Finally saw a specialist ! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Jill · 07-29-2003, 08:31 AM

Hi Everyone
I finally did get in to see the specialist yesterday. I do have TMJ disfuntion in both my right and left side. The left side is worse than the right. They said that they don't think I have much if any cartliage in my left side left. They also think that it is possible that I have nerve damage or a pinched nerve that is causing my dizziness. I have to go to a neuroligist now to have the nerve problem checked out then back to the specialist and they will then decide what is the best way to treat my TMJ. I finally feel like someone believes me that I don't feel well. This Dr was wonderful and spent at least an hour with my husband and I doing an exam of the joint, muscles and tendons as well as explaining everything to us. I had a lot of X-rays done yesterday and then they will decide what is the best way to treat my TMJ. The only problem now is that we found out this morning that our insurance will not cover any of this even though it is a joint problem and not a tooth problem. It is very frustrating!!!! I know a lot of you feel the same way. I don't know if it would help us to flood our providers with letters to try to get them to understand what we are going through or not. I wondered if we had something written from our Dr's saying it was something medically that had to be treated if it would help. I'm almost ready to try it anyway. Anyway just wanted to share with you a good experience on this TMJ road. They think they can help with the bite problem but the nerve problem may be something we won't be able to help but maybe avoid any more damage. Hang in there everyone! We are fighting this battle together!

Jill

Literati · 07-29-2003, 01:49 PM

Hi Jill. I'm sorry you're running into insurance problems. I hope everything works out in the end--keep us updated.

As for nerve damage, how can they prevent any further damage? Can they tell from the mri whether there is nerve damage? I also get dizziness/vertigo.

How will they fix your bite? What was wrong with it?

TiffanyAnn · 07-29-2003, 06:07 PM

Hi Jill:
I'm wondering if your insurance might cover your treatment if it was billed as MPD rather than TMJ. Maybe you could check into it and see if it's a possibility. It's so frustrating dealing with these blood sucking insurance companies.
Tiffany

indy gal · 07-29-2003, 07:32 PM

Hi Jill,

So would you recommend the doctor you saw? Where is he located? I am in Indy too (obvious from my name), and considering going to a specialist. What did the diagnostic visit run you price-wise? What insurance company do you have?

Thanks for your input!

Jill · 07-30-2003, 07:06 AM

Indy Gal
I would definately recommend Dr. Sondi and Dr. Biggs. They were wonderful. They are on Meridian not far from where 465 is and 96th street. It is pricy I will be honest with you on that. The exam its self was $165.00 but he spent probably an hour or more with us, doing the exam, explaining things and so on. The really expensive stuff was the x-ray which they give you a choice before they do anything else if you want to have something done. The whole appt with all the x-rays ran us about $800. I know it is alot but I felt like it was worth it just to get some peace of mind. They do not file with your insurance you have to pay and then file yourself. I just had a really good experience with them and felt like FINALLY someone understands.
As far as our insurance company it is American Community. I have not been real happy with them. They aren't paying for much of anything right now. We are going to write and appeal and will have to have a letter from the Dr. stating why we need the care but there is no guarentee that they will even pay for it then but we figure it is worth a try.
Hope this information helps you. Let me know if you decide to see Dr. Biggs. He and Dr. Sondi work together and they both consulted on my case and were in agreement as to what we needed to do from here. They talked righ in the room in front of us. If you have a husband or a family member that can go with you I found that helpful. They can go in with you and hear everything that the Dr. is telling you. It was good for my husband to hear that what I was feeling was very real and that there was a problem and they give you and whoever comes with you lots of time to ask questions. Hang in there.

Jill