Hi judy,
your case seems so unusual for me that I
am at a lost for suggestions to help you.
I recently became anti-surgery for tmj
because of all the nightmares I read about
when I was researching surgery for me.
But then there are some tmj patients who
have problems with the condyles and I
don't see any other way to help them.
So, I really feel for you and wish I could
help more than just say, "i'm here for
you."
i am curious, though, how your condyles
got so bad. Do the doctors know? I
think that if someone has tmj for several
years, arthritis can set in. Is this
what happened? I was told about 15 years
ago after I had a topography
(?Tomography?) x-ray that my condyles were
flattened, but I do not know if this
really affects my tmj. No one has ever
said.
Stacy from tmj friends has apparently
decided to have joint replacement surgery
in early january, so she might be someone
who can help you. Also, there is a man
who doesn't have a condyle left because of
a tumor and he's going to have a joint
replacement surgery. His name is "just
joe" and here is his original posting -
http://p221.Ezboard.Com/ftmjtalkfrm7.S
howmessage?Topicid=1242.Topic
have you been able to find others having
the surgery you are contemplating?
What do you do for yourself now to cope
with the pain? Tmj is so strange -
sometimes I am okay and can handle
whatever pain there is. Other times, the
pain is so bad that I feel like I am going
crazy. I love the hours/days when I am
pain free. I used to have more than I do
now.
You mentioned something in your posting
about being addicted to pain medication.
What pain med are you supposedly addicted
to? I add the word "supposedly" because
when a person has chronic pain, it is rare
to become addicted. Dependent, yes, but
not addicted. What makes you think you
are addicted?
I have a script for vicoprofen which is
about the only drug that has helped me
more than just occasionally. Sometimes I
feel that I might become addicted to it,
but when i'm not in pain, I don't take it.
That proves that I am not addicted to
it. If I was taking it even when not in
pain, then yes, i'm in trouble. Also, I
do take more than one because one doesn't
work. Some people might say that I am
addicted because I have to take two pills
instead of one. But again, that is not
the definition of addiction. I am
unfortunately overweight by a lot and my
body needs a higher level of drugs in it
than if I was an hundred pounds lighter,
but i'm not. But again, I have control
over the drug and take it only when I am
in pain. I even have a game in my head
that I play with myself to see how long I
can go when in pain before I take the med.
I've gone a whole day in pain and not
taken the drug. I also do not take
vicoprofen at night because it keeps me
awake (i'm opposite than the average
person). What is your pain level?
Anyway, you might want to rethink your
thinking about addiction versus
dependency. There is a different. One
is bad for you and the other is just a
harmless side-effect for a chronic pain
patient.
I was in england in 2002 and loved it!!!
I went by myself, which was actually a big
deal for me. I almost have a phobia
because I don't like to leave my house
most times. I do go to work most days,
but I have to really talk myself into
going anywhere else. It's silly, I know.
But, I flew over there. The whole
beginning part here in detroit airport was
awful. Once I got to my rental room in
london, I crashed. I stayed in london
for 3 days and must admit to not liking
it, but it was because I was alone. I
was very proud of myself for going
sightseeing all day except that first one
when I got jet-lag I guess. I then took
a train and met my internet penpal out in
poole. John and I had only met over the
internet, but after the initial first day
feeling uncomfortable, we got along great.
I stayed in his house in blandford
forum, dorset with him and his girlfriend.
The 3 of us went on day trips most days
and had a wonderful time. Sandie and I
got along better than great and john was
our videoman. It was so much fun. I
loved the countryside, everywhere, it was
just so beautiful. His sister and
brother-in-law took me a couple of days
and we also had wonderful times. I
stayed two weeks and we all cried when I
left. They treated me like royalty and
it was a wonderful trip. I want to go
back and live there. :)
well, enough of that. Please feel free
to write me anytime if you want to at my
email -
cargill
214@yahoo.Com or here is just fine
also. I hope you are having pain-free
holiday so far. Relax and enjoy the
time.
God bless...
Carol
