Navy1990
11-28-2003, 02:29 PM
Do any of you have this?
A few years back my chiropractor checked me out and said I had Fibromyalgia. I
never really gave it a thought, it was just a way of life. Now I'm wondering if the Fibro doesn't have something to do with the tmj. I just started reading and found out that at least a third of Fibro people have tmj. When the doctors can't seem to find a cause, it could just be Fibromyalgia. So, now I have to find out if my muscle problems are from tmj, Fibromyalgia, or lack of hormones. I shudder at the thought of going through a bunch of tests again. But, whatever it takes to feel good again.
Navy
A few years back my chiropractor checked me out and said I had Fibromyalgia. I
never really gave it a thought, it was just a way of life. Now I'm wondering if the Fibro doesn't have something to do with the tmj. I just started reading and found out that at least a third of Fibro people have tmj. When the doctors can't seem to find a cause, it could just be Fibromyalgia. So, now I have to find out if my muscle problems are from tmj, Fibromyalgia, or lack of hormones. I shudder at the thought of going through a bunch of tests again. But, whatever it takes to feel good again.
Navy
Sponsor
saaraah
11-28-2003, 03:06 PM
i, too, have heard that a lot of patients with fibromyalgia have TMJD. it'd be interested to see if you got your TMJD symptoms managed, if the fibro problems would be helped, too.
good luck.
- saaraah.
good luck.
- saaraah.
Navy1990
11-28-2003, 03:19 PM
i, too, have heard that a lot of patients with fibromyalgia have TMJD. it'd be interested to see if you got your TMJD symptoms managed, if the fibro problems would be helped, too.
good luck.
- saaraah.
Hi Saaraah,
How are you doing?
Right now I'm feeling like a person at a 3 way intersection ...Fibro, TMJ, Hormones ....I don't know what's causing my body to be so whacked out. My doctor thinks I need am exam ....I had everything under the sun done last Spring ...so, I don't know what it could be. It's probably not helping my body not having any estrogen in it.
Hey, I read that you are down to a little crack when you are opening, instead of a loud pop. That should be a good thing. Did you ever ask the doctor the question you said you'd ask about the totally displaced disc now making noise? Did he say it's reducing now? I sure hope so. I still have some joint noise, but, my doctor is not concerned about that right now, it's too early in the splint treatment. He's more concerned about getting me out of pain. He said that he doesn't want to swim up stream in my treatment. In other words, trigger point injections will not help if I have medical problems contributing to the muscle problems. I know I can't take estrogen, but, I need something. My muscles are really dried out apparently, and I need lots of water to flush the toxins out. Fibromyalgia ...oh my ..I just visited that board....my sister has Fibromyalgia, and she has had to alter her life around it. Just when I thought it was primarily tmj and neck problems, life throws yet another curve.
Take care Saaraah!
Navy1990
good luck.
- saaraah.
Hi Saaraah,
How are you doing?
Right now I'm feeling like a person at a 3 way intersection ...Fibro, TMJ, Hormones ....I don't know what's causing my body to be so whacked out. My doctor thinks I need am exam ....I had everything under the sun done last Spring ...so, I don't know what it could be. It's probably not helping my body not having any estrogen in it.
Hey, I read that you are down to a little crack when you are opening, instead of a loud pop. That should be a good thing. Did you ever ask the doctor the question you said you'd ask about the totally displaced disc now making noise? Did he say it's reducing now? I sure hope so. I still have some joint noise, but, my doctor is not concerned about that right now, it's too early in the splint treatment. He's more concerned about getting me out of pain. He said that he doesn't want to swim up stream in my treatment. In other words, trigger point injections will not help if I have medical problems contributing to the muscle problems. I know I can't take estrogen, but, I need something. My muscles are really dried out apparently, and I need lots of water to flush the toxins out. Fibromyalgia ...oh my ..I just visited that board....my sister has Fibromyalgia, and she has had to alter her life around it. Just when I thought it was primarily tmj and neck problems, life throws yet another curve.
Take care Saaraah!
Navy1990
Cymy Sue
11-28-2003, 06:35 PM
Many times people with TMJD are diagnosed with Fibro and it's actually muscle problems directly related to TMJD. Most Doctors don't realize how many muscles are affected and the mess we get in to with the TMJ problems.
