pookieiscool
10-01-2002, 01:26 AM
Hello fellow tmjds,
I made an appt. to see the Oral Surgeon to discuss my options further as I can't take anymore of this jaw pain and pain that creeps from one side of my head until it crosses over my eyes and back down the other side of my ears. I have tried the mouthpiece, physical therapy, and meds, and I really think it is time to seek surgical advice. I'm sure there are some people out there that could give me some suggestions to look for as far as asking the right questions and such. How long from the initial consultation does it take to go through with a surgery or scope? What is the recooperation time? I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you all in advance for listening!
Suz
I made an appt. to see the Oral Surgeon to discuss my options further as I can't take anymore of this jaw pain and pain that creeps from one side of my head until it crosses over my eyes and back down the other side of my ears. I have tried the mouthpiece, physical therapy, and meds, and I really think it is time to seek surgical advice. I'm sure there are some people out there that could give me some suggestions to look for as far as asking the right questions and such. How long from the initial consultation does it take to go through with a surgery or scope? What is the recooperation time? I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you all in advance for listening!
Suz
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Elaine
10-01-2002, 01:55 AM
I would do a lot of research before agreeing to this surgery. If you go to a surgeon, I am sure that is what he will suggest.Their job is to cut and thats how they make their living. If you aren't locked open or shut, I wouldn't even think about it. I went through all the conservative therapies too, made the mistake of going the surgical route. They say everyone is different, that may be true, but it is coming out more and more that doctors are just guessing and hoping for good results when it comes to TMJ surgery. When it doesn't work, "it must be your fault". Been there, done that....
Elaine
TMJ has acquired the name of "The Great Impostor," and has been described in the press as "A Medical Mess."
Although all surgeries have risks, TMJ surgeries are especially risky have proven mostly unwarranted or unsatisfactory. An initial surgery can often lead to more. Except in life-threatening emergency situations, it is strongly recommended that TMJ surgeries be avoided or conducted only after multiple independent opinions. Additionally, certain jaw joint implants have been reported by the Food & Drug Administration to cause serious long-term medical problems, and rules have been tightened on their usage/approval.
There is currently no universally recognized medical discipline or accredited medical specialty that addresses TMJ. Jaw joints, due to their location in the oral cavity, are the only joints in the body that are considered both medical and dental joints. They are commonly and mistakenly isolated from whole body health and "assigned" to the realm of dentistry. Temporomandibular joints must be perceived as part of the whole body system and treated as are all other joints in the body. It is urgent that the medical profession take an active role in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. A change in perception would have several important consequences:
Current treatments often focus narrowly on the jaw and neglect other physiological systems in need of care. The desired therapeutic outcome is often not achieved, and many patients are left in serious pain or with serious dysfunction.
Elaine
TMJ has acquired the name of "The Great Impostor," and has been described in the press as "A Medical Mess."
Although all surgeries have risks, TMJ surgeries are especially risky have proven mostly unwarranted or unsatisfactory. An initial surgery can often lead to more. Except in life-threatening emergency situations, it is strongly recommended that TMJ surgeries be avoided or conducted only after multiple independent opinions. Additionally, certain jaw joint implants have been reported by the Food & Drug Administration to cause serious long-term medical problems, and rules have been tightened on their usage/approval.
There is currently no universally recognized medical discipline or accredited medical specialty that addresses TMJ. Jaw joints, due to their location in the oral cavity, are the only joints in the body that are considered both medical and dental joints. They are commonly and mistakenly isolated from whole body health and "assigned" to the realm of dentistry. Temporomandibular joints must be perceived as part of the whole body system and treated as are all other joints in the body. It is urgent that the medical profession take an active role in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. A change in perception would have several important consequences:
Current treatments often focus narrowly on the jaw and neglect other physiological systems in need of care. The desired therapeutic outcome is often not achieved, and many patients are left in serious pain or with serious dysfunction.
thisstarr
10-01-2002, 05:25 AM
HI,
I havent got that far in my search for finding someone to help me. I went to over my 10th tmj doctor today hoping he could help me get out of pain! I am so tired going from doctor to doctor.. he talked about surgery.. but I am not even going to go that route because of all the bad stories I have heard on this board. If it wasnt for this board I would not even know how bad things can go after surgery and how much you could suffer..and be in pain for the rest of your life! :( :(
Thanks for the useful information Elaine :)
POOKIE:I hope if you do get surgery your outcome is very good, make sure you post on here and keep up to date on how you are doing and feeling!
