What to do when docs won't even prescribe pain meds? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

MSUGuy02 · 06-12-2004, 09:12 PM

Hi Everyone,

As much as I hate taking pain medication, I'd much rather have the option to, instead of dealing with it and not taking anything. None of my specialists believe in pain medicine (which I think it stupid, because if they really understand the pain, you'd think they would help a person out).

Anyways, I try and take over the counter stuff, but ofcourse that doesn't ever help. Not even if I take one or two over the recommended dose.

I just don't even know what to do or say to have something for my really BAD days that I can barely move or function. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Andy

Ann123 · 06-12-2004, 10:13 PM

Talk to your family doctor. MD's are more likely to prescribe something for your pain.

Cymy Sue · 06-13-2004, 03:44 AM

Hi Andy,

I've found that most Specialist/Surgeons will not prescribe pain meds more than a week or so.
If you are in a "Chronic Pain" situation, they would prefer a "Pain Management" specialist or clinic handle long term prescibing.

I was referred to "Pain Management" after my Discectomy in 97.
Almost 10 years after my Orthognathics & other surgeries in between.

I assumed it was the times. Pain management was fairly new in this area at that time.

Prescription pain medication is not what anyone would want to have to rely on and it does have to be Monitored and Managed very carefully. You want to be able to get off once you're better.

Ann is right, too. Sometimes your regular Doctor, (one) who knows you and your situation will help you out for a short while.

Sometimes, your age has a lot to do with it. They don't like to put young people on (possibly) addicting drugs.

You had what appears to be a major reconstructive surgery 2 years ago that left you with a lot of plates and screws and now you have joint problems bad enough for a Surgeon to suggest a new" radical joint surgery".

Unless you are very young, I don't understand why one of these Surgeons or Specialist have not referred you into some type of Pain Management.

It seems most ot the "TMJ Surgicals" who have had one or more and are possibly going to need more, are beginning to get a little more consideration in this area.

I have a couple of questions....................did you have joint problems before the reconstructive surgery? You may have posted this information and I missed it.

Were you told that Reconstructive Surgery could traumatize or damage healthy joints and most always does cause already bad joints to get worse?

Just curiosity on my part. In doing a lot of reading, I run across this quite often. People are not made aware of what "can" happen with all types Orthognathic Surgeries.

I don't know your age or the particulars of your situation. It's possible your Doctors have decided there are risks for you to be given long term pain meds.

A very kind doctor once told me to tell them how bad the pain was and the duration. Make them understand it never went away, it was unbearable and interferred with everything in my life. I did.
It was ONLY after several damaging surgeries that they decided Pain Management was required.

Take care, tell them how bad it is, find someone who will understand and explain to you why you haven't been prescibed something that will help.

Don't abuse over the counter stuff. It is as dangerous as precription meds if not taken as recommended.

Cymy Sue

MSUGuy02 · 06-13-2004, 05:44 AM

Hi Cymy Sue,

Here goes a long post... so hold on!

I'm 20 years old, I guess you could say I'm young. I went into the orthognathic surgery because the ortho I went to (and my normal dentist said...) "if you don't take care of your bite problem your joints will never go away. Once the jaws are in their new position, the joints will relax and have a chance to relieve the pain."

I signed so many freaking consent forms, and from what I remember, not one of them said that I'd have even worse pain in the joints. The thing that really frustrates me is that I can't even feel my lower jaw or my lips. My nerves are so messed up that it's just a daily battle just to drink something without spilling it on me, etc. Not to mention, I played trumpet for 8 years (was 1st in the state, and in many competitions) and now I can no longer play.

I honestly didn't think I was that nieve. I went around researching on the internet and unfortunately never found this board or else I would have DEFINITELY reconsidered putting myself through that hell.

I don't have a regular doctor, as weird as that sounds... I'm usually NEVER sick, and the one I used to go to retired. That, and I go to college away from home, so I have to juggle where I go and drive sometimes 2-3 hours to get back to my specialists at home when I'm back at school.

My new specialist didn't really call it radical joint surgery, but it was like taking the top part of my lower jaw (the part that fits into the condyle, I think) and shaping it to better assist in the jaw movement b/c the lack of discs and tissue.

