Hey MSUguy - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Katie G · 06-18-2004, 07:25 AM

Hi there Andy. Just wanted to apologize - I saw my ortho last week, and completely forgot to ask him about the specialist you're seeing - Dr. Halmaghi, is it? I had the reminder to ask him in my work bag, and then forgot to check for it when I got to my appointment. I spent more time talking about Phase II treatment and what it would entail, and then forgot about asking about the doctor for you.

I won't be seeing my ortho again until August - his appointment calendar is full until then.

Please accept my apology. How's treatment going for you?

Katie G

MSUGuy02 · 06-18-2004, 01:59 PM

Katie,

That's quite alright! I really like this guy - he seems to know his stuff. I've worn my lower splint for the last 2 days and have already had some decent relief. He also prescribed klonopin for me, which I'll take on my bad days. I've already taken it once and it's helped a great deal, but it definitely makes me tired!

How's phase II going for you?? What does it entail??

Take Care,
Andy

Katie G · 06-21-2004, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUGuy02

Katie,

That's quite alright! I really like this guy - he seems to know his stuff. I've worn my lower splint for the last 2 days and have already had some decent relief. He also prescribed klonopin for me, which I'll take on my bad days. I've already taken it once and it's helped a great deal, but it definitely makes me tired!

How's phase II going for you?? What does it entail??

Take Care,
Andy

Hi Andy! I'm still in Phase I and probably will be at least until October (at least that's how long my upcoming adjustments, follow-up appointments, etc are scheduled for). I'm so glad you're getting relief and noticing progress, and really like your ortho. I'm doing ok with treatment - as you know some days are better than others. I think what worries me is the upcoming Phase II - there will probably be no financial compensation for it, and I'm not sure how I'm going to afford probable surgery AND braces. I could kick myself for not taking care of this problem 15 years ago when I first sought treatment.

My anterior open bite continues to widen - without the splint in, and the teeth in resting position, I can actually stick the entire width of my index finger between the upper & lower teeth. Before treatment I could stick a fingernail between them. However, my ortho is pleased with this movement, he says it means that my anteriorly displaced mandible is actually moving back into the appropriate position. However, surgery will be required to move the upper jaw back too to the appropriate position, and then braces to re-align the teeth. However, my ortho is not committing to saying surgery is a definite, but a high probablity. I hate not knowing what the future of this treatment holds, but I have a great fear that I'm in for years of debt. Hopefully it will all be worth it - but I've also read all the negative stories of worsening problems after surgery, braces, etc.

Sorry to whine so long about myself - it's just good to have this board here to vent to people who understand.

I hope your treatment continues to progress well for you.

Katie G

Pedro · 07-30-2004, 11:50 PM

MSUguy

I saw another post of yours, you are 20 years old, in college, etc. At that age I didn't even have TMJ, or had never heard of it. But shortly after that ..... well it's a long story.

There are several differerent kinds of TMJD, and first you have to be 100% sure what the problem is. Only recently I had an MRI done, and my joints and even disks were fine, incredibly lucky that my nerves/muscles have not some damage (they have done other damage, of the psychological type !). Maybe you are not so lucky. One thing I would say, that at your age, you might think you know the problem (many mistakenly believe it's their teeth/bite), but it is extremely difficult to tell.

You have seen several physicians, do not rest until you find the right one. I am a bit worried that you suffer, and yet you are not due to return to see this guy for 3 months. Does he know what he's doing ? Where (I don't mean the area, but exactly what elements within the jaw/skull) does the pain originate ?

Best of Luck, you'll need it. Hope you beat it .. but you must realize that the medical opinion on TMJD is so fragmented and contradictory (confused by patients' varying symptom reports, plus varying causes and pain mechanisms), that the odds are only fair ..... and you can only help them by making it a critical vocation to find real help.

After all, you said it, it's your life.