momofsix
09-26-2003, 11:53 AM
Seven years ago I had a root canal on a lower molar. A couple of weeks later I started getting pain that felt like it was the tooth aching. The root canal was redone several times, and then finally the tooth was extracted. That didn't end the pain, so I subsequently had my wisdom teeth out, the adjoining tooth out, a top tooth out and finally gum surgery because it was suspected a root tip may have been left behind. Since then I have still suffered pain, usually on and off, with sometimes months with no pain in between. This past year, however, the pain has been almost constant. The gums (I have no teeth there now) ache as if they're being squeezed with a clamp, and when it's most severe my lips on that side have a kind of burning/tingling feeling. As well the pain goes down that side of my neck and around the base of my skull. CT scans and MRIs show nothing wrong. Regular, over-the-counter pain relievers do not have any effect. The only thing that helps sometimes is a narcotic pain reliever which naturally I don't want to use too much of. We've also tried some antidepressants and amitriptylene, but they didn't seem to help and have annoying side effects. Anyone have any advice?
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Karine
09-26-2003, 12:19 PM
Hi and welcome to the board.
I too have had 2 root canals both on the left side side by side teeth. No explanation on why I still have tooth pain like I did before the root canals. I am sorry about your pain but maybe your family doc can give you something that will help when it gets bad.
Good luck
Kari
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:( Chronic pain from Tendentious in right elbow 1996, left elbow 1998, shoulder pain within that time, neck pain the hole time.
My job at Safeway ended in Jan of 99, they said due to lack of work for me. They could not make a job for me, so I was on my own. No Insurance, no money, no hope. I have used everything from expensive ointments to magnets nothing would help.
Docs would not give pain meds because they are additive even though I was in chronic pain. Could not take the pain anymore Jan. 2003. No work no money the pain just kept getting worse.
I was very depressed and ready to step infront of a big truck to run me over. I really gave up on any hope to control the pain til a freind took me by the hand to help me get the help I needed.
Was told by welfare to run up $2500. in ER bills to get covarage for myself, so that is where the help started, now I had to find a doc who would listen that is not easy, ER docs will not just give out pain meds, "med addicts". But got lucky found on doc in the ER that did listen and gave me hope and would see me.
I suggest to anyone out there look for the younger docs that will help for chronic pain.
Found out through MRI's I have degenerative arthritis in my neck, shoulders and arms on both sides. Nerve damage in right arm due to surgery in right elbow. Now am seeing a PM doc whom I do not care for but will see tomorrow about my break through pain. No more PM doc back to my reg doc. She put me on vicodin 3 x a day if needed for BT pain.
Have a good pain free day :)
Kari
I too have had 2 root canals both on the left side side by side teeth. No explanation on why I still have tooth pain like I did before the root canals. I am sorry about your pain but maybe your family doc can give you something that will help when it gets bad.
Good luck
Kari
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:( Chronic pain from Tendentious in right elbow 1996, left elbow 1998, shoulder pain within that time, neck pain the hole time.
My job at Safeway ended in Jan of 99, they said due to lack of work for me. They could not make a job for me, so I was on my own. No Insurance, no money, no hope. I have used everything from expensive ointments to magnets nothing would help.
Docs would not give pain meds because they are additive even though I was in chronic pain. Could not take the pain anymore Jan. 2003. No work no money the pain just kept getting worse.
I was very depressed and ready to step infront of a big truck to run me over. I really gave up on any hope to control the pain til a freind took me by the hand to help me get the help I needed.
Was told by welfare to run up $2500. in ER bills to get covarage for myself, so that is where the help started, now I had to find a doc who would listen that is not easy, ER docs will not just give out pain meds, "med addicts". But got lucky found on doc in the ER that did listen and gave me hope and would see me.
I suggest to anyone out there look for the younger docs that will help for chronic pain.
Found out through MRI's I have degenerative arthritis in my neck, shoulders and arms on both sides. Nerve damage in right arm due to surgery in right elbow. Now am seeing a PM doc whom I do not care for but will see tomorrow about my break through pain. No more PM doc back to my reg doc. She put me on vicodin 3 x a day if needed for BT pain.
Have a good pain free day :)
Kari
c.meade
09-28-2003, 07:49 AM
For years I had tooth pain. I've had more root canals and teeth extractions than I care to dwell on. The pain I felt was similar to what you have described and the a few years ago my pain began to get worse. Eight months ago it became constant--all the time the dentists just wanted to pull something, do a root canal againn or cut on my gums.
