Guest guest Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 , Never ever give up on trying to find a way to be pain free. We have to have hope. At times when my pain is severe it is like a vice on my head just squeezing.......hate that. Also besides the other pain get ear flare ups. Every sound hurts and it is like a wind storm blowing threw my left ear. I am in it also for about two years. Started with headaches summer of 2001 buy the winter they were horrific. My implant surgery 2002 then the car accid. For the first year and 1/2 I used darvocet and percocet for post op. I have used all sorts also. Cant take vicodan just makes me sick. I am currently using percocet. Doc said if bad pain I can take 2 every four hours. A few times I have taken 1 1/2 at a time, but try not to. I don't want to get used to them and have to go stronger either. For now I would suggest eating soft things. Use the ice too. I have been on all sorts of medications. Neurontin, topomax, valium, Tylenol 60 (cant take), ultracet (cant take), vicodan (cant take) and more. Thats just a few. Hope you don't need another surgery. Maybe things will resolve themselves. Maybe you need a good muscle relaxer medication. I have tried zanaflex but I cant take that one. Gave me new rx a week ago for soma but I havent tried it yet. Good luck, Bella Re: no condyle Hello Bella and company, This might sound really weird, but reading your posts has made me feel a little better about my own situation. You know what they say about misery loving company. I'm 26 and had upper and lower surgery in March. Prior to that, I've had and arthrocentesis and an arthroscopy on my left TMJ. My disc has a mind of its own and has come to rest in a forward position and seems to enjoy being adhered to the upper part of the joint. Before surgery, I had a lot of pain from constant muscle tension. After surgery, the muscles are A LOT better, but I can feel the osteoarthritis much more accutely than ever before. I was put out for a second arthrocentesis seven weeks after my jaw surgery. It helped with the intense pain (like someone was sticking a pencil into my head just in front of my ear), and I've been taking Vioxx ever since, but the pain is still there. I feel like I have a weather vein built into the left side of my head. My right joint, which never had problems before orthognathic surgery, now aches when I wake up in the morning. I've been to so many different doctors, and it hasn't ended yet. On Tuesday, I'm going to see a new one - one who specializes in physical medicine. I've been on and off various narcotic painkillers for over two years now, and my body has developed quite a tolerance for them. On really bad days, I just wish I could just curl up in a ball with ice on my head and vicodin that actually works for me in my system. Mind you, I don't like taking heavy painkillers, but I hate it even worse when it hurts to talk or move my head. I'm positive that I need at least another arthroscopy, but everyone is being so cautious with me being only four months post op. It is all so frustrating. I just pray that a point will come in my life where the pain is minimal. I've given up on being pain free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 , Never ever give up on trying to find a way to be pain free. We have to have hope. At times when my pain is severe it is like a vice on my head just squeezing.......hate that. Also besides the other pain get ear flare ups. Every sound hurts and it is like a wind storm blowing threw my left ear. I am in it also for about two years. Started with headaches summer of 2001 buy the winter they were horrific. My implant surgery 2002 then the car accid. For the first year and 1/2 I used darvocet and percocet for post op. I have used all sorts also. Cant take vicodan just makes me sick. I am currently using percocet. Doc said if bad pain I can take 2 every four hours. A few times I have taken 1 1/2 at a time, but try not to. I don't want to get used to them and have to go stronger either. For now I would suggest eating soft things. Use the ice too. I have been on all sorts of medications. Neurontin, topomax, valium, Tylenol 60 (cant take), ultracet (cant take), vicodan (cant take) and more. Thats just a few. Hope you don't need another surgery. Maybe things will resolve themselves. Maybe you need a good muscle relaxer medication. I have tried zanaflex but I cant take that one. Gave me new rx a week ago for soma but I havent tried it yet. Good luck, Bella Re: no condyle Hello Bella and company, This might sound really weird, but reading your posts has made me feel a little better about my own situation. You know what they say about misery loving company. I'm 26 and had upper and lower surgery in March. Prior to that, I've had and arthrocentesis and an arthroscopy on my left TMJ. My disc has a mind of its own and has come to rest in a forward position and seems to enjoy being adhered to the upper part of the joint. Before surgery, I had a lot of pain from constant muscle tension. After surgery, the muscles are A LOT better, but I can feel the osteoarthritis much more accutely than ever before. I was put out for a second arthrocentesis seven weeks after my jaw surgery. It helped with the intense pain (like someone was sticking a pencil into my head just in front of my ear), and I've been taking Vioxx ever since, but the pain is still there. I feel like I have a weather vein built into the left side of my head. My right joint, which never had problems before orthognathic surgery, now aches when I wake up in the morning. I've been to so many