I've been doagnosed with Fibro by several Doctors over the last 15 years or so and I don't have it. I'll bump a post up for you by about SCM Syndrome. It's very interesting regarding this muscle group. Many other muscles are also affected.
If you've had a "complete" hysterectomy (+oopherectomy) you absolutely need to be on HRT. According to your age, you may need it anyway. HRT is for many reasons, the most important being bone & heart health if your body is not making any at all. Your Central Nervous System also suffers, not to mention the obvious symtoms that make you feel so bad.
There is a wonderful bio-identical natural HRT compounded product that works as well or better than the synthetics and due to being extracted from plants, does not carry the same dangers as the synthetics.
If you had your ovaries removed and the GYN did not put you on HRT right away, you are risk for major bone loss. It can happen very quickly.
Cymy Sue
I've been doagnosed with Fibro by several Doctors over the last 15 years or so and I don't have it. I'll bump a post up for you by about SCM Syndrome. It's very interesting regarding this muscle group. Many other muscles are also affected.
If you've had a "complete" hysterectomy (+oopherectomy) you absolutely need to be on HRT. According to your age, you may need it anyway. HRT is for many reasons, the most important being bone & heart health if your body is not making any at all. Your Central Nervous System also suffers, not to mention the obvious symtoms that make you feel so bad.
There is a wonderful bio-identical natural HRT compounded product that works as well or better than the synthetics and due to being extracted from plants, does not carry the same dangers as the synthetics.
If you had your ovaries removed and the GYN did not put you on HRT right away, you are risk for major bone loss. It can happen very quickly.
Cymy Sue
Navy1990
11-28-2003, 07:25 PM
Many times people with TMJD are diagnosed with Fibro and it's actually muscle problems directly related to TMJD. Most Doctors don't realize how many muscles are affected and the mess we get in to with the TMJ problems.
I've been doagnosed with Fibro by several Doctors over the last 15 years or so and I don't have it. I'll bump a post up for you by about SCM Syndrome. It's very interesting regarding this muscle group. Many other muscles are also affected.
If you've had a "complete" hysterectomy (+oopherectomy) you absolutely need to be on HRT. According to your age, you may need it anyway. HRT is for many reasons, the most important being bone & heart health if your body is not making any at all. Your Central Nervous System also suffers, not to mention the obvious symtoms that make you feel so bad.
There is a wonderful bio-identical natural HRT compounded product that works as well or better than the synthetics and due to being extracted from plants, does not carry the same dangers as the synthetics.
If you had your ovaries removed and the GYN did not put you on HRT right away, you are risk for major bone loss. It can happen very quickly.
Cymy Sue
Hi Cymy Sue,
Yes, my GYN wanted to put me on estrogen/HRT right after the complete hysterectomy (ovaries were removed too)..but, I can't because of a family history. My one sister has a blood disorder that she throws clots (lupus anticoagulant?). The other sister had a 10 pound tumor that resulted in a complete hysterectomy and was put on estorgen. Within 10 days she threw 3 blood clots in her lungs, she was put in ICU, her kidneys and other organs were shutting down and she came very close to no longer being with us. Then another sister went on the natural HRT and threw a clot in a major vein and wound up in the hospital. My GYN was actually hesitant to operate on me and he has been in practice for probably 35 or more years. I had a 9 pound tumor and needed surgery. A hemotologist was consulted and because of not knowing whether I carried the same risks as my sisters, they decided to put me on blood thinners straight out of surgery. I've also had lumps removed from my breasts and we have a history of that in my family too. So, my doctors at the breast center said absolutely no estrogen for me. So, I have been on nothing for 18 months. I had a bone density pre-test about 2 months ago and I have the bones of a twenty year old. I was told that calcium, exercise and proper diet were enough and I can have the pre-test every year and keep an eye on things. My insurance company refused to give me a complete bone density test because they said it was not a medical necessity, because the pre-test was so good. They turned down my appeal. You would think because of the hysterectomy, my age, and the fact that my sister has the early stages of osteoporosis in her neck (probably from the thyroid medicine she takes), that they would approve the test. My doctor said we will wait and try to get it approved at my next physical in the Spring. So, Cymy Sue, I am at a loss for what to take. My TMJ doctor wants me to go get my endocrine sysytem checked at a doctor he suggested. Also, I had a complete thyroid examination, even the tests in the hospital, and everything was normal. I wish I could take something without worrying about getting sick like my sisters did.
Navy1990
I've been doagnosed with Fibro by several Doctors over the last 15 years or so and I don't have it. I'll bump a post up for you by about SCM Syndrome. It's very interesting regarding this muscle group. Many other muscles are also affected.
If you've had a "complete" hysterectomy (+oopherectomy) you absolutely need to be on HRT. According to your age, you may need it anyway. HRT is for many reasons, the most important being bone & heart health if your body is not making any at all. Your Central Nervous System also suffers, not to mention the obvious symtoms that make you feel so bad.
There is a wonderful bio-identical natural HRT compounded product that works as well or better than the synthetics and due to being extracted from plants, does not carry the same dangers as the synthetics.
If you had your ovaries removed and the GYN did not put you on HRT right away, you are risk for major bone loss. It can happen very quickly.
Cymy Sue
Hi Cymy Sue,
Yes, my GYN wanted to put me on estrogen/HRT right after the complete hysterectomy (ovaries were removed too)..but, I can't because of a family history. My one sister has a blood disorder that she throws clots (lupus anticoagulant?). The other sister had a 10 pound tumor that resulted in a complete hysterectomy and was put on estorgen. Within 10 days she threw 3 blood clots in her lungs, she was put in ICU, her kidneys and other organs were shutting down and she came very close to no longer being with us. Then another sister went on the natural HRT and threw a clot in a major vein and wound up in the hospital. My GYN was actually hesitant to operate on me and he has been in practice for probably 35 or more years. I had a 9 pound tumor and needed surgery. A hemotologist was consulted and because of not knowing whether I carried the same risks as my sisters, they decided to put me on blood thinners straight out of surgery. I've also had lumps removed from my breasts and we have a history of that in my family too. So, my doctors at the breast center said absolutely no estrogen for me. So, I have been on nothing for 18 months. I had a bone density pre-test about 2 months ago and I have the bones of a twenty year old. I was told that calcium, exercise and proper diet were enough and I can have the pre-test every year and keep an eye on things. My insurance company refused to give me a complete bone density test because they said it was not a medical necessity, because the pre-test was so good. They turned down my appeal. You would think because of the hysterectomy, my age, and the fact that my sister has the early stages of osteoporosis in her neck (probably from the thyroid medicine she takes), that they would approve the test. My doctor said we will wait and try to get it approved at my next physical in the Spring. So, Cymy Sue, I am at a loss for what to take. My TMJ doctor wants me to go get my endocrine sysytem checked at a doctor he suggested. Also, I had a complete thyroid examination, even the tests in the hospital, and everything was normal. I wish I could take something without worrying about getting sick like my sisters did.
Navy1990
saaraah
11-28-2003, 11:16 PM
navy1990 - im doing okay.. i have exams in a week, so im beyond stressed out. im on the verge of the burnout, which is not helping my jaw -- headaches have been the norm for the past month.
yup, that's true that im down to a crack. the interesting thing is that my jaw alternates cracking - either my left or right disc crack, but they dont do it at the same time. the right side is popping [cracking] now, which is a good sign according to my dentist's assistant. it means that it's reducing.. yay :)
i really hope that you get some answers. take care :)
- saaraah.
yup, that's true that im down to a crack. the interesting thing is that my jaw alternates cracking - either my left or right disc crack, but they dont do it at the same time. the right side is popping [cracking] now, which is a good sign according to my dentist's assistant. it means that it's reducing.. yay :)
i really hope that you get some answers. take care :)
- saaraah.
Cymy Sue
11-29-2003, 05:16 AM
Navy,
We have some similiar family health problems that would make taking most estrogens risky. My Dad's family is riddled with all types of cancer. Both of my Grandparents and his siblings all died of cancer. He had lymphoma when he died, but it was very early stage and we found out due to an autopsy. (We are considered genetically pre-disposed to cancer.)
I had the oopherectomy due to cysts, but pathology found a pre-malignant ovarian tumor. That was 6 years ago. Had it not been found, I most likely wouldn't be here now. My Mother has had blood clots.
