purple99
04-21-2003, 02:25 PM
HI MY NAME IS LENORE. I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM TMJ FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. I HAVE NO ONE TO TURN TO FOR MY PAIN. I WENT TO SEE A TMJ DOCTOR AND HE HELPED A LITTLE. I AM WEARING A SPLINT AT NIGHT AND IT HELPS A LITTLE. BUT, MY MIGRANES AND NECK PAINS ARE ALWAYS THERE. ALL DAY I HAVE DEAL WITH MY FACE HURTING AND THE REST OF MY BODY ACHING. I AM GALD I FOUND THIS SITE BECAUSE I HAD NO WERE TO TURN. IS THERE ANY WAY TO HELP THE PAIN WITHOUT MEDS. I TAKE ATIVAN AND ADVIL IT HELPS SOME. IS THERE ANY TREAMENT OTHER THAN MEDS.
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CherylLynn24
04-21-2003, 02:45 PM
Hi, and welcome to the board. Sorry you haven't felt well for some time. Sure, there are some things that work for some. Physical therapy, massotherapy, heat, ice, etc. I'm sure you'll learn alot here as I have. Have you tried anything other than meds, and how long have you been using a splint?
Cheryl
Cheryl
purple99
04-21-2003, 03:32 PM
I HAVE BEEN USING A SPLINT FOR 1 YEAR. IT FITS ON THE BOTTOM OF MY TEETH AND IT IS SOFT AND CLEAR. IT BOTHERS ME SOMETIMES BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE I CANNOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. THAT SOMETIMES GIVES ME A HEADACHE. I TOLD MY DOCTOR AND HE SAID I WILL GET USE TO IT. I DID SOME THERAPY, IT DID NOT HELP. ALL THEY DID WAS USE A STORE BOUGHT MASSAGER AND MASSAGE MY SHOULDER AND FACE AND ALSO THE DOCTOR WOULD INJECT MEDICINE TO NUMB THE PAIN IN THE TRIGGER POINTS. THAT WOULD LAST ONLY FOR 2 DAYS THEN THE PAIN CAME BACK. I WOULD LIKE TO GET BETTER THERAPY HER IN THE VALLEY IN CALIFORNIA. ANY ONE KNOW ANY GOOD TMJ THERAPHY CLINICS IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. HELP!
purple99
04-21-2003, 03:50 PM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I HAVE WEARING MY SPLINT FOR 1 YEAR. IT IS THE KIND THAT FITS OVER YOUR BOTTOM TEETH AND IT IS CLEAR AND VERY SOFT. I HAVE HAD THERAPHY AND IT WAS OK. ALL I GOT IN THERAPHY WAS A STORE BOUGHT MASSAGER THEY WOULD USE ON MY FACE AND SHOULDER AND NECK. THE KIND THAT VIBRATES. IT MADE ME WORSE SOMETIMES. AND ALSO THE DOCTOR WOULD GIVE ME INJECTIONS IN THE TRIGGER POINTS. THAT WOULD LAST 2 DAYS. THE PAIN WOULD COME BACK. I FEEL I DESERVE BETTER TREAMENT. PLASE HELP ME FIND A DOCTOR IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CALIFORNIA. HELP!!
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HRevero
04-21-2003, 04:01 PM
Hey Leonore!!! Welcome to the board. :wave:
I live in Long Beach, I know that I am a little distance from you, but what I have been finding out is that their are not that many people that do tmj. I have been looking on the internet, in the phone book, and also from word of mouth, and I still come up empty handed. I also have been researching a Dr. Fort that is in Culver City. My pt gave me his number, but he won't be around until tomorrow (Tuesday April 22, 2003). How did you get your tmj? I am sorry that you are in pain, but this board will help you deal with it. I also saw a specialist in Torrance, I thought he was good, but now I am not to sure. I too have been having problems finding a good specialist.
I have had tnj for the past 6 years from an accident, but I went this long with out proper treatment. No one was able to figure out what was wrong with me. But I have finally got the answer to my prayers, it is just too bad their is no cure for this disorder...yet!
Heather http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif
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I live in Long Beach, I know that I am a little distance from you, but what I have been finding out is that their are not that many people that do tmj. I have been looking on the internet, in the phone book, and also from word of mouth, and I still come up empty handed. I also have been researching a Dr. Fort that is in Culver City. My pt gave me his number, but he won't be around until tomorrow (Tuesday April 22, 2003). How did you get your tmj? I am sorry that you are in pain, but this board will help you deal with it. I also saw a specialist in Torrance, I thought he was good, but now I am not to sure. I too have been having problems finding a good specialist.
I have had tnj for the past 6 years from an accident, but I went this long with out proper treatment. No one was able to figure out what was wrong with me. But I have finally got the answer to my prayers, it is just too bad their is no cure for this disorder...yet!
Heather http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif
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CherylLynn24
04-21-2003, 04:16 PM
Hi Lenore,
Sounds like some of the treatments have put you through the wringer! The physical therapy you describe sounds somewhat generic. A massager that you buy in the store??? Check into your splint, if it doesn't fit properly, it can cause more problems...sounds like you need a new doc.
