Carey
04-21-2004, 12:43 AM
Hi Everyone,
For those who aren't familiar with my tmj story let me update you. I am 23 years old, have had a locked jaw for the past 5 years with an opening of 5mm. went thru all conservative treatments, 2 washouts of the joint, 2 arthroscopes which found that my disc was damaged beyond repair. b/c of my limited opening and severity of pain, I had a discectomy last june. the surgery has helped but the result has not been ideal. my opening has doubled so i am now with a 10mm opening, in terms of my pain it has not helped that much. i am a walking phamacy, on a lot of meds which cut my day short b/c of the sedative nature of them, and i am asleep at 7:30pm.
my pain gets so bad that i collapse and am unconsciouss for up to 2 hours (my most recent episode was just two weeks ago). this has happend on 5 occasions and i am seeing a neurologist to see if he has any answers as to why i am out for so long.
Anyway back to my original post query, i saw my surgeon regarding my wisdom teeth as they have been bothering me, setting off my whole tmj pain cycle, facial, and head pain, spasms and swelling of my face. the teeth bothering me are on my left side (my tmj affected side) how ironic! and i am getting 1 removed in a week's time as the pain is unbearable. i am only having the one out to reduce the amount of time that my jaw will be opened.
I am a bit aprehensive as i am afraid that my tmj pain will be severe post op. but i guess i can't get any worse than passing out from the pain.
Can anyone relate or have any advice?
Sorry this post is such a novel.
Take care,
Carey :confused:
For those who aren't familiar with my tmj story let me update you. I am 23 years old, have had a locked jaw for the past 5 years with an opening of 5mm. went thru all conservative treatments, 2 washouts of the joint, 2 arthroscopes which found that my disc was damaged beyond repair. b/c of my limited opening and severity of pain, I had a discectomy last june. the surgery has helped but the result has not been ideal. my opening has doubled so i am now with a 10mm opening, in terms of my pain it has not helped that much. i am a walking phamacy, on a lot of meds which cut my day short b/c of the sedative nature of them, and i am asleep at 7:30pm.
my pain gets so bad that i collapse and am unconsciouss for up to 2 hours (my most recent episode was just two weeks ago). this has happend on 5 occasions and i am seeing a neurologist to see if he has any answers as to why i am out for so long.
Anyway back to my original post query, i saw my surgeon regarding my wisdom teeth as they have been bothering me, setting off my whole tmj pain cycle, facial, and head pain, spasms and swelling of my face. the teeth bothering me are on my left side (my tmj affected side) how ironic! and i am getting 1 removed in a week's time as the pain is unbearable. i am only having the one out to reduce the amount of time that my jaw will be opened.
I am a bit aprehensive as i am afraid that my tmj pain will be severe post op. but i guess i can't get any worse than passing out from the pain.
Can anyone relate or have any advice?
Sorry this post is such a novel.
Take care,
Carey :confused:
Sponsor
westin4
04-21-2004, 01:09 AM
Carey, I cannot imagine how severe your pain must be! I have had excruciating pain for about 5 weeks now, but to pass out, I am so sorry! I don't have any good advice for you, I would be scared to death to get a tooth out with your flare up. I had a crown put on a back molar and it brought my tmj back full force and I had been doing really well for about 3 years. I doesn't take much to get it to rear it;s ugly head and when it does it can take soooooooo long to get things calmed down again..please keep us posted and get some good advice, maybe a second opinion to see what you should do to prevent getting injured even further.
Karen
Karen
Carey
04-30-2004, 05:23 AM
Hi Karen,
Thanx for your reply. Well it's been 3 days since i've had my two wisdom teeth out on my left side (tmj side), and the pain has been excruciating. getting my teeth removed has not been that much of a problem, infact it hasn't bothered me all that much, but the usual joint, facial, head and neck pain have been exacerbated as a result of the surgery, and the pain has been excrutiating.
I had to see my surgeon two days post op to get anaesthetic injected into my joint the pain was that severe. I am hoping that once things start to settle down with the swelling and bruising, that some of my facial pain will subside, who knows but i am praying.
Take care,
Carey :)
Thanx for your reply. Well it's been 3 days since i've had my two wisdom teeth out on my left side (tmj side), and the pain has been excruciating. getting my teeth removed has not been that much of a problem, infact it hasn't bothered me all that much, but the usual joint, facial, head and neck pain have been exacerbated as a result of the surgery, and the pain has been excrutiating.
