to the internist?
Any advice would be very much aopreciated.
David
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I am forgetful of some things in the past but some time ago did we ever have you look at the
www.bellspalsy.ws There might be some info to help you on that website.
Cheryl R
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How you feeling Cheryl? Nice to see you posting ;D
Anne Marie
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I am feeling fairly good. Some problem with my neck hurting occ as can't lay onto my left side like I used to. I sit around alot, Do some occ things around the house, Just taking it easy for now. I walk just fine and was surprised how well that ended up being. I never ended up dizzy at all. I actually look better some this surgery than what I did with my 2 yr ago surgery and then a CSF leak due to their use of a wrong item in my head. I just have periods of being forgetful when try to talk about some items and that is maddening to me. This is my 4th surgery since the start of it in 2001 so am lucky. What the future will bring will just have to wait and see. I will soon be 56 and this is way too young to not get to live a normal life.
Cheryl R
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Hey David: I bite my cheek, lip - not b/c of synkenesis but b/c of the paralysis. I'm amazed you didn't have that problem prior to synkenesis !
Cheryl: I echo Anne Marie: I am so glad you came thru the surgery in true 'nursing' form. I have the 'word' finding difficulties, but so do alot of
people our age. The other day at work I couldn't remember the band who played 'Layla' - the next day I looked at the nurse I was speaking to about it
& I blurted out"Derek & the Dominoes" ! ! I use to be sharp as a tack (I'm figuring you were the same way ?). So I tend to blame it on the AN surgery,
but others tell me it's age !
I'm finally getting back to my pre surgery life, with only a few minor adjustments, & I only had the AN surgery 1 time, so please give yourself time -
remember, you just went through the surgery again (you know this better than me !).
Always good thoughts everyone, Nancy
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I was warned when did my pre op that the left side can cause forgetfulness. I am worse now that what was my usual occ forgetfulness so am frustrated but think in several weeks it will improve some. I am just glad the 3 previous surgeries were on my right so didn't cause forgetfulness.
Cheryl R
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Cheryl: I didn't know this. So, my surgery was on the right - then it definitely is age for me. Guess it snuck up on me !
I hope your memory does improve for you Cheryl...
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Chery,
Your forgetfullness will improve in time- steroids and anesthesia will be out of your system. Everything improves in time! Your balance is pretty good so soon after the surgery; that's great!
Eve
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Nancy
I bit my tongue a lot with full paralysis -- but now that my cheek is stretched tight and I can't get it to relax, I now bite my cheek.
I did check the Bells Palsy site and it looks as though I will need Physical Therapy. I was just hoping that there was an interim solution or some way of avoiding it.
David
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Hi David I have the same problem when they do a nerve block and its going to sound stupid but it actually worked well for me. So here is the very technical description of what you do (LOL). Puff both your cheeks out and eat much slower. I know what your thinking and maybe you should eat alone for awhile, but really do give it a try.
I also want to wish you a very good surgery and recovery since I am not on hardly at all anymore. Just know I will be thinking about you and wishing you the best. Kisses to your forehead. :-* :-* :-* 16
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David I still bite my cheek & right lower lip.I've learned to slow down while chewing¬ stuff my mouth so much.I still have hard time eating pizza&burgers or things that require alot of chewing.I had therapy and it helped so much.I can finally keep food in my mouth&that a good thing! Teresa
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I'm a cheek biter and lip biter. Started after about the one year mark from my surgery. I take small bites and soft foods. Good luck, David!
Brenda
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Hi David. I apparently bite my tongue,not so much my cheek. I didn't realize it because I don't have much feeling in that side of my tongue anyway, but my dentist noticed it. Of course, he didn't offer any useful suggestions to prevent it.
I do have to take very small bites, otherwise I wind up biting my bottom lip. I also have had to drink from a straw since my surgery. I can't get my lip to cooperate when i try to drink out of a glass. I wind up dribbling it down my chin. I have to put the straw over to my good side. I did manage to drink from a coffee cup last week without a straw at a restaurant. I didn't want to look too weird with a straw in my coffee. But then my 5 year old yells out "Wow Mom - you're doing really good drinking without a straw!!" Just what you need - a very loud cheerleader when you're trying to just blend in with the crowd!
What kind of eye surgery are you having, if you don't mind me asking?
Lori
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I forgot to see when this was posted I might be a day late and dollar short as they say, but anyway I also bite the side of my cheek I have to hold my cheek away from my teeth (so to speak) I also drawl alittle when I eat on the side the AN was on (left) And when I chew my eye closes ,quite a sight. :( I try to eat when no one is around. :-[ I call it the snarl look. It is soooo embarrassing :'( Good luck, I had my surgeries in 2006 and its all still going on.
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David~
I was a BIG cheek/lip biter but don't so much anymore...maybe it gets better w/ time?? I drink out of a straw a LOT (actually everything right now after my T3 surgery) and I have learned this go around to tear/cut everything in bite sized pieces and then put it in my mouth. I, personally, think that the "biting off" is when things seem to go wrong. Like everyone said SLOW DOWN - maybe that is why mine got better b/c I kind of "retrained" myself! Who knows??
Good Luck!
K
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This struck a cord since i just bit my mouth today and had blood coming out during lunch with colleagues. My face retrainer said completely normal and will happen. It is part of the recovery process and she said somethign about getting feeling back....didn't really get it but she wasn't shocked by any mean....
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Hi David. I've been a cheek, tongue, and lip biter for years. I seldom chew gum for that reason. Post surgery I found the problem compounded. I was constantly biting the inside of my mouth-mostly cheeks. As others have suggested, slow, methodical bites have been the solution for me. I did read in a health food store that its better to chew your food alot. At any rate I try to concentrate on each bite, and if I'm eating tasty food it's enjoyable. Best wishes to you from Neal.
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Hey David: I bite my cheek, lip - not b/c of synkenesis but b/c of the paralysis. I'm amazed you didn't have that problem prior to synkenesis !
Cheryl: I echo Anne Marie: I am so glad you came thru the surgery in true 'nursing' form. I have the 'word' finding difficulties, but so do alot of
people our age. The other day at work I couldn't remember the band who played 'Layla' - the next day I looked at the nurse I was speaking to about it
& I blurted out"Derek & the Dominoes" ! ! I use to be sharp as a tack (I'm figuring you were the same way ?). So I tend to blame it on the AN surgery,
but others tell me it's age !
I'm finally getting back to my pre surgery life, with only a few minor adjustments, & I only had the AN surgery 1 time, so please give yourself time -
remember, you just went through the surgery again (you know this better than me !).
Always good thoughts everyone, Nancy
hello Nancy
your comment of not being sharp as a tack. I do firmly believe it was the AN, the neurologist that put me on disability sad my cognitive part of my brain was what he was more concern, I do the stupidest things. and it is not age............
eve
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Oh, David
I still bit my cheek or my lip, my lip still get in the way I sometimes have to push it out of the way to get my food in my mouth and I still use a straw to drink or it is all over me. I do have allot of improvement. But not all and it has been 3 years for me March 28.
eve