Cheryl
Sounds like some of the treatments have put you through the wringer! The physical therapy you describe sounds somewhat generic. A massager that you buy in the store??? Check into your splint, if it doesn't fit properly, it can cause more problems...sounds like you need a new doc.
Cheryl
purple99
04-21-2003, 05:00 PM
HEY HEATHER, THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I GOT TMJ FROM A WORK INJURY BACK IN 2000. I INJURED MY LEFT SHOUDER AND NECK. I HAVE TENDONITIS ON MY LEFT SHOUDER AND 3 DICS OUT OF PLACE ON MY CSPINE. I AM ON WORKERS COMP FOR THE INJURY AND BOY THEY PUT ME THREW THE WRINGER WITH THIS CASE. I HAVE HAD BAD LUCK WITH MY CASE. IT IS STILL GOING ON AND I AM TRY TO PROVE I HAVE TMJ AND MY DOCTOR IS DR. SHAMUS. HAVE YOU HEARD OF HIM. HE WORKS IN RESEDA AND NEAR LAX.
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HRevero
04-21-2003, 05:14 PM
Lenore,
(Sorry for spelling your name wrong- I do that a lot). Anyways, no I have not heard of Dr. Shamus, but I will ask around. Do you like him? You poor thing- at work. :frown: This disorder it seems to be immpossible to diagnose, but then when they do, they don't know what to do next. My current specialist just sent me the prescription to go get my x- rays done in West L.A.. My husband is having a fit because he feels that I should not need to go all the way over there. I don't know how far his place is from you. I believe you need to have a prescription for the place but here's the info: Westside Imaging 2050 South Bundy Drive, Suite 268. I don't know if this helps, I feel that I was just lucky that my specialist even gave me my prescription. I have been diagnose with having my tmj all muscle related, but my jaw keeps locking. That has even started to concern my pt, but yet the specialist I have only seen once, and he feels like he knows everything about me, which he doesn't. whenever I speak to them, they always seem to have to keep reminding me about the payment, every 5 minutes, that drives me crazy.
Heather :bouncing:
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(Sorry for spelling your name wrong- I do that a lot). Anyways, no I have not heard of Dr. Shamus, but I will ask around. Do you like him? You poor thing- at work. :frown: This disorder it seems to be immpossible to diagnose, but then when they do, they don't know what to do next. My current specialist just sent me the prescription to go get my x- rays done in West L.A.. My husband is having a fit because he feels that I should not need to go all the way over there. I don't know how far his place is from you. I believe you need to have a prescription for the place but here's the info: Westside Imaging 2050 South Bundy Drive, Suite 268. I don't know if this helps, I feel that I was just lucky that my specialist even gave me my prescription. I have been diagnose with having my tmj all muscle related, but my jaw keeps locking. That has even started to concern my pt, but yet the specialist I have only seen once, and he feels like he knows everything about me, which he doesn't. whenever I speak to them, they always seem to have to keep reminding me about the payment, every 5 minutes, that drives me crazy.
Heather :bouncing:
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purple99
04-21-2003, 05:40 PM
WOW THAT SOUNDS PRETTY BAD TO HAVE LOCK JAW. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT IS. IT SOUNDS BAD AND PAINFULL. MY JAW DOSE NOT MAKE THE CLICKING NOISE ANY MORE. I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE MY DOCTOR. HE ALWAYS SEEMS TO RUSH ME AND NEVER ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS LIKE WHY DOES MY FACE HURT WHEN I WORK OUT. AND WHY DOSE MY EAR HURT WHEN I WORK OUT ON A STATIONARY BIKE. OR WHY DOES MY EAR AND FACE HURT WHEN I TAKE A HOT SHOWER IT REALLY BOHTERS ME WHEN THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TMJ WHY IS THERE NOT A GOOD ANSWER OR A SOLUTION. TOO MANY DOCTORS WITH NO EDUCATION ON THIS ILLNESS.
HRevero
04-21-2003, 07:31 PM
Hey Lonora,
Yes lock jaw is very painful. I am still on all liquids but I did get my lunch time meal back as long as I chew something that is extremely soft,like noodles, or fish. It has been pretty rough over here. My jaw also does not have anything consistant. this makes it hard for my pt to treat. Something they do one day does not mean that it will work the next. My jaw only started to lock up about 2 months ago, and now it won't stop. I also was trying to get back into excerising, and the next day I locked up in my Biology class. The people on this board have bben great, and I realized that I have been able to become more educated because of them. Does loud noises bother you? Is your face swollen? What are your symtpoms? Most of us I believe get the headaches. These irritate me because I can never find the root of them. Does this happen to you?
Heather
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Yes lock jaw is very painful. I am still on all liquids but I did get my lunch time meal back as long as I chew something that is extremely soft,like noodles, or fish. It has been pretty rough over here. My jaw also does not have anything consistant. this makes it hard for my pt to treat. Something they do one day does not mean that it will work the next. My jaw only started to lock up about 2 months ago, and now it won't stop. I also was trying to get back into excerising, and the next day I locked up in my Biology class. The people on this board have bben great, and I realized that I have been able to become more educated because of them. Does loud noises bother you? Is your face swollen? What are your symtpoms? Most of us I believe get the headaches. These irritate me because I can never find the root of them. Does this happen to you?
