Need to find an Oral Surgeon in New Mexico - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

SerenaNaomi · 11-27-2005, 06:24 AM

Hi does any one now of a good oral surgeon in New Mexico? I've called so many and none of them deal with tmj. It seems like no one hear wants to deal wiht tmj. I've had chronic tmj for the past 5 years. I had an arthroscopy, trigger point, injections, physical therapy, botox injections, a splint, a therabite, and muscle relaxants. Nothing has relieved my chronic pain. My muscles in my face and neck are just so tight and really spasm alot. My jaw locks and my joints hurt so bad. I always get really bad headaches. The doc I went to said it wouldn't be possible to do Total joint replacement because of the whole issue of muscle spasms and muscle swelling. He sent me to three neurologists and none them knew what caused the muscle spasms. I went to a rheumatalogist and he told me that I have fibromyalgia in addition to the tmj. He just told me fibromyalgia is hard to manage but he didn't tell me how to manage it. The os I was going to wasn't really doing anything for me and toward the end he was being a real jerk with me and didn't care how much pain I was in. Please does anyone know of a good OS in New Mexico or at least someone who can treat tmj and fibromyalgia?

laskalady · 11-27-2005, 12:18 PM

Hi,

I'm new to tmj, but right away I got those same reactions when I looked for help. The people on this board will be your best help when dealing with this problem. I've been to 5 doctors so far...3 of which were total jerks and just wanted my money. The oral surgeon my hmo sent me to was the pits!! Tmjd has to be managed well, and many doctors don't have your well-being in mind at all! They treat you like your a case, not a person. Ive been searching lots of places...and on one website I found a doctor who gives a list of doctors all throughout the U.S. who are supposedly specialized to treat tmjd and are very trained in it. The only doctor who comes up for New Mexico on this list is Dr. Daniel E. Clifford, DDS in Albuquerque. I cant give websites on here, but if you look up this guy.. make sure you call his office up, and ask questions perhaps..he can help you out. In January I'm making an appt for a doc I found on this website. Unfortunately your expenses might be out of pocket, but if he knows what hes doing its worth a shot.. Let me know how it went.

raylp · 11-27-2005, 09:19 PM

I've been researching a topic related to your condition, that of the possibility that TMJ, fibromyalgia, etc, are caused by microbioloical pathogens. There are many who are studying this. For more indo, if you haven't already, check out the Lyme topic that I have been writing.

I also want to say that if you have a muscular condition, then I'm not sure if a surgeon will be able to really address that except through some invasive procedure. I'd recommend checking out the biological/chemical side of it as well.

SerenaNaomi · 11-28-2005, 07:04 PM

Hi laskalady and ralyp

Thanks for the insight from both of you. Laskalady I've already been to the Dr. you mentioned was very nice but couldn't treat my tmj and he reffered my to an oral surgeon. Yeah ralyp the Oral Surgeon said I would need total joint replacement because I had advanced tmj disease. I have tmj arthritis. My mouth opening is only 10 mm. Hey ralyp I read some where that tmj and fibromyalgia are conditions that often coincide with one another. Laskalady I hope you find a good doc that just doesn't take your money and treats you like a person. I know I been to so many docs and they do just take your money.

laskalady · 11-28-2005, 09:35 PM

Wow, I"m bummed that doc couldnt help you. HMMmmm well I'm gonna say definitely get a second opinion from another oral surgeon..I've heard things like any surgery or tjr should be the VERY last resort. If you dont mind me asking, have you tried anything like acupuncture?