HRevero
06-10-2003, 07:31 PM
I am sorry to be a downer but I can't help it, I am frustrated!!!!!
I am not getting any better and that wonderful tmj specialist is still a very nice guy but all he wants to do with me is talk and charge me for the visit. I had my second visit with him today (the 1st was just a consultation). And he still did nothing for me except give me more exercises. He says that we are waiting to do everything but waiting for what???? It has been about a month since our consultation and still I walk away exactly the same. Yet he wanted me to come in NEXT WEEK- and I can't even tell you what for. My splint needs to be readjsuted and still nothing.
Now that I got that off my chest... My husband and I have been looking into neuromuscular dentistry. Are they better then specialist? I understand that they have a different approach regarding tmj then specialist, can you guys tell me somethings I could expect. I have made an appointment to go see one next week. I also have noticed that they do a lot more tests, can someone fill me in on exactly what they all do?
Heather
I am not getting any better and that wonderful tmj specialist is still a very nice guy but all he wants to do with me is talk and charge me for the visit. I had my second visit with him today (the 1st was just a consultation). And he still did nothing for me except give me more exercises. He says that we are waiting to do everything but waiting for what???? It has been about a month since our consultation and still I walk away exactly the same. Yet he wanted me to come in NEXT WEEK- and I can't even tell you what for. My splint needs to be readjsuted and still nothing.
Now that I got that off my chest... My husband and I have been looking into neuromuscular dentistry. Are they better then specialist? I understand that they have a different approach regarding tmj then specialist, can you guys tell me somethings I could expect. I have made an appointment to go see one next week. I also have noticed that they do a lot more tests, can someone fill me in on exactly what they all do?
Heather
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TiffanyAnn
06-10-2003, 08:18 PM
Hi Heather:
I'm so sorry that you are so frustrated with this specialist. TMJ is such an absolutely frustrating condition to have. It's difficult to treat and it seems that so many dentists have so little experience with treating it and much of the time it feels like they are guessing too. I haven't consulted a neuromuscular dentist so I don't know how they work but I just wanted to say Hang in there!
Tiffany
I'm so sorry that you are so frustrated with this specialist. TMJ is such an absolutely frustrating condition to have. It's difficult to treat and it seems that so many dentists have so little experience with treating it and much of the time it feels like they are guessing too. I haven't consulted a neuromuscular dentist so I don't know how they work but I just wanted to say Hang in there!
Tiffany
DianeTMJ
06-10-2003, 08:33 PM
{{{{{Heather}}}}}}}
I sure wish I was there to give you big, big hugs. I think this guys has realized that his splint is not working and he is dancing around the issue. Okay, that is my gut feeling about it. I may be way off base, if so, please forgive me.
it up to my bite and he put it in... I started crying. It was just wonderful.
My list of symptoms have gone from this:
Fullness in right ear (gone)
Ringing in the ear (gone)
Pain in the ear(gone)
Pain, right side of my face, (controlled)
Numbness right side of face, running down jaw line to right corner of lip. (controlled)
Drooling (controlled)
Shoulder/neck pain
Dizziness(gone since chiro)
Vertigo – queasy stomach when that happens, not an upset stomach, just queasy. (gone since chiro) (says first rib was out)
Eye Pain (behind the eye, like being stabbed (gone)
Sensitive to light (controlled)
Sensitive to noise (controlled)
Droopy eye, right eye (still there but less)
Headaches, forehead, all over head (controlled)
What I thought were sinus headaches (gone)
Ghost tooth pain, back upper right, sometimes spreading to lower back teeth but not as strong. (gone)
Right lymph feeling swollen (controlled)
Crackling sound in ear (gone)
Crackling sound in neck (gone)
Watery eye – right one only (gone)
Blood shot eye, right one only (gone)
Problems with vision in right eye (gone)
Temple area pain. (controlled)
Soft food diet as eating hard things really irritates and makes symptoms worse ... still on soft food diet
Brain fog - (controlled)
rolled shoulders - (controlled - chiro adjustment)
Shakey/jitters - (gone)
hair sensitivity
Now my symptoms are:
on and off, quiet ringing in the ears, vs like having a high pitched wistle going off all the time.
Slight muscle tension below right ear in the morning, once up and moving around it is gone.
The tens unit relieved most of it.. please note that by days end, with much talking, the pain would start to come back and numbness, get on the tens unit for two hours and it was gone until the next night.
The chiro immediatley got rid of the really bad ringing in the ear and the dizzienss and vertigo,(she did that by adjusting the 1st rib... note not all chrio's are trained to adjust the first rib... this is real imporant.
Okay, I have now written a novel, Heather, any questions at all, please ask, the more informed you are before walking in the front door, the better off you are.
Many hugs, I hope my humor was not to much for you.
