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Hello everyone, I thought I'd take the time to introduce myself on the new message board.
I'm suffering from TMJ problems which are likely the result of a bicycling accident I had back in '98. I was practicing for a bike race and moving at a decent pace when the road caught my front wheel and sent me chin first into the pavement. I broke my jaw just below the joint on each side and also behind the chin.
Titanium pins were installed to keep the chin together and I had my jaw wired for nearly three months. I had braces afterwards to correct the bite pattern and to deal with overcrowding of the teeth that I had previously. Things were fine for several years after the braces came off. I had occasional clicking and popping, but no pain.
Two summers ago, I started having problems with dizziness and vertigo. No one then connected the dots and came up with TMJ as a possible cause, but I think it's rather likely that these were the initial symptoms. Last summer I started noticing increasing pain in my jaw and sought treatment.
I had an MRI which showed post-traumatic deformity of the condyles, osteoarthritis of the joints, and bilaterlly displaced menisci.
I am seeing an oral & maxillofacial surgeon (OFMS) who had a splint made that fits my lower rear teeth. This alleviated the pain for a short time, but it doesn't seem particularly effective now. He also started me on a soft food diet.
I'm seeing a doctor at a pain center who made an upper splint that covers all the upper teeth for use at night. It's meant to pull my jaw somewhat forward and align the bite pattern. I use this along with muscle relaxants, with the hope of getting some sleep each night. He also built up my lower splint to lower my jaw in the hopes of relieving pressure on the joints.
The OMFS is suggesting total bilateral joint replacement. I'm waiting on a second surgical consult which is scheduled late next month. If the second doctor agrees, my OMFS will submit the request to my insurer.
While I'm waiting on that, the pain center doctor has me seeing a physical therapist. Hopefully, that will relieve some of the pain. So far I've had an initial consultation. I'm also scheduled to see a nutritionist, and a neurologist.
I work full time as a software engineer. I'm finding it challenging to balance work and pain, and find time for all the doctor appointments. Everyday is a struggle, and I feel like life is on hold until we can schedule surgery.
Posts: 45 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 02-20-2007
Hiya Alex, Glad to hear you're hanging in there!! Hopefully you'll find some relief from PT, but know that it may be hard with some of the exercises at first....dont push it! Here's to hoping the docs can come to an agreement about you, and here's to hoping they can fix you without surgery. Still keeping my fingers crossed for ya! Take Care,
Chrissy
Sharepost: Chrissy, living with it!
Posts: 36 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: 02-16-2007
I had stretching exercises that one doctor recommended, they were difficult at first. Oddly enough, the therapist measured my opening ability at 4cm. No problem there. The shocking thing is that she could hear the joints grinding while I did it.
I'm in it more for pain relief than anything, although I agree it's worth trying before agreeing to surgery.
Hi. I just want to say that it's in your best interest to put off total replacement as long as you can - once they take out your original parts (even though they may be compromised) they cannot put them back. I have read so much in my research of people having rejection problems, the prosthesis breaking, etc...My surgeon also suggested total joint replacement to me, yet he did agree that I should wait until I am at a point where I just cannot stand it another minute - I'm praying I do not get to that point. Please check all alternative therapies and supplements before submitting to such a serious surgery. Best of luck. Lisa
I really can't put anything off much longer. If it weren't for physical therapy, I doubt I'd be able to work right now. It was really bad before I started with PT, I had to take a couple weeks off just to try and cope.
I am trying everything else that the various doctors I see can think of. So far, nothing has had a lasting effect. The second group of doctors I'm seeing were against surgery when I first saw them, but I think even they are beginning to change their minds. They ordered a CT which I'll be having later this week.
I have the second surgical consult Wednesday, and if she agrees with my current surgeon, he's going to put through the paperwork with my insurer. I'm not 100% set on it, but I can't hold out forever. If I run out of PT sessions through my insurance, I'll be in a world of hurt worse than I am now.
I'm not keen on having parts of my skeleton removed, but I can't live like this either. It's a bad choice and a bad choice. At least one of them has some hope attached to it.
Anyway, I'm hoping the CT will shed some light on things. And who knows, the second surgeon might have some other helpful ideas.
The physical therapist used iontonophoresis this evening, hoping it will have more of an effect than the ultrasound therapy. What an odd experience that is, it's like a pair of bees stinging me in both sides of the face for 15 minutes. Gah.
