My family doc always tells me to use ice for swelling. I hate cold so I never do it. When I do the jaw exercises, I first use warm washcloths on my jaw joint by my ear, then I do stretches and tongue depressors. It seems to me that using heat first makes it so much easier for me to do the tongue depressors. Thats how I learned to do it from my PT anyway.

I wouldnt force your jaws open. That sounds like it could do more damage. Its one thing to stretch them open but I wouldnt recommend forcing it. I hope you feel better very soon. I hope you are getting nutrition with drinking Carnation VHC with a straw or another feeding formula. You dont want to get dehydrated or malnutritioned on top of everything else you are goigng thru. Have you tried to take some anti-inflamitory meds? I would ask at your next doctors appointment if that might help.

Wishing you all the best!!!!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile