Isew4work
10-14-2003, 09:11 AM
HI Everyone on here. I used to post alot but lately I just read. I have tried to keep track on how you are all doing. I have been trying to take the "don't think about tmj all the time" approach, and for me it seems to help out, a bit anyway.
Here is where I am in the treatment process. I first went to a regular dentist who had specialized in tmj. He gave me an upper splint which I wore at night for about two years. When that did not help he prescribed I go to an oral surgeon who did a procedure called Arthrocentesis. It made me worse, to the point of locking up all the time. Then my two doctors agreed that I needed more surgery. At that point I got scared and started reading and posting on hee. Thankfully, from reading on here and much deliberation I left those doctors and sought treatment from a Neuromuscular Oral Surgeon. He still preforms regular oral surgeries but does not do jaw surgeries, does not believe they are a successful choice in treating tmj.
Well, now I am almost 6 months into treatment wiht the Neuromuscular approach. I have spent about $2,000.00 on my jaw and I am not feeling even close to getting better yet. My muscular problem is all cleared up, thankfully, due to the tens machine I purchased. My bite is moved forward from the splint that I now wear, and it does feel better on a muscular scale, but here's the thing. My jaw still aches. It hurts like a mild headache most of the time right in my two joints. My Doc told me I am a pretty severe case of tmj and I still need to go through 2 more years of braces at least. I just called the orthodontist who my doctor suggested, one who has studied the jaw in full. Now I hear that it is going to cost me over $6,000.00 more to get the braces on, but they cannot promise that it will enlarge my upper jaw enough to get rid of the tmj. Man, where does this end??? I am getting discouraged. Just wanted to see if any of you feel the same way.
ps, I met a lady at the Dr. office last week who told me she really hoped what she had was tmj so that she could finaly get rid of the headaches. I just smiled because I could not tell her what a long drawn out process this whole deal is.
Thanks for taking time to read this very long post.
Mary
Here is where I am in the treatment process. I first went to a regular dentist who had specialized in tmj. He gave me an upper splint which I wore at night for about two years. When that did not help he prescribed I go to an oral surgeon who did a procedure called Arthrocentesis. It made me worse, to the point of locking up all the time. Then my two doctors agreed that I needed more surgery. At that point I got scared and started reading and posting on hee. Thankfully, from reading on here and much deliberation I left those doctors and sought treatment from a Neuromuscular Oral Surgeon. He still preforms regular oral surgeries but does not do jaw surgeries, does not believe they are a successful choice in treating tmj.
Well, now I am almost 6 months into treatment wiht the Neuromuscular approach. I have spent about $2,000.00 on my jaw and I am not feeling even close to getting better yet. My muscular problem is all cleared up, thankfully, due to the tens machine I purchased. My bite is moved forward from the splint that I now wear, and it does feel better on a muscular scale, but here's the thing. My jaw still aches. It hurts like a mild headache most of the time right in my two joints. My Doc told me I am a pretty severe case of tmj and I still need to go through 2 more years of braces at least. I just called the orthodontist who my doctor suggested, one who has studied the jaw in full. Now I hear that it is going to cost me over $6,000.00 more to get the braces on, but they cannot promise that it will enlarge my upper jaw enough to get rid of the tmj. Man, where does this end??? I am getting discouraged. Just wanted to see if any of you feel the same way.
ps, I met a lady at the Dr. office last week who told me she really hoped what she had was tmj so that she could finaly get rid of the headaches. I just smiled because I could not tell her what a long drawn out process this whole deal is.
Thanks for taking time to read this very long post.
Mary
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Al4
10-14-2003, 10:06 AM
Mary,
Unfortunately, since dental work and TMJ is not covered well by dental or health insurance, most of us are in the same predicament. Furthermore, neuromuscular treatment is usually very expensive, so it is a huge hit if it does not work. TMJ is one of those areas where doctors can make so much money while making things worse. I think it would be more acceptable if insurance covered it, or you are assured of a cure. Good luck.
[This message has been edited by Al4 (edited 10-14-2003).]
Unfortunately, since dental work and TMJ is not covered well by dental or health insurance, most of us are in the same predicament. Furthermore, neuromuscular treatment is usually very expensive, so it is a huge hit if it does not work. TMJ is one of those areas where doctors can make so much money while making things worse. I think it would be more acceptable if insurance covered it, or you are assured of a cure. Good luck.
[This message has been edited by Al4 (edited 10-14-2003).]
Ouch-ear-pain
10-14-2003, 01:03 PM
Hi Mary,
I am sorry to hear you are a bit discouraged! I know that it is totally unfair how TMJ is not covered but I heard if the dentist classifies it under TMD or MPD then insurance MIGHT cover it. But, most of the time yes! I hope this helps you!
Ear
I am sorry to hear you are a bit discouraged! I know that it is totally unfair how TMJ is not covered but I heard if the dentist classifies it under TMD or MPD then insurance MIGHT cover it. But, most of the time yes! I hope this helps you!
Ear
CherylLynn24
10-15-2003, 02:06 AM
Mary,
I'm sorry that I have no advice to offer you. I do hope that things turn around for you soon. I have thought of you often, and wondered where you've been. Take Care of Yourself,
Cheryl
I'm sorry that I have no advice to offer you. I do hope that things turn around for you soon. I have thought of you often, and wondered where you've been. Take Care of Yourself,
Cheryl
RobynRose
10-15-2003, 09:44 AM
Hi Mary,
Like you, I have been reading but not posting very much. I was so sorry to see you haven't improved more from the splint therapy. I'm in a similar situation now - but don't even respond so well to the Tens. It's great that at least you've found a way to manage the muscular component of the pain with this.