Heather
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HRevero
04-21-2003, 07:33 PM
Lenora,
Sorry I spelled your name wrong again, I think it will be safer to call you purple. :D
Heather
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Sorry I spelled your name wrong again, I think it will be safer to call you purple. :D
Heather
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purple99
04-21-2003, 07:51 PM
MY SYSTOMS ARE SWOLLEN GLANDS AND FACE. TEETH HURT OR THE GUMS. EYES HURT AND HAVE BLURRED VISION. ALSO MY NECK HURTS ALL THE TIME. BACK PAIN. SINUS PRESSURE,CAN'T STAND THE COLD IT MAKES IT WORSE ON MY FACE AND NECK. I ALSO GET SICK TO MY STOMACH WITH TEH PAIN. IT ALSO TRIGGERS ANIXETY AND I GET DIZZY AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I GOING TO PASS OUT. I HAVE A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS AFFECTED BY MY TMJ. HE HAS NO CLUE HOW MUCH PAIN I AM IN. HE THINKS I JUST HAVE A SLIGHT HEADACHE AND IS BEING DRAMATIC. IS YOUR MAN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT YOUR SITUATION. I ALSO MISS ALOT OF WORK BECAUSE OF MY HEADACHES AND JAW PAIN KEEPS ME IN BED I FEEL LIKE I HAVE THE FLU. THE DOCTOR TELLS ME IT IS NOTHING BUT STRESS. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT. LIKE THRERE IS NO WERE TO TURN.
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CherylLynn24
04-21-2003, 08:02 PM
Lenora,
If your doc is telling you it's stress-related, or it's all in your head, it's definitely time for someone new who really believes there is a problem.
Cheryl
If your doc is telling you it's stress-related, or it's all in your head, it's definitely time for someone new who really believes there is a problem.
Cheryl
HRevero
04-21-2003, 08:55 PM
Hey Purple- Cheryl is right. I was told since my accident that I was making this up. I went to psychologist, and a pshyciatrist. I was loaded up on all types of medication that never really fixed anything, my symptoms were still there. Purple you may have been alone, but you are not anymore. I understand your frustration, and I wish your partner did too. It is hard for people who are not going through this understand. We look pretty descent. We do not have blood gushing out of our joints. But that does not mean that there is nothing wrong. I did not walk around for six years with earplugs in my ears for no reason. My husband was really the only person who believed me. He did not understand but he believed in me. Now, I have been diagnosed and found this board, my life has truly changed. I now have a name to all of my pain. I too suffer from anxiety, because of my accident. I am 26 years old and I have barely started to drive a year ago. Everything scared me, I got to the point that I did not really want to leave my house, I was petrified of the unknown. I "what- if" things to death. I have taken a lot of baby steps to get to where I am today. I never thought that I would be okay, I am still in massive pain, but I know we will conquor this thing that has decided to control our life. The first thing I do each morning is ask myself that question. Who is going to win today? To me this is a start. Sometimes it gets so bad, but I think when it takes you emotionally you are allowing it to win. It will hurt believe me, but we still have to live.
Heather
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Heather
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purple99
04-22-2003, 12:59 PM
I KNOW THAT FEELING OF "WHAT IF" IT IS KEEPS ME FROM DOING SIMPLE THINGS LIKE GOING TO THE MOVIES OR JUST TORUN OUT TO THE STORE. THAT WAS ME A YEAR AGO. I CAME A LONG, LONG WAY. LIKE YOU SAID BABY STEPS. I ALMOST WANTED TO END THINGS, NOT GET OUT OF BED. I AM HAPPY FOR YOU TO HAVE A WONDERFUL HUSBAND TO STAND BY YOU. MY BOYFREIND HAS HAD IT. HE IS TIRED OF HEARING ME COMPLIANE OF MY PAIN. I TRY TO KEEP IT TO MYSELF BUT, MY FACE AND MOODS SAY IT ALL. YOU ARE A INSPIRATION TO US TMJ SUFFERERS. TODAY I FEEL OK BUT, THERE IS ALWAYS THAT LITTLE EDGE OF FEAR THAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU THAT REMINDS YOU THAT THE PAIN CAN COME OUT OF NO WHERE AND THAT SCARES ME. I TRY TO START MY DAY WITH A POSITIVE NOTE. IT IS JUST PAIN AND I AM NOT GOING TO DIE FROM IT. I DON'T HAVE IT BAD AS OTHERS. I TRY TO FOCUS ON THAT. THAT HELPS SOME. I JUST WONDER IF THERE IS SOMTHING I AM DOING WRONG WITH MY LIFE THAT PUT'S ME IN THIS POSITION (TMJ). YOU MADE ME FEEL BETTER KNOWING THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THRERE WHO CARES AND UNDERSTANDS. THANKS, GOOD LUCK. HEATHER.
LENORE(PURPLE)
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LENORE(PURPLE)
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