OK--This was not the plan!

[klobird]

Aarrrggghhh---I just wrote a blog and then lost it!....

I am surprised anyone reads this blog--it's so long... I really, really appreciate your encouragement Jill and Eb, I really do. It really, really helps!

If I didn't stick with this, I would be so mad at myself. This will get over with. I think we all have challenges with our braces...I consider myself very fortunate that I don't have a debilitating disease and that my discomfort can end at any time if that's what I choose.

With that said, it's still tough--I completely empathize with those who have extra braces appliances.

Hey-if kids can do this--we can!!

[ashesgap]

Hey-if kids can do this--we can!!

I am wondering though why it seems much easier on them then us? My sisters kids sailed right through the whole 2 years with very few whiny moments, and I am in pain after every adjustment.
I noticed you have the same issues with the Forsus springs as I have with the springs to make spaces. The coils are a witch, and have eaten away at my lips. The lucky part is it makes that area tougher after about two months, and it'll stop hurting. I actually think my two spots are just numb now, since I can barely feel when my tongue rubs there. Sometimes I move my tongue wrong and the coil pinches a taste bud, that freaking hurts. I don't really have a solution for any of it, since wax doesn't stay on very well. I have mounded huge gobs on, when it got really bad, right before bed it's the most helpful.
Hope your teeth move crazy fast, and you get the Forsus out sooner than expected.

[iBorg]

Klobird:
I used to be a regular on this site but since debanding typically only follow up with a few people who were at the tail end of my journey. I absolutely love your tag about getting tinsel teeth! That sounds like the type of fun attitude an adult needs to not only survive but enjoy this experience.

iBorg

[lau]

hang in there Klobird!! you of all people can get thru this-

[iBorg]

Well I read back a few pages and to see more than the comments I left. I believe there is more that I should say. I think every adult who goes through braces goes through those through times when they question their choice. There were times when things weren't going the way they should have been for me. I remember begging for headgear to create the right space so I could have surgery and then have implants. I ended up with neither. After the space was finally open, I was told by one surgeon that I needed the surgery but was too OLD to have it. Finally the surgeon who I think did a marvelous job insisted the space be closed after a year spent to open it up.

I made it. At the end I am able to breathe (my airway was collapsing) and I lived on medication to stay awake due to sleep issues. I carried an inhaler due to the severity of my asthma attacks. Now I can breathe. I sleep through the night. I'm off medication. I rarely have asthma attacks and most are rather mild.

It is worth it. It may be irritating but I'm unaware of anyone dying due to their orthodontic treatments.

Mike

[klobird]

Mike, Ashe and Lau--Thank you soooo much for commenting--I really don't know what I would be doing right now if it weren't for this website. I might just be saying bye-bye to the Forsus-maybe even to braces--but it makes a world of difference when people who understand are encouraging me!

Mike and Ashe--You guys are what I'm talking about--going thru implants and surgery and all of that--I admire your determination and accomplishments! I really do! And I am so encouraged by how much better you are Mike, since you went through all of that. (And 3 1/2 yrs?--ok, no way in hell would I handle that politely!)

And Ashe--5 days to go!! REALLY?? And ya, right, about kids---they are supposed to be the whiny ones!! All I can think is that they are up against peer pressure to be cool in braces. Or maybe they really don't experience as many problems because their teeth and mouth move so easily at their age. Still some of them have the herbst with the crossbow thing on their bottom teeth and a palate expander to boot and they seem to manage. Maybe the only difference is that we have a choice in the matter....( )

And thanks again Lau, Eb, Jill for your comments--all of them are really giving me strength
inside. I will handle this, I will. But I wouldn't wish this appliance on anyone!! (Well, maybe the mean grocery checker lady at the store---ok, not even her...)....