I was unable to take synthetic estrogens because they made me ill. I went about 2 years with an estrone injection every 2 weeks. I may as well saved myself the trouble, the injections didn't help. I was 45 and had very strong bones with no loss at that time.(Results from a very indepth bone scan) Within 2 years, I became osteopenic. I don't has osteoporosis yet, but due to not taking estrogen for just 2 years I've had some bone changes.
Frankly, I don't know how you've dealt with surgical menopause without some help. It's a whole different world from naturally losing your body's ability to make this vital hormone.
I'm sure you've checked on everything and of course need to follow your Doc's advice, but I found out by accident about compounded estrogens. No one told me about them and I overheard a female Internist talking to someone about them.
This compound is made from soy plus a few other natural plant extracts and can only be made by a compounding pharmacist. (I know there are a couple of so called bio-identicals, but they are still synthesized and contain chemicals.)
From everthing I can read, there is nothing in this formula that could cause problems, unless you'e allergic to soy.
(I'm sure there are conditions that I'm not aware of that might prevent it's use, it's entirely made from plants, but does not contain some of the ingredients some of the OTC naturals do.)
If you haven't heard of it, it's called triple estrogen or bi estrogen. It's compounded to each persons needs. There is some discussion about it on HB's menopause forum. If you have already considered this replacement and didn't think it was safe, I'm sorry to have "gone on" about it.
Many Doctors don't know about it and some who do, don't believe it works. My GYN told me 4 years ago, it couldn't possibly help (SOYBEANS & PLANTS?). Now he prescibes it in place of the synthetics.
If you have not heard of it, a good compounding pharmacist could explain what's in it and how it works. It is still a relatively new and unknown alternative in some areas. This being said, it had been researched and tested for several years prior to it's availability. It does not really have a well known brand name, because it is a compounded formula. (Half the (middle-aged) ladies in my community are taking it now. We have one compounding pharmacist who studied this almost lost "art" and he does a wonderful job in making it for each individual's symtoms.)
No wonder you're having such a hard time getting better and have had such anxiety about your TMJD. I was almost psychotic from basically no sleep for 2 years when I found this product.
I don't know if good quailty sleep has been a problem for you, but not getting restorative sleep will cause tremendous muscle fatigue and problems. I can understand why you could be diagnosed with Fibro. Sleep problems have always been factored in with Fibro. The last Sleep Specalist I saw, believes it should be considered a "Sleep Disorder".
When you posted your Doc thought the surgery per se caused the TMJD problems, I didn't understand. I do understand the symtoms and problems caused by not having estrogen in your system. Muscle problems will escalate
out of control from this kind of stress on your body.
Again, if this is something you've considered and it was deemed unsafe, I understand. If you haven't checked on it, please do. All naturals and alternatives are not the same.
Don't rely on Doctor's. (GYN's) Mine is great, but he was totally mis-informed about this product 4 years ago and has done a comlete turn around on it's use. My Internist prescribed it for me until my GYN was convinced it would work.( Do the research yourself.)
Cymy Sue
We have some similiar family health problems that would make taking most estrogens risky. My Dad's family is riddled with all types of cancer. Both of my Grandparents and his siblings all died of cancer. He had lymphoma when he died, but it was very early stage and we found out due to an autopsy. (We are considered genetically pre-disposed to cancer.)
I had the oopherectomy due to cysts, but pathology found a pre-malignant ovarian tumor. That was 6 years ago. Had it not been found, I most likely wouldn't be here now. My Mother has had blood clots.
I was unable to take synthetic estrogens because they made me ill. I went about 2 years with an estrone injection every 2 weeks. I may as well saved myself the trouble, the injections didn't help. I was 45 and had very strong bones with no loss at that time.(Results from a very indepth bone scan) Within 2 years, I became osteopenic. I don't has osteoporosis yet, but due to not taking estrogen for just 2 years I've had some bone changes.
Frankly, I don't know how you've dealt with surgical menopause without some help. It's a whole different world from naturally losing your body's ability to make this vital hormone.
I'm sure you've checked on everything and of course need to follow your Doc's advice, but I found out by accident about compounded estrogens. No one told me about them and I overheard a female Internist talking to someone about them.
