Pain management for chronic and severe TMJ disorder.

[tmjpain25]

I am awaiting surgery on both sides of my TMJ. I have been on bedrest for 4 months. My surgery is scheduled for December. I have been taking hydrocdone 10mg 3-4 times per day as well as 800mg advil. I have recently been prescribed percocet 5mg every 6 hours. This is the only medicine that actually dulls my pain. My condition is chronic and can only be helped with extensive surgery. I have seen numerous specialists in town and out of town. I have tried non surgical treatments for over a year with no results. I have had a bite gaurd (made my the facial pain specialist) for over 8 years. My MRI in June showed that I only had a small sliver of tissue left in my joint space and the doctors said that once I wore through that, it would become much more painful. I now feel like a hammer is driving a nail into my jaw over and over around the clock. I want to have another MRI done asap. I think I have a hairline fracture or something. It feels like bone grinding on bone. I have dealt with this pain for a very long time, but it is so much more intense now and different. It is much sharper and severe. Anyone else had this happen? I have been to the ER several times in the past 6 months and they say that my pain levels "should be thru the roof" and so on. I have been told that my case is so severe that it could fracture at any time. I think it is finally fractured. I am dying here. The percocet dulls it slightly, but the pain gets worse each day. I am also on alprazolam to sleep at night. I can't even sleep with the meds. I am going to call my doctor first thing in the morning to get in right away and get another MRI and another prescription. I know he will not want me to take the strong pain meds for a long period of time, but they are the only thing that works for this level of pain. I do not abuse them and I take them only as instructed. The prescription should have lasted me 11 days, but I actually made it stretch out longer. I am worried that he will think badly of me if I call on Monday to request another rx. I have to have my husband get them for me because I don't drive. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. I cannot take the pain any longer. I just don't want my doctor to think I am a bad person for needing additional meds. I am hurting so bad and want to talk to others who are in the same boat.

[dlngwpain]

Your story sounds like a mirror of my life. I was wondering if you were successful in getting the surgery and if it has helped at all? I am 36 and have had TMJD since I was 19. I am now on oxycodone for pain. 10mg 4 or 5 times a day.

[RNtriageprofessional]

This is not the nurses decision, it is the doctors decision.  Going to their office and demaning records may get one kicked out of a clinic and not allowed to return.

[RNtriageprofessional]

I have been a Registered Nurse for over 10 years and this sounds like a situation where some breach in agreement regarding quantity of narcotic pain relievers that were being taken in 24 hours or if medications were received during an ER visit as well as from the pcp.  Many different scenarios.  Doctor's are well aware that they can not abandon a patient unless there is just cause-ei missed specialist appointments.  If a doctor prescribes 30 narcotic pain relievers or 60, the expectation is that these last 30 days.  TMJ pain relief comes in many forms, biofeedback, ice, rest, soft food diet, anti anxiety at bedtime, ect.  Narcotics are usually not prescribed.

[Javid786]

I am also sailing in the same boat of TMJ pain.I had my all the third molars impacted which i later got extracted.It was a sort of surgical extractions.After sometime what i felt was pain in my whole jaw as if my jaw was tired due to lot of mastication.I consulted the doctor who advised me to take some analgisic (myofree).I took it for a long time but the pain i was having got aggravated day by day.Now months have paased i have gone through arthrosynthesis twice and injection hyalgon five times but the aggony of pain is still with me.Please help me out if somebody has some clue.....


Thanks.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Notfeelinghot & Safetycat

Please begin your own posts. This thread is several three years old and originated by someone else.

You'll obtain better responses if you do so... which is more desirable

Thanks,
~Tuck.

[safetycat]

I am worried that my own TMJ is progressivly getting worse as well. I have ground my teeth since I hit puberty. My jaw would click and periodically "lock up" unexpectedly. I was told at the age of 19 that I needed a mouth guard but the image of me with a ugly blue wrestling mouth piece entered my mind and I said "no way!!". I couldn't afford it anyways being a single mother of a new born and no insurance. I discovered that the difficult things to chew such as corn nuts, jerkey, and granoloa triggered the "lock up". Sometimes it would lock up for a few minutes and eventually a few hours. Once I got into my 40's, my grinding has caused "severe erosion" of my teeth (which are amazingly strong considering the abuse!) and that I need a mouth guard. I got the guard and wore it nightly. After a week or two my jaw locked up permanently from "chewing" on the guard all night every night. The pain comes and goes but I am afraid that soon it will result in the same problem as you have.

