Michelle W - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Shirlett · 06-27-2005, 08:33 PM

Michelle,

I was reading one of your post and read that you are on oxycontin. How long have you been taking it? Have you taking it before? That is what I was taking 4 20's a day before I had my TMJ Concepts put in and then when I broke my left fossa I had to go back on it and was taking 2 20's a day until this last surgery in March and they detoxed me off of it since I was involved in a lawsuit and REALLY did not need to be on it any longer but was NOT willing to go through the withdrawls so I cheated and had them withdraw me while I was under.

Shirlett

Michelle W · 09-15-2005, 10:57 PM

Shirlett,

I am sorry I did not see your post when you posted it. I have been away for awhile from the board this summer.

I have been on Oxycontin since December of 2004. I take 10 mg tid.

The detox sounds terrible! Wow, I did not know it would be that bad. Yikes!

Right now I don't know if I will ever get off of it. I went to see Dr. Wolford in Dallas, TX in July. He told me I need a total joint replacement on both sides due to arthritis. It is my only chance to get off pain medication.

I don't know what to do. Right now I am working to see if I can even get my insurance to pay for it.

Do you have the TMJ Concepts? How did the left one break? I have never heard of that happening with the Concepts. I have heard really bad things about the Christensen's. Do you know of other people with the TMJ Concepts? I would love to hear from them as I don't have any idea if I really want to do this operation or not. I am scared speechless these days. Any information would be appreciated.

Take care,
Michelle

Shirlett · 09-17-2005, 09:48 AM

MIchelle,

No the TMJ Concepts do not break. But I broke it. I have had a serious problem with synovial cyst forming and they weaken my bone so the bone gave way then the fossa snapped in half. The cyst are the same cause behind me having to have my implant taken out on the left side. I do know others who have the Concepts in. Should YOU decide to go with Dave Sampson and TMJ Concepts he will and can put you in contact with other who either have the TMJ Concepts now or DX's who have implanted the Concepts. Mediation is going to have the TMJ Concepts put in October at Shands in Gainesville by the smae Oral Surgeon who treats me and who put my implants in. Right now, I have excellant function and I can move side to side even without my left side, I have gained 11 pounds so I am NOT having a problem eating!!!! If and when it ever comes to a point that I HAVE to have my left side put back in I would do it. FOR ME having my pain reduced to almost nothing was worth all the pain from the surgery so MY decision would be to do it all over again but ONLY if I had to. I still have days when I feel pain and enough pain that I stay in bed. But for me what I have to deal with now vs. what I had to deal with two+ years ago...I take the now. The implants DID NOT make me 100% pain free and I can not eat anything but I have VERY happy with the results I got from the surgery. To ME my life is now dealable and I can make it liveable with what I got.
Take care!
Shirlett

Michelle W · 09-17-2005, 12:34 PM

Again I apologize for not responding earlier. I did a search on Concepts last night and found your post in the archieve.

Wow, I am so sorry to hear of your problem with synovial cyst. Do they have any idea what is causing them? Is it a result of arthritis or something of that nature? I am sorry, but I am not familar with the cause of these cysts. I am happy to hear you are doing better, but very sorry about the left joint breaking.

Right now I am very tired of being on medication. It causes me great fatigue, weight gain, great expense and of course pain despite medication. I can make it on the pain medication, but it seems like no way to live a happy life.

I have recently found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis; plus I clench and grind my teeth at night. Do you have any problem with clenching and grinding? I am wondering how the Concepts handles that type of abuse. I am afraid I might damage it. It worries me greatly. I talked with Dr. Wolford about that he told me I would have to wear a splint at night, which I already wear, and take Klonipin at bedtime to decrease my bruxism. Next time I see my doctor I am going to ask to be put on it.

Do you know if Meditation will be posting on Healthboards about her experience? I would love to know how her experience and recovery go for her. I realize that everyone's experience is different, but it might give me some idea of what to expect. I wish her the very best in her treatment and recovery.

Thank you for the information. Is Dave Sampson a contact person at TMJ Concepts?

Take care,
Michelle

Shirlett · 09-19-2005, 07:30 PM

Hey Michelle,

Yeah, Dave owns the company and he and Everyone over at TMJ Concepts are just wonderful. When I had my left TMJ Concept removed Eric came from TMJ Concepts and went in the OR with me and watched Dr. Dolwick remove my implant. At the time it was not known that I would have to loose my left implant they really thought they were just going in and maybe replacing my left Fossa again. I am still grinding and just had a conversation with Eric a few hours ago about if any what damamge I could be causing my right side implant. So it looks like I will be going back to wearig a splint at night. No cause for the synovial cyst. I have been to see a research DX that specialized in synovial cyst and he was just blown away that I have had so many in my jaw joint area and that they continue to return. From what I have been able to read and learn on my own it is very rare that they continue to return and mine grow so fast that they put too much pressure on the already weak bone form the TMJ so the bone just breaks and dissappears. I can relate to the issues you are living with due to the pain. I lost three years of my life and I really can not tell you one small or big thing that happened in any of those years. They are a fog. Until I was detoxed off all the pain medication in March I too slept so much. Some days 17 hours out of 24. Now, I sleep nine hours a night and that is all I need. I no longer have to take naps during the day. I will say I was sick last week and had the flu and not being able to get out of bed brought on some type of panic or fear that my TMJ was taking over again since all I wanted to do was sleep to escape feling so horrid. Just hang in there and KNOW that you are no alone.
Shirlett