Dr Klemons or not? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

lamalolo · 01-14-2009, 07:25 PM

Hi everyone

Thank you for all the help in this forum.

I have had a bad headache for about two months now. The headaches are very strong and most of the time I cannot work or do anything. Advil, Tylenol, and other otc medications don't help, neither does naproxen.

I had a cat scan, an MRI, all the blood tests and everything seemed to be normal ( a little high blood pressure that I am now taking care of, but that does not improve my headache).

I found Dr. Klemons online. He is very well advertised, has a great website and a million testimonials in it.

I went to his office to get diagnosed and he said I need an orthopedic appliance as well as ultrasound and electric therapy to increase blood flow to my head.

His treatment is very expensive, over $6000 and when I was at the office I already paid about $1200, about $600 for the evaluation, $150 for the treatment and $450 for the first payment for the appliance.

I was convinced since everyone at the office seemed very professional and since the doctor said he could get rid of my headaches. They also have a huge book with testimonials and they also have many on their websites, and an advertised success rate of 90% . And the Dr. lectures all over about headaches.

However, I am trying to find some REAL testimonials about him, which are not part of his advertising campaign, and I found nothing positive.

I saw two people in this forum who went to him and months after still suffered horribly, even worse. Their posts are from 2004-2006.

Have you had an experience with Dr. Klemons or do you know someone who did? I live about 30 minutes from his office in South Jersey, but I am willing to travel further, if you have a recommendation for someone else.

I originally was just trying to convince myself I am doing the right thing going to him, but now I am not sure what my objective is... besides curing my headache.

There is one recommendation for him on this forum, but that member has never posted any other message, and it seems fake. Just the fact that they would bother hiring someone to post fake messages really bothers me...

Thank you so much for reading my post and I really hope to hear any response soon!

Please feel free to private message me if you prefer, I just read the post about libelous statements and would not like anyone to get in trouble. (I hope I am not in trouble...)

lamalolo

StillHope · 01-14-2009, 07:45 PM

Hi lamalolo,
Your ct scan and MRI were for the TMJ or for the head? I mean were you told that your tmj is normal?
I went to Dr. Klemons and yes, this was about the plan and the fees they had for me and they wanted me to commit to all these charges beforehand. Since I needed also a dental work and they don't do it I left. They advertise very strongly that's for sure and I didn't like it.

How do you know that your headaches are from tmj? Where are your headaches and what kind? Any other tmj symptoms?
What does your dentist say about your bite? Did you have any dental work done around the time that the headaches started?

I'd suggest you try to figure out more about the cause first. I wouldn't rely on "experts" too much. They can hardly help even if the cause is very clear and is even clear what is wrong with the teeth/bite itself. It's not that easy!

lamalolo · 01-14-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StillHope

Hi lamalolo,
Your ct scan and MRI were for the TMJ or for the head? I mean were you told that your tmj is normal?
I went to Dr. Klemons and yes, this was about the plan and the fees they had for me and they wanted me to commit to all these charges beforehand. Since I needed also a dental work and they don't do it I left. They advertise very strongly that's for sure and I didn't like it.

How do you know that your headaches are from tmj? Where are your headaches and what kind? Any other tmj symptoms?
What does your dentist say about your bite? Did you have any dental work done around the time that the headaches started?

I'd suggest you try to figure out more about the cause first. I wouldn't rely on "experts" too much. They can hardly help even if the cause is very clear and is even clear what is wrong with the teeth/bite itself. It's not that easy!

Hi StillHope

Thank you for your answer

The MRI and the CatScan were done for my head, to check if I have a tumor or something like that.

I have been to two general doctors and a neurologist. The neurologist said my brain looked fine, and the general doctors said it was probably related to my high blood pressure. However, my blood pressure is only a little bit high, like 125/79 most of the time, with the medication I have been taking. and the headache is only getting worse.

I did not have any dental work done for years. I called my dentist before I went to Dr. Klemons, he told me in the past that I grind my teeth, but he did not think it could be causing my headaches.

I did not plan to commit to the treatment, but I am in such bad pain, I just decided to go for it.

The only reason I think I have TMJ is beacuse of Dr. Klemon's choice of treatment and because I understand that is what he specializes in.

I have headaches almost all the time, and they move from one place to another in my head. not especially around the jaw, but all over, the top, the side, the back, usually one are at a time.

What do you think I should do?

Thank you so much!

lamalolo

Thelma-Louise · 01-14-2009, 08:44 PM

Don't mean to butt in here - but have you mentioned this to your GP or PCP (aka med dr) - some BP meds meds can cause the recurring headaches so maybe the dose is incorrect for you or you need to try a different one or try and lower your BP thru diet and exercise and possibly stop the BP med to see if this may be the culprit.

I am assuming your headaches started first and as a result your dr prescribed the BP med? Have you had your eyes examined recently to ensure there is no glucomoa or change in vision, etc? Do you notice if the headache is more severe any particular time of day or night - like mornings more or evenings more or after reading or working on the PC, etc.? Any changes in your bedding or mattress or pillows recently?

Also, any sinus issues or dryness? you mention this has been going on for the past couple months so I am wondering if it has to do with your home heating being too dry or not enough ventilation, etc. Do you get any relief while taking a shower or applying a warm compress to the back of your neck or top of your head or forehead?

Do you have a history of headaches or just these past couple of months?

StillHope · 01-14-2009, 08:54 PM

I used to have severe headaches for years. Now I know that the bad bite was adding for sure. On the other hand, I learned basically not to have them even though my bad bite was the same then.

I don't know about your overall fitness level, health, nutrition, age, etc. It does seem to me that your tmj is not the cause of your headaches so in your place I'd focus on other things. Sorry to say the well known facts but what we eat is what we get, is who we are!
I assume you are not smoking and drinking. The next on the list (my list

) is coffee. The next I'd say overall stress. Then eating animal fat and animal protein. Basically, headaches are the sign of body intoxication and acidity, and all animal products are highly acidic. Oh, you can do an easy test: buy/order online the PH test --you'll need to check your urine and saliva few times, it's quick and easy. If it's out of norm then this is the answer.
I can go on forever about nutrition and related things since it's something I've been interested in for few years now. I became a vegan and this is the best decision I made in my life!! It not this I'll be dead by now from my bite/tmj suffering.
Hope this helps.

Yah, if just for the headaches I'd use this enormous money Dr. Klemons wants for myself in other ways, that's for sure. I'd focus on nutrition and relaxation, as I said, not to mention the possible psychological aspect (this is how I cut my headaches in the first place).