[notfeelinhot]

tmjpain25, I have never heard of tmj ever being that bad for somebody, I had no idea that people had it worse then i do... I am 16 years old and have suffered from daily migraines and headaches for almost ten years. I have honestly forgotten what it feels like to feel good. I've had this migraine for two weeks and no medication has helped at all. I've always gone through this though, but their getting worse. I've been to the neurologist before, and they have prescribed me many different preventatives which only made me high and never helped at all. They also gave me MaxAlt for when I get a migraine, I am only supposed to take it twice a week so i dont get immune to it... but i get a migraine more then twice a week so I take it as needed... I also take excedrine tension almost everyday though too. My mom yells at me for taking to many pills, but all I want is to feel better... I want to feel good. She always says she is sick of me complaining, but she never realizes how sick I must be of getting a throbing migraine everyday.When I went to the neuro doc. they diagnosed me with tmj and then I had to get a mouth guard from the dentist which didnt help at all. They said my tmj was really bad. It gives me a constant headache, constant jaw pain, constant neck pain, and my lymphnodes are insanely swollen all the time, I also have a bump on the back of my head that really hurts too, and my jaw constantly is locked and pops whenever I talk or eat. I wish I knew what could help me because this is no way to live. It's so frustrating to hear people say they have never gotten a headache, because I cant even remember the last time I did'nt have a throbing one. The people who have really bad tmj, I give us all serious props because we deal with it, and we do those daily tasks feeling like crap! When if others woke up one day feeling like we do everyday, they probably would'nt even get out of bed.

[cornishrex13]

THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING  AND BAD FOR US AS PATIENTS. . IT IS WHAT WE CALL IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AMONG NURSES THE PASS THE BUCK SYNDROME. DRS. WANT TO ONLY WORK WITHIN THERE SPECIALTY. BUT FOR MOST OF US THAT SYNDROME OF THEIRS DOESN'T WORK VERY WELL . THE FAMILY DR. DID MAKE A DEAL TO MANAGE YOUR PAIN MEDS. TILL YOU COULD HAVE YOUR SURGERY, THEY JUST WERE NOT EXPECTING FOR THAT SURGERY TO BE MOVED BACK 2-3 MONTHS. BECAUSE YOU SEE NO ONE WILL ASK  WHY DID THE SURGERY TAKE SO LONG,ONLY WHY DID THE PATIENT HAVE THOSE KIND OF PAIN MEDS THAT LONG. AND YOUR FAMILY DR DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A POSSIBLE ADDICTION. REMEMBER NOT ALL ADDICTED PEOPLE GET THAT WAY FROM RECREATIONAL ABUSE BUT GET STARTED FROM REAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS LIKE YOURSELF. BUT MOST FAMILY DRS. CAN CALL IN FAVORS WITH A SPECIALIST. THEY CAN MAKE A DR. TO DR. PHONE CALL. I KNOW PEOPLE THINK THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME BUT IT DOESN'T IT IS USUALLY A MEDICAL ASSISTANT CALLING FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPT. TELL THE FAMILY DR TO PLEASE MAKE A DR. TO DR. CALL AND EXPLAIN WHY THE APPT AND SURGERY NEED TO BE MOVED UP. THEN SEE THE PAIN CLINIC DR. AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND TAKE A NOTE FROM YOUR FAMILY DR. TO THAT APPT . SHOWING THE ORIGONAL DATE OF SERGURY WHEN THEY STARTED YOUR PAIN MEDS. WITH THE TESTS SHOWING HOW BAD  YOUR PROBLEM   IS AND THE INFOR MATION OF THE NEED TO CHANGE  THE SURGEON AND NEW SURGERY DATE AND THE REQUEST THAT THE PAIN CLINIC FOLLOW THE PAIN MEDS TILL YOUR SURGERY. THAT IS THE LEAST THEY CAN DO. DON'T EXPECT THE PAIN CLINIC DR. TO BELIEVE YOU ABOUT BEING SENT TO ANOTHER DR. AND THE SURGERY BEING PUSHED BACK HE MIGHT THINK-BLA-BLA-BLA. REMEMBER PAIN CLINIC DRS. HAVE HEARD IT ALL. EVEN PEOPLE LOOKING LIKE BANK EXSECUTIVES  CAN BE GREAT LIERS  TO GET MORE PAIN KILLERS,BUT IF YOU HAVE A LETTER TELLING THE FACTS OF THE HEALTH PROBLEM AND ALL OF THE ABOVE AND ASK THAT THEY LEAVE THE ADDICT PART OUT. TELL THEM YOU DON'T WANT THOSE TYPE OF IMPLICATIONS ON YOUR PERMANENT MEDICAL RECORD THAT COULD CAUSE YOU PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD ALL BECAUSE A SURGERY HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED  THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN. YOU DO HAVE RIGHTS AND I AM  SURE IF YOU WERE USEING YOUR MEDS AS PRESCRIBED  YOU CAN GET THAT PART AMENDED OUT OF YOUR CHART.SINCE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PAIN ANYWAY.  IF THE PAIN CLINIC DR HAS ALL THE INFO. I AM SURE HE WILL BE WILLING TO MAKE YOU COMFORTABLE TILL YOUR SURGERY.SO JUST MAKE SURE THE FAMILY DR GIVES YOU  THAT LETTER  ......GOD BLESS YOU DESERVE BETTER TREATMENT THEN THIS................CORNISHREX

