Pain after radiation to jaw

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Jbrooks
Jbrooks Member Posts: 43
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi everyone! I had a mandeblectomy in November for SCC off the mandible and am just into week 3 after rads. My jaw hurt slightly before but now I have a new pain next to the tooth next to the surgery area.   It is a low throb then at times becomes a sharp pain for several minutes then goes back to a throb. Also have slight tenderness on jaw line of surgery.  Has anyone had this issue with pain in these areas? I made it through rads with little discomfort but after rads is getting bad !  Thanks .

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  • Curlyn
    Curlyn Member Posts: 189
    #2
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    Hi Jbrooks, no one has

    Hi Jbrooks, no one has responded yet so I will tell you my experience. I had partial parotidectomy along c extensive surgery in July, chemoradiation in Oct/Nov. The nerve pain in my jaw was indescribable. It settled down only to start up when I was irradiated. My guess is that yours is nerve pain but ask the docs (mine said Lyrica but I didn't use it). I am not sure the extent of your surgery but if the rads are to your jaw you will be at risk for trismus. I exercise my jaw 3x daily ( if too sore now, you can do it gently once you are able before the scar tissue sets in) c a therabite, and was followed by speech path for this. The exercises to head and neck are basically for life, if you don't want to get too stiff. I am slowly feeling better 4 months out (which is no time at all really, lol, and still trying to figure what might lay ahead). Take care, now that this post is bumped up you might get responses.

  • Jbrooks
    Jbrooks Member Posts: 43
    #3
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    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your response!  I had a section of my mandible replaced.  Yes, I'm at risk for trismus.  My jaw is already closing more and more.  I see my oral surgeon this coming Monday. I will discuss nerve pain and other issues with him. I asked him earlier about Therabite and he said no because it was too soon after surgery . I will askhim again now that more time has passed. I hope all is well with you! Did the exercises and therabite work for you?  

  • Curlyn
    Curlyn Member Posts: 189
    #4
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    Jbrooks said:

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your response!  I had a section of my mandible replaced.  Yes, I'm at risk for trismus.  My jaw is already closing more and more.  I see my oral surgeon this coming Monday. I will discuss nerve pain and other issues with him. I asked him earlier about Therabite and he said no because it was too soon after surgery . I will askhim again now that more time has passed. I hope all is well with you! Did the exercises and therabite work for you?  

    Yes, the Therabite and

    Yes, the Therabite and exercise works. I can see why he didnt want you exerting pressure on a newly healing jaw.Perhaps he would refer you to speech path for the jaw movements. There are exercises, as well. I just want to make sure that when I need dental care, I can open my mouth. Mind you, although I started the therabite while getting rads, my jaw and mouth were too sore right after it to do much. I just kept at it gently. Also, the pain is much better for me now- yours might take longer?- but if my jaw gets stiff it gives me headaches. Hope it all works out well for you!

  • Jbrooks
    Jbrooks Member Posts: 43
    #5
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    Thanks Curlyn! Its good to

    Thanks Curlyn! Its good to know I am not alone.  Your story gives me encouragement that triusmus cash get better.☺

  • Curlyn
    Curlyn Member Posts: 189
    #6
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    Jbrooks said:

    Thanks Curlyn! Its good to

    Thanks Curlyn! Its good to know I am not alone.  Your story gives me encouragement that triusmus cash get better.☺

    Better c the exercises. Not

    Better c the exercises. Not by itself.

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