Metal Mouth Message Board

Wow, this is an interesting topic! I've been very tired and low energy lately, and drinking alot more coffee (staining...that's another topic!) Anyway, I suppose it could be connected to braces, and the constant pressure on the teeth and the body constantly working. Now...can I use this as an excuse to leave work early

SOPHIE

I ignored this post first time around but I just realized that I have been super tired lately. It's to the point where I want to sleep 12 hrs straight. I've also had a lot of pressure lately and headaches. I didn't think my Damon's were really doing anything since I'm on such a flimsy wire!

Leslie022 wrote: It's to the point where I want to sleep 12 hrs straight. I've also had a lot of pressure lately and headaches. I didn't think my Damon's were really doing anything since I'm on such a flimsy wire!

I know what you mean. If I don't need to wake early and don't set an alarm then I generally wake 11-12hrs later!
I often get headaches too. I'm not sure whether the tiredness or headaches is connected to the braces at all though but it would be interesting to know.

When I first got braces I notice right off that I would sleep 2 to 3 hours longer for the first two nights after every adjustment, but after my 6th or 7th adjustments my sleeping went back to normal after my adjustment. Maybe because I am in the fine tuning stage and my teeth done move as much as they did in the beginning I no longer need the extra sleep.

I think it does take up more energy to concentrate on what you can/can't eat, the cleaning and upkeep, et cetera et cetera. Also, like others said I'm sure it's a strange thing for the brain and body to adjust while the teeth are being moved.

I have noticed that on days where my teeth are hurting I have a little less energy. Also, after I got my braces I slept for most of two days afterward.

I also feel more tired. I think it's for a couple of reasons. There is the constant feeling that they are there (not pain, really, but existence) and I think it is a way for our bodies to compensate. It's like if you wear shoes that hurt. You just feel so drained at the end of the day! I also think it is stress, to a degree. I am pre-surgery so that is always looming over my head. Each adjustment, I wonder what they will do and how much longer it will be. It isn't bad stress or thoughts but it is constant planning in my mind about vacation (will I have to cancel due to surgery?), finances, etc.

I also found I have exercised less since being braced. It could be that it's winter, it could be that I have less time. I don't know! I just know that if I don't exercise, I have less energy. If I have no energy, it's hard to exercise....it's a bad bad cycle!!

Do orthos only change the first wire into another wire once your teeth are aligned?

KK wrote:I'm getting impatient ... I love seeing all the progress pics ... and I want to be able to post some like that! Stupid I know ... maybe it's just that time of the month![/b]!

Thanks for the reply KK
I know what you mean, I love seeing the progress photos...it keeps me going because there are so many times where I just want to go to my ortho and have those braces taken off!

It was reassuring to come across these posts. I've been cancelling things left right and centre because I have been feeling so tired. I just had a conversation with a friend, which got we wondering if the metal itself can have a diverse effect - has anyone come across this?

Thanks Mel

I think the lack of energy is because I'm not eating what I should. My diet is pretty limited (a lot of that is because I don't want to eat something that's going to take me forever to clean out). When I take vitamins and iron supplements I feel much better.

Hey, I've only been in lower braces for a couple of days now and I do feel a bit more tired. I guess it's a mix of everything - not eating properly, the headaches, teeth aches... I wanted to chopp my head off on Friday! I slept all afternoon and still managed to get a great night sleep.
I hope this feeling doesn't last for long!

Take care,
Joanna

michelle85 wrote:I think the lack of energy is because I'm not eating what I should. My diet is pretty limited (a lot of that is because I don't want to eat something that's going to take me forever to clean out). When I take vitamins and iron supplements I feel much better.

I completely agree with you. I sleep so much more now...if I can. I'm always tired and have less energy. I talk less as well just because I find that talking gets my mouth tired.

It's annoying because when I work...I go up to 10 hours without eating anything because there is just no time...(we don't get breaks...we can take a really short one whenever we want...but nothing too long) and then when I get home I'm just too tired to eat and all I want to do is sleep...

How annoying!!! lol At least those braces will really be worthwhile at the end!

I don't feel any more tired...still have lots of energy : )

*aka

I totally agree! I have been feeling more tired since getting braces. We have to remember that in a way braces are injuring our mouths its only natural for the body to react the way it does when we are hurt we do the best healing while we sleep. The body craves what it needs. it also depends on the time of month I get my adjustments.

I have always felt tired probably since I was 30 (I am 44 now), but I think it is because of my sinuses and allergies, but the braces have definitely put a strain on me too. My ears have been ringing/buzzing since last June and that is driving me nuts too. I'm hoping that when the braces come off the ringing ears will go away.
I agree, the constant moving and tightness of our teeth make us tired . . . so hey LET'S ALL TAKE A NAP !!!!!! Yeah !!!!!