[janrack]

I totally understand your pain, I have the same problem, and I am 27. I've had problems since I was 14 when they told me I was the "worst case they'd seen in someone so young". I've seen chiropractors, neurologists, facial pain specialists, prolotherapist, had trigger point injections (awful reaction, wouldn't do it again), accupuncture, massage, seizure medication, antianxiety pills, muscle relaxors, a splint, and a pain killer called imitrex. NOTHING works. I try to be good about the stretches and massage, but they don't seem to do anything. I feel so alone, so it is interesting to hear your struggle. I also feel like the doctors don't understand or listen. I am at the end of my rope and I don't know what to do next. Hang in there because you are not alone!

[mellie4]

Just want to differentiate between me and MellieS!!!  Sometimes we read something (or I do anyway) and post and then realize how old it is.  I'm always glad when someone points it out to me.  I wish there was a way they could sort of archive the really old posts so people could read them but have them as sort of closed to discussion or something.  On some forums (even on MedHelp sometimes) old information is outdated and there's newer information on things, whether it's surgeries, pain meds, statistics, etc.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mellie,

This thread is three years old. Please begin a new one and don't attach your question one that was originated by some one else.

You'll obtain better information and responses... and that's what I hope for you.

Best Wishes,
~Tuck

[MellieS]

I am reading these posts and am so sorry for all of you in such pain. I had brain surgery at Duke last year for trigeminal neuralgia but they did not find what they expected, and now it seems that TMJ is actually the root of my problem or at least a big part of it. My condition involves extreme head, neck and facial pain, plus electrical shock sensations in my head, face, neck and ear. I take percocet 4 x a day plus sleep med, still I am non-functional and spend as much time as possible in recliner with ice pack. Cannot lay down in bed as that causes extreme pain with shocks. Went back to Duke to see nurse practitioner recently and they have scheduled a neck MRI for Oct 27, then appts with 2 neurosurgeons the next day. But they currently have no TMJ surgeon or specialist on staff and could not refer me to anyone. The oral surgeon who did my bite splint ended up not being knowledgeable enough to help me. I am in southern VA and am hoping that someone can refer me to someone in VA or NC. Traveling causes me extreme pain but I am willing to go to whomever can help me. I have been working with a doctor who does nerve block injections and that provides some temporary relief. The pain is so extreme that I would have committed suicide except for my Christian beliefs. I survive through many nights by having CDs on constantly to help keep my mind from "going there" re suicide. I am allergic to many meds, can no longer take Advil (which did help a good bit) or muscle relaxants. Anyway, would love to have referral to someone very knowledgeable about TMJ.

