Hey everyone,

The subject of Trismus in another post brought this to the forefront of my mind regarding the Therabite device. They are so darn expensive and most insurance companies don't/won't pay for it. In our case, I was able to find one to bid on in EBay and won it but it was still rather pricey. I got it thinking Bill would need it but as it turned out, he never had a problem with Trismus.

So, when ChristineB mentioned in a post that she needed one, I cleaned Bill's and mailed it to her...not expensive to do as its lightweight. She then passed it forward as well when she could not use it. DO YOU SEE A TREND HERE??

So, if you have a need for this device or you have one that you are not using, post here or IM the "needer" and see if you can pass it on!

Thanks, Deb

I am a "needer" that would be grateful to have a Therabite...I would be very happy to pass it on when I am done with it as well. I am just starting radiation (30 treatments - 1st one today) and want to keep it from getting worse. My jaw is pretty good right now - the bad side is a little lacking from the good side but decent.

I am just trying to keep it from tightening up more!

Let me know...I am happy to refund postage!

Michele in IL

I sure could use one if someone is so kind to donate. I would also pay it forward after my experience. My mouth will not even open to the point where I can get a single depressor in. I have tried muscle relaxants, massaging, jaw exercises, tongue depressors, EVERYTHING To no avail. Have been losing weight even while on supplements. Thanks for the creative idea Deb. Hope people see it out there and it works.

Best wishes to all!

-Matt

Hi. I went through cancer in 2007 and purchased a Therabite. It is very expensive and in my case it has not been a successful therapy tool for me. Doctors have no answers or are simply not saying.

For the cost I would encourage you to use the stack of tongue depressors. They accomplish the same thing and will save you tons of cash for something useful.

[quote=altoman]Hi. I went through cancer in 2007 and purchased a Therabite. It is very expensive and in my case it has not been a successful therapy tool for me. Doctors have no answers or are simply not saying.

For the cost I would encourage you to use the stack of tongue depressors. They accomplish the same thing and will save you tons of cash for something useful. [/quote]

Sorry the Therabite was not successful. Do you still have the device and if so, would you be willing to share it with someone who might have better luck?? Thanks for posting and let us know if we can help get this to someone else.

Deb

My wife really needs a therabite and I posted this a very long time ago. Still can't afford one. Do you still have it? Desperate. Popsicke sticks hurt her gums.

[quote=Mark Martin1]My wife really needs a therabite and I posted this a very long time ago. Still can't afford one. Do you still have it? Desperate. Popsicke sticks hurt her gums. [/quote]

Please see this post:

Therabite

Maybe this will help.

Deb

My husband uses tongue depressors to widen his jaw. They are over twice as wide as popcicle sticks and spread the pressure out at least four times as much. Your wife may have much less pain with them. You can buy them at medical supply stores. A box of 600 costs around 10 USD here. Tim doesn't need them all, so I can send you dozen to try them out.

What is a therabite and how does it work?

Try this helpful write up:

http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/trismus.htm

Hello forum;

I haven't posted in some time, but can pass on some information about the Therabite system.

First of all, it requires a lot of discipline and in order for it to be effective, it will have to travel with you at all times.

I found it very effective. At the outset of treatment, I could open my mouth 19mm unassisted, and 23mm assisted (by the Therabite...). After 3 months, and a very aggressive treatment plan, I could open my mouth 27mm unassisted, and over 30mm assisted! I understand the normal opening is no less than 36mm.

The device started to irritate some exposed bone in my lower mandible that had suffered osteoradionecrosis, and I had to curtail the use of the device until the irritation abated (about 2 months...)

Unfortunately, in my case, the 2 month lay-off resulted in the loss of the gain I had achieved which was most disappointing.

Although there are conflicting reports out there, I believe a Therabite user will have to continue using the device indefinitely in order to retain any improvement in jaw opening. In other words, once you start you will have to continue forever.

This has been my experience, but it is by no means conclusive. I wish you every success with the Therabite system, and hope that any gain you achieve is permanent.

I still use my device on and off, and realize I will need it for the balance of my days on the planet, otherwise I would offer it to another good home.

All the best,
JT2

Why do you say that it is so darn expensive? Some one sell it for $300 on Amazon. Sears sell it for $399. Atos (manufacturer) said
after Medicare and my secondary insurance my cost would be $62.

Shirish

Uh...not many people here are eligible for Medicare and many insurance companies will not cover it at all. Consider yourself lucky that you have those coverages.

And with reference to the price...many of us think that $300-400 is a lot of money.

Deb

I think $300 is alot of money. Even an unexpected bill for $62 in the wrong month can be alot for me. In my previous life, those amounts werent significant to me but now they are.

If anyone is able to help out another member with a piece of durable medical equipment that they no longer use it could make a big difference in that person's life!

Sorry I did not want to ruffle feathers but compare to what I had to pay in thousands to Hospital, Doctors and Dentist that was not covered by insurance in past 4 years this cost to me was fair.

Ken had one of these and if there is anyone who needs one I would be happy to clean it and send it out.

Thanks Jill...someone will be thankful for your offer.

Special hugs to you and your baby girl today...I can't possibly know how sad you are.

Deb

I am sending Ken's out this week to someone. So glad we could pay it forward!

Thank you ...thank you. Hugs, Deb

Hugs that sooo amazingly generous of you!