This compound is made from soy plus a few other natural plant extracts and can only be made by a compounding pharmacist. (I know there are a couple of so called bio-identicals, but they are still synthesized and contain chemicals.)
From everthing I can read, there is nothing in this formula that could cause problems, unless you'e allergic to soy.
(I'm sure there are conditions that I'm not aware of that might prevent it's use, it's entirely made from plants, but does not contain some of the ingredients some of the OTC naturals do.)
If you haven't heard of it, it's called triple estrogen or bi estrogen. It's compounded to each persons needs. There is some discussion about it on HB's menopause forum. If you have already considered this replacement and didn't think it was safe, I'm sorry to have "gone on" about it.
Many Doctors don't know about it and some who do, don't believe it works. My GYN told me 4 years ago, it couldn't possibly help (SOYBEANS & PLANTS?). Now he prescibes it in place of the synthetics.
If you have not heard of it, a good compounding pharmacist could explain what's in it and how it works. It is still a relatively new and unknown alternative in some areas. This being said, it had been researched and tested for several years prior to it's availability. It does not really have a well known brand name, because it is a compounded formula. (Half the (middle-aged) ladies in my community are taking it now. We have one compounding pharmacist who studied this almost lost "art" and he does a wonderful job in making it for each individual's symtoms.)
No wonder you're having such a hard time getting better and have had such anxiety about your TMJD. I was almost psychotic from basically no sleep for 2 years when I found this product.
I don't know if good quailty sleep has been a problem for you, but not getting restorative sleep will cause tremendous muscle fatigue and problems. I can understand why you could be diagnosed with Fibro. Sleep problems have always been factored in with Fibro. The last Sleep Specalist I saw, believes it should be considered a "Sleep Disorder".
When you posted your Doc thought the surgery per se caused the TMJD problems, I didn't understand. I do understand the symtoms and problems caused by not having estrogen in your system. Muscle problems will escalate
out of control from this kind of stress on your body.
Again, if this is something you've considered and it was deemed unsafe, I understand. If you haven't checked on it, please do. All naturals and alternatives are not the same.
Don't rely on Doctor's. (GYN's) Mine is great, but he was totally mis-informed about this product 4 years ago and has done a comlete turn around on it's use. My Internist prescribed it for me until my GYN was convinced it would work.( Do the research yourself.)
Cymy Sue
Navy1990
11-29-2003, 07:23 AM
Navy,
We have some similiar family health problems that would make taking most estrogens risky. My Dad's family is riddled with all types of cancer. Both of my Grandparents and his siblings all died of cancer. He had lymphoma when he died, but it was very early stage and we found out due to an autopsy. (We are considered genetically pre-disposed to cancer.)
I had the oopherectomy due to cysts, but pathology found a pre-malignant ovarian tumor. That was 6 years ago. Had it not been found, I most likely wouldn't be here now. My Mother has had blood clots.
I was unable to take synthetic estrogens because they made me ill. I went about 2 years with an estrone injection every 2 weeks. I may as well saved myself the trouble, the injections didn't help. I was 45 and had very strong bones with no loss at that time.(Results from a very indepth bone scan) Within 2 years, I became osteopenic. I don't has osteoporosis yet, but due to not taking estrogen for just 2 years I've had some bone changes.
Frankly, I don't know how you've dealt with surgical menopause without some help. It's a whole different world from naturally losing your body's ability to make this vital hormone.
I'm sure you've checked on everything and of course need to follow your Doc's advice, but I found out by accident about compounded estrogens. No one told me about them and I overheard a female Internist talking to someone about them.
This compound is made from soy plus a few other natural plant extracts and can only be made by a compounding pharmacist. (I know there are a couple of so called bio-identicals, but they are still synthesized and contain chemicals.)
From everthing I can read, there is nothing in this formula that could cause problems, unless you'e allergic to soy.
(I'm sure there are conditions that I'm not aware of that might prevent it's use, it's entirely made from plants, but does not contain some of the ingredients some of the OTC naturals do.)
If you haven't heard of it, it's called triple estrogen or bi estrogen. It's compounded to each persons needs. There is some discussion about it on HB's menopause forum. If you have already considered this replacement and didn't think it was safe, I'm sorry to have "gone on" about it.
