Guest guest Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Bella, I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly at a facial pain center. What area do you live in? If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about removing implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function without it? Are they intending to replace it? Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to know that I feel badly for your situation. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Cheryl, Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and your kind words. It is one side. I did get a few opinions from some doctors. They all pretty much say the same thing. I will be missing about 2mil of bone (condyle) and it is the ligaments and muscle that make the jaws move. They all say I should do fine. Would love to hear from people that have gone threw it. I am in NY state, Long Island. What state are you in? I am sorry that you too suffer from pain. Have you had surgery? How are you doing? Feel good, Bella > Bella, > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly at > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about removing > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function without > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to know > that I feel badly for your situation. > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Cheryl, Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and your kind words. It is one side. I did get a few opinions from some doctors. They all pretty much say the same thing. I will be missing about 2mil of bone (condyle) and it is the ligaments and muscle that make the jaws move. They all say I should do fine. Would love to hear from people that have gone threw it. I am in NY state, Long Island. What state are you in? I am sorry that you too suffer from pain. Have you had surgery? How are you doing? Feel good, Bella > Bella, > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly at > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about removing > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function without > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to know > that I feel badly for your situation. > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Bella, I'm in Miami, Florida. I'm sure that you must be receiving excellent care in NYC. I had surgery last August for a severe open bite. The surgery was successful in that my occlusion was fixed and the migraine headaches and jaw pain which had plagued me for the past 20 or so years were gone. Unfortunately, since my braces were removed in March my bite has started to reopen slightly. The pain in my jaw is returning along with the headaches. My doctors are following me carefully and hoping that the movement stops on its own so that I won't have to undergo a second surgery. Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? I hope that you find someone who has had a similar experience. I can't remember if you said that you had also checked with the other board, ortognathic surgery support 2? Best of luck to you, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Hi Bella, I'm in Miami, Florida. I'm sure that you must be receiving excellent care in NYC. I had surgery last August for a severe open bite. The surgery was successful in that my occlusion was fixed and the migraine headaches and jaw pain which had plagued me for the past 20 or so years were gone. Unfortunately, since my braces were removed in March my bite has started to reopen slightly. The pain in my jaw is returning along with the headaches. My doctors are following me carefully and hoping that the movement stops on its own so that I won't have to undergo a second surgery. Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? I hope that you find someone who has had a similar experience. I can't remember if you said that you had also checked with the other board, ortognathic surgery support 2? Best of luck to you, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 karen, Thank you so much for the encouraging info. The Christensen is the jaw prosthesis (implant) on my left side. I did speak with my OS about the DO procedure where they regrow the condyle he said I am a candidate. It is not an easy post op for that surgery. I just hope that I will be fine without the implant and not need to go that route. Is that what you meant by other options? I open for 2 fingers. Not great but not too bad. They say 3 is normal. I don't push it - I use dessert fork when eating. I don't push it because of the muscle spasms and pain. How is your post op going? How far are you opening? I hope that as your post op gets better you opening will increase. Do you have pain on both sides, I hope not. If I recall at six weeks post of I was still eating soft foods. Also doing PT with the appliance. Looks like a gun with a big mouth on it to stretch the opening. What do you think this next surgery will do? Lets hope you wont need it. Feel Better, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 karen, Thank you so much for the encouraging info. The Christensen is the jaw prosthesis (implant) on my left side. I did speak with my OS about the DO procedure where they regrow the condyle he said I am a candidate. It is not an easy post op for that surgery. I just hope that I will be fine without the implant and not need to go that route. Is that what you meant by other options? I open for 2 fingers. Not great but not too bad. They say 3 is normal. I don't push it - I use dessert fork when eating. I don't push it because of the muscle spasms and pain. How is your post op going? How far are you opening? I hope that as your post op gets better you opening will increase. Do you have pain on both sides, I hope not. If I recall at six weeks post of I was still eating soft foods. Also doing PT with the appliance. Looks like a gun with a big mouth on it to stretch the opening. What do you think this next surgery will do? Lets hope you wont need it. Feel