[Quantum_Mech]

This is to everyone that is suffering from TMJ.  I was in a car accident 12 years ago and TMJ started soon after my accident.  I suffered from terrible pain in my jaw and teeth.  I have cracked a few teeth from grinding and have had a couple root canals because of it.  I have been through the ringer for therapies.  I have been to them all it seems.  I have denied ALL surgery suggested from doctors.  I knew there had to be another way.  There is..everyone suffering from TMJ, look up NUCCA.  Go to youtube and type in NUCCA.  Do whatever you can to learn about this type of chiropractic care - it saved my life.  I am not being dramatic, I wasnt living prior to this - i was existing and every minute of it sucked.  Then through hours and hours and hours of researching and researching and researching all that i could i found NUCCA.  I am a patient of Dr. Brooks in Tulsa OK and he is a wonderful man.  After the first visit I felt a difference and relief.  A year later I cant tell you how grateful I am to have found this therapy.  Give the body the opportunity and it WILL HEAL.  It just needs the opportunity.  He is giving my body the opportunity and it is healing - and it is the most wonderful feeling.  All that are suffering - Look NUCCA up and see if it right for you.  I swear to you, you will not regret it.  

Happy Healing to All

[brianayala201]

i feel for tmjpain25 i am 20 and have been dealing with this since i was 17. i went from muscle relaxers (flexril) at night to sleep and i have to take 4 of them to ease the pain. and that barely works. during the day i went from 800mg advil to percocet to hydrocodone to oxycoton and vicodin. i took up to 8 vicodin at a time and was still in tears from pain. it didnt start out like that my doc said to "up the dosege by a pill till it eases up". ya not the best advice i can say. i was up to 6 pills of oxycoton at a time and i was seriously sick of it and knew i was killing my body with all the drugs and non of it worked pain still there to this day infact worse my jaw swells up and i look like an angry pitbull. but lately the pain is so bad i wanna get back on meds. i cant barely eat normal food with the pain. people have been saying marijuana might be my best bet since it takes so much meds to do absolutly nothing. so whats your guys opinion should i go back to meds or marijuana(i might be crazy being 20 and in college and actually not wanting this to be my medication but my doctors really are doing nothing and want a better choice then this) or surgery. i need some advice.
thanks  brian

[ashkaylene]

I've suffered with severe TMJ for years. I've seen the specialists and taken the advice to help prevent it from coming so frequently and it has helped. But, I still have my bad days.

My pain is completely in my ear. For years I thought that it was some kind of ear ache.. Until I saw a specialist and they explained TMJ to me. It gets so bad that I can't move my head or go from laying to sitting to standing or back. Those are the moments that hurt the most, changing elevation. To explain it to anyone that doesn't go through it - imagine someone taking a knife, shoving it in your ear and then turning continuously. It's terrible.

I've tried strong pain meds and they don't help at all.

BUT.. the only thing that I've found that has helped, and it has REALLY helped - is heating up a wet rag in the microwave and holding it to my ear. I guess that it helps to relax the joint. Yesterday I had a bad flare up and moved the microwave into the living room by a mattress and just repeatedly kept putting a hot compress onto my jaw as I laid on my side. After about five hours I felt well enough to make it in to work.

You can buy aromatherapy heat packs that have the same effect.

Anyways, I've tried everything and this is my life saver. So, maybe it'll help someone else.

Don't chew gum, stay away from hard foods (like tortilla chips and hard candy), and wear the tanner appliance or nightguard.

[andrea16]

Hi, I have not been diagnosed with TMJ but tht speaking to a sufferer may actually be better than going back to the doctors.  Firstly I am sorry to hear u r in so much pain and hope it will get sorted for you soon.  I started having unexplained ear pain oover a year and a half ago.  No doctor can find any cause for it,  I have ringing in the ears (not very loud) and do get migraines.  I sometimes get tingling in my arm and hands and suffer from pain in my arm sometimes and bad posture problems as I am a programmer and have very slight curved spine.  Recently I am getting pain in both eyes, heaviness kind of pain in the head and relaly wierd pain through the jaw which makes my teeth sensitive. I do have a habit of clenching my teeth sometimes.   I have had MRI's previously when I have had bad pains and I am just told all the time its migraines but now my teeth are really sensitive and the symptoms I have seem very towards TMJ ? what does anyone think ?  

