I had radiation implants in 2003 and had hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 04 to treat raiation burns, but now I am having a problem with my jawbone. I had a hole in my gums exposing my jawbone and an oral surgeon removed a 2 in section of dead bone but there was bleeding bone underneath so we have been waiting for three weeks to see if it will heal without further intervention, but it is NOT getting any better and I'm tired of playing the waiting game while I am in A LOT of pain and it is NOT getting any better. Anyone have any advice on how to get the dr to do something other than wait and see? The biopsy of bone and gum tissue were normal, except for extensive damage to gum and tissue from radiation, so the chances of his healing without any further intervention(graft or jawbone removal) is very slim, but the dr seems very reluctant to make any decisions. I am very frustrated and I just want my life back. I am in a lot of pain all the time and pain meds aren't helping and oral surgeon is not wanting to continue to perscribe meds. What should I do? Should I see a different specialist or push the oral surgeon to do something else? Please HELP ME!

The first thing to do would be to look into hyperbaric O2 treatments which may get this to heal up. As your doctor for a referral to a facility that does this. I am surprised that your doctors have not considered this avenue to pursue, as it is commonly used in cases of slow healing. Looks like you have already done this once for another healing issue, so this should be something you are familiar with. Non healing wounds are common in patients that have had radiation, as the micro vascularization in the bone has been damaged or destroyed by the radiation treatments. Is this an oral surgeon that understands and works with people in oncology and radiated patients as a matter of routine?

Also please keep all your posts related to your own issues in one forum and one thread for now. It is hard to follow your issues for people if they are in multiple forums.