Thank you all for replying and sharing your stories and information.

ChristineB: Yes, we seem to have a number of things in common. I am sorry to learn that your search for a solution has not been as productive as you might have hoped, particularly with the amount of investigation you have carried out.

All I can say from personal lifestyle experience is one never knows whether or not success will be just around the next corner - but what I do know for sure is that I'll never find out if I quit trying or quit looking or quit fighting off the negative thoughts that are always lurking in the foggy recess of every cancer survivors' mind(I speculate...)!

You haven't mentioned the "Therabite Jaw Rehabilitation System" and I wonder if you are familiar with it. A search of the OCF website should reveal a reasonable amount of background information, but nothing beats hands-on experience.

I was fortunate finding the device in the first place, and even more so tracking one down in Canada and then finally managing to qualify for the acquisiion of one (I am on a government disability program, and the device qualified as an insurable medical device in my situation.)

Anyway, before using the device I could open 13mm (relaxed) and as much as 18mm (stretched) with some pain. After 8 weeks of a fairly aggressive program designed in conjunction with my speech therapist (who had zero experience or knowledge of the device), I managed to open as much as 35mm when assisted by the device, or approximately 25mm stretched without the device or about 20mm-22mm relaxed, all with no pain.

Like they say: Success by the inch is a cinch, but by the yard it is hard! Sorry, I wasn't able to convert into metric. Those folks who developed the metric system should have made provision for some humour in their formulas or measurements, don't you think?

Anyway, about that time I started to notice the continued use of the device aggravated that little piece of exposed bone on my lower mandible and caused a little friction pain. It was more a discomfort feeling moreso than real pain, and I decided to give it a rest for a while. I was also curious to find out if the muscle tissue would revert back to its previous state, as the Therabite gains are not always or necessarily permanent although some have been reported.

I also wanted a break from carrying the thing around everywhere with me, and now I haven't used it since last spring. While I am certain there is a small degree of procrastination involved in my tardiness, I am determined to get back on the program, a little less aggressive this time perhaps, but back on it nonetheless.

And yes, I am sad to report that the majority of my previous gain has been lost. Today I can comfortably open a full 18mm-20mm, but if doused with a glass of ice water while showering, that opening might be significanly greater!

In view of my personal experience with the Theabite however, I would strongly recommend its use by anyone suffering from trismus.

That said, a word of caution. There are concerns about its use by those who suffer from osteoradionecosis and other side effects from radiation therapy. I am affected to some degree, but was willing to proceed anyway. However, I would suggest that anyone contemplating the use of the device to do so only after consulting with their medical advisors.

On that note I say farewell for now, and wish you continued success with your ongoing treatment as well as a long, healthy, and cancer-free life!

Sincerely,
JT2