WHAT DO I SAY?

thisstarr · 03-04-2003, 02:40 AM

Hi Everyone,

Those of you that know me, know I have had a tough time with my TMJ and finding someone to help me and believe in my pain. I finally got health insurance and it is an HMO (Kaiser permanente) not sure if anyone has heard of them!

Well the reason why I am posting is I dont know what to say to the doctor when I go. Over the past 2 years I have gone to so many doctors/dentist and cant find anyone to believe me and get me out of pain. I have been taking so many OTC products I should be dead,thank god I am not. My worry is how can I get a doctor to listen to me and help me with cope with my pain.

It is so hard to deal with this everyday and not having ANYTHING to help with the pain...

makes me wonder how much longer can I take this pain.
Every doctor I have gone to wont listen to me, I dont have much engery left to go doctor searching....I have almost lost hope I will ever be cure. I want my life back and want to enjoy life with my husband...

Any comments I would love to hear..

Take Care & thanks for reading what I wrote, hope to hear from someone!!!!

Starr

Cymy Sue · 03-04-2003, 06:34 AM

Hi Starr,

It will depend on what kind of Doctor you are seeing.
A lot of Doctors are reluctant to prescribe medication for any length of time. A lot of them will tell you they prefer to let the "Pain Clinics" or "Pain Specialist" to handle pain management.

Just tell him a little about your experience with Dentist and other Doctors. Tell him that you do have severe symtoms of TMJD (emphasize the severity of the headaches), but you do not know where to go for an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.

Ask for his advice as to going the Dental Route for splint therapy or Medical Treatment for your symtoms.

Hopefully, he will be sympathetic to your pain, prescribe something for you and if he can't help, will refer you to someone who can.

So many Doctors see everyone as "Drug Seekers". Make sure he understands that you are looking for a Treatment Plan that will put you on the road to a cure or at least to be able to live with this condition. Make sure that he understands that you do not want to take medication forever, just until you can get relief with some type of TMJD Treatment or Therapy, as per his advice.

Goodwillstacy started a thread on different meds that everyone has tried or are taking now. Good Luck.

Cymy Sue

Autumn Angel · 03-04-2003, 11:47 AM

My family doctor prescribes my pain meds for now...Though I am being treated by a TMJD Specialist/Surgeon he is in Toronto which is an hour from me. He doesnt give me anything for this condition because I didnt ask him my family doc is treating my pain, he has refered me to a pain management doc but the waiting list is 4 to 6 months and that was about 3 months ago that I was refered so untill I get in I see my family doc every 2 to 3 weeks for refills on my meds as well as treatment for my renal ptosis.
I would think that an xray or MRI or something would show the doctor that you are in pain. There are tests they do right in the office too with thier hands. They see how your bite range is..they ( at least mine did ) stick thier fingers in both ears and have you open and close your mouth while feeling your jaw joint and muscles. And if he is a good doctor he will ask you what your pain level is on the pain scale. If you are keeping a pain journal like some of us here do take it with you. Record..your pain..the type of pain ( 1-10 ) when the pain happens and what triggered it for example eating or yawning or talking. And also my doc told me chronic pain should never be treated long term with short acting narcotics. Something like Oxycontin or Ms contin would be best with something for breakthrough pain. I have seen people here on muscle relaxers too though I have never tried them I see they work for others here. I wish you the best of luck and dont let him get away without giving you something and not OTC meds too many of them will damage your stomach (NSAIDS) and your liver (tylenol in large doses or over long periods of time) ask him for something controlled release or even something instant release for now untill you come up with a battle plan. Take care.
Autumn.

goodwillstacy · 03-04-2003, 02:24 PM

Starr,
I know how you feel. And when I say that, I'm not just typing empty words, I'm typing with a lot of emotion. I've been dealing with the same situation as you. My doctors do not understand. Sometimes, I don't even understand, thinking that my pain threshold must be very low or something.
A lot of the time I try to describe the pain I am feeling using words: shooting, stabbing, burning, aching, dull, etc. Tell them how many hours of the day you are in pain. Tell them how the pain effects your daily life. Like Cymy Sue said, you want to make sure that the doc knows you don't *just* want pain meds, you want something to treat the problem. Doctors would much rather treat the problem than prescribe meds. I think a major belief among docs with this disease is that it is very easily treatable. But obvoiusly it is not, or we would not all be posting here today.
Anyway, basically I just wanted to write and say that you are not alone. Maybe you could call the pain specialist and describe your problem, and that you are in excruciating pain. I'm not sure how your insurance works though. I do have a friend who has Kaiser though, and she is very happy with it.
I will let you know how my appointment goes on Monday (finally found one, woo hoo!) so you can know what to expect.
Take care of yourself,
.stacy.

thisstarr · 03-04-2003, 04:21 PM

Hi Sue, Stacy, and Autumm,

Well I went to the doctor today and I think it was just a waste of engery.

I explained in full detaill how TMJ is ruinning my life and all she said is "wow your in a lot of pain", I ask about pain mangement and maybe seeing a specialest that could help me and she said they could do it for me...lol...she just didnt understand what I was saying at ALL! She gave me Darvocet-n-100 (that I know wont do a thing, but better then OTC) Flexerial, and Disalcid (anti-flammotry). This lady just didnt get it! I dont want to take Darvocet for a long time I have been taking ES Tylenol like candy for over a year, I know my liver and stomach are probably mess up from it.

I felt like slapping her in the face to wake her up so she would get the point! She said to come back if I want to see her in a few weeks, maybe next time she will relize I am in pain. god I hate HMO....

Just wanted to let you all know what happen, thanks for being here..your the best!

Take care,

Starr

[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 03-04-2003).]