Better, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 karen, Thank you so much for the encouraging info. The Christensen is the jaw prosthesis (implant) on my left side. I did speak with my OS about the DO procedure where they regrow the condyle he said I am a candidate. It is not an easy post op for that surgery. I just hope that I will be fine without the implant and not need to go that route. Is that what you meant by other options? I open for 2 fingers. Not great but not too bad. They say 3 is normal. I don't push it - I use dessert fork when eating. I don't push it because of the muscle spasms and pain. How is your post op going? How far are you opening? I hope that as your post op gets better you opening will increase. Do you have pain on both sides, I hope not. If I recall at six weeks post of I was still eating soft foods. Also doing PT with the appliance. Looks like a gun with a big mouth on it to stretch the opening. What do you think this next surgery will do? Lets hope you wont need it. Feel Better, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I can sort of relate to what you're going through. Most of my left condyle and a good deal of the right are missing because of severe osteoarthritis. The condyles were already very small and misshapen even on x-rays from 20 years ago but I functioned very well for years. After 2 orthognathic surgeries to correct my bite, the arthritis flared up to the point where the joints were fusing and the left condyle eroded more. Six weeks ago, I had more surgery. This time, the surgeon placed a temporalis muscle graft (one of the scalp muscles) into the joint space on the left. On the right, he did arthroscopic surgery where he salvaged part of the disc and sewed it back onto the condyle. It helped some but I still can't open very wide and I'm still unable to chew much so I'll need more surgery. 2 mm doesn't sound like much bone loss. What is a Christensen implant? I'm not familiar with that. Hopefully you'll do well with just removal of the implant but there are plenty of other options if you still have problems. Good luck with everything. I hope you'll be pain free soon. > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I have > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > thought and prayer. > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board while > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was normal. I > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was stopped > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain that > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > infection so will be removing the implant. > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so its > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time since > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible pain. > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans and > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > heal. > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of bone > that will be missing. > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some advise. > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Cheryl, How wonderful to have been pain free. I hope that this is nothing major and will resolve itself. Without the braces maybe things like the muscles and so on just have to calm down. I hope. I have heard it is stressful for the jaw to have braces removed. Do you use ice or heat? No I didn't check that board. I will. Thanks for the address for it. No the surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. I go back on 7/17 for follow up but if I am in agony I am to call him and he will schedule it then. I think he is hoping and so am I that the biaxim (antibiotic) cleared the infection. I sure hope so. I hope your pain is at a low level. From the time I was diagnosed with the bone spur up to the car accident I took Darvocet for pain. Since the car accident I have been on all sorts of medications. I hate it. Currently taking percocet. I do go to pain management and he loads me up on a couple of prescriptions but usually cant take them for one reason or another. Feel good, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I'm in Miami, Florida. I'm sure that you must be receiving excellent care in NYC. I had surgery last August for a severe open bite. The surgery was successful in that my occlusion was fixed and the migraine headaches and jaw pain which had plagued me for the past 20 or so years were gone. Unfortunately, since my braces were removed in March my bite has started to reopen slightly. The pain in my jaw is returning along with the headaches. My doctors are following me carefully and hoping that the movement stops on its own so that I won't have to undergo a second surgery. Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? I hope that you find someone who has had a similar experience. I can't remember if you said that you had also checked with the other board, ortognathic surgery support 2? Best of luck to you, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Cheryl, How wonderful to have been pain free. I hope that this is nothing major and will resolve itself. Without the braces maybe things like the muscles and so on just have to calm down. I hope. I have heard it is stressful for the jaw to have braces removed. Do you use ice or heat? No I didn't check that board. I will. Thanks for the address for it. No the surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. I go back on 7/17 for follow up but if I am in agony I am to call him and he will schedule it then. I think he is hoping and so am I that the biaxim (antibiotic) cleared the infection. I sure hope so. I hope your pain is at a low level. From the time I was diagnosed with the bone spur up to the car accident I took Darvocet for pain. Since the car accident I have been on all sorts of medications. I hate it. Currently taking percocet. I do go to pain management and he loads me up on a couple of prescriptions but usually cant take them for one reason or another. Feel good, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I'm in Miami, Florida. I'm sure that you must be receiving excellent care in NYC. I had surgery last August for a severe open bite. The surgery was successful in that my occlusion was fixed and the migraine headaches and jaw pain which had plagued me for the past 20 or so years were gone. Unfortunately, since my braces were removed in March my bite has started to reopen slightly. The pain in my jaw is returning along with the headaches. My doctors are following me carefully and hoping that the movement stops on its own so that I won't have to undergo a second surgery. Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? I hope that you find someone who has had a similar experience. I can't remember if you said that you had also checked with the other board, ortognathic surgery support 2? Best of luck to you, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Cheryl, How wonderful to have been pain free. I hope that this is nothing major and will resolve itself. Without the braces maybe things like the muscles and so on just have to calm down. I hope. I have heard it is stressful for the jaw to have braces removed. Do you use ice or heat? No I didn't check that board. I will. Thanks for the address for it. No the surgery hasn't been scheduled yet. I go back on 7/17 for follow up but if I am in agony I am to call him and he will schedule it then. I think he is hoping and so am I that the biaxim (antibiotic) cleared the infection. I sure hope so. I hope your pain is at a low level. From the time I was diagnosed with the bone spur up to the car accident I took Darvocet for pain. Since the car accident I have been on all sorts of medications. I hate it. Currently taking percocet. I do go to pain management and he loads me up on a couple of prescriptions but usually cant take them for one reason or another. Feel good, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, I'm in Miami, Florida. I'm sure that you must be receiving excellent care in NYC. I had surgery last August for a severe open bite. The surgery was successful in that my occlusion was fixed and the migraine headaches and jaw pain which had plagued me for the past 20 or so years were gone. Unfortunately, since my braces were removed in March my bite has started to reopen slightly. The pain in my jaw is returning along with the headaches. My doctors are following me carefully and hoping that the movement stops on its own so that I won't have to undergo a second surgery. Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? I hope that you find someone who has had a similar experience. I can't remember if you said that you had also checked with the other board, ortognathic surgery support 2? Best of luck to you, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Hi Bella, Has your doctor mentioned doing a temporalis muscle graft? That was what I meant about other options. There are probably other procedures out there as well but I'm not really familiar with them. After my second orthognathic surgery in November, my bite was perfect. No more overbite and my teeth met right in the middle. Three months later that was no longer the case because of continued degeneration of the condyle. My surgeon never said how many mm of bone I lost but I did develop a 5-6 mm overbite again and my lower jaw was shifted over 5 mm as well. With the muscle graft, the surgeon was able to fill in the joint space enough to make up for the missing bone. My bite was perfect again and still is. It was a much easier procedure than the orthognathic surgery. I immediately felt much better post-op and went back to work after only 2 weeks. The problem now is my opening. Despite aggressive physical therapy (2 hours 3 times a week) and botox, I still can't open far enough to function normally. Before stretching, I open to 16-18 mm and at the end of my PT sessions, I get to 22 mm on a good day. That's about 1 1/2 fingers. I have no lateral (side to side) or anterior (front to back) movement at all. I've been stuck there for the last 4 weeks so it is doubtful I'll be able to open more. Was the appliance you were using a Therabite? That's what I use at home. The muscles and soft tissues are now loose but somewhere we're meeting bony resistance. My OS thinks it's probably the coronoids that are hung up and that the joints are fusing again. I'm having a CT scan on Monday to further define the anatomy. After that he'll decide on the next plan of action but it will probably be distraction osteogenesis again. He'll remove the coronoids and what remains of the condyles on both sides. I'm much too young for artificial joints (they only last 10-15 years) so he prefers to reconstruct the condyles using my own bones. It'll be a big procedure again but it will be worth it. I went through it last September to lengthen the mandible 17 mm so I know what to expect. Right now, I still have a lot of pain which I can control with a large dose of Vioxx but that will damage my kidneys if I use it long term. I refuse to take narcotics but they only work for a little while anyway until you become resistant to them. I can only eat soft foods cut in very small pieces and even then I can only eat a little before the pain gets too bad. How long ago was your implant placed? Do you know when you'll have it removed? Do you have pain even when you don't have infections? The botox took care of the muscle spasms so I don't have to deal with those anymore for the next few months. Take care, > > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I > have > > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > > thought and prayer. > > > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board > while > > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was > normal. I > > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was > stopped > > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain > that > > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > > infection so will be removing the