smiling1959
01-17-2009, 11:57 PM
Hi,
I am looking for a TMJ / joint specialist within the Gauteng (Johannesburg) area.
I have had extreme TMJ pain and discomfort for 8 years (since getting my braces off after 4 years) and more so in the last few months after having the arthocentisis procedure to irrigate my temporomandibular joints done by Dr. Herman Kluge “maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria”.
After getting my braces off the TMJ issues snuck up on me gradually. I received 3 gum grafting surgeries in Chicago for gum recession when I was 21 / 22 years old. I believe it was at this time that I had my first bite guard made for grinding my teeth at night.
I initiated this search for TMJ pain relief in 2006 with a dentist in the Johannesburg suburbs, Dr. Deval, who created a bite guard for me that I wore 6 months anticipating a change. (I'm a restless sleeper, clench my teeth at night, twitch and often have nightmares.) He then made me another one with a (completely smooth surface). I've become so used to sleeping with the bite guard now that it comforts me but I still wake up in so much pain. There are no teeth marks and no damage to the guard so my teeth grinding must have stopped, however, I do wake up sometimes clenching my mouth.
My next move was to the maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria but all he did was prescribe an enormous amount of muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, and pain killers. Even heavily medicated I was miserable. My pain increased immediately after having the arthocentisis procedure and the surgeon did not follow up with me or refer me to any other doctors.
Next, I went to an orthodontist (October 2008) thinking maybe my bite was misaligned or that putting braces back on could fix the problem. He advised that I was not a candidate for braces unless I wanted them for cosmetic purposes and that the bone behind my chin was so thin and weak he was afraid braces could crack or cause damage to the bone. He did not refer me to any other doctors.
I then took the liberty of contacting a chiropractor in Morningside (December 2008). I had 5 sessions (including dry needling to the neck, shoulders and jaw) and although my back and shoulders felt more relaxed all the knots in my shoulders and neck were still evident and my pain did not subside more than 10%.
The only other option I can think of besides seeing an orthopedic surgeon / joint surgeon would be a homeopath as I am trying to avoid surgery if possible. Is there anything else I can do? My pain feels chronic. I can't yawn, chew, kiss and sometimes speak without my jaw clicking or popping. I get headaches, neckaches, earaches and the pain is a constant throbbing day and night. I am open to any alternative medicine, massage, sleep doctors, you name it. Thank you so much for taking my question and I look forward to reading your ideas.
I am looking for a TMJ / joint specialist within the Gauteng (Johannesburg) area.
I have had extreme TMJ pain and discomfort for 8 years (since getting my braces off after 4 years) and more so in the last few months after having the arthocentisis procedure to irrigate my temporomandibular joints done by Dr. Herman Kluge “maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria”.
After getting my braces off the TMJ issues snuck up on me gradually. I received 3 gum grafting surgeries in Chicago for gum recession when I was 21 / 22 years old. I believe it was at this time that I had my first bite guard made for grinding my teeth at night.
I initiated this search for TMJ pain relief in 2006 with a dentist in the Johannesburg suburbs, Dr. Deval, who created a bite guard for me that I wore 6 months anticipating a change. (I'm a restless sleeper, clench my teeth at night, twitch and often have nightmares.) He then made me another one with a (completely smooth surface). I've become so used to sleeping with the bite guard now that it comforts me but I still wake up in so much pain. There are no teeth marks and no damage to the guard so my teeth grinding must have stopped, however, I do wake up sometimes clenching my mouth.
My next move was to the maxillofacial surgeon in Pretoria but all he did was prescribe an enormous amount of muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, and pain killers. Even heavily medicated I was miserable. My pain increased immediately after having the arthocentisis procedure and the surgeon did not follow up with me or refer me to any other doctors.
Next, I went to an orthodontist (October 2008) thinking maybe my bite was misaligned or that putting braces back on could fix the problem. He advised that I was not a candidate for braces unless I wanted them for cosmetic purposes and that the bone behind my chin was so thin and weak he was afraid braces could crack or cause damage to the bone. He did not refer me to any other doctors.
I then took the liberty of contacting a chiropractor in Morningside (December 2008). I had 5 sessions (including dry needling to the neck, shoulders and jaw) and although my back and shoulders felt more relaxed all the knots in my shoulders and neck were still evident and my pain did not subside more than 10%.
The only other option I can think of besides seeing an orthopedic surgeon / joint surgeon would be a homeopath as I am trying to avoid surgery if possible. Is there anything else I can do? My pain feels chronic. I can't yawn, chew, kiss and sometimes speak without my jaw clicking or popping. I get headaches, neckaches, earaches and the pain is a constant throbbing day and night. I am open to any alternative medicine, massage, sleep doctors, you name it. Thank you so much for taking my question and I look forward to reading your ideas.
Sponsor
smiling1959
01-18-2009, 12:04 AM
My daughter is from Chicago but she has been living in Johannesburg, South Africa for the last three years. She asked me to post her letter in the States so 'Mom did' of course! As her Mom I feel terrible she's not home while she's going through all this pain and frustration! If anyone has any thoughts to help her it would greatly be appreciated by both of us. Best wishes to all !