Many Doctors don't know about it and some who do, don't believe it works. My GYN told me 4 years ago, it couldn't possibly help (SOYBEANS & PLANTS?). Now he prescibes it in place of the synthetics.
If you have not heard of it, a good compounding pharmacist could explain what's in it and how it works. It is still a relatively new and unknown alternative in some areas. This being said, it had been researched and tested for several years prior to it's availability. It does not really have a well known brand name, because it is a compounded formula. (Half the (middle-aged) ladies in my community are taking it now. We have one compounding pharmacist who studied this almost lost "art" and he does a wonderful job in making it for each individual's symtoms.)
No wonder you're having such a hard time getting better and have had such anxiety about your TMJD. I was almost psychotic from basically no sleep for 2 years when I found this product.
I don't know if good quailty sleep has been a problem for you, but not getting restorative sleep will cause tremendous muscle fatigue and problems. I can understand why you could be diagnosed with Fibro. Sleep problems have always been factored in with Fibro. The last Sleep Specalist I saw, believes it should be considered a "Sleep Disorder".
When you posted your Doc thought the surgery per se caused the TMJD problems, I didn't understand. I do understand the symtoms and problems caused by not having estrogen in your system. Muscle problems will escalate
out of control from this kind of stress on your body.
Again, if this is something you've considered and it was deemed unsafe, I understand. If you haven't checked on it, please do. All naturals and alternatives are not the same.
Don't rely on Doctor's. (GYN's) Mine is great, but he was totally mis-informed about this product 4 years ago and has done a comlete turn around on it's use. My Internist prescribed it for me until my GYN was convinced it would work.( Do the research yourself.)
Cymy Sue
Hi Cymy Sue,
I haven't done any research in a long time about HRT. My sisters take nothing and that said I haven't been given any alternatives. All my GYN has done is write me a prescription for HRT and suggested I go to a hemotologist to see whether I can take something. I never did that because of the family history and my breast doctor told me no estrogen and that she would call the GYN doctor if he ever suggested it again.
Also, I stopped taking Zoloft for most of this year because they said it contributed to TMJ problems. I just started back on it this past week. I have lost over 40 pounds due to the tmj and this has not been good for the muscles either. When I sleep on my bad joint side, it aches like a bruise inside. Sometimes it burns. I felt my skin the other day and it was so dry and lifeless. No wonder the ultrasound makes me flare-up. There is nothing left but painful muscle. I have not been drinking much water and my diet is very bad. I'd go for days in pain hardly eating or drinking anything. On top of that I have PTSD from the Navy (which is managed), but, I'm sure it's not helping.
When I last saw my TMJ doctor, he was concerned about my physical health. He is also a chemist and has developed some products for companies. I was so lost in everything he was explaining that all I got out of it was I need to be taking something. He asked about thyroid too. That was thoroughly checked out last Spring. Before coming down with the tmj problems, I spent months in and out of doctors offices having all kinds of tests, x-rays, catscans, GI tests, etc for all sorts of ailments. When I started having the facial pain, they thought I had trigeminal neuralgia. After PT, I was left with a diagnosis of a displaced disc. The TMJ has gotten so much worse the past 6 months that sometimes I think it will never end. Anyway, the Zoloft is starting to kick in, I have a good tmj doctor...although he does send people to Alabama to have that procedure where they look in the joint for scar tissue if they have problems with the splint therapy. With my range of motion, I prefer not to have anyone touch the joint.
Cymy Sue, I would appreciate it if you could tell me where to get the product that you are talking about. Do you have to have a blood test in order for the product to be custom made for you? I called a natural doctor that my friend uses, but, her Dad is in hospice, so, she is taking a long break from seeing patients.
I just started taking Synflex which is supposed to be good for the joints and cartillage. I'm hoping this helps. But, my doc says that I need to get some estrogen, or progesterone (spelling?).
My GYN is pretty old school. When he asked his nurse to help me find a hemotologist, she told me to look in the phone book because they never had a patient need a test like that before. You would think that they would check women out a little better before writing prescriptions for estrogen.
Thank-you for the information,
Navy1990
We have some similiar family health problems that would make taking most estrogens risky. My Dad's family is riddled with all types of cancer. Both of my Grandparents and his siblings all died of cancer. He had lymphoma when he died, but it was very early stage and we found out due to an autopsy. (We are considered genetically pre-disposed to cancer.)