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]
I sure wish I was there to give you big, big hugs. I think this guys has realized that his splint is not working and he is dancing around the issue. Okay, that is my gut feeling about it. I may be way off base, if so, please forgive me.
it up to my bite and he put it in... I started crying. It was just wonderful.
My list of symptoms have gone from this:
Fullness in right ear (gone)
Ringing in the ear (gone)
Pain in the ear(gone)
Pain, right side of my face, (controlled)
Numbness right side of face, running down jaw line to right corner of lip. (controlled)
Drooling (controlled)
Shoulder/neck pain
Dizziness(gone since chiro)
Vertigo – queasy stomach when that happens, not an upset stomach, just queasy. (gone since chiro) (says first rib was out)
Eye Pain (behind the eye, like being stabbed (gone)
Sensitive to light (controlled)
Sensitive to noise (controlled)
Droopy eye, right eye (still there but less)
Headaches, forehead, all over head (controlled)
What I thought were sinus headaches (gone)
Ghost tooth pain, back upper right, sometimes spreading to lower back teeth but not as strong. (gone)
Right lymph feeling swollen (controlled)
Crackling sound in ear (gone)
Crackling sound in neck (gone)
Watery eye – right one only (gone)
Blood shot eye, right one only (gone)
Problems with vision in right eye (gone)
Temple area pain. (controlled)
Soft food diet as eating hard things really irritates and makes symptoms worse ... still on soft food diet
Brain fog - (controlled)
rolled shoulders - (controlled - chiro adjustment)
Shakey/jitters - (gone)
hair sensitivity
Now my symptoms are:
on and off, quiet ringing in the ears, vs like having a high pitched wistle going off all the time.
Slight muscle tension below right ear in the morning, once up and moving around it is gone.
The tens unit relieved most of it.. please note that by days end, with much talking, the pain would start to come back and numbness, get on the tens unit for two hours and it was gone until the next night.
The chiro immediatley got rid of the really bad ringing in the ear and the dizzienss and vertigo,(she did that by adjusting the 1st rib... note not all chrio's are trained to adjust the first rib... this is real imporant.
Okay, I have now written a novel, Heather, any questions at all, please ask, the more informed you are before walking in the front door, the better off you are.
Many hugs, I hope my humor was not to much for you.
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]
Jill J
06-10-2003, 09:43 PM
Heather, so sorry that this is so frustrating to you. I agree with Diane about the splint. My specialist did the same thing to me. Kept me coming in did nothing and wanted to see me again. He would adjust my splint once in awhile. What it finally boiled down to was he was unable to help me but would not admit it. That's when I changed....Watch for more signs that he won't admit that there isn't anything he can do for you.....Good Luck, Jill
CherylLynn24
06-11-2003, 01:40 AM
Heather,
I knew that it was time for a new specialist, when he mumbled the words....pain clinic. I should've been looking sooner, but I needed to research some things. Now, I feel like we're 'on track', (considering neuromuscular dentistry) concerning his problems, anyway. Diane is right on target as to how it's all done. When's your appt.?
Cheryl
[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-31-2003).]
I knew that it was time for a new specialist, when he mumbled the words....pain clinic. I should've been looking sooner, but I needed to research some things. Now, I feel like we're 'on track', (considering neuromuscular dentistry) concerning his problems, anyway. Diane is right on target as to how it's all done. When's your appt.?
Cheryl
[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-31-2003).]
Eric1
06-11-2003, 05:10 AM
Hi, Diane that was great advice and it's good reading someone else who has alot of my symptoms. I've had tmj for at least 8 years and I've been getting treatment for 6. Absolutely like you said, finding a quality doctor who really has studied tmj extensively and has a good track record. My first doctor designed me a horrible bite splint that clipped onto my teeth and was very uncomfortable. It wasn't even able to be adjusted and I went straight into braces with another doctor who claimed he undrestood tmj well. I've found alot will claim that and just like any other career they feel they need experience so why not learn with you. Start with the experienced guy and don't bother wasting your time.
I got a referral from Dr. Brendan Stack who is the chairman of orthodontics for the american academy of facial pain. He uses the Viazi technique of braces which from all I've read move your teeth in 8 - 12 months instead of the usual 3 years. The final bite is much more rounded and definitely seems to give more room for those who need their pallette expanded somewhat. I talked to him and told him about this referral to my current doctor who does advanced osteogenic orthodontics. It involves loosening your gums first with a peridontist who is usually right in the same building. The final results from that even Dr. Stack agreed give the most room and really expand the pallette to the limits of the bone instead of just the teeth like the regualar way so I went with Dr. Wilko It really is amazing but right now I'm still finishing with my bite splint. My doctor has great credentials but so far I still feel really tight and alot of tension still. I do alot of things to help and I have a website I'm working on with alot of what I've learned. Anyway, it's great to read how you encourage each other so much and you have great attitudes considering if you're going through what I am. It really is great seeing how supportive you all are of each other. Well it's late and I've read so many posts I'm worn out. Take care everyone.
