I just had surgery 5 days ago and I signed on to this site for support. WHERE IS IT?? Everything I've read is nothing but bad stuff!! I already know how much it hurts!! I already know how long it's gonna take to get better!! I don't want to read about everyone else crying and complaining (I've cried my fare share of tears too) I need someone else who's gone through surgery to sympathize and share. It's a good thing I'm not suicidal, this would push me over the edge!! I have to go drink my lunch now. Hope to hear something cool!!

I guess if you if you don't want to hear about someone else crying or complaining you are looking at a dead end on this board. The ones of us who have had surgery are still crying and complaining(as you call it) We had our fair share of tears and still do. The only support I can give you is I hope you have better luck with your surgery than the ones on this board. I have went through surgery and I sympathize what you are going through and "more than likely" what you will continue to go through. Nothing but bad stuff??? TMJD is pretty bad stuff alright and like you, I am glad I am not suicidal.
BJ

Cridam,
It helps people to get things out. I don't see much complaining on this board. I see a lot of venting. And I find many coping strategies here.

Mark

Cridam,

If you're looking for support, I wouldn't say that's the most productive way of asking for it.
We are all here because we share a common bond. Being a member of a "support" group sometimes means listening to other peoples problems so that we in turn can discuss our own.

Crystal

Hi

I have to say that I really hope that your surgery is helpful to you. That is all that any of us want is to feel "normal" again.

I need to be able to vent on this board because it is the only place where people who feel my pain actually "get it". The support and love I have felt in this short time have helped me feel like I am not alone.

No one here is saying that things can't get better, they are just being honest about when and how the pain occurs.

Goodluck to you, and please don't come down on those who need the support when they are having a tough time.

Cat :)

Hi Cridam,

Welcome to the Board! (so sorry you have to be here though.) I think perhaps the reason that not too many members have responded to you is because the majority of them (including myself) have not had surgery to correct their TMJ, but rather have gone through (or are currently undergoing) conservative treatments. Therefore, we don't feel "qualified" if you will, to know/understand what you're going through or how you must feel. Having never had surgery of any kind in my life, I can't begin to imagine what it might be like for you? Be patient though, I'm sure the "surgical" members of the Board will respond to you!

Take care, and hope you feel better soon!
Marlene

Hi Cridam,
Welcome to the board.. :wave:

I understand your angry,honey you have every right to be! I have never had surgery for TMJ, or do I ever want it!
After reading the stories from other on here made me relieze I dont want to suffer anymore then I am now...I would of never know TMJ surgery was bad and I could have such trouble with it... I would of believed the doctors..but hearing stories from others and the pain and heartache they went though I feel for them, and understand..

I have suffered from TMJ for many years now and I am only 23, my pain drives me crazy...so I can understand your in pain... I can understand you need and want support "we all do" this borad has help me so much, knowing and talking with others that understand my pain, giving me advice, telling me things they have been though so I dont do the same thing and advoiding a lot of things.. Now to me...this is a lot of support! Your family and friends can say they understand, and they are sorry your in pain, but your not going to get the support you need from them..they possiably CANT understand how and what you are feeling....thats where this borad is helpful :)I am sure others will come on here that have been though what you have been going though...."WE ALL ARE HERE FOR EACHOTHER" :)

I hope you get to feeling better, and I wish you the best of luck! I hope you stick this board out,you will see with time it will be helpful :)

Starr

I guess I have been punished enough, I can post again. Right now I guess I am not very supportive. I am seeing the spine doctor tomorrow and will find out if he recommends further back surgery. Pain management doesn't seem to have done much. The only relief I have gotten is with drugs and I have never been one to want to be dependant on drugs for pain relief. It seems that back surgery is like TMJ surgery, once you have one, plan on more. Same old story, scar tissue and bone spurs.
Sorry if I sound like I am whining or crying, I guess I am doing a little of both.
Take care,
Elaine

[This message has been edited by Elaine (edited 09-25-2002).]

