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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (7051)Comment receiving replies
I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.
My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.
I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.
My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.
I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.
The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.
Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.
Replies to "I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and..."
@jim. Wow, that was a very bad reaction to medication. So sorry you went through that. Must have been very scary. I became suicidal after being put on Clonazepam. Also had severe panic attacks when on Wellibutrune. Needless to say I don't take those meds any more! Different people can have really different reactions to different medications. That's why it is so important for the doctor or their office to call and check on you when you start a new medication.
I became extremely suicidal after 6 weeks on one antidepressant. I finally landed on Wellbutrin ten years ago. It doesn't do the whole job, but I think it helps. I've never tried going off it to see if I felt any different. I might try it when I feel safe enough, but right now isn't the best time. Back when I experienced suicidal thoughts on the trial medication, it was the first time I had had those thoughts. It was a couple of years later that I started attempting. I had been taking Effexor for awhile, but I don't think that's what triggered the wish to die. Clonazepam is one of the meds that make me drowsy, which is a good thing, but it's mostly for anxiety. I only take 1mg, with the option of taking a second chance one, which I rarely do.
Having the doctor call after starting a new med? That's never happened to me. My doctors must have all missed that class.
Jim
It is indeed scary how drugs affect different people. Prozac, just one tablet, made me feel completely insane. I couldn't wait for the results to wear off. (My husband takes Prozac for clinical depression, and it's worked wonders for him.) Clonazepam controls the panic/anxiety disorder I've had probably my entire life; I can remember the symptoms even when I was a little kid. I'm on Wellbutrin, and it helps immensely. But our bodies all metabolize things differently.
I am thankful to BigPharma (only now and again) for having come out with SO many medications to treat panic/anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Perhaps some day both of these diseases will be cured. Wouldn't that be terrific? I am willing my body to a medical school in hopes that poking around in my brain will be of help in finding a cure.
And of course, finding an excellent psychiatrist is paramount. I've been seeing mine for years, after having seen a bunch of worthless ones. I adore my psychiatrist, who actually has told me about his own panic/anxiety disorder and clinical depression, so he knows whereof he speaks. He's doing a lot of work with electrical brain stimulation, which has helped so many people. (You have to be in the throes of severe depression before insurance will pay for it. I'd love to go through it in hopes that it would knock out my depression and make me drug-free, but no such luck.) He has one of the machines in his office, and he's invested in the best one possible. He took me in to see it and explain, with the help of his nurse practitioner, how it works. I was awed. He's 70 years old, and I don't know what I'll do if he ever retires! But thank goodness, he seems to enjoy his work so much, he's up on all the newest treatments, he's open to alternative medicine (he'd suggested lavender capsules to me for panic/anxiety disorder; I tried them for at least three months, and they had no effect, alas), and he's eternally curious. A great guy! Just referred one of my friends to him, who loves him just as much as I do.
Hazel
@jim Yes, when taking any psychiatric type drug, one should be monitored at the start. I, also, never had suicidal thoughts until I was given the Clonazepam. I actually attempted suicide and ended up in a psych ward. I don't even remember the event. Apparently, I went to the store and purchased two Tylenol P.M bottles and a box of Fruit Loops (yep, apparently I picked up some Fruit Loops - maybe I was trying to tell someone I was feeling "loopy" - who knows, but it was such a surprise to me when I was told how they found me), then went through a drive through and purchased two large colas and drove out to the country where I was boarding my horse. A police officer just happened to see my car in a field with the engine running. He called for an ambulance. Next thing I remember was waking up in a bed in the psych ward! Once the medication wore off, I was fine. It is weird how medication can affect a person one way and another person another way!
Jim, It might be a good idea to see either what they gave you for anesthesia and/or what they gave you for pain. I got my records from the hospital for the next time I should need surgery they use a different kind of anesthesia and not DLaudid for pain just so it doesn't happen again but they can't make any promises that it won't happen again because the older you get, you metabolize meds differently. Keep in touch, Marie. I just read your post again and saw that it was Lyrica that did it to you. You should make sure everyone you go to know you can't take Lyrica. I can't take it either it made me paranoid. I hope I have been some help to you. I also can't take other meds either because of the same reaction.
I have a list of 6 meds I'm allergic to, and every doctor I see knows them as soon as I check in.
Jim, this is such an excellent idea!
I carry a list of all the meds I'm on, whether prescription or OTC, in my purse. I also wrote drugs I'm allergic to on there. I do need to add pain meds, you've made me realize. The only ones I can tolerate are tylenol + codeine and vicodin. All others make me violently ill.
Thanks again for the superb advice!
Hazel
I take the time to check my records on my healthcare system each month, as well as carry my own list. When I check into a clinic or hospital or whatever, the list is available to everyone. Of course, my wife makes sure I do it right. I am getting a little foggy between the ears.
I've been getting foggy between the ears for years. When I was in my late 20s, I was working with a German attorney. At one point, he turned to me and said, "Frau Blumberg, you have a memory like a sieve." I have always remembered this, and it still makes me laugh.
Hazel
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Sorry you had such a bad reaction. I just didn't like the reaction I had. Too sleepy.