[tmjpain25]

No, I am not trying to see another PCP in my current PCP's clinic. I must have posted the wrong abbreviation for one of them. Sorry! I am just waiting for my primary care doc to do the ref. to the pain mgt. doc. I then called the primary care to check on the ref. and ask her to do an additional ref. to another pain mgt. doc to see who could get me in the fastest. I have also heard great things about the doc I requested her to ref. me to. I have heard pretty bad things about the pain mgt. doc they were originally ref. me to! Now I will have the option to choose who I get in to see. And the nurse at my primary care docs office said I am still a patient of that practice and not dismissed, I will just not be allowed any more meds. I guess the doc can't write pain meds for very long in his practice. She said on the phone " no more meds at all" so I am pretty sure they won't care if I call in pain and ask for something to help me. I really like the doc that I see and have been there awhile. My whole family goes there. They just said he can't treat this pain condition because I need to seek pain mgt. I wish it would have turned out better, because I don't want to go thru the hassles of finding a new doc, but I think I have to. My husband wants me to give them a call mid-week to see what they say about caring for me until my next appt with a specialist. He said even if they won't help me, they will at least know I am still in pain and am trying to get relief. He said if I just never called to let them know, then they might think I am just fine and dandy. That is a good point. It won't hurt to let them know so it is documented that I am still in pain (obviously). I do know that the nurse that was so rude to me and talked to me last time is no longer working there. They said that is why it took so long to get back to me because she was "let go" and a new nurse took over. Maybe she will be nicer. Maybe there was a miscommunication. I don't know. I will let you all know when I speak with someone Monday or Tuesday. I hope they will get me in fast. I need to get relief. It is very stressful to be in so much pain and worry about someone helping you. I find I am clenching and stressing so much more not knowing what is going to happen and who is going to see me. I am being told to "relax and take it easy" because if I stress out it will be worse, and it's like how in the heck can I relax when I don't know how much longer I will be in this mess. I just want my surgery to come. That is what I think about all the time. If I could just get my surgery I can go back to being normal. I am praying that this will resolve itself very soon. I have waited very patiently for a very long time, and now I am over it. I am trying to be more demanding and stern with this office now. I have my husband to go with me so he can help me express my feelings and pain to the new docs. He is really good about being to the point and stern. I get nervous and cry and forget to ask the questions I intended to ask. I am so glad he is supportive and is going to make sure something is done for me. He is great. Sorry for the long post again. I always do that!! Thank you tuck for your message. I will be researching new primary care docs. Take care.

[Tuckamore]

Hello TMJ,

Your story continues to be heartbreaking. I am so sorry all this is happening to you. I am wondering why you are trying to see another PCP at the same clinic that you x-PCP is practicing?  I would think that even if you had to drive to another town you would be better off leaving the clinic of your x-PCP.

Physicians at the same clinic tend to "stick" together and listen to one another. At another clinic you may find fresher ideas and untainted opinions. If my PCP refused to treat me I would not stay within the clinic practice. There are numerous clinic within 30 miles and I would move my care to one of them.

Hang in there. I will look forward to your next post. And as always, Take Care, Tuck

In my state you cannot receive Unemployment Compensation unless you are physically able to work 40 hours a week. Your state may be different. You may want to apply for SSD if your pain issue will last one year and you are unable to be gainfully employed.

[tmjpain25]

Thanks once again for your great posts. I am happy to have found the support that I have been seeking for months. It's so good to hear from others who are going thru the same thing (or similar) and who are so supportive.

I have to have a ref. to the pain mgt. doc from my primary care doc, due to my health insurance. They did the ref. almost 2 weeks ago and told me they market it "urgent" and that they should get me in around the 11th, and that the new PM office staff would be calling me early in the week. They never called, so I called them to verify that they had recieved the ref. and they said they recieved it a week ago, but needed to talk to my primary doc before scheduling my appointment. They said they are having trouble getting them on the phone and that they had left several messages. I had called them for a week and left messages each day and no one ever called me back either. So now, since the ref. can't be scheduled until they talk to them, I probably won't get in there till December.

I talked to the nurse at my primary care finally (Friday) and she said she would send me to a different PM doc to see if they could get me in sooner. I have heard not so good things about the doc they were sending me to, so I requested that she ref. me to another one. They said they don't have any appts. till late Nov. early Dec. So whoever I get in to see will be awhile.

