Cymy Sue

Cheryl,
Thank you for your remarks.
As always, you are so kind to everyone.

You bring up a subject (asset) that some of us "Older Vets" have questioned. We do wonder sometimes if our very long term experiences, good or bad, are beneficial and if it really helps anyone to read them.

I base this on a very brief remark "Marlene" made a while back. She has been (The Resident Success) for quite a while, and she said she wasn't sure if she would continue to post her experiences, she wasn't sure it was helping anyone.

"Elaine" mentioned that sometimes she feels like she just "repeats" her story of the ravages of surgery and the damage implants can cause and if anyone is interested or helped.

Both of these women have so much experience and have seen many aspects of TMJD and treatments that many of us have not. I include myself in this, because Marlene's posts about Splint Therapy is the reason I ask if a splint could help me. I had been totally convinced a splint could not help someone in my condition. Also, I did not make the mistake of getting implants.

There are others, such as Donna (Luigi) who has experienced the most devastating consequences of surgeries that were done. She doesn't post very much, but she does have a story that needs to be told.

Sharri, (Sharbear) is not doing very well right now. She had a reconstructing surgery that seemed to be working for a while, but she's having problems again and says she does want to post this experience, but does not feel well enough right now.

I've read most all of the old posts and the archives. Many people have come and gone over the last few years. I wonder if they got well. Did their treatments or surgeries work? Or did they get worse and don't feel like posting anymore.

I, like so many others, got involved in the surgeries that were being done in the 80's and 90's and have experienced a little bit of everything except implants (and almost did that). I also was in orthodontics, on & off about 8 or 9 years, and tried every kind of splint that could be made. I've tried nearly every alternative treatment available.

I sometimes think that maybe we should not post these experiences and then someone else will ask about the results of surgical procedures. I know there have been, what many consider to be successes and they would most likely not come to a forum such as this.

I do keep up with the statistics and what the experts and researchers are saying and TMJD surgery is still very controversial and as far as curing all the problems, it does not. There is not one surgery available that will cure TMJD and make you the way you were before. It can help, sometimes.

When I found this board last Oct., I thought there would be information about new surgeries and techniques that might not be available in my area. I had just seen my last surgeon and discussed all types of arthrocopic & arthroplastic procedures. They were still the same as 5 & 10 years prior and he said I couldn't have anymore. Any Arthro procedure would only worsen my condition. I was under the impression you could have these forever. I talked to his associate who does implants and prosthesis. Same story, they had learned that after multiple surgeries, the possibility of an implant or prosthesis working very well or at all, was 0. These are not run of the mill Surgeons. They do not have elaborate web-sites or advertise, but their names are all over the net, as they are well known for their expertise and are involved in ongoing research in finding better alternatives than what they have now. They both told me there was just not anything available that could produce satisfactory long term relief.

I could have found a Surgeon that would have done something, possibly implants or total prosthesis....But what a mistake that would have been.

TMJD can be devastating on it's on, as so many well know.
Add the ravages and damaging aspects of surgery to this and try to imagine........

Those of us who have experienced failures are not trying to tell anyone not to have surgery. We are relating true experiences and saying be very careful with your decision, it will affect the rest of your life.

Some of us have long term experience with alternative treatments, such as chiro, accupuncture, PT, MT, and the list goes on.

Many times, I don't look at the board for a few days and I think it may be time to move on. I've told my story, got help and I have nothing else to offer.

Then I see a post such as nonny-mouse and I feel I need to say, don't give up. There are others with this and it can be helped.

He or she had seen many discussion boards where the general trend is that there is no cure, no successful treatment and everyone has to learn to live with it. How terrible for these people not to discuss treatments and therapies that will help and many times work very well.

I have learned much from this board and the questions asked, have lead me to research many things that I otherwise would not have thought of.

I have learned that Splint Therapy is probably the best treatment available, although it may not help everyone.

I have learned for Splint Therapy to work, the actual cause of the TMJD has to be addressed. I think sometimes this is the reason it fails. Also, the design of the splint is all important, as so many cause additional problems.

I have learned there are many reasons for TMJ dysfunction and getting an accurate diagnosis is not easy nor is finding a competent Care Provider.

I've learned there are very few Providers who truly understand the TM joint and how to treat all that is involved.

There has been much discussion lately regarding different schools of thought and different theories on treatment.

There is only one theory that works. Diagnose the problem correctly. Design the appropriate appliance, if one is needed and add alternative treatments if they help. This theory however, seems very illusive, regardless of where the Care provider got his or her training.

Anyone can put "TMJ Specialist" on their shingle.

There is as much misinformation and confusion about TMJD as there was 25 years ago and I assume we will be learning about it for years to come as well as our Care Providers.

Anyway, Thanks again, Cheryl. Asset is a much nicer word than relic.

Cymy Sue


[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 08-25-2003).]