It is a scary road to invest this amound of money in orthodonics - with no guarantee that it will solve the problem. I have been wearing my splint faithfully, but still have the tmjd symptoms - sometimes worse than others.... I suspect my spinal problems influence the tm joint somehow.
It would be great if Dr. W could get you to a point of "painfree" before you venture into braces. I was under the impression that this is what should occur before you make permanant changes in the bite... maybe others will comment more on this one.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers -- I hope your son is doing better as well. Keep us posted.
RR
[This message has been edited by RobynRose (edited 10-15-2003).]
Like you, I have been reading but not posting very much. I was so sorry to see you haven't improved more from the splint therapy. I'm in a similar situation now - but don't even respond so well to the Tens. It's great that at least you've found a way to manage the muscular component of the pain with this.
It is a scary road to invest this amound of money in orthodonics - with no guarantee that it will solve the problem. I have been wearing my splint faithfully, but still have the tmjd symptoms - sometimes worse than others.... I suspect my spinal problems influence the tm joint somehow.
It would be great if Dr. W could get you to a point of "painfree" before you venture into braces. I was under the impression that this is what should occur before you make permanant changes in the bite... maybe others will comment more on this one.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers -- I hope your son is doing better as well. Keep us posted.
RR
[This message has been edited by RobynRose (edited 10-15-2003).]
Isew4work
10-16-2003, 09:42 PM
HI Robyn, and everyone esle who replied. It is so good to hear from you again. Cheryl, I read your posts so that I can keep in touch with how you and Mike are feeling. I would post more on here if I ever felt like I had anything to add to help people. I just don't feel like I do most of the time.
My son is good though. He is under intense Physical Therapy and is streghtening his muscles well. His arms are almost the same size again since this last shoulder dislocation. We took him bck to Vanderbilt U. Hospital in TN for re evaluation of Ehlers Danlos. They were so nice, they evaluated our whole family. (I got a bit worried right before we went, Jeff developed this "superficil thrombosis" on his good arm. It is a hardened, enlarged vein. My doc here had me a bit worried about Jeff having the Vascular side of ED> But no, we don't. Just type 3, thank God. My youngest DD showed more symtoms of Marfans, but he still felt we all had EDS 3. We spent an entire day at Vandy. Jeff saw a shoulder specialist who was so thurough and gave us great advise. He explained to us that Jeff's bone has detiorated and has a big flat spot from dislocating so much. He will need bone surgery when he is finished growing. But for now, he is sure he will try out for the Basketball team, and we know that is a risk. But he is willing to take it and his Doc had a special brace made for him to help hold his shoulder in place.
I will check back often, please understand everyone for me being a fair weather friend. I got soooooo down about my tmj and Jeff's shoulder that I just had to force myself to stay off of here. Now we are all just getting along ok.
Take care you all!
Mary
My son is good though. He is under intense Physical Therapy and is streghtening his muscles well. His arms are almost the same size again since this last shoulder dislocation. We took him bck to Vanderbilt U. Hospital in TN for re evaluation of Ehlers Danlos. They were so nice, they evaluated our whole family. (I got a bit worried right before we went, Jeff developed this "superficil thrombosis" on his good arm. It is a hardened, enlarged vein. My doc here had me a bit worried about Jeff having the Vascular side of ED> But no, we don't. Just type 3, thank God. My youngest DD showed more symtoms of Marfans, but he still felt we all had EDS 3. We spent an entire day at Vandy. Jeff saw a shoulder specialist who was so thurough and gave us great advise. He explained to us that Jeff's bone has detiorated and has a big flat spot from dislocating so much. He will need bone surgery when he is finished growing. But for now, he is sure he will try out for the Basketball team, and we know that is a risk. But he is willing to take it and his Doc had a special brace made for him to help hold his shoulder in place.
I will check back often, please understand everyone for me being a fair weather friend. I got soooooo down about my tmj and Jeff's shoulder that I just had to force myself to stay off of here. Now we are all just getting along ok.
Take care you all!
Mary
Michelle W
10-16-2003, 11:15 PM
Hi Isew4work,
I am in a similar position as you are. My orthodontic work is going to be close to 5,200.00. I recently had arthroplasty and it cost me around 14,000.00. I can now eat on my right side since I had surgery, but my left side hurts worse than before surgery. I have no insurance coverage for any of this work. I had to take out a home improvement loan to pay for my treatment. I still have some pain since my surgery in March 2003. I am trying to get comfortable, so I can get my orthodontic work done. I am not sure what I will do next. I might possibly have another MRI to see if everything looks fine and possibly get a second opinion from another doctor in regards to my surgery. At this point I am not considering any more surgery. I am thinking more in the line of pain managment if I get a second opinion that my surgery was done correctly.
I would get at least three opinions if you decide to go the surgery route, and I wouldn't get those opinions from surgeons. I wish you the best of luck. I hope you don't feel alone because I am in a similar position.
I am in a similar position as you are. My orthodontic work is going to be close to 5,200.00. I recently had arthroplasty and it cost me around 14,000.00. I can now eat on my right side since I had surgery, but my left side hurts worse than before surgery. I have no insurance coverage for any of this work. I had to take out a home improvement loan to pay for my treatment. I still have some pain since my surgery in March 2003. I am trying to get comfortable, so I can get my orthodontic work done. I am not sure what I will do next. I might possibly have another MRI to see if everything looks fine and possibly get a second opinion from another doctor in regards to my surgery. At this point I am not considering any more surgery. I am thinking more in the line of pain managment if I get a second opinion that my surgery was done correctly.
I would get at least three opinions if you decide to go the surgery route, and I wouldn't get those opinions from surgeons. I wish you the best of luck. I hope you don't feel alone because I am in a similar position.