This is where I am going.

After having a doctor who I would LOVE to kick in the twat. (I don't hate ANYONE and, generally NEVER hold a grudge, but this bitch made this smurf personal).

My first couple appointments with her went well. Since day 1, she has been well aware I have TMJ.

Since she has given me Ambien (Appointment number 2), I told her I have been grinding my teeth A LOT when I sleep at night. I guess it is loud enough to keep DH awake, and even make him cringe. So, it's no surprise that I wake up the following morning extremely sore.

She gives me Flexeril (Muscle Relaxer). It made it worse. I guess in med school she failed to learn that a muscle relaxer doesn't really have any affect on the bones.

Yesterday at my appointment was my last straw.

I asked her to refer me to a specialist who can help me with my TMJ problem. (I don't know smurf about this town, and she knows this).

Instead, she offers me Valiums. I told her, thanks but no thanks. I don't need to take something that is going to make me drowsy to take with my Ambien that already drops me.

Again, can you by any chance refer me to a specialist? It's quite difficult for me to eat comfortably.

"Well judging by your weight, since you have gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks, it doesn't look like it's that hard for you to eat."

I think my husband was ready to punch her in the face. He doesn't do well with incompetent doctors, and cut her off and said to me, "Don't listen to her about your weight babe, you are absolutely beautiful."

Way to bring my weight up when I already fear stepping on a scale doc. SmUrf YOU.

So, I took it upon myself yesterday to find a dentist who will refer me to an oral surgeon. I figured if the pain is this bad, why not just get it surgically fixed?

I called one place, they gave me another office to call. I call that place, and they give me yet ANOTHER office to call. So I call the third place, and they tell me the same as every other place and that they don't have a TMJ specialist BUT, there is a doctor who can help. They didn't know the number, but they gave me a name. It wasn't hard to do the internet search.

I called the office, and the soonest they can get me in is the 19th of next month. I am not looking forward to a surgery where they are going to wire my mouth shut for a minimum of 6 weeks (Though I jokingly tell DH he is probably going to enjoy the quiet). But, I am over this pain, and it will be nice to be seen by someone who is more understanding of my situation, and much more competent.

http://www.tmjnm.com/tmj/tmj.html

End rant.

Good Luck
I hope it works for you. I know how much it sucks. I've been having more problems lately with my TMJ. My jaw has been so sore the last few weeks. I have an appointment next month to have my wisdom teeth out, so I hope that will help a little bit. If it doesn't let up, then off to my doctor to start the process

Quoting Pirate Hooker {BAMW}:" Good Luck I hope it works for you. I know how much it sucks. I've been having more problems lately with ... [snip!] ... my wisdom teeth out, so I hope that will help a little bit. If it doesn't let up, then off to my doctor to start the process"

Thanks.   I know how you feel too!

There is actually a lot of information on that link I put in the OP, if you click around under TMJ, it will inform you of causes of it, preventing it, and treatments of it.

I have been grinding my teeth at night since I have had teeth. But the grinding only happens on nights that I sleep well. I am thinking about stopping my Ambien in hopes of not grinding at all, but then I won't be in bed until like 4 AM, and I'll be up at 5 to make Aaron breakfast, and again at 7 when my youngest wakes up.

It's like I have to choose between pain and exhaustion. I am just ready for them both to go away.

I had tmj soooooo bad in Highscjool- I could not even open my mouth at one point. I just had to see an orthodontist? He is in my are but is amazing. But he could not get me a tmj diagnosis until after I had the braces and alignment done ad by then that fixed my problem. Since I was stupid and did not wear my retainer I have been getting it again. But with some tricks I can manage the pain.

Quoting Buzz and Almond Joys momm:" I had tmj soooooo bad in Highscjool- I could not even open my mouth at one point. I just had to see an ... [snip!] ... Since I was stupid and did not wear my retainer I have been getting it again. But with some tricks I can manage the pain."

Are you talking about Dr. Clifford? Because the office I am going to is actually up in your area. I am really unsure of everything that is going to happen at my first appointment but, they told me to expect to be there for AT LEAST 2 and 1/2 hours.

Since it is going to take that long, of course DH doesn't want to drive me with the kids. (I don't know my way around from Unser and Southern).

Thankfully he wrote me idiot proof directions where I might have to go 5 miles out of my way, but I only have to turn twice.  

<blockquote><b>Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:</b>" Are you talking about Dr. Clifford? Because the office I am going to is actually up in your area. ... [snip!] ... he wrote me idiot proof directions where I might have to go 5 miles out of my way, but I only have to turn twice.  "</blockquote>




No this is dr cornali. The first apt they did tons of x rays and questioning. Then told my dad the plan of action and that since he could not give a tmj diagnosis insurance would not cover it since they would say it was cosmetic. So my dad agreed and I got a mold for my MAGO ( I believe) and we left. Took ages but my hole mouth was crooked (jaw alignment) causing the tmj.

