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Removal of lower jaw: What helps with nerve pain?

Posted by worth @worth, Dec 28, 2023

Had major surgery that removed the lower jaw on one side. The fibula was used to create a new jaw. There is tremendous nerve pain behind the ear and medications aren’t touching it. Has anyone experienced this and is there relief?

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Dec 29, 2023

Hi @worth and welcome to the Head and Neck group, and basically a sub-group of those of us who have had the Mandible-ectomy surgery as well.
Mine was done a couple years ago and I am racking my brain to remember if there was anything I could do as well to alleviate the pain from what seemed like my ear on that side other than Tylenol and a warm heating pad.
One thing to check is to have the doctor or an ENT ensure the eustation tube on that side is not blocked, particularly if atmospheric pressure changes relate to your pain. Simple tissue swelling after surgery can also block this eardrum pressure balance as well.
How long ago did you have this done?

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1 reply
worth | @worth | Dec 30, 2023
In reply to @hrhwilliam "Hi @worth and welcome to the Head and Neck group, and basically a sub-group of those..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

Hi @worth and welcome to the Head and Neck group, and basically a sub-group of those of us who have had the Mandible-ectomy surgery as well.
Mine was done a couple years ago and I am racking my brain to remember if there was anything I could do as well to alleviate the pain from what seemed like my ear on that side other than Tylenol and a warm heating pad.
One thing to check is to have the doctor or an ENT ensure the eustation tube on that side is not blocked, particularly if atmospheric pressure changes relate to your pain. Simple tissue swelling after surgery can also block this eardrum pressure balance as well.
How long ago did you have this done?

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Thank you for your response! 11/6/23 was the date of surgery. The nerve pain is constant. Tylenol and serious pain killers haven’t touched it. No one else has mentioned the ear tubes which will be the next question to ask. Good to know!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Jan 1 8:56am

My father had this surgery many years ago. I don't recall such pain. If this is nerve related have they tried gabapentin for you? That may take a little while to reach peak effect but is good for chronic nerve pain. I had constant pain around my ear from my SCC tumor growing into bone. One thing I was using prior to surgery was a pain blocking patch called Salonpas. I applied the small ones in front and behind my ear each night. It relieved enough of the pain that I could sleep at night and lasts 8 hours. Good luck to you.

REPLY
1 reply
mrsluckycat | @mrsluckycat | Jan 1 12:36pm

I have found that lyrica works even better than the gabapentin- especially for nerve pain. Good luck to you

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worth | @worth | Jan 4 9:00am
In reply to @sepdvm "My father had this surgery many years ago. I don't recall such pain. If this is..." + (show)
@sepdvm

My father had this surgery many years ago. I don't recall such pain. If this is nerve related have they tried gabapentin for you? That may take a little while to reach peak effect but is good for chronic nerve pain. I had constant pain around my ear from my SCC tumor growing into bone. One thing I was using prior to surgery was a pain blocking patch called Salonpas. I applied the small ones in front and behind my ear each night. It relieved enough of the pain that I could sleep at night and lasts 8 hours. Good luck to you.

Jump to this post

The Salonpas along with serious pain reliever seems to be helping a lot! Can this be changed out every 8 hours for continuous application? Thank you for mentioning it. Due to an infection, we are returning to the ENT oncologist tomorrow and we have a list of questions!

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2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Jan 4 9:07am
In reply to @worth "The Salonpas along with serious pain reliever seems to be helping a lot! Can this be..." + (show)
@worth

The Salonpas along with serious pain reliever seems to be helping a lot! Can this be changed out every 8 hours for continuous application? Thank you for mentioning it. Due to an infection, we are returning to the ENT oncologist tomorrow and we have a list of questions!

Jump to this post

I would check label directions, but I used it mostly at night, sometimes through the day as well.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 7 5:04pm
In reply to @worth "The Salonpas along with serious pain reliever seems to be helping a lot! Can this be..." + (show)
@worth

The Salonpas along with serious pain reliever seems to be helping a lot! Can this be changed out every 8 hours for continuous application? Thank you for mentioning it. Due to an infection, we are returning to the ENT oncologist tomorrow and we have a list of questions!

Jump to this post

@worth, you may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Mandible Reconstruction with Fibula Free Flap. Is this an option?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mandible-reconstruction-with-fibula-free-flap-is-this-an-option/

How did the appointment go with the ENT oncologist? Fingers crossed that you'll get rid of the infection quickly and easily.

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