I do have the surgery consult at the university hospital in late Nov. so at least I have that to look forward to. Maybe they will get me in for the surgery soon, but the holidays are coming up, so it could be forever. I just don't know what to do for pain till then. One time when I went to the ER the doc gave me an rx and injections, Another time I went they said that I should see my reg. doc or surgeon. He also said he does not give prescriptions for anything unless it is a broken bone or something. So I don't want to even sit there for 6 hours to hear that.

I think I will call my primary care docs office once I hear when I can get into see the pain mgt. doc to let them know that it is their fault I had to wait so long and that they need to see me or do something for me till then.

I will be bringing my husband with me to the appt. because they usually are way nicer to me when he comes. He will say what is on his mind and I am usually a mess when I am there, so he can cover topics that I would not be able to express due to my distress. He is down right angry that they are doing this to me and that we are having such hard times financially due to all this. It is stressful on a marriage to have little income and all this stress. I am very fortunate to have my parents helping us out with bill money and such. I owe a ton of money to the hospital and I had to tell them to back off and that I will pay them what I can pay and when I can pay it.

I am trying to get unemployment, so that would certainly help a lot. I really hope it works out. I will know by the end of next week. Stress makes me tense up and I already get migraines from stress, so I have the constant jaw pain and then the headaches caused by the tmj, and then tension headaches and migraines too. I just wish they would help me till the surgery consult or something. I have tried tramadol,ultracet, and ultram before. I had a weird reaction to them all. Like a hot feeling, nausea, tremors, just a weird feeling in general. I tried to see if I could get used to the meds, but they made me so sick I ended up worse than before I took them. I also get sick from Tylenol 3. It makes me feel like I am going to have a heart attack. I get so hot all over a itchy. And I have tried Nuerontin (sp) and threw up for like 24 hours. I would rather take tons of advil.

I have a huge bottle of advil, ice packs, heating pad, icy hot patches, and thermacare heat wraps to use and they do help a little. I am also noticing that the custom splint is causing me more pain when I wake up in the morning. I will need to call that doc on Monday to have him check it out and make adjustments. All of a sudden it just makes the jaw hurt worse. The MRI showed more fluid build up in the right side and I am wondering if that has thrown everything out of wack. It certainly feels much different and I have been wearing it all the time, so my teeth have not shifted at all.

I still have a small amount of meds left over and am trying to make it thru. It is very hard and very painful. I am only taking them when I feel like I am going to die from pain and am throwing up from it. I have felt so bad knowing that I might not get any relief for at least a couple weeks. I just have to make it thru each day and stay positive. Maybe I will get a nice, caring surgeon who will get me in quickly and help me get my life back.

Thank you guys so much for all your great advice and help. I greatly appreciate it. I will post again after I talk to someone Monday or Tuesday. I have all the records from the primary doc, but they are sitting up at my husband's office, because he had them faxed there and he was supposed to make copies of them and bring them home, but he forgot. Once I read all the notes, I will have a better understanding of how they are thinking of me as a patient. I also asked them for all the prescription history, so that will be helpful with the new PM doc. They want me to bring all that info in, and then they can see for themselves that the primary doc wrote me scripts for months and months. They will also be able to see that I never asked for meds early or "lost" them and asked for more or anything like that. I feel that if they thought I should be on the meds 5-6 months ago, and they are the ones who recommended certain meds, then I should not be punished for not being able to have my surgery in a timely manner and needing help with pain control until that time has come.

I will post again next week. Thanks again for all your kind words. Sorry I always ramble on and on with these posts! It is so nice to talk to someone who gets me. Thanks again. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying your weekend. Take care.

[Boxerluver]

I decided to chime in with everyone else about how upset I am with how you have been treated. Good news is you got the referrals. Now the next step is getting you pain meds until your PM appointent.  You need to get a new PCP anyway and I know with the way you feel that sounds like climbing a mountain, but there are good doctors out there. And when you tell them you have a PM appointment and just need meds until then, they are usually OK with doing that.

That's what happened when we moved. I saw my Internist and he set up a pain management appointment for me and I couldn't get in until 4 months later so he said he would cover me until then. When you are at your new PCP appointmnet make sure you tell them you followed the rules to a T and you do not understand why they did this to you.  You have all those recommendations for surgery, so you have valid reasons and a history with them of taking them the way you were supposed to.