implant. > > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so > its > > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time > since > > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible > pain. > > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans > and > > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > > heal. > > > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of > bone > > that will be missing. > > > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some > advise. > > > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > > Bella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Bella, I am unfamiliar with the procedures that you are going through. I apologize but I have no words of wisdom to offer. I am, however, a fellow Long Islander and I just wanted to say hi! Carol > > Bella, > > > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly > at > > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about > removing > > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function > without > > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to > know > > that I feel badly for your situation. > > > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Hi , No he hasn't mentioned that procedure. I will do some research and also ask him about it. Hopefully I wont need it, but would like to know if it is an option. He did say DO is an option. Like you my opening is all messed up. Four months after the implant surgery and the car accident. I can move forward to the left and also to the left side. I cant move straight forward or to the right forward or side. Good luck with the cat scan. I will be praying that you wont need further surgery and what ever this is it will resolve it self. I have read from two people about their experiences with DO they are both glad they did it but it was not an easy surgery. You had one already - what was it like? Just one side done? I think that is what the appliance is called. I am just one year with the implant so about 9 months ago was the car accident. Two doctors have said the pain could take 2-3 yrs for things to heal. Soft tissue, muscles and ligaments. I have had the cat scans and other xrays and mechanically all looks correct. In may I was supposed to have the surgery (the pain had gone from bad to worse - terrible, also numbing from nose to chin and bad taste in my mouth) but the morning of had a slight temp and sinus drip so the post phoned it. That is when they gave me the first dose of biaxim (antibiotic) and I actually had break threw no pain. Have taken this medication three times in total since May and each time I get relief from the pain. It feels so good. Just wish it lasted longer. That is why he thinks there is a low grade infection. The reason I started with pain management was to get botox or other injections but then the surgery was scheduled and now on hold. I go back to him 7/17 to my OS or if the pain comes on bad again I will call him and get in there sooner. Right now the pain is bad but tolerable. On a scale of 1-10 I am bouncing between 5-8. I agree about the meds. But times I have no choice. Those times too they really don't do much. I've been on all sorts of meds for Trigmenial neuralgia, muscle relaxers and so on. Hope your doing good today, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, Has your doctor mentioned doing a temporalis muscle graft? That was what I meant about other options. There are probably other procedures out there as well but I'm not really familiar with them. After my second orthognathic surgery in November, my bite was perfect. No more overbite and my teeth met right in the middle. Three months later that was no longer the case because of continued degeneration of the condyle. My surgeon never said how many mm of bone I lost but I did develop a 5-6 mm overbite again and my lower jaw was shifted over 5 mm as well. With the muscle graft, the surgeon was able to fill in the joint space enough to make up for the missing bone. My bite was perfect again and still is. It was a much easier procedure than the orthognathic surgery. I immediately felt much better post-op and went back to work after only 2 weeks. The problem now is my opening. Despite aggressive physical therapy (2 hours 3 times a week) and botox, I still can't open far enough to function normally. Before stretching, I open to 16-18 mm and at the end of my PT sessions, I get to 22 mm on a good day. That's about 1 1/2 fingers. I have no lateral (side to side) or anterior (front to back) movement at all. I've been stuck there for the last 4 weeks so it is doubtful I'll be able to open more. Was the appliance you were using a Therabite? That's what I use at home. The muscles and soft tissues are now loose but somewhere we're meeting bony resistance. My OS thinks it's probably the coronoids that are hung up and that the joints are fusing again. I'm having a CT scan on Monday to further define the anatomy. After that he'll decide on the next plan of action but it will probably be distraction osteogenesis again. He'll remove the coronoids and what remains of the condyles on both sides. I'm much too young for artificial joints (they only last 10-15 years) so he prefers to reconstruct the condyles using my own bones. It'll be a big procedure again but it will be worth it. I went through it last September to lengthen the mandible 17 mm so I know what to expect. Right now, I still have a lot of pain which I can control with a large dose of Vioxx but that will damage my kidneys if I use it long term. I refuse to take narcotics but they only work for a little while anyway until you become resistant to them. I can only eat soft foods cut in very small pieces and even then I can only eat a little before the pain gets too bad. How long ago was your implant placed? Do you know when you'll have it removed? Do you have pain even when you don't have infections? The botox took care of the muscle spasms so I don't have to deal with those anymore for the next few months. Take care, > > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I > have > > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > > thought and prayer. > > > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board > while > > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was > normal. I > > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was > stopped > > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain > that > > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > > infection so will be removing the implant. > > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so > its > > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time > since > > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible > pain. > > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans > and > > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > > heal. > > > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of > bone > > that will be missing. > > > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some > advise. > > > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > > Bella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Hi , No he hasn't mentioned that procedure. I will do some research and also ask him about it. Hopefully I wont need it, but would like to know if it is an option. He did say DO is an option. Like you my opening is all messed up. Four months after the implant surgery and the car accident. I can move forward to the left and also to the left side. I cant move straight forward or to the right forward or side. Good luck with the cat scan. I will be praying that you wont need further surgery and what ever this is it will resolve it self. I have read from two people about their experiences with DO they are both glad they did it but it was not an easy surgery. You had one already - what was it like? Just one side done? I think that is what the appliance is called. I am just one year with the implant so about 9 months ago was the car accident. Two doctors have said the pain could take 2-3 yrs for things to heal. Soft tissue, muscles and ligaments. I have had the cat scans and other xrays and mechanically all looks correct. In may I was supposed to have the surgery (the pain had gone from bad to worse - terrible, also numbing from nose to chin and bad taste in my mouth) but the morning of had a slight temp and sinus drip so the post phoned it. That is when they gave me the first dose of biaxim (antibiotic) and I actually had break threw no pain. Have taken this medication three times in total since May and each time I get relief from the pain. It feels so good. Just wish it lasted longer. That is why he thinks there is a low grade infection. The reason I started with pain management was to get botox or other injections but then the surgery was scheduled and now on hold. I go back to him 7/17 to my OS or if the pain comes on bad again I will call him and get in there sooner. Right now the pain is bad but tolerable. On a scale of 1-10 I am bouncing between 5-8. I agree about the meds. But times I have no choice. Those times too they really don't do much. I've been on all sorts of meds for Trigmenial neuralgia, muscle relaxers and so on. Hope your doing good today, Bella Re: no condyle Hi Bella, Has your doctor mentioned doing a temporalis muscle graft? That was what I meant about other options. There are probably other procedures out there as well but I'm not really familiar with them. After my second orthognathic surgery in November, my bite was perfect. No more overbite and my teeth met right in the middle. Three months later that was no longer the case because of continued degeneration of the condyle. My surgeon never said how many mm of bone I lost but I did develop a 5-6 mm overbite again and my lower jaw was shifted over 5 mm as well. With the muscle graft, the surgeon was able to fill in the joint space enough to make up for the missing bone. My bite was perfect again and still is. It was a much easier procedure than the orthognathic surgery. I immediately felt much better post-op and went back to work after only 2 weeks. The problem now is my opening. Despite aggressive physical therapy (2 hours 3 times a week) and botox, I still can't open far enough to function normally. Before stretching, I open to 16-18 mm and at the end of my PT sessions, I get to 22 mm on a good day. That's about 1 1/2 fingers. I have no lateral (side to side) or anterior (front to back) movement at all. I've been stuck there for the last 4 weeks so it is doubtful I'll be able to open more. Was the appliance you were using a Therabite? That's what I use at home. The muscles and soft tissues are now loose but somewhere we're meeting bony resistance. My OS thinks it's probably the coronoids that are hung up and that the joints are fusing again. I'm having a CT scan on Monday to further define the anatomy. After that he'll decide on the next plan of action but it will probably be distraction osteogenesis again. He'll remove the coronoids and what remains of the condyles on both sides. I'm much too young for artificial joints (they only last 10-15 years) so he prefers to reconstruct the condyles using my own bones. It'll be a big procedure again but it will be worth it. I went through it last September to lengthen the mandible 17 mm so I know what to expect. Right now, I still have a lot of pain which I can control with a large dose of Vioxx but that will damage my kidneys if I use it long term. I refuse to take narcotics but they only work for a little while anyway until you become resistant to them. I can only eat soft foods cut in very small pieces and even then I can only eat a little before the pain gets too bad. How long ago was your implant placed? Do you know when you'll have it removed? Do you have pain even when you don't have infections? The botox took care of the muscle spasms so I don't have to deal with those anymore for the next few months. Take care, > > Hi to everyone and I hope all of you are feeling well today. I > have > > read there are two people having surgery