~Starr~
[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 10-01-2002).]
I havent got that far in my search for finding someone to help me. I went to over my 10th tmj doctor today hoping he could help me get out of pain! I am so tired going from doctor to doctor.. he talked about surgery.. but I am not even going to go that route because of all the bad stories I have heard on this board. If it wasnt for this board I would not even know how bad things can go after surgery and how much you could suffer..and be in pain for the rest of your life! :( :(
Thanks for the useful information Elaine :)
POOKIE:I hope if you do get surgery your outcome is very good, make sure you post on here and keep up to date on how you are doing and feeling!
~Starr~
[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 10-01-2002).]
changpau
10-01-2002, 08:31 AM
Suz,
I suffered with severe pain for over 20 yrs with my tmj's; trying every non invasive treatment out there and finally after being completely closed down for 6 months, gave into surgery. It's been 3yrs. since I had my first tmj surgery and I am still in pain, in fact, looking through my pain journal, I am in more pain now than befor surgery. If a doctor tells you that surgery will relieve your pain---RUN. Find another doctor. There are few of us here that has been through it all and only want to let everyone know that surgery isn't always the answer. Please read the archives and you will see what Elaine and all are saying. If you do decide on surgery, please keep us updated on how your doing. Wishing you the best.
Paulette
I suffered with severe pain for over 20 yrs with my tmj's; trying every non invasive treatment out there and finally after being completely closed down for 6 months, gave into surgery. It's been 3yrs. since I had my first tmj surgery and I am still in pain, in fact, looking through my pain journal, I am in more pain now than befor surgery. If a doctor tells you that surgery will relieve your pain---RUN. Find another doctor. There are few of us here that has been through it all and only want to let everyone know that surgery isn't always the answer. Please read the archives and you will see what Elaine and all are saying. If you do decide on surgery, please keep us updated on how your doing. Wishing you the best.
Paulette
Marlene
10-01-2002, 11:49 AM
Hi All,
Just "FYI" - I believe that the Christensen Implants are banned here in Canada. What does that tell you??
Marlene
[This message has been edited by Marlene (edited 10-01-2002).]
Just "FYI" - I believe that the Christensen Implants are banned here in Canada. What does that tell you??
Marlene
[This message has been edited by Marlene (edited 10-01-2002).]
crystalll
10-01-2002, 02:00 PM
Hi Suz,
I have to agree with others here who suggest you try all conservative treatments before surgery. When you say you wore a mouthpiece, did you undergo splint therapy or are you referring to a guard worn at night?
I would also seek second opinions from other dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Oral surgeons make me nervous. They are either ultra-conservative in that they don't treat the problem at all, or they jump right in to surgery. I know it can be costly, but make sure that all the diagnostic tests are done, i.e. x-rays, tomograms, etc. I hope it doesn't sound like we're jumping all over you. We just don't want to see you suffer further.
Take care.
Crystal
I have to agree with others here who suggest you try all conservative treatments before surgery. When you say you wore a mouthpiece, did you undergo splint therapy or are you referring to a guard worn at night?
I would also seek second opinions from other dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. Oral surgeons make me nervous. They are either ultra-conservative in that they don't treat the problem at all, or they jump right in to surgery. I know it can be costly, but make sure that all the diagnostic tests are done, i.e. x-rays, tomograms, etc. I hope it doesn't sound like we're jumping all over you. We just don't want to see you suffer further.
Take care.
Crystal
GenDen
10-01-2002, 04:38 PM
There are several philosophies in the treatment of TMJD. I would try another treatment philosophy before finally succumbing to surgery. There is a great deal of information available on the internet.
pookieiscool
10-02-2002, 01:51 AM
Thank you all so much for your input. I have read through some of the archives and have even printed some of them out and I will take them with me. I will definitely let you know how it turns out. ;)