Hi, this is cally22, and I know it has been a while since I have posted, but my life has been incredibly busy and painful. Today, and really for the past week my tmj has been getting me a little down. It just really hurts. And I know I need to see my oral surgeon , but I just keep putting it off because everytime I go it is the same thing; that he doesn't know what he can do anymore. So what is the use? I'm really hurting, and my one side won't stop getting "stuck" and that just plainly hurts when you try to get it unstuck and it cracks/ pops.... Ughhhhh...... Any suggestions or help, I know I need to do something but lack the direction, and I'm not trying to give myself an excuse , but I'm still a teenager, and I just feel so lost and confused about what to do... thanks for listening, and for anybody who might be able to help me! Cally22.
i know how you feel 100%, and it's horrible. i cant remember how many times ive been told by health professionals that there's nothing else that can be done for me. altho, i do remember the first time my family doctor said that to me - i was about 17 or 18, and i thought it was the end of the world.
however, i have always been able to find another treatment to try whether it was medication, some type of massage/physical therapy, osteopathy, or various types of splints.
when you find that your dentist [or oral surgeon, in your case] is telling you that there's nothing else that *he* can do for you, it's definitely time to look for someone else who can provide you with help.
forgive me, but what type of treatment are you going thru right now?
currently, im wearing an anterior repositioning splint, and it's been giving me some considerable relief.
take care and it's okay to feel the way you do - it's tough being young and in pain.
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for replying, your words are encouraging. I think I've known for a little while that it was time to move on from my oral surgeon, but I just hesitated, b/c asa younger person I kind of don't know where to start.
Currently, my oral surgeon has me in a bite splint. But I have been using it for over a year now, (probably a year and a half) and well, in the beginning it helped but now it really doesn't, but I don't have anything else that helps even a little, so I just continue with this. (I've done the pain meds before, and i just cannot stand being a zombie. I have to function in this world like a somewhat normal person, and i am unable to do so with pain meds on board, otherwise I would try that again.) ( I can't even take anti- inflamatories, b/c no doctor will prescribe one for me b/c everytime they do, I have an allergic reaction. My body doesn't tolerate them well.) So...... Yes I do believ I need to go to see someone else, but I'm clueless as to where to go next??
do you mind saying where abouts you live? perhaps someone on this forum is in your area, and could refer you to a good dentist that they trust.
other than that, im not sure what to suggest. :) this forum helped me find my current dentist, and his treatment has helped. mind you, the search has been long -- ive seen almost 25 various health professionals in my search for relief.
oh, have you tried massage therapy for shortterm pain relief?
Are you in the same splint that you had prior to your discectomy or one that was made right after?
I was thinking your surgery was about a year ago???
I know it's hard to keep looking, but your splint may not be right for you now.
A year after a discectomy, you have had some major changes. Without discs, the muscles will compensate and reposition due to this change in your anatomy.
I was only made aware of this a year ago and my former surgeon did not explain this to me, my Dentist did.
It's becoming more common for Dentist to work with people who have had surgery, including discectomies. One problem that many don't seem to recognize is, without disc, the normal type splints are too thick.
Without disc, we can not tolerate very much thickness between our teeth.
I don't remember if you have described your splint before, but it may be too thick. Even a few milimeters can make a big difference.
Maybe finding a Dentist who has worked with people without disc or severely damaged joints due to disease, would help. If you can't find one who knows exactly what to do, maybe he could consult with another one that does.
My splint was based on those made for people with disc and joints damaged by diseases such as rheumatoid and osteo arthritis. It was then adjusted in theory for someone without disc. The first consideration was that it would have to be extremely thin. There was a lot more technical stuff taken into consideration.
This splint specifically designed for someone after a discectomy has worked beyond anything I could have ever believed.
The first year or so after a discectomy is pretty rough regardless of what you do. After you have healed, I truly believe someone can help you with the problems you're having.
It was my experience that after the surgery, you're just left with taking meds or suffering. Surgeons did not help me at all after it was done. They told me for nearly 5 years, it was meds or suffer.
When I went to someone who was interested in helping me and took the time needed to figure out what would help, I got better.
I'm living without disc, several prior surgeries that caused damage and have only very minor problems. Almost none compared to before.
Any relief in sight? 
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