Hi Elaine,

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK!!!!! We missed your "expertise"!

Marlene

I had disc reattachment surgery 13 days ago. Right now I feel better than I have felt in years. I still have a lot of tenderness & swelling, but the headaches and daily pain are gone. I can open wider now than before the surgery, and surgeon said it will keep improving after the swelling subsides. So right now I feel it was a good decision to have the surgery. My disc was displaced, I also had abnormal bone growth that kept my jaw from opening. I had the disc reattached, and the bone growth cut away. I think that this board seems to have people who are having lots of problems with TMJ, before and after treatment. I guess that makes sense though because if you have surgery and everything goes great after that you really don't need support anymore. I now have to start orthodontic treatment (braces) and will have to have jaw repositioning surgery after that, but I knew that before the first surgery. Good luck to you.

Krajo3,

That's great to hear. It's reassuring to hear someone acully have some success. Please keep us posted with your progress.

Mark

Thanks Marlene, glad somebody missed me. :)

krajo,
Not to burst your bubble, but that is when you feel your best, right after surgery. My headaches, jaw pain,etc were all gone. I could open wider at the time, after three surgeries, I am back to 10mm. Once the nerves and muscles that were cut grow back, that is when the pain cycle starts all over again. I hope you are an exception. I would definitely wait on the orthodontic treatment for quite awhile until you see the end results of the TMJ surgery. Don't add insult to injury.
My jaw alignment and occlusion are so far out of whack after having surgery, I was told braces would do more harm than good. Again, I hope you are an exception. Not trying to be a downer but this is just another chapter of "TMJ Reality".
Take care and good luck,
Elaine

Welcome back, Elaine!
It's great to "hear" your voice again.

Crystal

:wave: Welcome back Elaine!

Thanks guys, I missed you to. I felt like a kid who had to sit in the corner. I don't know how to behave so it was probably appropriate!!! :p
Elaine

Hello there Cridam....The support you get is kinda in the way you vented out on the main topic you brought up.I've found this is a place to tell it like it is.Everyone has a different story, good or bad we learn from each other..Thats my support. But, also knowing I'm not the only one CRAZY from this TMJD, and no..Its not all IN my head!These people that take the time out to respond to you....are in the same boat.. and yes it really Sucks!I feel I have been cheated out of alot in life because of this.But we have to hold our heads up and be strong and fake it.I may have thought at one time I was gonna die...But no I would never want too..I have too much to live for...
And your right about depressing...Dont go to the depression board..its really bad reading that.

*****Krajo 3,
Elaine is right about the surgery in some aspects, she has had a horrible time with the pain and other compilcated back problems.I also felt wonderful after surgery (Dec,open joint) I felt like a band had been cut that was around my forehead.But yes after the nerves are coming back I feel a little more.I also have had complications from two rear collison accidents in the past 11 months , so its hard to say how I may have done .But** YES>> I would do it again.I have not had the migraines like before.I also had a locked disk..and I know how bad it can be.
So good luck and there are a few sucsess stories out there.

***********Elaine
I hope your doing better....Just wanted to let you know I go to court next month..with all the help from the past TMJ doctors I've seen the past 7 years..we have a very good outlook..I will let you know.


***********Marlene
Glad to see you..How are you doing?


Bren

Hi Bren,

I'm doing great thanks! I'm my old normal self still - which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you ask!!
Good luck to you when you go to court - I'll be rooting for you! Keep us posted on the outcome.

Marlene

Hi,
I am fairly new to this forum But I have a success story. I had disk reattachment surgery on my right side in 1993, and it is what I consider a success, I still have occasional pain. During times of stress or in very loud places. But other than that (on that side) Im pain free. My left side still gives me some trouble but it has never been as bad as the right side. So (after my rambling) I hope you all have as much or even more success than I have had :bouncing:
Take Care
~Cooki