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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 9 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..."
@contentedandwell
It's similar to Clonazepam, but I can't take Ativan - heart rate goes to 180.
Jim
Jim, jimhd
I hear ya! We are all keeping up their business plans.
Teresa
@jenapower - I looked on apps store, I did not see Round or Round Health, but there are a variety of free apps that help monitor everything, one called medisafe, according to it's information listing, can record your meds and remind you about them plus it has a place for blood pressure, glucose and other stuff. This is just one of several apps to help keep tract of medical information. So if any one is interested just go to the apps store and look under health or medications or similar listings. Thanks for the information jenapower. One caution I have read that cell phones can be hacked very easily so your information could become public if some hacker decides to expose it? But this would be very helpful to have so thanks again. 19lin
this is peach414144 sorry to use this site but i need HELP, HELP, HELP. i now today,8/14/17 have 117 posts from mayo. i have done what i was told to do except to cancel out completely.
I know - I'm trying to delete all of these messages as well! This is insane!! I would like to receive the neurothopy messages ONLY!
pk
@pkindron @peach414144
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@peach414144 and @pkindron - Here's a previous post with screenshots of how to disable notifications:
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John
you sweet person. you must remember you are dealing with an 80 year old woman who does not have a smart phone and her flip phone she uses only for an emergency. and if i had a 5 year old around all would be taken care of. wish i was born during your era. to think i had a high i.q.. and even dick tracey had a wrist telephone. wonder if he hd to put a dime in it to work?
Connect
@jimhd Geez Jim, I am amazed that I don't have all of those things on my phone, it's a great idea. I do keep some lists on my evernote app, like shopping lists and questions for doctors. I like evernote because it's a free app if you only have it on two devices so what I put in on my computer if I think of something while on it, automatically is on my phone also.
I always bring a hard copy of my medications to doctors, they love that too.
JK