I DID have joint problems before the reconstructive surgery, but for me.. what really started the chain of problems were my braces, pre surgery. As soon as I had them on, that's when my neck/back problems got really severe and the dizziness was more frequent. AFTER the surgery has been... well, no fun. I didn't have HORRIBLE problems in my left joint, but my specialist seems to think that since my right joint is completely shot, the left is trying to make up and overcompensate for the right one. Makes sense to me..

But, to reiterate, my doctors/surgeons didn't say that this surgery would make things much worse. To really tell you the truth, they knew I had TMJ and (were supposedly specialists) basically disregarded it. I figured they knew what they were doing, and everytime I went in I told them, OW! I HAVE TMJ!

Oh, by the way.. my ortho said the same as another post I read earlier... "MRI's aren't really needed for a complete diagnosis" but he said "I already know theres a problem, but it's not that major." Well, tell me this... how the heck does he know this, and he should be eating some major crow right now considering my joints are so screwed up!!!

I can understand about my age and pain killers, and I do respect that, but I need help in some capacity...

At one time during finals week, and during some stressful weeks in college, the pain was so unbearable I'd just sit at my computer almost in tears because I just wished that I could be the normal college student, pulling all nighters and having fun with his friends - not sitting at his desk in pain and unable to really do what he wants to.

My parents really do want to push this malpractice. I have to make sure to read ALL the papers before they proceed so I know exactly what's going on and what they supposedly warned me before the surgery. Regardless, I have some major beef with the ortho and he's gonna hear about it, trust me.

Anyways, I guess that's enough complaining for me...

Thanks for listening,
Andy

Cymy Sue · 06-13-2004, 07:24 AM

Hi again,

Not so long a post and you're intitled. You should see some of my older ones and I've made quite a few.

I know the agony you're going through and the frustration of being left with this mess to deal with on your own. I was older than you when I jumped into the "Promises of Surgery" to cure, "NO" information at all available and I had a life, too.

I don't know of anyone who has been properly warned or advised of the possible & very real trauma to the joints from Orthognathic Surgery.

I didn't need these (Orthognathic) surgeries. It's what they did in the 80's. My joints were bad and "THEY" were the problem. Bone Breaking did not help. They didn't know due to MRI's not being used at that time.
I didn't feel I had a "case" due to this fact. You may have.

Everything I had done, was considered "Proper Procedures" at the time. They always found out later, it was not what I needed.

I was numb from my nose down since 1988. I understand that part, too. You can learn to live with it. It takes a while.

You may have caught some of my posts regarding my current Splint. It was designed for people with multiple surgeries, no disc, abnormal joint structure, etc.

I know it sounds impossible to some, but it has helped incredibly.
Once everthing settles down from these surgeries and your body tries to heal, even the nerve irritation or damage, the muscles have spasmed so long and repositioned so much to compensate, they hinder the healing process.

My splint was designed to support what's left of my joints and give the muscles a break. They have now calmed down to a great degree, even though they do the work of the joints, in function. They now have direction and don't overwork or over-compensate.

With the intense (years of) spasming helped, I've had some return of feeling in my lower face and top lip. (I was told it would never come back)
My top lip has normal feeling after 16 years and in my lower lip, I am feeling some sensation, not normal yet, but some feeling none the less.

The theory is, the muscles had the nerves severely compressed. Now that this problem has alleviated some, the nerves are able to heal and/or send signals again.

I was told by one Doctor, regardless of how long it had been, given the right conditons, the nerves would continue to try to heal and work correctly. Seems he was right.

In my opinion, you do need to find someone to help you with the pain situation. I went to a really good Pain Center, with caring Doctors and was helped for a long time. They were very well trained and I had no problems getting off when I no longer needed it. I've done it several times in the last 7 years. Take it a while, get off and see if I could manage. Have unintended nerve regeneration or other set-backs and go back to medication.

Someone should be willing to get you referred to a Center or Clinic for Pain Management. There are many ways they can help, along with medication.

I wish I could help more. I can say I know what you're going through for the most part. It's not easy.

Cymy Sue