Let me tell you about my pain now--it's primarily in my lower jaw, but can be in my TM joint too. It runs down my neck and into the back of my head. I also have alwful headaches from it and have gone to completely soft foods due to it.
8 months ago I see a new dentist in hopes that he wasn't wanting to pull more teeth or something. He told me I have TMJ. TMJ doesn't always show up on X-rays or scans and is very painful. I let it go so long due to misdiagnosis that I now have to see a PM specialist and will be on meds for the rest of my life.
To top it all off, my dental insurance doesn't pay for anything TMJ related and my dentist (being the kind sole he is <<sarcasim>> ) told me that if I couldn't shell out $1000 for a splint that probably wouldn't work anyway, that he couldn't see me again. Hince the PM doc now.
I would suggest locating a dentist in your area that specializes in TMJ and go to him. That is what it sounds like to me. Because that is how I felt, too. Here is some info I found on the net about TMJ:
SENSITIVE TEETH--
The teeth may become sensitive because of jaw activities such as clenching of the teeth or grinding of the teeth when the disc of the TMJ is displaced. Patients often see their dentist with the complaint of pain in the teeth and usually the doctor can find no cause. Frequently (and very unfortunately), unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions are performed in an attempt to help a suffering person. What's worse, after these invasive and non-reversible procedures, patients still have their pain, only now it has increased!
Here is the site: http://www.tmjfacial********/tmjfacial.htm
I hope this info helps you. God Bless!
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~~Christina~~
Let me tell you about my pain now--it's primarily in my lower jaw, but can be in my TM joint too. It runs down my neck and into the back of my head. I also have alwful headaches from it and have gone to completely soft foods due to it.
8 months ago I see a new dentist in hopes that he wasn't wanting to pull more teeth or something. He told me I have TMJ. TMJ doesn't always show up on X-rays or scans and is very painful. I let it go so long due to misdiagnosis that I now have to see a PM specialist and will be on meds for the rest of my life.
To top it all off, my dental insurance doesn't pay for anything TMJ related and my dentist (being the kind sole he is <<sarcasim>> ) told me that if I couldn't shell out $1000 for a splint that probably wouldn't work anyway, that he couldn't see me again. Hince the PM doc now.
I would suggest locating a dentist in your area that specializes in TMJ and go to him. That is what it sounds like to me. Because that is how I felt, too. Here is some info I found on the net about TMJ:
SENSITIVE TEETH--
The teeth may become sensitive because of jaw activities such as clenching of the teeth or grinding of the teeth when the disc of the TMJ is displaced. Patients often see their dentist with the complaint of pain in the teeth and usually the doctor can find no cause. Frequently (and very unfortunately), unnecessary root canals and even tooth extractions are performed in an attempt to help a suffering person. What's worse, after these invasive and non-reversible procedures, patients still have their pain, only now it has increased!
Here is the site: http://www.tmjfacial********/tmjfacial.htm
I hope this info helps you. God Bless!
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~~Christina~~
NeedANewHead
09-28-2003, 12:25 PM
Christina gave a lot of good info and it sounds like TMJ to me also.
All the reading I have done now since I have TMJ it seems it comes on after either wisdom teeth have come out or other tooth work has been done. Such a shame for such a painful disease to be caused by a common thing.
I feel for you and your pain....I know first hand how painful jaw pain is. Its taken a pretty high dose of Oxycontin to lower my jaw pain enough that I can continue to function. Thank god for my compassionate doc.
All the reading I have done now since I have TMJ it seems it comes on after either wisdom teeth have come out or other tooth work has been done. Such a shame for such a painful disease to be caused by a common thing.
I feel for you and your pain....I know first hand how painful jaw pain is. Its taken a pretty high dose of Oxycontin to lower my jaw pain enough that I can continue to function. Thank god for my compassionate doc.
momofsix
09-28-2003, 02:57 PM
I have wondered about TMJ, but the oral surgeon can't find anything unusual about the joint or movement. I also don't have any trouble chewing. In fact, it feels somewhat better when I'm eating. Maybe that's just because I'm being distracted. Anyways, the fact that there is no pain on chewing or opening or closing my mouth seems to me to rule out TMJ?