I had to see my surgeon two days post op to get anaesthetic injected into my joint the pain was that severe. I am hoping that once things start to settle down with the swelling and bruising, that some of my facial pain will subside, who knows but i am praying.
Take care,
Carey :)
Cymy Sue
04-30-2004, 07:53 AM
Carey,
I know this is an awful thing to have to do after a discectomy and with such a limited opening. Any type of Dental Work while we are in this condition, is a Horror.
The swelling normally causes the pain to escalate. When it goes down, you should feel better. Wisdom teeth extractions can be painful for most people who don't suffer with TMJD or post-op trauma as you have.
I had 4 root canals and an extraction about 3 years after my discectomy. I could open about 10mm. The teeth were all on the same side and had caused terrible pain for many years, with no apparent cause. They didn't want to do this. They were perfectly good teeth, but I couldn't stand the pain any longer. I insisted on the canals. Three teeth quit hurting completely, but one continued and I insisted it be removed a few weeks later and had the space bridged. The tooth pain has never returned, but getting over the procedures took a little while.
I don't regret having it done and I did get over it with no long lasting ill effects.
I hope you feel better soon and hope getting the wisdom teeth out will help.
Cymy Sue
(This would normally be considered quite extreme, to canal & remove perfectly good teeth. The Dentist, Endo's and OS involved had known me for 25 years. They knew these teeth had caused pain for over 15 years. They had tried everything else possible and the teeth never stopped hurting. They only consented to these procedures to stop the pain and as I said, they did not want to do it. I guess they decided if they could stop some of the pain I was suffering, they would. It was decided later, (surgery-related) nerve damage around the teeth roots had caused the pain, as one of the Endo's had suspected. This wouldn't be anything to consider for short-term, minor pain)
I know this is an awful thing to have to do after a discectomy and with such a limited opening. Any type of Dental Work while we are in this condition, is a Horror.
The swelling normally causes the pain to escalate. When it goes down, you should feel better. Wisdom teeth extractions can be painful for most people who don't suffer with TMJD or post-op trauma as you have.
I had 4 root canals and an extraction about 3 years after my discectomy. I could open about 10mm. The teeth were all on the same side and had caused terrible pain for many years, with no apparent cause. They didn't want to do this. They were perfectly good teeth, but I couldn't stand the pain any longer. I insisted on the canals. Three teeth quit hurting completely, but one continued and I insisted it be removed a few weeks later and had the space bridged. The tooth pain has never returned, but getting over the procedures took a little while.
I don't regret having it done and I did get over it with no long lasting ill effects.
I hope you feel better soon and hope getting the wisdom teeth out will help.
Cymy Sue
(This would normally be considered quite extreme, to canal & remove perfectly good teeth. The Dentist, Endo's and OS involved had known me for 25 years. They knew these teeth had caused pain for over 15 years. They had tried everything else possible and the teeth never stopped hurting. They only consented to these procedures to stop the pain and as I said, they did not want to do it. I guess they decided if they could stop some of the pain I was suffering, they would. It was decided later, (surgery-related) nerve damage around the teeth roots had caused the pain, as one of the Endo's had suspected. This wouldn't be anything to consider for short-term, minor pain)
Carey
05-01-2004, 05:13 AM
Hey CymySue,
Good to see you are still around (I mean on the boards, I havn't been on for a while). Geez, it sounds like you've had your fair share of dental problems and then tmj on top of it is a horror.
My OS had to leave part of my wisdom tooth in the socket because it was impinging and over lapping the nerve. if he was to remove the whole toooth I may well have had permanent nerve damage, so it was a good idea that he suggested a ct scan to confirm whether the tooth was over lapping on the nerve. the same goes for my other (right side) wisdom teeth, the nerve is impinging also, so the same procedure (A coronoidectomy? not sure on the spelling) would need to be done. but hopefully this will not eventuate.
I'll keep you ypdated on my progress.
Take care,
Carey :)
Good to see you are still around (I mean on the boards, I havn't been on for a while). Geez, it sounds like you've had your fair share of dental problems and then tmj on top of it is a horror.
My OS had to leave part of my wisdom tooth in the socket because it was impinging and over lapping the nerve. if he was to remove the whole toooth I may well have had permanent nerve damage, so it was a good idea that he suggested a ct scan to confirm whether the tooth was over lapping on the nerve. the same goes for my other (right side) wisdom teeth, the nerve is impinging also, so the same procedure (A coronoidectomy? not sure on the spelling) would need to be done. but hopefully this will not eventuate.