today and I have them in > > thought and prayer. > > > > I post here on another yahoo tmj board. Came across this board > while > > researching. Wondering if anyone can give me some advise. > > > > I had a bone spur on left condyle and it was removed and replaced > > with the full christensen implant. Thank God the biopsy was > normal. I > > did well till four months later was in a car accident. I was > stopped > > at a red light and plowed into. There began the terrible pain > that > > is relentless at times. My doc thinks there may be a low grade > > infection so will be removing the implant. > > I was supposed to have surgery end of may but developed a cold so > its > > been put off. I have been given biaxim (this is the third time > since > > may) and while on it I get break threw relief from the horrible > pain. > > It is an antibiotic. Its been almost a year of xrays cat scans > and > > such. Lot of soft tissue, muslce and ligament damage that takes > > allot of time I have been told by a few doctors to calm down and > > heal. > > > > He thinks I will do well without it the implant. It is 2mil of > bone > > that will be missing. > > > > Wonder if any one has had anything similar or can offer some > advise. > > > > Thanks and stay well and pain free, > > Bella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 Carol, Nice to hear from you. Where are you in Long Island? Do you have an OS that you see? Hope that you are doing well. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I am unfamiliar with the procedures that you are going through. I apologize but I have no words of wisdom to offer. I am, however, a fellow Long Islander and I just wanted to say hi! Carol > > Bella, > > > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly > at > > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about > removing > > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function > without > > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to > know > > that I feel badly for your situation. > > > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 Carol, Nice to hear from you. Where are you in Long Island? Do you have an OS that you see? Hope that you are doing well. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I am unfamiliar with the procedures that you are going through. I apologize but I have no words of wisdom to offer. I am, however, a fellow Long Islander and I just wanted to say hi! Carol > > Bella, > > > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly > at > > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about > removing > > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function > without > > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to > know > > that I feel badly for your situation. > > > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 Carol, Nice to hear from you. Where are you in Long Island? Do you have an OS that you see? Hope that you are doing well. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I am unfamiliar with the procedures that you are going through. I apologize but I have no words of wisdom to offer. I am, however, a fellow Long Islander and I just wanted to say hi! Carol > > Bella, > > > > I am so sorry to hear about your predicament. I know what chronic > > TMJ pain is like and hope that yours ends soon. > > > > If I were you I would consider getting a second opinion, possibly > at > > a facial pain center. What area do you live in? > > > > If Biaxin does indeed provide some relief than it sounds like your > > doctor is on the right track. I do not know anything about > removing > > implants though and I'm wondering how your jaw will function > without > > it? Are they intending to replace it? > > > > Sorry that I don't have anything to offer. I just wanted you to > know > > that I feel badly for your situation. > > > > Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 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. Bella Re: no condyle Bella, I'm in Suffolk County ... West Babylon to be exact. Ok, don't laugh ... I'm not up to speed with all the abbreviations. Is OS Oral Surgeon? If so, the answer is yes. I'm working with The New York Center for Orthognathic and Maxillofacial Surgery group out of West Islip and Lake Sucess. I had my first surgery at LIJ. How about you? I'm haning in there ... doing better every day. I hope things are working out for you. Carol > Carol, > Nice to hear from you. Where are you in Long Island? > Do you have an OS that you see? Hope that you are doing well. > Bella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 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 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 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 Hi , I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. They sound very similar to mine except I didn't really have any pain before the first surgery. My pain started after the second orthognathic surgery and is exactly the way you described it. Why are your surgeons so reluctant to do arthroscopy so soon after surgery? I had arthrocentesis about 6 weeks post-op and when that didn't work, my surgeon immediately referred me to his partner who specializes in TMJ surgery. Instead of going right to arthroscopy, he did an MRI first. That showed that the problem was much more serious than first thought and that I needed to have an open joint procedure on the left and arthroscopy on the right. Because of my schedule, I had to wait another 2 months but my surgeon would have done it much sooner. Everyone felt like the sooner it was done, the better chances we would have. My bite was getting worse on an almost daily basis. I ended up having the surgery 5 months post-op. Have you had an MRI yet? That might give your docs a better idea of what is going on in the joint. I hope you can get some relief from your new doctor. That must be miserable being in so much pain all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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