different doctors, and it hasn't ended yet. On Tuesday, I'm going to see a new one - one who specializes in physical medicine. I've been on and off various narcotic painkillers for over two years now, and my body has developed quite a tolerance for them. On really bad days, I just wish I could just curl up in a ball with ice on my head and vicodin that actually works for me in my system. Mind you, I don't like taking heavy painkillers, but I hate it even worse when it hurts to talk or move my head. I'm positive that I need at least another arthroscopy, but everyone is being so cautious with me being only four months post op. It is all so frustrating. I just pray that a point will come in my life where the pain is minimal. I've given up on being pain free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 Carol, Will you be going to the same doctor LIJ? Have you heard of a Dr. Cardo? You sound like you have such a good attitude. Good to hear that. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I've just had the one on my upper palate about two weeks ago. I'm planning for another one on my lower jaw in about 18 months. I'm hanging in there. Thanks! You do the same! Carol > Carol, > I am in Nassau County. My OS, yes Oral Surgeon is five minutes from my home. He is on staff with St. 's, Catholic medical center hospitals, Immaculate, lin Hospital, Mercy Med Center. He runs two residency programs and teaches Christensen Implants. He is 30 yrs skilled. I had my surgery at Immaculate in Brooklyn. Not thrilled with the location but he is Chief of Oral Surgery there. > > LIJ is 15 min from me. I went there for a third neurologist evaluation. Have some neuralgia from the car accident. I go to Pro Health for pain management. > > How many surgeries have you had. I hope you are doing great. > Bellahave been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 Carol, Will you be going to the same doctor LIJ? Have you heard of a Dr. Cardo? You sound like you have such a good attitude. Good to hear that. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I've just had the one on my upper palate about two weeks ago. I'm planning for another one on my lower jaw in about 18 months. I'm hanging in there. Thanks! You do the same! Carol > Carol, > I am in Nassau County. My OS, yes Oral Surgeon is five minutes from my home. He is on staff with St. 's, Catholic medical center hospitals, Immaculate, lin Hospital, Mercy Med Center. He runs two residency programs and teaches Christensen Implants. He is 30 yrs skilled. I had my surgery at Immaculate in Brooklyn. Not thrilled with the location but he is Chief of Oral Surgery there. > > LIJ is 15 min from me. I went there for a third neurologist evaluation. Have some neuralgia from the car accident. I go to Pro Health for pain management. > > How many surgeries have you had. I hope you are doing great. > Bellahave been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2003 Report Share Posted July 15, 2003 Carol, Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, Yes, the Surgeon that did my first surgery will be performing my second - also out of LIJ. I was so pleased with the staff there. Everyone from the receptionist to the nurses to the anesthesiologist to the recovery area staff. The comforting atmosphere will certainly make the location for my second surgery simple. Nope, I've never heard of Ddr. Cardo. Is he an OS? Just trying to keep positive ... Hoping all is well in your world, Carol > Carol, > Will you be going to the same doctor LIJ? Have you heard of a Dr. Cardo? > > You sound like you have such a good attitude. Good to hear that. > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2003 Report Share Posted July 15, 2003 Carol, Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, Yes, the Surgeon that did my first surgery will be performing my second - also out of LIJ. I was so pleased with the staff there. Everyone from the receptionist to the nurses to the anesthesiologist to the recovery area staff. The comforting atmosphere will certainly make the location for my second surgery simple. Nope, I've never heard of Ddr. Cardo. Is he an OS? Just trying to keep positive ... Hoping all is well in your world, Carol > Carol, > Will you be going to the same doctor LIJ? Have you heard of a Dr. Cardo? > > You sound like you have such a good attitude. Good to hear that. > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2003 Report Share Posted July 15, 2003 Carol, Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, Yes, the Surgeon that did my first surgery will be performing my second - also out of LIJ. I was so pleased with the staff there. Everyone from the receptionist to the nurses to the anesthesiologist to the recovery area staff. The comforting atmosphere will certainly make the location for my second surgery simple. Nope, I've never heard of Ddr. Cardo. Is he an OS? Just trying to keep positive ... Hoping all is well in your world, Carol > Carol, > Will you be going to the same doctor LIJ? Have you heard of a Dr. Cardo? > > You sound like you have such a good attitude. Good to hear that. > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 Bella, N'kay. Yup ... me too! Carol > > Carol, > Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. > > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 Bella, N'kay. Yup ... me too! Carol > > Carol, > Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. > > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2003 Report Share Posted July 16, 2003 Bella, N'kay. Yup ... me too! Carol > > Carol, > Yes he is an OS. Glad to hear that