I'll keep you ypdated on my progress.
Take care,
Carey :)
westin4
05-02-2004, 10:56 AM
Carey,
I missed that you posted back after your teeth were removed, I am sorry!
How are you doing now? I hope things have gotten better for you, I can't imagine having them out with your opening. I am currently at 8mm and there is no was I could imagine opening that far! Ouch! Luckily I have had my wisdom teeth out long ago and I even have had my back molars out because they kept breaking from severe grinding.
I bet compared to the tmj pain you suffer the wisdom extractions weren't so bad were they? Let me know how you have made out. What is your opening after your surgery, I was wondering if it made your jaw lock tighter or if it opened up more by the severe stretching they did.....I'll be thinking about ya!
karen
I missed that you posted back after your teeth were removed, I am sorry!
How are you doing now? I hope things have gotten better for you, I can't imagine having them out with your opening. I am currently at 8mm and there is no was I could imagine opening that far! Ouch! Luckily I have had my wisdom teeth out long ago and I even have had my back molars out because they kept breaking from severe grinding.
I bet compared to the tmj pain you suffer the wisdom extractions weren't so bad were they? Let me know how you have made out. What is your opening after your surgery, I was wondering if it made your jaw lock tighter or if it opened up more by the severe stretching they did.....I'll be thinking about ya!
karen
Carey
05-05-2004, 12:33 AM
Karen,
I am one week post op and I wish i had never gotten my wisdom teeth removed. the pain from my tooth extractions has been nothing compared to the excrutiating tmj, facial and head pain i am experiencing. it has been so severe that i have had to have anaesthetic injections into my tm joint to relieve some of the pain. my opening is still the same, 10mm, and i didn't have my mouth too wide open during surgery. but the amount of time my jaw was open, was enough to set off the whole viscious cycle of my pain.
I had intravenous sedation rather than a full anaesthetic because a full anaesthetic would mean intubation and more agrevation of my tmj, so i opted for the least harmful if that makes sense.
i was hoping that getting my teeth removed would maybe reduce some of my facial pain, but to date that is not the case. on the other hand, if i kept my wisdoms the pain was still there, if not more intense.
i just can't win.
hopefully, in time my pain will decrease.
Take care,
Carey :)
I am one week post op and I wish i had never gotten my wisdom teeth removed. the pain from my tooth extractions has been nothing compared to the excrutiating tmj, facial and head pain i am experiencing. it has been so severe that i have had to have anaesthetic injections into my tm joint to relieve some of the pain. my opening is still the same, 10mm, and i didn't have my mouth too wide open during surgery. but the amount of time my jaw was open, was enough to set off the whole viscious cycle of my pain.
I had intravenous sedation rather than a full anaesthetic because a full anaesthetic would mean intubation and more agrevation of my tmj, so i opted for the least harmful if that makes sense.
i was hoping that getting my teeth removed would maybe reduce some of my facial pain, but to date that is not the case. on the other hand, if i kept my wisdoms the pain was still there, if not more intense.
i just can't win.
hopefully, in time my pain will decrease.
Take care,
Carey :)
Carey
05-05-2004, 11:32 PM
Hey CymySue,
How are you holding up? what's the latest news on you?
I have a question to you and anyone.
Are there any support groups in your state for tmj that you can go to and actually chat face to face with someone who knows and experiences what we go thru?
I am desperately trying to seek any such group but there is absolutely nothing out there (I live in Australia). I have even asked my Dr's, Pain specialist and surgeons if they could maybe put me in contact with someone fighting tmj, but because of privacy reasons this can not be done. besides there is not that many (well in my state) that have tmj so severe like I do. those who have had discectomy's are aged 50 and over.
I am only 23 and wish there was someone out there who knows and understands what i am going thru. I know my family and close friends have an understanding, but nobody truly understands the pain I go thru every day, except everyone on this board.
It is painful to talk, smile,laugh,squint,blink, move my lips, move my eyes and when severe it even hurts to breathe.
I want to not have to worry about having my teeth apart all day, talking too much, lying on one side because lying on the other side brings on pain. I don't wan't to be cautious of other's and myself touching one side of my face or anywhere near my tmj, and most of all I hate having to take all my meds, although they help keep my pain at bay, I have no life and it has been that way the past 5 years. I am asleep at 7:30pm every night b/c of the sedative nature of the drugs.
