@artscaping, You had some very thoughtful Drs. It's good to hear of your experience, gives us hope for the same.

@artscaping I agree with you, almost all of my doctors are really great and seem sincere. Unfortunately the one I cannot say that about anymore is my PCP. Initially he really seemed to care a lot, I even commented on it to him once and his response was that he felt that was the most important trait a doctor could have. A while after that though it began to seem like he was just going through the motions unfortunately. As I said though, despite that not being a positive doctor-patient relationship I feel like all of my others are, thankfully.
JK

It sounds like you have some pretty remarkable doctors.

My primary care has been wonderful, but there's nothing she can do other than to send me to others, such as an ENT. That person gave me a booklet on TMJ pain, and that was that.

My dentist was great at first. Weekly anesthesia injections to the trigger points in my mouth. When those didn't work, he sent me to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon was helpful and thorough and honest. He found nothing structural going on. So, he couldn't offer me a surgical alternative. He wrote a prescription for a muscle relaxer and said that was all he could offer. He sent me back to my dentist.

I'd continued to do the exercises my dentist told me to do. They didn't help, but I still do them. The dentist sent me to a physical therapist, who was an absolute weirdo. He didn't listen to me. He tried to force me to come to his "other clinic," where I'd pay $150 per visit, which insurance wouldn't cover, and where he'd "cure" me with magnets. Um, nope.

I went back to my dentist for more anesthesia shots or something. Anything. He told me that the anesthesia shots were obviously not working. He didn't recommend botox for me, given where my trigger points are. He suggested I go to a pain management specialist, but he refused to write a referral for me. I fired my dentist.

I went back to my primary care, and we talked about pain management specialists and which ones she prefers and why. At the time, I was going through a more than two week long pain free (relatively) cycle. So, I wasn't in a hurry. And then the pain started up again, as suddenly as it had back in September 2016.

Sometimes I wonder if there's something other than TMJ going on. Should I get a CAT scan or an MRI? Should I go back to the ENT? Believe me, I do NOT want surgery. From everything I've read--and I've read a lot--surgery for TMJ pain usually leaves one in a far worse condition. No thanks.

I'd rather not take pain meds. They fog me over, I can't concentrate on work, and I'd hesitate to drive. So, next week, I'm seeing one of the few docs in my area who are "allowed" by the state of Florida to prescribe MM. His major area of expertise is hospice and palliative care. A friend with severe back problems has spoken very highly of him.

Will he approve me for MM? I don't know. Will MM work for me? I don't know.

So, I've had a combination of good, bad, and mediocre, as far as pain goes.

Hazel

Me too Chris. I've had excellent doctors for the most part. Also get a new primary care doc every few years as they rotate in and out of the Mayo Family Clinic. I've had to "educate" a few and vice/versa but that's all part of life in the fast lane (well, fast for me anyway!). I really think being your own advocate and learning as much as you can so you can ask better questions and help the doctor help you is the key.

@artscaping. I, too, have had the vast majority of my doctors be caring, intelligent and professional people. I have only had a few doctors who have not been very nice, and I stopped going to them. It is sad that many have not had good experiences with their doctors. I find P.A.s to not be that good, but nurse practitioners and doctors have been really good. Perhaps they aren't teaching good bedside manners at medical schools any longer? Also, medicine isn't like it used to be. Lots of red tape and insurance problems. Many doctors feel overwhelmed and disheartened that they spend more time arguing with insurance companies than practicing medicine. I pray those of you who have not found a good doctor will come across one soon. It makes all the difference in the world with the treatment of your health.

I agree with you 100 percent. Recently I saw a pain doctor at a prominent center for my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. My CRPS has spread and I was (and am) looking for more coordinated care. Unfortunately, the doctor I saw told me that CRPS doesn't spread (she said it's Complex REGIONAL Pain Syndrome meaning it doesn't move to other areas). Dr. Schwartzman researched and wrote an excellent article on how it can affect other areas of the body, but she had not heard of him. I just put together a short note thanking her for seeing me and enclosing the article. Sometimes it blows my mind when looking for help I have to "educate." However, as you stated so well, helping the doctor help you--or tilling the ground so that others may benefit.

Hello @blindeyepug

As I was looking through the posts on chronic pain, I was thinking about you as it has been awhile since you have posted. I hope that all is going well for you.

We would love to hear from you - in the past, your posts have been insightful and helpful!

Teresa