Re: at a low point

January 26, 2009

I had that experience in my early teens, but can't remember a lot of it. It

locked with my teeth about a 'soda straw' apart and of course there was no

doctor to do anything about it. I do know nothing was done for it, it just

wore off or something. I had to eat soups and other things through a straw.

Today, I still have it lock in place and am not sure where my jaws fit

together right. They wore into the place for my teeth to work, but still

'catches' sometimes. I certainly hope it gets better for you.

Dennis in eastexas

On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 4:16 PM, ldydewinter04 <ldydewinter@...>wrote:

> My jaw has been locked up since Saturday night. I have gone to the

> ER (yesterday), with little results other than a steriod pack and a

> muscle relaxer. My rheumy says call her tomorrow if it isn't any

> better. The TMJ problem has spread around my head and down my neck.

> I'd have a massage, but it hurts so much I don't want to be touched

> right now!!

>

> This is really wearing on me. I'm in a dark place right now. The

> pain is awful and a horrible case of self loathing and pity has set

> in. My husband took off from work to take care of me and I had to

> cancel appointments to go see a neurologist. She is willing to give

> me botox, but it will take 30 days to run through insurance--if they

> approve. I'm on arava and a steriod pack, with some muscle relaxers

> that don't really seem to work and some lortab that also don't seem

> to work. In this area (tennessee) all doctors are very hesistant to

> prescribe any sort of narcotic. Apparently this region is in the top

> five for prescription drug abuse and OTC abuse. I had to fill out

> paperwork to buy nose spray this weekend!

>

> Someone please tell me you've gone through this and it gets better,

> because like I said...I'm really bottoming out right now.

>

> .

>

January 26, 2009

Give the steroids a chance to kick in . I'm currently in the same spot as

you, and while it took a couple of weeks, my jaw is about 50% better with the

steroids. I can't open my mouth for any " tall " foods, so I'm just eating soft

things and liquids. I also have to eat smaller amounts at a time because by

eating I aggravate my jaw. Even though I don't have full range of motion, the

constant, excruciating pain has died down to something more manageable.

I think that jaw pain is one of the worst because you can't get away from it. I

have problems with my stomach, so pain medications and narcotics aren't for me

because I can't tolerate them. The only thing I can tolerate is the standard

OTC dose of Tylenol.

Just hang in there. Once that steroid pack kicks in, you'll feel better. And

muscle relaxers take time to work as well. I know it's easier said than done,

but don't get too down. I always try to focus on the positive in my life

because that gives me courage to deal with the pain.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

January 26, 2009

I haven't had your experience but I have had some really horrible pain that

seemed to go forever since I was diagnosed with RA. I am very familiar with the

dark place. You can't focus on anything and it's really easy to be distracted by

anything and then you're right back in that place. Try to put good stuff in your

head, stuff that you like whether that be music, television, or movies. Whatever

it is that you like and you know brings you up. I know it's stupid but reaching

for those positive happy thoughts just above you really does work. Thoughts

about the people you love, the good things you have accomplished, and all of the

good things you still need to do. Now is not the time to worry about the

insurance company or paperwork or any of that, you've done what you can do so

whatever is going to happen will happen and all of the energy you put there is

not going to change it one little bit. The " place " wants to fill your head with

with a lot of bad stuff that's not going to happen

, so why dwell on it. You know what I mean? If you have something to take to

help you sleep now is the time to use it. Getting enough rest is vital, and

sleep is the one distraction that does allow your mind to get over that mental

fatigue you're forced to deal with from the constant pain. Almost any

distraction from what you are going through has its benefits, even if it's only

for twenty or thirty minutes. There are times when I've come to think, during

really bad episodes, that sleep is the perfect state of being, you're alive but

unconscious! But it does give your mind what it needs to continue, and fight the

battle. I've come to realize, with my most severe episodes, that there are

people I love and who love me, and they are the ones depending on me to make it

through, not to give up, because they need me as much as I need them. Family,

children, husband, wives, and friends, essentially they are the reason we have

to do it, and will do it. We're not going to let them down no m

atter what it takes. And that's the place where you find the strength and

resolve to make it through anything, it can't be beaten or broken down. Of

course, we're all here in this Group to offer our experience and support. I've

found just knowing that has it's benefits. Those are my thoughts, hope it offer

some help.

Stan,

Seattle, Clear but cold, but clear is nice for a change.

---- Original message --------------

From: " ldydewinter04 " <ldydewinter@...>

My jaw has been locked up since Saturday night. I have gone to the

ER (yesterday), with little results other than a steriod pack and a

muscle relaxer. My rheumy says call her tomorrow if it isn't any

better. The TMJ problem has spread around my head and down my neck.

I'd have a massage, but it hurts so much I don't want to be touched

right now!!

This is really wearing on me. I'm in a dark place right now. The

pain is awful and a horrible case of self loathing and pity has set

in. My husband took off from work to take care of me and I had to

cancel appointments to go see a neurologist. She is willing to give

me botox, but it will take 30 days to run through insurance--if they

approve. I'm on arava and a steriod pack, with some muscle relaxers

that don't really seem to work and some lortab that also don't seem

to work. In this area (tennessee) all doctors are very hesistant to

prescribe any sort of narcotic. Apparently this region is in the top

five for prescription drug abuse and OTC abuse. I had to fill out

paperwork to buy nose spray this weekend!

Someone please tell me you've gone through this and it gets better,

because like I said...I'm really bottoming out right now.

January 26, 2009

.

I'm so sorry. I hope you will call your rheumatologist tomorrow so

that you can get some relief.

Thinking of you,

Not an MD

On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 4:16 PM, ldydewinter04 <ldydewinter@...> wrote: