Necrosis problems in jawbone

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Craig_Griffin
Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am sorry to bring up a new situation since there are enough going on already during everyone's cancer treatment. I survived stage 4 throat cancer that was treated in Chicago and Munster, IN. Since then I've had many more medical situations including falling over and getting injured and then being diagnosed with vertigo. The next was thinking that I was gone due many minutes of choking, which was later called a "larnx spasm".

Now I have to come up with a solution to the worst situation yet. After moving back to Michigan I have gone through 3 dentists that all claimed they "know all about throat cancer and related dental treatment". After cancer I have had 3 new crowns, 2 root canals, and 2 old cavities totally re-drilled and re-filled. Then I was strongly admonished to go get braces at 62 years old, as though that had to be the obviuos problem.

Radiation treatment for my tumors at the base of tongue, in the right cheek lymph node, and external neck tumors has resulted in "no teeth can be removed due to hardening of the jawbone (necrosis)", "or else it would require an operation at Univ of Michigan with many blood transfusions and experimental jaw bone reconstruction." I am not 1/2 way done with braces and the pain is worse than I ever had with stage 4 cancer. When I take enough Vicadin or Morphine (old prescription) for the bone pain I am on the verge of throwing up due to so many drugs and the pain barely being lifted much at all. My inner self seems to be telling me that I never wanted braces in the first place, and never knew what pain I was about to feel. The dentist sias "would you drive down the road if your car wasn't tuned up?"

At this point I have to decide to abandon these braces or not because I doubt that I can live like this for even a few days longer. I am not a sissy but this is a #10 pain right down in the center of the jaw bones, and in other areas nearby.

Thank you,
Craig

 

 

   

  

Comments

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #2
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    Braces

    One thing that I've noticed is a real lack of information about dental issues after radiation therapy. I can speak to the braces problem though. I had them as a teenager and remember that awful pain. Each time you go in, they tighten the braces in order to get the teeth to move. Call your dentist and ask if the tension can be lessened which should help the pain. Don't give up because it will get better. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean and hopefully will allow you to keep them for a lifetime.  

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Hi Craig

     

    Sorry to hear that, I too have a lot of problems with spasms and pain, but my pain is live able because one side of my face is completely numb right down to the teeth. It is not a good thing but at this point it might be a blessing not feeling all the pain that is there. Hope you find something that will give you some help

     

     

     

    Tim

     

  • Craig_Griffin
    Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
    #4
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    Continuing on..

    Thank you for your encouragement. Right after radiation I had a lack of feeling and lack of taste. In time the feeling and taste returned however I have 3 areas of bald spots that where hair was supposed to return but did not. One of these areas is at the right sideburn all the way down to the chin- its like being 11 years old again with no whiskers there. I have no problem with any of that since the overall baldness is much more seen than before cancer.

    For the braces I am in favor of "pushing ahead" since it would be a pity to have the same amount of pain, but from the teeth moving back to the old positions.

    Folks perhaps you can identify with the fact that so many things are related to our cancer experience that usually requires a lot of explaining as to why so many things physiologically are the way that they are today. When I began treatment at Univ of Illinois, Chicago they had a full time "cancer dentist" that explained why teeth condition is a main concern for cancer in the mouth area. However it was a rather new dentist that recently informed me of Necrosis (hardening) of all the bones in the treated region.

    With all of the past and present cancer situations I have held to the idea that we must "live in the moment". This was a mind concept, although for me it became a means to deepen my spiritiual belief in the healing Savior which truly got me through so far.

    For the LARNYX SPASMS I learned that whenever one comes back I must make a loud noise to flutter the vocal chords whcih allows just a little bit of air to pass through. Its better to do it sooner while a bit of fresh breath is avialable in the lungs. THis was not in a book, but something that I figured out.

    -Craig

          

     

  • Josephwc
    Josephwc Member Posts: 69
    #5
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    Wow, that was quite a read.

    Wow, that was quite a read. All I can say is keep sharing and I am there with you man. Your stories and reaction say so much about the person you are. I want to become that strong! 

     

    Keep up your strength and fight through this. 

    Joseph

  • Craig_Griffin
    Craig_Griffin Member Posts: 52
    #6
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    Today I had a consultation

    Today I had a consultation with my dentist about going forward from here. He described the hardening of the jawbone where the small veins are reduced by about 40%, which requires more time for healing. My dentist is able to give a better description of things than the orthodontist. Today I heard a lot of positive reinforcement which hopefully alleviated any concern of anything major being wrong so far.

     

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