Quoting Buzz and Almond Joys momm:" <blockquote><b>Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:</b>" Are you talking about Dr. Clifford? ... [snip!] ... and I got a mold for my MAGO ( I believe) and we left. Took ages but my hole mouth was crooked (jaw alignment) causing the tmj."

My jaw is so freaking crooked it's rather embarrassing. If it was TMJ, why couldn't they give you the proper diagnosis?

This place doesn't ask for dental insurance, they ask for health insurance. So hopefully, I only have to worry about a 20$ copay for my first appointment. (I am really hoping that's all they want anyways).


I just can't get over my doctor yesterday, making the comment that I gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks. She said it almost like she was disgusted about it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:</b>" My jaw is so freaking crooked it's rather embarrassing. If it was TMJ, why couldn't they give you ... [snip!] ... yesterday, making the comment that I gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks. She said it almost like she was disgusted about it. "</blockquote>




Because they have to prove it is actual tmj which is caused by I forget what and most if the cases are lock jaw from crooked jaws. And we were trying to use health as well but it was a no go.

Dr. Sounds like a jerk. Just say screw her and find someone better. If you have pres my dr. Rocks

Quoting Buzz and Almond Joys momm:" <blockquote><b>Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:</b>" My jaw is so freaking crooked ... [snip!] ... as well but it was a no go. Dr. Sounds like a jerk. Just say screw her and find someone better. If you have pres my dr. Rocks"

Yes, I have Pres insurance.

The whole "Lock Jaw" thing is my issue. My jaw pops, and on top of that locks up on me from time to time. The pain isn't only in my jaw though, it elevates throughout my right cheek bone all the way to the thin bone under my eye. I get headaches from it (Not migraines, just headaches) that feel like they are right behind my eyes. On the questionnaire on the link in my OP, (Or here if you don't feel like searching the site---> http://www.tmjnm.com/tmj/symptoms.html )

I have 13 out of the 15 symptoms. The only ones I answered no to, are the migraines, and I have never had a neck or head injury.

Everything else is a yes though.

Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:" Thanks.   I know how you feel too! There is actually a lot of information on that link I put in ... [snip!] ... when my youngest wakes up. It's like I have to choose between pain and exhaustion. I am just ready for them both to go away."

I grind more when I don't sleep well. And I've been so stressed since DH deployed, and now knowing that its getting closer to homecoming, I'm doing it more. I find myself doing it during the day too. It's driving me mad.

Wow that's a very rude and uncalled for thing to say to you.   No wonder people avoid going to the doctor so much lol.

Like you said in the last part they should be much more willing to help and you won't have to deal with that anymore, the jaw pain or the doctor.

Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:" My jaw is so freaking crooked it's rather embarrassing. If it was TMJ, why couldn't they give you ... [snip!] ... yesterday, making the comment that I gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks. She said it almost like she was disgusted about it. "

I'd have kicked her in the box right there

Quoting Pirate Hooker {BAMW}:" I grind more when I don't sleep well. And I've been so stressed since DH deployed, and now knowing that ... [snip!] ... that its getting closer to homecoming, I'm doing it more. I find myself doing it during the day too. It's driving me mad."

I catch myself clinching my teeth throughout the day.

When my doctor gave me the Flexeril, I took it for 2 nights. I should have stopped after the first night. I woke up slightly more sore than usual, and after the second time I took it, it's like for a week straight I had constant pain. To the point where I was swishing peroxide (By then I was hoping it was a cavity hitting a nerve ending). I was gargling warm salt water, and rubbing crushed up aspirin on my gums.

There were a couple of nights where I said smurf it and took a double dose of Ambien. I figured if I couldn't stop the pain, I might as well sleep through it. Of course it didn't help at around the same time, my son head butted me on the sore side of my face back to back really hard.

It sucks you have to deal with it, but yay! It won't be long until your DH is home!  

Quoting Pirate Hooker {BAMW}:" I'd have kicked her in the box right there"

I wanted to. But it's a felony to assault a health care worker.   Don't think I haven't thought about it though!

Quoting Supafly★:" Wow that's a very rude and uncalled for thing to say to you.   No wonder people avoid going to the doctor ... [snip!] ... last part they should be much more willing to help and you won't have to deal with that anymore, the jaw pain or the doctor. "

Right? I mean these people are suppose to be there to help you, and instead they judge you. It drives me nuts that they can get away with it. Aaron was so pissed when she said that to me. I honestly can't believe he didn't put her in her place. The ONLY reason he bit his tongue is because he didn't want me to get kicked out of that office. He said that is REALLY bad when that happens, and you basically get blacklisted and no doctor wants to deal with you after that.