Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone has had a problem opening their mouth after radiation therapy. My father can only open his mouth a little. Maybe 1 inch. It is not a problem now, because he can't eat or drink by mouth. Hopefully, that will change soon. But in the meantime does anyone have suggestions or exercises that would aid this problem?


VickieM

Hi Vicky,

Your father is probably suffering from Trismus. A side effect of the radiation. Please do a search on the message baord and especially the main site for "trismus". There is a lot of information in both places.

I went to a physical therapist (until my insurance ran out) that is a specialtist in working with TMJ. The treatment was similar.
People are supposed to be able to put 3 fingers in their mouth. I am only able to get one in, at my best in therpy I was able to do 2. There is also a Therabyte devise (listed on this site) that is helpful. I have just started using it and can tell a bit of improvement (thanks, Rosie)
With more to come I'm sure.

Hopefully your Dad can get help to work on those jaw muscles.

Take care,
Dinah

Vicki, Ther are excercises thst should be done. A speech therapist will develop a program once a doctor writes a prescription. These sessions can be covered by insurance. I have used ice cream sticks in a rubber band. start at a the level his mouth can open now and slowly and grntly increase the number of sticks.

Hi Vicki, I too had physical therapy and saw a speech therapist for trismus. The physical therapist had me use a device called a Dynasplint which helped a great deal, but I had to rent it monthly and it was very expensive. I used it for apprx 9 months, I bought the Therabite device and I am still using it twice a day at least. It helps,I can almost fit 3 fingers in my mouth again!!! SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol L, Kiba01, Dinah,

Thanks so much for your quick responses. You all mentioned therapists, both speech and physical. Which one should I see? Also, who needs to write the prescription? Sometime within the next two weeks, he will begin Hyberbaric Oxygen Treatments. He's claustrophobic, so this should be fun. Hopefully he will be able to do these 30 to 40 treatments. Should I try to begin therapy now, or wait til after HBO treatments? Thanks again to all of you within this site. Your information and past experiences are so helpful. Nice to know your not alone and that what I consider a problem is normal. Keep the Faith. This is the only game in town.


VickieM

VickieM, I would start the jaw exercises now and continue until you get the desired result. With regard to the HBO, I did the 30 with no problems, and even had fun. It is common to give meds for anxiety prior to HBO treatment so be sure to arrange that in advance. Remember that there is always someone right there so he will be able to communicate all the time if he needs to. Watching movies or television makes the time pass quickly, and sometimes I slept. He will do okay! It is fear of the unknown that is the worst, so after the first one, he will be able to relax.

Vickie, I finished radiation late August 2002, then waited til maybe early October 2002 to start with speech therapy, she then referred me to a physical therapist in December 2002. She released me from speech therapy in February 2003, I continued with physical therapy through July 2003 (I maxed out on allowable visits through my insurance for the calendar year)and it cost tooo much to pay out of pocket! Just visited an Occupational Therapist last week for evaluation of lyphedema on my face and help with my neck...hoping he can help me. He has already taught me several exercises to do at home.I go the presciptions from my oncologist and oral surgeon for therapy. Take Care, Carol

Vivki,

I did the physical therapist, had no speech problems to remedy. Just the trismus. But please make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing. It isn't like recovery from a car wreck or stroke. They literrally have to put their hands in your mouth. Exercises at home may include the popsicle sticks. I know some people still use them to stay limber. I was told they should not use heat packs on your jaw for this like they would a TMJ patient, they used cold on me.

Good luck. Chcek out the Therabyte, too. Look on the main site.

Dinah

Hi,
How do I get a therabyte?

The links to the Therabite device manufacturer (where you can order one) are on the page I posted above as well as on the reasources page of the website.

Vicki,
I did 30 Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments and, as JoAnne says, they are easy. The chambers are quite comfortable and can actually be relaxing. Good luck with it.
Minnie

Before ordering the Therabite on your own, check with your doctor. SOME insurance companies will cover the device if prescribed by a doctor. But make sure they know it is not for TMJ. Heather's company would not pay if for TMJ, but did when the doctor made it clear the trismus was a direct result of her cancer treatment.

Rosie

Rosie,

Thanks for the input, I will be sure to discuss it with the radiologist. He is now about half way through with the HBO treatments. Once that is finished then we can deal with the Trismus issue. Has not had any pain medication in weeks. Which is wonderful, considering he was taking Dilaudid and Morphine so much before. Thanks again to all the wonderful people who post here offering advise and inspiration. Will keep you abreast of the situation. God Bless!!

Vickie