New here-seeking Dr. for Second opinion - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

ellie315 · 03-03-2005, 03:52 PM

Hi, I am very happy to have found this board. I have been reading your posts all day, and have been both relieved and frightened, but mostly feel sad for those of you who, like me, have been in pain for a long time.

I have already been through many surgeries. Most recently I had bilateral total joint replacement (titamium implants) in April, 2004. As many of you have said, my function has greatly improved, but my pain is worse. Daily, I am taking 3300mg of neurontin, 600mg Celebrex, 10mg Lexapro just to deal with the symptoms. I just went back to my surgeon (Peter Quinn in Philly) who basically was unhelpful. He told me that my coronoid has been elongated due to muscle spasms and he rx'd Soma. The problem is that I have been on Soma before, and I am unable to work or take care of my children properly due to total fatigue. My kids basically came home from school, I plopped them in front of the TV and fell asleep. Dr. Quinn apparently did not care about that and told me that I needed to try it again.

I decided that I want to see someone else, and I am willing to travel ANYWHERE in the US or Canada for a consultation. I wish that I found this board before my surgery, but it is too late to go back now. From your posts, I know to avoid Dr. Wolford in Tx. I called TMJ Concepts, and they said that Dr. Mecuri in Chicago does a lot of these procedures. Anyone hear of him? Anyone else who you trust or who has a lot of experience?

I just want to talk to a Dr. who may be able to help me manage my pain a bit, since there is no way to undo my surgery. I went to the Pain specialists at UPenn, and they basically laughed at me (I am not kidding, my Hubby and I were amazed). I want to see a different TMJ specialist to find out if there is anything else I can do.

Sorry about the long post. Thanks in advance for your help.

beth99 · 03-04-2005, 10:55 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I am very lucky to have TMJ a bit more mildly, but I was treated in Milwaukee and was happy with the care. The office is called Chronic Pain Solution Center, and Dr. Richard T. Seymour is the dentist. I have also heard that the University of Kentucky is very good with TMJ. Others on this board who have been through surgery may have better suggestions, but I wanted to give you this info for you to at least research. CPSC was pricey, but I know he has successfully helped several people who have had surgeries before. I also went to Dr. Lewis Klapper in Lake Bluff, IL, who I was very impressed with, for a second opinion on my phase II treatment. I'm sure there are several others that are very good and I hope you get other recommedations from the board.

Good luck!

papergoods · 03-05-2005, 01:57 AM

For surgeons, I have heard there is a guy at University of Virginia who is good, I dont know his name though and I was refered to Dr. Larry Moore here in LA. Have not yet seen him.

For neuromuscular treatment, I see Dr Rojas in LA, she is wonderful. For NTI, Dr. Keropian in Tarzana is good.

rubato · 03-05-2005, 06:26 AM

Hi Ellie,
I, also, am so sorry to hear about the problems you have been having. My doctor is Tanner in Kansas City. I think he is terrific! I had a discectomy a little over a month ago, and am in almost no pain at this point. Also, you might post to Shirlett. She had total joint replacement and is having another surgery this month. She's in Florida, but I don't know her doctor's name. I hope you find your answers. I know how hard this can be.
Tandy

ellie315 · 03-05-2005, 11:23 AM

Thanks for these names. I will start to research them, and see if any are willing to see me. I know I wrote this in my original post, but I want to say it again. I am REALLY happy that I found this board,and I hope all of us here can somehow find relief.