ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: Pembo on March 08, 2006, 06:04:25 pm
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I read somewhere that chewing gum with facial paralysis was not a good idea so I haven't had any until today. I put a piece of gum in my mouth for the first time in 21 months and does it taste good.
So do you chew gum with facial paralysis? Is it bad for your face?
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I did for a couple of reason. I figured it might help to keep working the muscles. It also helped to mask the metallic taste I had. I told my doctor what I was doing and he didn't tell me to stop. I asked if he thought it would help, he wouldn't comment. So I just kept on chewing! I did find that I would often bite the inside of my cheek or lip, due to no feeling. Be careful.
matti
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I started chewing gum at about 3 months post op, never heard anything about not to. I don't chew it chronically but when I do, I keep it on the right side where I can tell what's going on.
Tom
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I was told by a facial therapist not to chew gun as it can promote synkinesis. I do not know if there is length of time this can happen or not. I would think this would pertain more in the first year or so and at 21 mos you might be ok. Cheryl R.
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The only thing my doctor told me after the first 6 weeks and now at the 3 month point was......do any and everything you want to with NO limitations.  So chew gum, I do, just cause I like to blow bubbles with it. ::)
Have a great recovery
Kathleen
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same here, Tom.......  3 months post op when I started chewing gum.  I chew gum maybe once a month and I chew it on the right side of my mouth.  Right side of my mouth is getting a lotttttt of exercise.....  Poor gums and teeth........  ;D
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Yikes, I have to add that my facial nerve is intact, and I've only got a grade 1 1/2 paralysis on the AN side.  So, I think this falls into that category of depends on your personal healing schedule and what complications you might have.
Sorry, if I was too quick to think about it first, before answering.
Be well, heal well.
Kathleen
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Radiantstar: Ah haaa! I was wondering how you were managing to blow bubbles...I'm like 15 years post-op and still everytime I try to blow a bubble I either push the gum out of my mouth or I just can't mange it.
Yes I chew gum, only on the "good side" though 'cause I tend to end up swallowing it if I chew on the "bad side". I've never been told not to (including never had the facial physio tell me not to).
Kathleen
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Hey Kathleen Mc
It's only been about a month or so that I got my "pucker-power" back! I discovered it was missing when I went to whistle for my dogs, and all that came out was a "whoosh-whoosh" sound. My dogs just sorta looked at me, very puzzled.
Anyway, I started consciously puckering up, and making a whistle, and pretty soon it started working.
Next step was bubble gum, and low and behold I made my first bubble without swallowing or blowing that wad of gum out.
That's my story. I also recommend getting some of those bubbles with a wand like we had as kids, good therapy on a sunny day.
Be Well
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Radiantstar: I've been there and done that, after 15 years I don't think I'll get any more improvement than I already have, I completely lost the 7-10 nerves. The plastic's have helped to some degree but can't blow bubbles nor whistle.... not a great problem except my kids want me to teach them these things and I can't even demonstrate. Kathleen
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I remember the first time I tried to blow a bubble after AN surgery, I spit my gum clear across the room. Luckily I was home and not out in public. LOL I still can't blow the candles out on my birthday cake. >:(
matti
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Matti: if I turn my head slightly I can blow out the candles on the cake, unfortantly for my guest though I have a bit for spray....all the more cake for me when they notice! Kathleen
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Kathleen - LOL Thanks for the tip on how to get more birthday cake. Darn! now I am craving cake.
matti
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My doctor's promoted chewing gum. Said it would work the muscles and could help the 8th nerve. I started about month after my operation.
Sometime it's agrevates my headaches and sometimes it helps them? I think it helped my droop, which you have to look real close to see it now. Didn't help my walking though ;D
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Chewing gum is probably a better idea to work the muscles than just eating all the time like I do. lol
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Chew all the gum you want, what ever makes you feel better and helps you recover. Here is a funny one
as part of my recovery I went to a pet store and bought a solid rubber ball the size cats play with and used it to chew on (guess I have a big mouth) LOL, so I could work my face muscles on my right side. It was hard but I believe it helped me recover some of what I lost. I love to chew gum now and I can chew it for hours upon hours, I hardly ever did chew gum before my A/N. Wayne