Needanewhead - is oxycontin all you're doing now? Is there no other treatment option? Like Christina, there's not way I can afford a splint that may not even work, and I've had enough surgery to last a lifetime.
Linda
Needanewhead - is oxycontin all you're doing now? Is there no other treatment option? Like Christina, there's not way I can afford a splint that may not even work, and I've had enough surgery to last a lifetime.
Linda
NeedANewHead
09-28-2003, 07:33 PM
I cant afford the splint treatment myself so right now I am just concentrating on pain management...enough so I can get back to work hopefully.
I have to at least be able to function to take care of my girls...I am a single mom with two.
I have something else in the works that might help but for the most part its going to be pain meds for me probably. Not that Im happy about it....but what can ya do.
Surgery is out for me also as my insurance wont pay for it. The surgeon thinks I need it though.
I have to at least be able to function to take care of my girls...I am a single mom with two.
I have something else in the works that might help but for the most part its going to be pain meds for me probably. Not that Im happy about it....but what can ya do.
Surgery is out for me also as my insurance wont pay for it. The surgeon thinks I need it though.
momofsix
09-28-2003, 07:41 PM
What pain meds have you tried, and what has your experience been with them? What works the best with the fewest side effects?
NeedANewHead
09-29-2003, 04:56 PM
Linda, at first muscle relaxants worked...I was taking Skelaxin and Valium at night. After a few months and a few exams..those exams would always throw my pain thru the roof and cause new pain levels...I had to change my pain meds to Oxycontin and up the levels quite a bit. So now I am just taking the Oxyc and OxyIR for BT. I would rather not say my dosage. I also use once a day 3 pills of Naporxen (I can never spell that right dammit) and that gives me 2-3 hours of great relief, as much as the oxy does. Oh and I take 100 mgs of Topamax to help with the headaches..I think it helps a lil bit. That is my current med regimen.
My PCP is managing my pain...after 2 jerks for PM docs.
I love my doc...I wouldnt trade him for the world...just wish every had a compassionate doc like mine. The reason he is the way he is...is that his mother suffered from CP for over 25 years...and she passed recently :(
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I had the headaches for over 5 years before I knew I had TMJ. I just started getting the jaw pain about 6 months ago and its been hell. The thing that is really holding me up is not being able to afford splint therapy which I have decided is the way to ago after much reading. The oral surgeon wanted to do surgery but my insurance wouldnt pay for it...now im wondering if it wasnt meant to happen!! There is a lot of good reading over on the TMJ board but it is VERY anti-surgery.
My PCP is managing my pain...after 2 jerks for PM docs.
I love my doc...I wouldnt trade him for the world...just wish every had a compassionate doc like mine. The reason he is the way he is...is that his mother suffered from CP for over 25 years...and she passed recently :(
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I had the headaches for over 5 years before I knew I had TMJ. I just started getting the jaw pain about 6 months ago and its been hell. The thing that is really holding me up is not being able to afford splint therapy which I have decided is the way to ago after much reading. The oral surgeon wanted to do surgery but my insurance wouldnt pay for it...now im wondering if it wasnt meant to happen!! There is a lot of good reading over on the TMJ board but it is VERY anti-surgery.
momofsix
09-29-2003, 06:25 PM
Thanks for your help. I truly hope you are able to beat this thing. I have tried Naproxen (or however it's spelled), but it doesn't do anything. Actually, nothing so far (antidepressents, otc pain meds, antiseizure meds) helps. Percocet helps slightly, but I think the dose is too small. It's amazing how reluctant doctors are to prescribe pain medication. I've had a terrible time with my doctors.
sfg4ever5501
09-29-2003, 06:31 PM
URGENT HELP NEEDED!!!
I also suffer from severe facial pain caused by having my wisdom teeth removed 01/94. The jerk that did it destroyed the mandibular nerves! I have already had over 23 surgeries/proceedures to try to fix the problem. I was on oxycontin for 6 yrs. My latest Pain dr. forced to retire. Now I have a major problem trying to find a Dr. in the SF bay area to take my case and time is not on my side. (I run out of my meds next week). Anyone that can help please e-mail me ASAP!
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[This message has been edited by sfg4ever5501 (edited 09-30-2003).]
I also suffer from severe facial pain caused by having my wisdom teeth removed 01/94. The jerk that did it destroyed the mandibular nerves! I have already had over 23 surgeries/proceedures to try to fix the problem. I was on oxycontin for 6 yrs. My latest Pain dr. forced to retire. Now I have a major problem trying to find a Dr. in the SF bay area to take my case and time is not on my side. (I run out of my meds next week). Anyone that can help please e-mail me ASAP!
