Thanks. I do see what you all mean though about days 4-5 because yesterday and today are by far the worst I’ve ever had for facial pain. Pain has extended up around my ear on the side of my head and right shoulder is also hurting. Continuing to ice and take medication but feels like my jaw is actually becoming more stiff than it was 2 days ago.
I will continue to keep updating.
Thinking of you, it should improve soon… 
I hope by now you may have gotten RX for steroids.
I understand about the tolerance to pain meds. My genetic drug profile shows that I need higher dosages of opioids to be effective. Even when I do take them, they barely take the edge off. I can’t take saids or other pain relievers because they give me stomach bleeds.
My jaw as very stiff 1st surgery and quite bothersome. My TMJ specialist gave me rx for a compounded cream to rub on my jaw. It was a mix of Ketamine, lidocaine,doxipin and a few other things. ie: for topical pain. It is just another way of administering the drugs. Ultimately, I found direct injections of steroids and nerve blocks into the jaw and muscles to be the most effective. I have also had the pain wrap around my ear and side of my head (likely temporalis muscles). Botox has helped a lot for that.
Im not surprised your shoulder is bothering you. When you jaw, then neck start to go in pain, your attached muscles groups also respond by tightening. Its like a vicious circle of pain.
I was lucky i had a neurologist already on board to do these emergency injections.Also a TMJ specialist who gave me injections orally. I hope you find some relief. TMJ pain and ES pain is the worst.
We had surgery with Hackman on the same day. Mine was bilateral. Luckily my dad is a really smart pharmacist. He has had me taking ibuprofen (400mg) every six hours, plus 1/2 an oxy. He explained why Motrin vs Tylenol but it went in one ear and out the other. The past couple of days the pain has been manageable to the point that I have overdone it a bit, but the combo has definitely helped. My body tells me loud and clear when I have done too much. I haven’t experienced the typical really bad days 4-6 like many do, and even done just 1/4 an oxy a couple of times. My jaw is very tight and it is also tight feeling/sore behind my ears. I’ve been sticking to smoothies, yogurt, and creamed soup. I just can’t chew. Sleeping on a wedge and doing the recliner during the day is also helping. Plus icing frequently. I have no facial or tongue paralysis, but am numb under my chin. My ears were numb but that is wearing off. I wish they were still numb. I am also sore where the nerve monitors were clipped on. Hang in there and try the ibuprofen every 6 hours with the oxy. Progress may feel slow but it is still progress.
That is great to hear Carmcook! I envy you in that you only have to take that much medication to feel better. It is also comforting (for me, not necessarily for you) that your jaw is also stiff and you’re having ear pain as mine is still stiff and hurting. Last night I was icing my neck incision and accidentally pressed down too hard and it sent a shooting pain from my neck, up my jaw and all the way to the center of my ear but it quickly went away. I also noticed a new symptom and that is one of my nerves near my hyoid and neck on the right side starting going haywire last night but it has calmed down this morning.
I do feel like I’ve reached a plateau and I might be starting in a better direction. I had a lot more energy yesterday but I didn’t overdo it. My pain is there when I wake up in the morning and once I get up and move around a bit it subsides but gradually gets worse throughout the day and it reaches its peak in the evening.
I’m glad you’re feeling better and hopefully I can start trending in the right direction this week.
Carmcook do you have any pain above and around your ear at your Temporalis muscle?
I do have pain there also, plus tightness. I believe more numbness continues to disappear and be replaced with discomfort. The bottom of my skull on both sides was hurting when I woke this morning and a weird pain in my left shoulder. Both have subsided with icing. I definitely know when it is getting close to the six hour mark for pain meds. I’m hoping to ween off the oxy tomorrow and manage it all with ibuprofen after that but will listen to my body. The glue it still stuck on the incisions really well. It has been itchy and I look forward to when it starts flaking off. One day at a time. I hope today is better for you.
Yeah sounds like we have very similar symptoms as I have too been having right shoulder pain probably from tensing up. The glue is still on my incision good as well and has been itching. Thanks for the update and I hope you feel better as well!
Thinking of you both!
As the nerves wake up you can get itching or weird sensations, it’s annoying but a good sign…It’s helpful that you’ve both had surgery at the same time so you can support each other!
Last thing…my neck has swollen up pretty good at my incision and I’m guessing that’s normal? Also bruised all over my neck and it’s VERY tender. I know it’s probably part of it just checking if anyone else had this.
Around day5 is the peak for swelling, very occasionally there can be a problem with drainage, so later there might be some massage you can do to help. If it’s red or you get a high temp, then I would be concerned about infection…
I think yours looks really good. Mine is swollen at the incisions also, as well as up to my jawline. It really isn’t that swollen below the incision though. It looks a bit strange in the mirror and I’m not fond of the new double chin
Wow you did both sides! Salute to you I couldn’t imagine both sides with my TMJ issues I would me miserable. Thank you for sharing! Your incisions looks great! I told my wife I could careless about the scar, if there is one, if it means I will be pain free!
Carmcook,
Your neck & incisions look AMAZING!! I assume you had a neck bra as I’ve only seen that small amount of post op swelling in bilateral surgeries when one of those was used for a few days after surgery. I had the double chin side effect of surgery, too, except mine was unilateral since I had one side done at a time. It looks more natural when both sides are swollen! A half a double chin looks very silly!! Thankfully it will go away as you heal! 
Atw0222 - Actually, from the position of your picture, your incision looks really good & swelling doesn’t look excessive. You had major surgery in your neck only a short time ago. Your body fills the area w/ fluid which acts as a protective cushion for all the nerves & other soft tissues during recovery. As your body detects repairs have been made, it will begin reabsorbing that “cushion” & your swelling will go down. As it goes, symptoms that are being flared up by the swelling will also go because the pressure on the nerves, muscles, tendons & ligaments decreases.
It’s a good idea to talk to Dr. Hepworth just to be sure, but that’s my non-medical opinion.
Thanks. Dr. Hackman doesn’t use the neck bras anymore. I was kinda hoping for one for the extra support. I’ve been using great neck wrap ice packs and sleeping on a wedge system with a L-shaped pillow added. I practiced sleeping with the wedge before surgery to get the three sections of it adjusted just right. I’m a side-sleeper and was concerned. I’ve been surprised at how comfortable it has been - more than laying flat. My ear incisions look a bit yucky still, as blood got mixed into the surgical glue. It looks like I haven’t been washing but will just have to be patient for the glue to come off naturally.
Carmcook,
I am a side sleeper also and it’s been killing me to only sleep on my back. Do you have internet links for ice wrap and pillow? I have been meaning to get one of those ice packs that wrap around your face.
Here are the links:
Neck ice pack: Amazon.com
L-shaped pillow: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I2VS5KQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Wedge pillow: Amazon.com
I put the ice wrap in a flannel pillow case.
That’s an amazing looking wedge pillow set-up! Probably would have helped me sleep better if I’d done a bit of research rather than using the inexpensive one from Bed Bath & Beyond. 
How do you use the L (or some people call that a V) shaped pillow?
For the L-shaped pillow, I put my head in the curve and have the sides on both sides of my head for support. It is really comfortable.
The wedge took some practice before surgery to get it configured how I like it, as there are a bunch of different options. I don’t use the neck pillow part of it. I also have put one of my daughter’s old flat twin flannel sheets over it all to keep them together and make it more comfy. My daughter has placed dibs on the wedge when I’m done with it for reading in bed.
I think it’s looking good! Not too swollen at all…