I got punched in the jaw by accident while teaching a kick-boxing class and really messed up my jaw. I had internal bleeding in both joints and then ended up with TMJ so I can somewhat relate. I have had 2 BAD flares and it was some of the worst pain and I get chronic kidney stones so I know pain. So I can't even immagine what you are going through.

After you get into pain management and you get settled, I would highly recommend pursueing a case against your previous doctors. They did abandon you and left you without pain meds. I also agree with whomever said to get a patient advocate.  If nothing else you may stop them from doing this to someone else.  That will be up to you and how you feel about doing that.

But the first thing is getting you meds until your PM appointment. I hope you find a new PCP quickly and that he understands your situation and gets you some meds.

Melissa

[roseczern]

I am in school for Medical Office Assistant with billing and coding.  You have many rights here that you are being screwed out of.  Per the HIPPA laws, you have the right to your medical records.  You maynot hve mental health records, but that is not what you need anyway.  A couple of things you could do to help your self would be calling the office manager at the dr who no longer wants to treat you and tell him/her that you will be coming in for you medical records.  You will not get the real file, but you are entitled to a copy.  OK, you can also get a copy of your med records from your pharmacy so you can show it to the PM Dr.  Does your insurance make you have a referral?  IF not, you open the yellow pages and start at the top and call your way throug until you find a office who will help you.  The state where you live maybe watching the amount of pills your old Dr is writing and what kind.  You can also go to the ER and get pain help there. You will not get very many pills, but they maybe able to refer you to a specialist who can help you get this done now. You may get a Dr at the ER who thinks you should be admitted now and have this done.  I read that you have an appointment with the PM Doc, good when you go in, be honest...unless you are keeping somethings from us here, you have nothing to worry about.  Any good PM Doc will know that you are in pain and help you out.  Tell the Doc that the  other Dr cut you off and will no longer be your Doc.  THe PM Doc's job is to help you be out of pain.  When all else fails, cry!!!  I am very serious, take you husband along with you, Men oftern  listen to Men better.  Offer to see a clinic social worker.  In your case, I would always take someone in the exam room with you until you find someone who is willing to help you.  Perhaps you could have a consult instead of a office visit.  It may be cheaper.  Hope all of this helps.

[roseczern]

I can totally relate to the facial pain, I have a condition which I can not spell, sorry, but I willtry.  It is called Trigeminal Nurologial or close to that.  What happens is a blood vessel swells and pushes agianst the Trigeminal nerve.  They say it is the most painful facial pain any one can have.  I have driven off of the road during a "spell".  I was to atleast 10 dentist before a Nurologist(again sorry about the spelling) told me in about 30 seconds what I had. I can have surgery to fix it, only 10% chance it will take and the have to go through part of the brain to do it. Could lose my hearing, taste, and several other things.  Maybe you need to take a family member or your pastor with you to explain to your DR how much the pain is taking the enjoyment from your life.

[Mollyrae]

Reading your story is upsetting..I can't believe the Doc would do this to you. I would contact a Patient Advocate affiliated with your clinic and tell them what is going on. You should also ask the nurse what she would do if she had the TMJ pain and was told to take Advil....I can't stand such self righteous ppl. I would get an appt. with a pain specialist and explain to them what the nurse said..Possible addiction, that's nuts.
Other than that I don't know what to say to you except please take care and good luck in the future.
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

I too am very sorry for your pain and the run around you are receiving. Our medical delivery system is in extreme and urgent need "fixing." I can't tell you how angry stories such as your make me. This is unacceptable patient treatment, rather lack of treatment.

I agree with Sandee that you should find another PCP asap. Your current PCP refusal to prescribe you needed pain medications is absurd.  Tramadol is a non-narcotic pain reliever that many ppl find effective. There is much controversy that surround this drug regarding it's addictive qualities. However at this point that should not be your major concern. You require pain relif/control. Certainly your PCP should have no justifiable concerns for prescribing it for you until you are able to locate another PCP.

Again best of luck to you. Thank you for keeping us poted. I hope we at least able to provide you with some comfort. I'll look forward to your next update. And as always, Take care, Tuck