Facial Injury

[Toaster83]

Hi all

I heard about changing faces on BBC radio 2 this morning. I'm a 36 year old female.

It's difficult for me as my problem was self inflicted so I feel incredibly guilty being here.

I jumped out of a window 12 years ago and landed on the right side of my face. I broke every bone and lost most of my teeth. Of all the scenarios I considered, landing on my face wasn't one of them.

I've healed pretty well to be fair, but it's still obvious. I constantly look swollen and lopsided particularly on photos. This isn't a body dysmorphia issue, it is obvious.

I recently had a week of work as I had an abscess and couldn't get my dentures in. I wont go to work without teeth.

The abscess was caused by ill fitting dentures and they cut my mouth. I cant go to the dentist right now for new ones as I cant afford them. The dentures took months to make as my mouth is deformed inside, it was difficult to make them. I'm missing bone and the roof of my mouth snapped in half.

I am in pain every day and have strange sensations in my face. When I pluck my eyebrows, my lip twitches. Since the abscess, my chin us constantly twitching and I have a bubbling sensation all down my right side. If I touch my mouth, I can feel it in my eye. I have earache a lot of the time, pain going into my neck and my jaw clicks out of place.

I think going back to MFU would be useful but I have a fear of being seen as a fraud, and I also feel unworthy because I did this to myself

Anyway, thank you for reading x

[MiaBrown]

Hello,

My heart was aching for you as I read your story, especially if I'm correctly guessing why you jumped. I hate that you feel guilty about it. Honestly to me you should be proud of how you've dealt with the aftermath of the fall, but I'm sure that's easier said from the outside. I hope you find the support you're looking for here. Xoxo

[Toaster83 in reply to MiaBrown]

Thank you for reading and taking the time to reply.

Yes, the jump was an attempt on my life. That part of my life has passed and I'm mentally well recovered. I'm reminded every day, however, of that part of my life. I have a lot regrets. Where I'm not depressed in the way I was I feel lonely and miserable regarding my injury. I was always veering towards body dysmorphia prior to my injury so injuring the most obvious part of my body was pretty devastating.

I get on with it etc etc. Its just always there and always will be. I'm filled with despair at the thought of being like this 'forever'

[Crystal246]

Thank you so much for sharing x but I'm glad changing faces led us to each other because now we can help each other ❤️. I'm so sorry that this has happened to you but I'm glad your doing better now x