[klobird]

I wanted to wait a few days before I believed that what has happened is real.. It is! I am OK with the Forsus now! It's like 3 1/2 weeks in I was just going to give up--I couldn't get used to it, and it was sooooo uncomfortable. But then I turned a corner, I guess. When I eat, I don't notice it with every bite. I'm beginning to get used to it. (I have heard that you can get accustomed to a ball and chain if you wear it long enough... )

Anyway, I can do this...I will tell them though at the next appt. that there is something seriously wrong with the placement on the passive side--the flippy thing just lays on my bottom lip, but I can hide it pretty well...They would have to be blind not to see the problem. But it's not something that I feel that I have to run in and get fixed. And if the Forsus shortens my time in braces, then I don't want the ortho to say "well, let's just take it off then". I am hoping this is going to be worth it. I can feel that things are changing, but can't see anything that looks different. My bite still looks way off...

[smilehope]

Go Klobird. I've loved reading your blog. There are so many quotations in it which really help those of us just starting out, like that in a few years all this will just be a memory. Best wishes

[klobird]

Hey Smile--I'm so glad that my posts are helping you. When I first got braces, I read soooo many blogs on this site, and even made notes, so I would be prepared for brace day. Wow, did I find a lot of helpful information. I bought the items that people said were (in their experience) the easiest or best types. (For me, the best recommendations were Mack's Earplug wax and getting a waterpik). Anyway, I wanted to consolidate all the stuff that was most helpful to me in my blog so that others getting braces wouldn't have to search as hard as I did. I just appreciate this website sooooo much!!

[iBorg]

One thing that most of us who spend time on this site do is learn what to expect as well as what questions to ask. My ortho commented more than once that I was one of her most knowledgeable patients. For me, knowing what to expect made this whole process easier to tolerate and at times even enjoy.

[klobird]

I'm almost to 1 year--it's going to be such an encouraging milestone!

So, I made an appt. with the ortho for Monday. My next real adjustment is 3 weeks from Monday. I've had the Forsus for 6 weeks, and I'm done dealing with the passive side. All of my tolerance "reserves" are gone. There's nothing left--I'm done.

The thing is--I know the passive side of the Forsus is on there wrong. The active side is no problem, and doesn't look like the passive side at all. If both sides were like the active side, then I could do this. So, I actually think the ortho is going to wonder why I put up with the constant pinching and poking for so long. He's not the one who put it on. And my ortho assistant is really good--I just think the product is not as technically advanced as it could be. It seems that in this day and age, that they could make a product that is easier for the ortho's to apply correctly. Instead they have to take a shot at getting the flippy side to lay down correctly by squeezing it with there pliers or whatever they use. And it doesn't always squeeze down the same...

So, I took the proactive approach. I e-mailed 3M Unitek and told them that their product needed improvement . I just know that in a few years, the Forsus model that is out there now will be considered archaic. Any ortho with half a brain ( ) would be trying to make a few bucks on the side by creating better models of orthodontic appliances and then getting them named after themselves. They want to make $$$ so bad... OK, that was mean, I know.
And I know that while it seems easy enough, that it is very complicated. I just think that while braces and appliances have improved in the last 30 years, that they are nowhere near as advanced as they could be...

And that is my Forsus rant for the day......

(I really do want the Forsus thing to work out--it should help my bite along--not that I see any changes yet...and also maybe I can get out of braces sooner ---if it can get applied so that it is tolerable).

[lilone]

I'm sorry to hear that the forsus is still causing you trouble. I have been reading about it with interest, particularly since my old treatment plan involved one (I went for Invisalign instead of braces, in the end). I think it is a remarkable tool but it DOES look like a torture implement. I don't think orthodontists ever seem to worry about comfort when they make these contraptions! I'm glad you made an appointment to have them look at it. I'm sure there is something they can do to help. And GOOD ON YA for e-mailing 3M! I'm sure everyone thinks of doing it but few actually follow through:)

[klobird]

I went to the ortho this morning to get my Forsus looked at. He changed it up quite a bit--and it is SWEET RELIEF!!! It's only been in place like it is for about 9 hours, but I was actually eating things just to see if it really, really is better. IT IS!!!

So, I'm hoping I can say that for days and weeks to come--because with it like it is now, the next 4 1/2 months will be a piece of cake!! I am very, very optimistic now!

[TMJJill]

How wonderful! I'll keep my fingers crossed this is your solution.

[iBorg]

When I was wired, there were times I felt like I was a pain in the butt to my ortho's staff. Then I realized I'd rather be a pain than to have constant pain.