Osteomelitysis or TMJ ?

[bjiggycarri]

My right jaw/ear/neck, etc have been hurting since I've had problems with my jaw. Either TMJ or Osteomelytis (infection in the bone). I can't seem to get the right answers either. I've been to my dentist whom I believe caused this problem, when she was cutting the roots after a root canal, I think she left a piece of the root up in there, cause  we could see it on the x-ray. She did a root canal on that side and when she put the needle into numb me it sent shocks into my face/jaw, like major shocks. Then when she did the oral surgury to cut the root ends, because I was still having pain on that tooth, she was rooting around in there for some time trying to find the little piece of root, that was showing up on the xray, she never did get it all. Now all this pain has started in my ear (tingling, itching, pain) and then my neck (headaches, shooting pain, dull burning down behind my right ear) has been real painful as well as my jaw joint (very painful, hurting right behind my ear, swollen glands, when I press on any area of the jaw there is pain, etc.) now I think this lump under my right arm is a swollen gland as well, due to infection? Anyway, I'm in severe pain daily and I can't find anyone to put a finger on where this is coming from. Now, I've got a CT scan scheduled and I hope this will shed some light on this. Anyone out there have any ideas as to what it is?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

The surgery that you seem to be describing is an apicoectomy. The symptoms that you have seem to be involved with the TMJ area. Without seeing you it becomes impossible to diagnosis the problem. I would suggest that you see an oral surgeon to rule out any chance of osteomelytis which can be a serious infection. The other consultation should be with a doctor who specializes in TMJ dysfunction.

[bjiggycarri]

thank you, I appreciate your advice.  I'm working on it, it seems this is not an easy diagnosis.  I've been to my endocrinologist, ear nose and throat dr., and an orthopedic, still no one can give me a correct diagnosis.  It's understandable that doctors can't see everything, but I really wish one of them would just take a little extra time to help me figure it out.  Any suggestions as to what I can tell them or ask them to make them understand the severety of this problem and how much it HURTS !! ?  I am getting desperate.

[sameboat]

I was in your position 2 years ago. The endodontist hit my nerve twice with the needle! I Went to everyone I could think of; endodontist, 2 additional dentists, ear,nose,throat doctor, and only got "the run around". The most anyone could say is that they believed I had TMJ. My pain got increasingly worse to the point I ended up in the emergency room and got 2 shots of demerol (which still did nothing for my pain). I got incredibly lucky!!! I was enrolled in a Kung Fu class at the time. Due to the pain I informed the Grand Master I could no longer attend classes.(My pain was worse with movement). He claimed to be trained in "Showlin Healing" (Healing Hands technique) and asked if I would consider trying this techniqe (For free). I was skeptical, but at this point I didn't know what else to do, so I gave it a try. Three sessions later, I was 95% cured! This man became my savior! The healing technique involves intense energy emited from the hands in the form of heat. It also was combined with deep tissue message involving all muscles connected to the area of pain. It was a bit painful in itself, but it worked! You may want to find a "healer" in your area. Or, contact UCLA. I was told they have a medical department dedicated to TMJ. Good Luck!