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| Cooking day yesterday. Part 1: my favorite rice/lentil/quinoa blend. |
The temps have been dropped into the teens and 20s F again, interspersed with occasional 40s-50s. The intermittent cold at first slowed the accumulation of mud, but the rains we've been having - did I mention the many days of rain? - are having an effect. On the 24th my neighbor had some time so we spent 6 solid hours burning brush from the tree work he did for me last December. Someday I will write about all the tree work that's been done here over the past year. I've photographed it, I've spent many hours processing it (both in the sense of working up the stove wood and in terms of walking amongst ghosts every day), but I haven't been able to put it into words.
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| Part 2: cavatappi w spritz of olive oil. |
Words have been elusive in general lately, and I apologize for not thanking each of you for your kind comments and messages after my most recent post. I haven't had a day without jaw pain since early February, and it's been bad enough that when the dentist disappeared for a week, I asked my MD for pain medication, which I almost never take even when a doctor advises it. This time? I'm more or less begging for prednisone, which is the only thing that has given me even periodic relief. Two days ago I saw an oral surgeon for a diagnosis, and after a panoramic x-ray (which I heartily recommend as an alternative to the traditional stabby-slides-poked-into-soft-tissue dental x-ray) and a thorough prodding of my teeth, jaw, and what felt like the inner recesses of my brain, he said he could see nothing about my teeth causing the trouble, but my right TMJ appears to be jammed up (I paraphrase) and I should get a mouth guard from my dentist and wear it for a month to see if that will release the TMJ and make life better again.
I'm still waiting for a callback from my dentist while my little supply of prednisone shrinks. A callback, hopefully an appointment and mouthguard ASAP, and let the unjamming begin please. When this is over, it may be time to find another dentist. I had hoped to stay with this one but his availability and the office's efficiency at returning calls has been less than ideal. I keep getting email requests to leave online reviews for the office, and every time I think, "But are you sure I'm still alive? And do you really want me to leave a review right now?"
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| Part 3: tortellini soup. |
Enough about all that. I have always avoided writing much about health challenges on the blog, just as I avoid talking about it in real life, because my pain/fatigue issues are chronic and nobody needs to be bored by that, including me. Living it is enough. Living is enough.
But the occasional jolt of Something Extra in the Pain Department, like this jaw mystery, or the shoulder dislocation in 2024, is different. It's a temporary (touch wood) overlay affecting daily life in a way that means I apparently have to write about it a bit, or not write anything at all. So there it was, and I'll probably write a little bit more when there is progress.
I say all this now to assure readers - and myself - that this blog will not become my personal Organ Recital.
And thank you.
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| Part 4: eggbites. I always try to cook 2 or 3 things in sequence when I use the multicooker, but 4 things is a new record. Freezer stocked, fridge full. Cook smug. Huzzah! |
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I'm so sorry you've been suffering Quinn. I would say a change of dentists is a good plan because it sure seems as though yours isn't doing the job. Fingers crossed that the mouth guard will be the answer. (and Happy Easter to you)
ReplyDeleteThanks MaryAnne - and a very Happy Easter to you and RC as well!
DeleteI recommend buying mouth guards on Amazon (or anywhere else that stocks them). I used to go through the rigamarole of fitting them to my mouth, but I don’t even do that anymore. I just use them as is; they keep me from grinding my teeth, which is all I ask of them. And no waiting or expense for a custom one from the dentist.
ReplyDeleteCam, this is valuable advice, thank you! I've now been told my dentist is on open-ended leave due to medical issues of his own. I've called the oral surgeon's office hoping he could make a call and get me into another dentist ASAP, but was told that all I can do is look for a new dentist, book an evaluation, etc., etc., in other words, back to Square One and weeks of no help. Do you have specific recommendations for OTC guards? I don't grind my teeth but apparently the TMJ thing can be brought on by dental work: hard pressure on jaw, mouth open for extended period, etc. Thank you again for your reply!!
DeleteI’ve used Dentek often; the ones I just bought were from Olaheep, I think. I’m generally looking for the least expense and least fitted to my teeth — I’ll take care of that part. I mainly want to prevent my molars from touching while I sleep. They all seem to work fairly well. The main thing is to get a size that fits your mouth — I usually opt for larger rather than smaller, although the ones I just bought (and haven’t opened yet) have two sizes, so I’m hoping they will work for me.
DeleteI hope this helps! There’s nothing worse than tooth pain!
Thanks so much for added info, Cam. Very helpful! As for the pain, I keep thinking it's letting up and I can handle the delays, but then the steroid wears off.
DeleteI was wondering if it was your jaw hinge. A lot of nerves there and the sooner you're able to try a mouth guard the better, I'd say. They're very expensive from the dentist and I've been wondering if there's a cheaper way, too. I know you just live with your issues, and don't bang on about them, but once in a while it's really okay to kick up a fuss in here. You're. Allowed!
ReplyDeleteYes, the network of nerves in this part of the head and face has been a confounding factor all along, combined with the timing of dental work which came with it's own "see if this continues to be a problem" instructions on two different teeth. The pain has just gone on and on. I shouldn't take steroids at all, but there's no way I won't take the one thing that gives me some hours of relief. It's just that bad.
DeleteUgh for the dental/jaw issues. I hope that you get a solution soon.
ReplyDeleteWow, you seriously cook ahead! I'm impressed.
And happy Easter. :-)
Happy Easter to you as well!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I hope the mouth guard works. A painful mouth and jaw overwhelm everything else.
ReplyDeleteIt can't be ignored, that's for sure. Thanks, Leigh.
DeleteOoooof, just read this and dang, I've not been keeping up and this all sounds AWFUL. I have to use a mouthguard myself to not grind my teeth to absolute bits, so I hope getting one (and a new dentist?) helps you; these are tense days on top of everything else we already deal with. Hugs to you, friend
ReplyDeletealso can recommend the OTC nightguards mentioned by another commenter; my parents prefer those to custom, actually (theirs are storebrand from our grocery store, unfortunately don't have specific recs)
DeleteThanks, Erin. It's so nice to see you here!
DeleteI agree with Boud, complaining Is Allowed, when it interferes majorly with all of life. It sounds like your dentist has a good excuse for not following up with you, but darn it - just what you don't need. I hope the OTC mouth guards mentioned above help. TMJ pain is almost unbearable. And yet you and your multicooker turn out wonderful food!
ReplyDeleteChris from Boise
The multicooker was an acquisition I resisted for years, but it has turned out to be very useful and deserving of it's footprint in my tiny galley. In fact, I just invested in a new stainless steel pot insert for it because it came with a non-stick coated one which is beginning to chip.
DeleteSomehow I misused your last post! What a bummer about the pain though. I swear, seems like as we get older one body part or another feels it has a duty to act up. Mine seems to be staging a protest march!
ReplyDeleteThe cooking looks great. Lots of meals there. Love it.