I had the oopherectomy due to cysts, but pathology found a pre-malignant ovarian tumor. That was 6 years ago. Had it not been found, I most likely wouldn't be here now. My Mother has had blood clots.
I was unable to take synthetic estrogens because they made me ill. I went about 2 years with an estrone injection every 2 weeks. I may as well saved myself the trouble, the injections didn't help. I was 45 and had very strong bones with no loss at that time.(Results from a very indepth bone scan) Within 2 years, I became osteopenic. I don't has osteoporosis yet, but due to not taking estrogen for just 2 years I've had some bone changes.
Frankly, I don't know how you've dealt with surgical menopause without some help. It's a whole different world from naturally losing your body's ability to make this vital hormone.
I'm sure you've checked on everything and of course need to follow your Doc's advice, but I found out by accident about compounded estrogens. No one told me about them and I overheard a female Internist talking to someone about them.
This compound is made from soy plus a few other natural plant extracts and can only be made by a compounding pharmacist. (I know there are a couple of so called bio-identicals, but they are still synthesized and contain chemicals.)
From everthing I can read, there is nothing in this formula that could cause problems, unless you'e allergic to soy.
(I'm sure there are conditions that I'm not aware of that might prevent it's use, it's entirely made from plants, but does not contain some of the ingredients some of the OTC naturals do.)
If you haven't heard of it, it's called triple estrogen or bi estrogen. It's compounded to each persons needs. There is some discussion about it on HB's menopause forum. If you have already considered this replacement and didn't think it was safe, I'm sorry to have "gone on" about it.
Many Doctors don't know about it and some who do, don't believe it works. My GYN told me 4 years ago, it couldn't possibly help (SOYBEANS & PLANTS?). Now he prescibes it in place of the synthetics.
If you have not heard of it, a good compounding pharmacist could explain what's in it and how it works. It is still a relatively new and unknown alternative in some areas. This being said, it had been researched and tested for several years prior to it's availability. It does not really have a well known brand name, because it is a compounded formula. (Half the (middle-aged) ladies in my community are taking it now. We have one compounding pharmacist who studied this almost lost "art" and he does a wonderful job in making it for each individual's symtoms.)
No wonder you're having such a hard time getting better and have had such anxiety about your TMJD. I was almost psychotic from basically no sleep for 2 years when I found this product.
I don't know if good quailty sleep has been a problem for you, but not getting restorative sleep will cause tremendous muscle fatigue and problems. I can understand why you could be diagnosed with Fibro. Sleep problems have always been factored in with Fibro. The last Sleep Specalist I saw, believes it should be considered a "Sleep Disorder".
When you posted your Doc thought the surgery per se caused the TMJD problems, I didn't understand. I do understand the symtoms and problems caused by not having estrogen in your system. Muscle problems will escalate
out of control from this kind of stress on your body.
Again, if this is something you've considered and it was deemed unsafe, I understand. If you haven't checked on it, please do. All naturals and alternatives are not the same.
Don't rely on Doctor's. (GYN's) Mine is great, but he was totally mis-informed about this product 4 years ago and has done a comlete turn around on it's use. My Internist prescribed it for me until my GYN was convinced it would work.( Do the research yourself.)
Cymy Sue
Hi Cymy Sue,
I haven't done any research in a long time about HRT. My sisters take nothing and that said I haven't been given any alternatives. All my GYN has done is write me a prescription for HRT and suggested I go to a hemotologist to see whether I can take something. I never did that because of the family history and my breast doctor told me no estrogen and that she would call the GYN doctor if he ever suggested it again.
Also, I stopped taking Zoloft for most of this year because they said it contributed to TMJ problems. I just started back on it this past week. I have lost over 40 pounds due to the tmj and this has not been good for the muscles either. When I sleep on my bad joint side, it aches like a bruise inside. Sometimes it burns. I felt my skin the other day and it was so dry and lifeless. No wonder the ultrasound makes me flare-up. There is nothing left but painful muscle. I have not been drinking much water and my diet is very bad. I'd go for days in pain hardly eating or drinking anything. On top of that I have PTSD from the Navy (which is managed), but, I'm sure it's not helping.