LIJ was so good to you. > > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Thanks, , The new doctor, Dr. Arcedo, didn't help at all. He put me on Celebrex, which I've already tried and told me to take glucosamine sulfate, which my surgeon said probably wouldn't help. He's also prescribed physical therapy, which I'm terrified of. I know that the more I use my joint, the worse it's likely to feel, but he wouldn't listen to me when I told him this. When I last saw my surgeon, Dr. , at the end of May, I was 2 1/2 months post-op and was wearing my post surgical elastics. He said that scar tissue could have built up since my last arthroscopy and/or that the disc might be perforated (sp?). The feeling I got was that he wouldn't do anything with my braces still on because he thought the pressure from the elastics might be causing some of the joint pain and that the tissues settling into their new positions might take care of things over time. Over the past two months, I kept hoping the pain would subside, but my joint won't bear much pressure at all, and I still have days when it aches or stabs in the joint when I talk. I'm still on a mush diet. Since the end of May, Dr. has moved to a town two hours a way. Before he left, he told me who I could contact to find out where he was if I wanted to continue to see him as my physician. From the minute I found out he was leaving, I intended to follow him because I trust him 110%. I've been a patient of his for over two years, and it just feels right to stick with the same doctor. When my family doctor had me set up the appointment with the physical medicine doctor, I called my surgeon to see what he thought about it. He expressed great concern when I told him that it sometimes hurts in my joint when I turn my head. He said that pain could be related to my spinal cord. I told Dr. Arcedo about this during my appointment this past Tuesday and he totally brushed it off. I did request that information regarding my visit be sent to Dr. so he could be kept in the loop. I'm not sure if I should call him or just give it more time. I don't think he has my contact information if he feels he should address something about the visit, unless he pirated it when he left the clinic. I have had an MRI. It was before my arthroscopy over two years ago. That was how Dr. knew he needed to start with the arthroscopic surgery instead of the arthrocentesis. After surgery, he deduced where my disc was via talking with me and a physical examination. I don't think an MRI would do much good now since the surgeon knows where the disc is. Of course, if Dr. wanted me to have another one, I would. I can't say the same for Dr. Arcedo. Guess I'm still up a creek without a paddle. Thanks for your message and sorry for the book here. I'm just so frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Thanks, , The new doctor, Dr. Arcedo, didn't help at all. He put me on Celebrex, which I've already tried and told me to take glucosamine sulfate, which my surgeon said probably wouldn't help. He's also prescribed physical therapy, which I'm terrified of. I know that the more I use my joint, the worse it's likely to feel, but he wouldn't listen to me when I told him this. When I last saw my surgeon, Dr. , at the end of May, I was 2 1/2 months post-op and was wearing my post surgical elastics. He said that scar tissue could have built up since my last arthroscopy and/or that the disc might be perforated (sp?). The feeling I got was that he wouldn't do anything with my braces still on because he thought the pressure from the elastics might be causing some of the joint pain and that the tissues settling into their new positions might take care of things over time. Over the past two months, I kept hoping the pain would subside, but my joint won't bear much pressure at all, and I still have days when it aches or stabs in the joint when I talk. I'm still on a mush diet. Since the end of May, Dr. has moved to a town two hours a way. Before he left, he told me who I could contact to find out where he was if I wanted to continue to see him as my physician. From the minute I found out he was leaving, I intended to follow him because I trust him 110%. I've been a patient of his for over two years, and it just feels right to stick with the same doctor. When my family doctor had me set up the appointment with the physical medicine doctor, I called my surgeon to see what he thought about it. He expressed great concern when I told him that it sometimes hurts in my joint when I turn my head. He said that pain could be related to my spinal cord. I told Dr. Arcedo about this during my appointment this past Tuesday and he totally brushed it off. I did request that information regarding my visit be sent to Dr. so he could be kept in the loop. I'm not sure if I should call him or just give it more time. I don't think he has my contact information if he feels he should address something about the visit, unless he pirated it when he left the clinic. I have had an MRI. It was before my arthroscopy over two years ago. That was how Dr. knew he needed to start with the arthroscopic surgery instead of the arthrocentesis. After surgery, he deduced where my disc was via talking with me and a physical examination. I don't think an MRI would do much good now since the surgeon knows where the disc is. Of course, if Dr. wanted me to have another one, I would. I can't say the same for Dr. Arcedo. Guess I'm still up a creek without a paddle. Thanks for your message and sorry for the book here. I'm just so frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.