[This message has been edited by Eric1 (edited 06-11-2003).]
I got a referral from Dr. Brendan Stack who is the chairman of orthodontics for the american academy of facial pain. He uses the Viazi technique of braces which from all I've read move your teeth in 8 - 12 months instead of the usual 3 years. The final bite is much more rounded and definitely seems to give more room for those who need their pallette expanded somewhat. I talked to him and told him about this referral to my current doctor who does advanced osteogenic orthodontics. It involves loosening your gums first with a peridontist who is usually right in the same building. The final results from that even Dr. Stack agreed give the most room and really expand the pallette to the limits of the bone instead of just the teeth like the regualar way so I went with Dr. Wilko It really is amazing but right now I'm still finishing with my bite splint. My doctor has great credentials but so far I still feel really tight and alot of tension still. I do alot of things to help and I have a website I'm working on with alot of what I've learned. Anyway, it's great to read how you encourage each other so much and you have great attitudes considering if you're going through what I am. It really is great seeing how supportive you all are of each other. Well it's late and I've read so many posts I'm worn out. Take care everyone.
[This message has been edited by Eric1 (edited 06-11-2003).]
HRevero
06-13-2003, 10:12 PM
Hey Everyone,
Thank You for responding!!!
Diane,
The Neuromuscular Dentist that I am going to see this up coming week is named Joseph J. Henry in Orange, CA.
He has a website also. My husband had found a website on a doctor named Dave Miller that sounded wonderful, but he was little to far away (7hours). I took the opprotunity and called him up he was great. this guy talked to me for about 10 minutes even though he told me that I should not drive all the way down to him. While talking to me he asked me my symptoms and was trying to find a doctor that was closer to me. He gave me a couple of names and also a website for me to search. On this website I was able to search a whole bunch of doctors he claims was with the same philosophy.
I am kind of excited, but am very hesitate to have hope in finding a solution to this problem. I hate to sound so draggy, but I guess you can say that I am losing faith in the medical field. I know that not all doctor's are only out for the money, but I personally have not had the pleasure in running into those type.
Diane, thank you for all the news that I hopefully will be seeing on Thursday, if all goes well.
Heather
Thank You for responding!!!
Diane,
The Neuromuscular Dentist that I am going to see this up coming week is named Joseph J. Henry in Orange, CA.
He has a website also. My husband had found a website on a doctor named Dave Miller that sounded wonderful, but he was little to far away (7hours). I took the opprotunity and called him up he was great. this guy talked to me for about 10 minutes even though he told me that I should not drive all the way down to him. While talking to me he asked me my symptoms and was trying to find a doctor that was closer to me. He gave me a couple of names and also a website for me to search. On this website I was able to search a whole bunch of doctors he claims was with the same philosophy.
I am kind of excited, but am very hesitate to have hope in finding a solution to this problem. I hate to sound so draggy, but I guess you can say that I am losing faith in the medical field. I know that not all doctor's are only out for the money, but I personally have not had the pleasure in running into those type.
Diane, thank you for all the news that I hopefully will be seeing on Thursday, if all goes well.
Heather
Jill J
06-14-2003, 08:48 AM
Hi Heather.....could you please email the moderators to see if you can post that website? It might be good information for all of us.........thanks, Jill
DianeTMJ
06-14-2003, 03:55 PM
Hi Heather!
I went to Joe Henry's website and he looks knowledgable. Remember that education, experience is what you will need to beat this. I can not tell you how much my nueromuscular dentist has helped me. I get happier everyday!
Do let us know how your appt goes, hang in there, there is relief out there.
Have a good saturday!
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]
I went to Joe Henry's website and he looks knowledgable. Remember that education, experience is what you will need to beat this. I can not tell you how much my nueromuscular dentist has helped me. I get happier everyday!
Do let us know how your appt goes, hang in there, there is relief out there.
Have a good saturday!
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]
DianeTMJ
06-18-2003, 12:07 PM
Hey Heather!
Just wanted to see how you are doing? I think your appt is tomorrow with the new dentist. Did you buy chance get your records from the other dentist so this guy has what has happened so far in your treatment?
We will be thinking about you tomorrow and really, really hope he has some good news for you.
Sure hope you are feeling better.
Have a good day!
Diane
Just wanted to see how you are doing? I think your appt is tomorrow with the new dentist. Did you buy chance get your records from the other dentist so this guy has what has happened so far in your treatment?
We will be thinking about you tomorrow and really, really hope he has some good news for you.
Sure hope you are feeling better.
Have a good day!
Diane
DianeTMJ
06-20-2003, 01:50 PM
Hi Heather!
I was justing checking in with you, I think you had your appt yesterday with your new nueromuscular dentist. Let us know how it went for you.
Hugs
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]
I was justing checking in with you, I think you had your appt yesterday with your new nueromuscular dentist. Let us know how it went for you.
Hugs
Diane
[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]