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[This message has been edited by sfg4ever5501 (edited 09-30-2003).]
c.meade
09-29-2003, 10:24 PM
Needs: It sounds like you do have a great doc. It's been such a struggle for me to even get to a pain management specialist that it really makes me angry. Regular docs put me on Naproxen and Zanaflex then Motrin 800 and Zanaflex then Vioxx and when I finally snapped (literally) they refered me to a PM. My first visit with him was 2 weeks ago. He put me on Oxycodone (5mg) and Valium (5mg) along with the Zanaflex and then to top the coctail...Effexor for my depression. I'm still in pain and my job is in jeopardy due to it. I work in Customer Service and talking on the phones 8 hours a day sends me home in tears daily. My employer refuses to work with me, even a 15 minute break an hour. If I could find a job that pays what I make, I'd leave in a heart beat. But where I live, $13/hr is mega money and I'm paycheck to paycheck as it is. I have to pay my PM doc out of pocket b/c he's not in the network, too.
My employer offered to let me sign up for intermitent LOA. Which means when I'm hurting that bad, I can just leave work without a doctor's note. But my PM says it's not necessary, that my meds should do the trick. I'm taking twice as much as I should just to get by in the day and am hoping on my next med check (Thur) that he'll do something about the meds and sign those papers. I mean, have a heart, he's a pain doc... he's got to understand in some way how this is affecting my life.
Wow....just going off! I'm so sorry. I guess I just need to vent. People without chronic pain don't understand. They either think you're making it out to be worse then it is or they believe you and feel like you're a burden. I guess I just need to talk to others that understand.
And speaking of docs and understanding....David....how can your doc just leave you hanging like that? Don't they have to refer you to someone else? I can't see a doctor treating someone with your condition just leaving you high and dry. I mean, what the hell are wrong with these doctors today? And what about the doc that caused you all that pain? What happened with him? I pray for you, so that you may find some peace and a doctor that will be able to help you. I know, as you all know....that the pain will never go away--it's finding a way to deal with it thru therapy and medication that will pave the way to normal again.
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~~Christina~~
My employer offered to let me sign up for intermitent LOA. Which means when I'm hurting that bad, I can just leave work without a doctor's note. But my PM says it's not necessary, that my meds should do the trick. I'm taking twice as much as I should just to get by in the day and am hoping on my next med check (Thur) that he'll do something about the meds and sign those papers. I mean, have a heart, he's a pain doc... he's got to understand in some way how this is affecting my life.
Wow....just going off! I'm so sorry. I guess I just need to vent. People without chronic pain don't understand. They either think you're making it out to be worse then it is or they believe you and feel like you're a burden. I guess I just need to talk to others that understand.
And speaking of docs and understanding....David....how can your doc just leave you hanging like that? Don't they have to refer you to someone else? I can't see a doctor treating someone with your condition just leaving you high and dry. I mean, what the hell are wrong with these doctors today? And what about the doc that caused you all that pain? What happened with him? I pray for you, so that you may find some peace and a doctor that will be able to help you. I know, as you all know....that the pain will never go away--it's finding a way to deal with it thru therapy and medication that will pave the way to normal again.
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~~Christina~~
momofsix
09-30-2003, 12:44 AM
Have any of you had experience with botox injections? I've had an oral surgeon suggest I try that. He trains doctors from all over the continent, so I could get them free at a teaching clinic.
sfg4ever5501
09-30-2003, 12:59 AM
Had Botox injections - didn't help me but know of others it did help. Depends on the type of pain and area. Good Luck if you go through with it.
shelikuda
10-10-2003, 05:17 PM
Hey, My mother who is in her fifties has experienced this same kind of pain. She's gone to dentists, she has doctors appointments. Shes experienced both facial and jaw pain mistaken for tooth problems. Another woman at her church with similar pain, has had a lot of dental work only to be left with the same pain. One time my mother actually tried massage it it actually helped. Today I was doing research on the subject of jaw pain and found your posting and a website on the subject of stress & tension related musle pain and passed the information on to my mother. This whole subject is new to me and based on whats happened to others regarding this facial/jaw related pain maybe few dentsists and doctors have figured it out also.