Mom/smiling1959
Mom/smiling1959
luvtocamp
01-18-2009, 12:19 PM
I read alot about Caring Medical in Chicago, even thought of going there, I don't know tho. they do prolotherapy. You can search for them. I feel bad for your daughter. Has she seen a cranial osteopath, I go to one now, she helps with my body. If you look up caring medical let me know your thoughts, I mean it may not be the route to take, but going for a consult might be worth it, if I lived in Chicago I would go there for a consult.
Thelma-Louise
01-18-2009, 12:52 PM
I am not realy familiar with what is available in other parts of the world but it sounds like she has not yet found the right dr and therapy to help her. Maybe she could search the web under tmj related orgs - many these days provide int'l member listings which may help her find someone where she is now living. For dentists she should try searching under TMJ/TMD (obviously), neuromuscular denistry, bio-aesthetic denistry, LVI, holistic dentistry, FJO (Function Jaw Orthotics), myofacial pain syndrome, cranio facial pain syndrome, oro facial pain syndrome - also check the archived sticky post at the top of this forum - there may be some nat'l org web sites she should check out. In terms of alternative treatments to help treat some of the related symptoms she is experiencing - maybe try searching org web sites under ICAK, NUCCA, Upper Cervical chiros, orthogonists, osteopaths. Also - if there are any dental universities where she is - she may want to contact them either for referrals or treatment.
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
smiling1959
01-18-2009, 11:23 PM
I am not realy familiar with what is available in other parts of the world but it sounds like she has not yet found the right dr and therapy to help her. Maybe she could search the web under tmj related orgs - many these days provide int'l member listings which may help her find someone where she is now living. For dentists she should try searching under TMJ/TMD (obviously), neuromuscular denistry, bio-aesthetic denistry, LVI, holistic dentistry, FJO (Function Jaw Orthotics), myofacial pain syndrome, cranio facial pain syndrome, oro facial pain syndrome - also check the archived sticky post at the top of this forum - there may be some nat'l org web sites she should check out. In terms of alternative treatments to help treat some of the related symptoms she is experiencing - maybe try searching org web sites under ICAK, NUCCA, Upper Cervical chiros, orthogonists, osteopaths. Also - if there are any dental universities where she is - she may want to contact them either for referrals or treatment.
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
Thank you so much for your thoughts I will email your letter to my daughter!
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
Thank you so much for your thoughts I will email your letter to my daughter!
smiling1959
01-18-2009, 11:24 PM
I am not realy familiar with what is available in other parts of the world but it sounds like she has not yet found the right dr and therapy to help her. Maybe she could search the web under tmj related orgs - many these days provide int'l member listings which may help her find someone where she is now living. For dentists she should try searching under TMJ/TMD (obviously), neuromuscular denistry, bio-aesthetic denistry, LVI, holistic dentistry, FJO (Function Jaw Orthotics), myofacial pain syndrome, cranio facial pain syndrome, oro facial pain syndrome - also check the archived sticky post at the top of this forum - there may be some nat'l org web sites she should check out. In terms of alternative treatments to help treat some of the related symptoms she is experiencing - maybe try searching org web sites under ICAK, NUCCA, Upper Cervical chiros, orthogonists, osteopaths. Also - if there are any dental universities where she is - she may want to contact them either for referrals or treatment.
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
Thank you for taking your time to give your thoughts I will pass it along to my daughter!
It must be so hard to have your daughter so far away from home when she is dealing with a physical ailment. Any chance she can return home and seek treatment here at some point?
Thank you for taking your time to give your thoughts I will pass it along to my daughter!
smiling1959
01-18-2009, 11:32 PM
Thank you so much for your thoughts I will email your letter to my daughter!
Ps. She's coming home in 2010 and yes it's very hard not to be with her! Especially when she has troubles and I can't give her that Mom hug! <Smile>
Ps. She's coming home in 2010 and yes it's very hard not to be with her! Especially when she has troubles and I can't give her that Mom hug! <Smile>
Mosmom
01-19-2009, 10:47 AM
My daughter had wonderful results with Dr. Lewis Klapper in Lake Bluff, IL.
jmitchell
06-02-2009, 10:58 AM
My daughter had wonderful results with Dr. Lewis Klapper in Lake Bluff, IL.
Please email me back and let me know what his treatment was like. I live very close to him and I'm in desperate need of a new doc. Thanks so much!! J.
Please email me back and let me know what his treatment was like. I live very close to him and I'm in desperate need of a new doc. Thanks so much!! J.
jmitchell
06-02-2009, 11:03 AM
I have a very similare case to you. I got tmj from braces back in highschool. It too crept up on me. Since Feb. I've had horrible symptoms, cracking , popping , and grating sounds in the joints that are driving me insane. I'm looking for a good tmj doc. in the Northern IL. area. Please contact me and let me know if you've had recent success and help with a doc.. Thanks!! J.