Sorry this post sounds dreadful and depressing, but that is just the way I feel, and know that many of you out there know and relate to what I am talking about.
Take care,
Carey :)
How are you holding up? what's the latest news on you?
I have a question to you and anyone.
Are there any support groups in your state for tmj that you can go to and actually chat face to face with someone who knows and experiences what we go thru?
I am desperately trying to seek any such group but there is absolutely nothing out there (I live in Australia). I have even asked my Dr's, Pain specialist and surgeons if they could maybe put me in contact with someone fighting tmj, but because of privacy reasons this can not be done. besides there is not that many (well in my state) that have tmj so severe like I do. those who have had discectomy's are aged 50 and over.
I am only 23 and wish there was someone out there who knows and understands what i am going thru. I know my family and close friends have an understanding, but nobody truly understands the pain I go thru every day, except everyone on this board.
It is painful to talk, smile,laugh,squint,blink, move my lips, move my eyes and when severe it even hurts to breathe.
I want to not have to worry about having my teeth apart all day, talking too much, lying on one side because lying on the other side brings on pain. I don't wan't to be cautious of other's and myself touching one side of my face or anywhere near my tmj, and most of all I hate having to take all my meds, although they help keep my pain at bay, I have no life and it has been that way the past 5 years. I am asleep at 7:30pm every night b/c of the sedative nature of the drugs.
Sorry this post sounds dreadful and depressing, but that is just the way I feel, and know that many of you out there know and relate to what I am talking about.
Take care,
Carey :)
Cymy Sue
05-06-2004, 08:48 AM
Carey,
I do understand. I know it's awful. I stayed on meds for a long time after my discectomy, too. It's not what anyone would want to do.
I never knew of any groups or even another person who I could talk with face to face. Finding this group was my first opportunity to talk with others who had any idea of what I was going through and could understand how I was living. They became my second family.
I do see "Chronic Pain Support" groups listed in the paper here now. Maybe that would be something to check out in your area, if you haven't. When I was going to the "Pain Center", they had a few educational meetings about pain & meds. I met people suffering other types of chronic pain, but we all had a lot in common.
I'm doing very well. The splint that was designed for my post-surgical condition/problems has worked incredibly well. I have very few problems anymore. I think the minor problems I have now are due to the first surgeries I had that caused so much nerve damage. Some of "that" is slowly going away, too.
Getting the muscles calmed down from of years of spasming and minor support for my almost non-existant joints has worked.
I will most likely have to use it (at night only now) for a very long time, maybe forever. It's very small and comfortable. A very small price to pay to live without pain and regain as close to normal function as "we" can get.
Carey, a couple of years ago, other than age difference, I was where you are.
Please continue to seek out someone who can help you.
With a Practitioner who understands the aftermath of these surgeries and has experience with splint therapy to help surgically altered joints and the muscle problems that continue to get worse, I believe you can get better.
I "could not" believe it 2 years ago. I was so very wrong.
Take care,
Cymy Sue
I do understand. I know it's awful. I stayed on meds for a long time after my discectomy, too. It's not what anyone would want to do.
I never knew of any groups or even another person who I could talk with face to face. Finding this group was my first opportunity to talk with others who had any idea of what I was going through and could understand how I was living. They became my second family.
I do see "Chronic Pain Support" groups listed in the paper here now. Maybe that would be something to check out in your area, if you haven't. When I was going to the "Pain Center", they had a few educational meetings about pain & meds. I met people suffering other types of chronic pain, but we all had a lot in common.
I'm doing very well. The splint that was designed for my post-surgical condition/problems has worked incredibly well. I have very few problems anymore. I think the minor problems I have now are due to the first surgeries I had that caused so much nerve damage. Some of "that" is slowly going away, too.
Getting the muscles calmed down from of years of spasming and minor support for my almost non-existant joints has worked.
I will most likely have to use it (at night only now) for a very long time, maybe forever. It's very small and comfortable. A very small price to pay to live without pain and regain as close to normal function as "we" can get.
Carey, a couple of years ago, other than age difference, I was where you are.
Please continue to seek out someone who can help you.
With a Practitioner who understands the aftermath of these surgeries and has experience with splint therapy to help surgically altered joints and the muscle problems that continue to get worse, I believe you can get better.
I "could not" believe it 2 years ago. I was so very wrong.
Take care,
Cymy Sue