When I last saw my TMJ doctor, he was concerned about my physical health. He is also a chemist and has developed some products for companies. I was so lost in everything he was explaining that all I got out of it was I need to be taking something. He asked about thyroid too. That was thoroughly checked out last Spring. Before coming down with the tmj problems, I spent months in and out of doctors offices having all kinds of tests, x-rays, catscans, GI tests, etc for all sorts of ailments. When I started having the facial pain, they thought I had trigeminal neuralgia. After PT, I was left with a diagnosis of a displaced disc. The TMJ has gotten so much worse the past 6 months that sometimes I think it will never end. Anyway, the Zoloft is starting to kick in, I have a good tmj doctor...although he does send people to Alabama to have that procedure where they look in the joint for scar tissue if they have problems with the splint therapy. With my range of motion, I prefer not to have anyone touch the joint.
Cymy Sue, I would appreciate it if you could tell me where to get the product that you are talking about. Do you have to have a blood test in order for the product to be custom made for you? I called a natural doctor that my friend uses, but, her Dad is in hospice, so, she is taking a long break from seeing patients.
I just started taking Synflex which is supposed to be good for the joints and cartillage. I'm hoping this helps. But, my doc says that I need to get some estrogen, or progesterone (spelling?).
My GYN is pretty old school. When he asked his nurse to help me find a hemotologist, she told me to look in the phone book because they never had a patient need a test like that before. You would think that they would check women out a little better before writing prescriptions for estrogen.
Thank-you for the information,
Navy1990
Katie G
12-01-2003, 02:12 PM
Do any of you have this?
A few years back my chiropractor checked me out and said I had Fibromyalgia. I
never really gave it a thought, it was just a way of life. Now I'm wondering if the Fibro doesn't have something to do with the tmj. I just started reading and found out that at least a third of Fibro people have tmj. When the doctors can't seem to find a cause, it could just be Fibromyalgia. So, now I have to find out if my muscle problems are from tmj, Fibromyalgia, or lack of hormones. I shudder at the thought of going through a bunch of tests again. But, whatever it takes to feel good again.
Navy
I was diagnosed with fibro and TMD probably about 15 years ago, but did nothing for the TMD except wearing a night splint because at that time my medical insurance did not accept TMD as a medical diagnosis, nor would my dental insurance cover anything but a temporary splint.
Now that my medical insurance is covering my TMD services I'm finally getting the treatment I need. I'm wearing a MORA 24/7 for up to a year, and then depending on how things realign themselves, I'll be looking at surgery, braces, or capping/crowning my teeth. I've just started wearing the MORA for the last 6 weeks, and although my ortho says my realignment is starting to improve, I don't really notice a decrease in my fibro symptoms (neck pain, back pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, some fleeting joint pains), although my headaches from TMD seem a little improved.
So I guess I'll wait and see how things pan out.
Katie G
A few years back my chiropractor checked me out and said I had Fibromyalgia. I
never really gave it a thought, it was just a way of life. Now I'm wondering if the Fibro doesn't have something to do with the tmj. I just started reading and found out that at least a third of Fibro people have tmj. When the doctors can't seem to find a cause, it could just be Fibromyalgia. So, now I have to find out if my muscle problems are from tmj, Fibromyalgia, or lack of hormones. I shudder at the thought of going through a bunch of tests again. But, whatever it takes to feel good again.
Navy
I was diagnosed with fibro and TMD probably about 15 years ago, but did nothing for the TMD except wearing a night splint because at that time my medical insurance did not accept TMD as a medical diagnosis, nor would my dental insurance cover anything but a temporary splint.
Now that my medical insurance is covering my TMD services I'm finally getting the treatment I need. I'm wearing a MORA 24/7 for up to a year, and then depending on how things realign themselves, I'll be looking at surgery, braces, or capping/crowning my teeth. I've just started wearing the MORA for the last 6 weeks, and although my ortho says my realignment is starting to improve, I don't really notice a decrease in my fibro symptoms (neck pain, back pain, muscle stiffness, fatigue, some fleeting joint pains), although my headaches from TMD seem a little improved.
So I guess I'll wait and see how things pan out.
Katie G