I can't take it anymore!! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

tiredofhurtin · 03-25-2003, 10:01 PM

Once again, I'm in tears over the pain of this TMJ. Sometimes I'd just like to rip my jaw completely off. I am tired of suffering with chronic headaches and all that goes with it. I am tired of insurances calling it "preventative." Just frankly, I'm tired of dealing with it. I've taken bottles upon bottles of OTC pain reliever. What do I need to do besides talk to my dentist. He wants money that I don't have to give me a splint and they don't do payment plans. What other options do I have?? I'm a 24 year old, single mother struggling to pay bills, so keep that in mind. Any advice would be great!!! Like I said, I just can't take the pain anymore!! It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't everyday. Thanks for listening.

tiredofhurtin
Aka Janice

tiredofhurtin · 03-25-2003, 10:17 PM

I'd also like to add, that although many articles I've read claim that having your wisdom teeth removed have nothing to do with TMJ, that these symptoms did not appear until about 2 months after they were all removed. Which I find to be very odd. Along with the popping and the locking that I have, (which I've had for 6 years now), for the last 2 of those yars, I have added grinding. And it's not just a nighttime thing, it's all day long. I do it and don't realize I do it until my teeth are just flat out numb. I've read a few of the posts and realize that I share a lot of the same symptoms...the chronic headaches, the soreness in the eyesockets, the ear pain...etc. I'm glad I found a place to talk about these things. I really don't know anybody here that shares the same symptoms I do as far as the severity of it. As unfortunate as it is, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone. What's worse is that I'm afraid my son will develop it. Not that I believe it's hereditary, but that he's 3 years old and grinds his teeth constantly during the day, like I do.
Once again, thanks for listening.

Janice

mek918 · 03-26-2003, 08:28 AM

I got a splint from an oral surgeon a couple years ago - oral surgery was included in my medical plan, not my dental plan. So it covered TMJ. Make sure you check into your medical insurance coverage vs. just your dental coverage. And then maybe you can see a different doctor...

Otherwise see a different doctor who might be willing to do a plan for you. Or worst case, get an advance on a credit card. Being in debt sucks, but being in constant pain is worse.

mbr22 · 03-26-2003, 12:39 PM

Hi - all my pain and misery began after my wisdom teeth were pulled, so believe me that can cause TMJ disorder.

Other people on this board have had symptoms begin after wisdom teeth removal also.

It's odd, my worst symptom is pain around behind my eyes. Seems like you experience that also?

I can't help you with payment, other than the docs I see here in Michigan fortunatly do have payment plans.

good luck,
mbr

[Substituted the cuss word with "misery". We are asking everyone to clean up the language a bit. Thanks for the cooperation - Well-come Moderator.]

[This message has been edited by Well-come (edited 03-26-2003).]

TiffanyAnn · 03-26-2003, 08:48 PM

Hi Janice:
What kind of splint is your dentist wanting to make for you? The reason I ask is because my dentist made my splint and it was only $100.00. I know $100.00 isn't cheap, it's alot of money to me too but the first splint I had cost me $600.00 and was even worse than this one. Maybe you could put it on a credit card where you could make payments. I HATE to use my credit cards but I keep them only for emergencies and I consider dental treatment an emergency.

I wanted to make a quick comment on the wisdom teeth thing. My TMJ started before I had my wisdom teeth pulled. My problems began after getting braces as a teenager and my orthodontist said that the problem was that I needed my wisdom teeth pulled. I believe he said this only to push me off on someone else since by this time he had completed my orthodonic work and had all his money in his greedy little hands. So, I'm not sure of the relationship between wisdom teeth and TMJ. Just thought I'd add that bit of information.
Tiffany