Jaw problem.

Hello eveyone. Need lots of prayers for awhile. I am dealing with some pretty difficult jaw issues right now. TMJ ( Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is probably what I have, not too sure just yet. One Oral surgeon I have seen says no, but all the symptoms are there. I clinch my teeth in my sleep and have tried mouth guards but they make me clinch more . I have also woke up several times holding the silly thing. Does no good in my hand.
Physically I have a lot of soreness and stiffness in my left jaw. It often feels as if I have a really thick rubber band in my mouth. My mornings are pretty tough, in that opening is almost impossible for about an hour. Yawning, sneezing, chewing...all of these are torture.
Just this week I have stiffness in my neck. Clay mentioned that I have been really tired when I wake in the mornings, I really hadn't noticed but I don't think sleep is as good anymore.

I think this has all come from stress with family, my job as well as Nathan getting married last July. I would work out to relieve the stress but my jobs are really physical so I go to be really tired already.

This week I am struggling to find a specialist within network of my insurance. Most are not even under the umbrella of health insurance. As of now I have an appointment with a guy in Houston on March 18th. This visit alone will be $245. I am okay with that but then what he decides to do from there is going to add up too.

Thanks in advance for the prayers. I need relief now... ~ Gin

Prayers going up now, Gin. I'm sorry you're dealing with insurance issues on top of the pain. I hope it all works out.

Oh, Gin, I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds awful! You will be in my prayers. I hope that you can find some relief soon. Did anyone give you some advice on how you can try to relieve some of the pain before your appt? Motrin probably isn't strong enough.

Motrin helps more than you think, but its mainly the stiffness in the morning that I have to work out that is so hard. I often take something around 2 or 3 a.m. just to help with that. I am usually up by 6 a.m.
I have had several people refer me to a guy in Houston, just hoping that some of what he will do will be covered under my health insurance.
I will be back on the phone early Monday morning to find out more.

Good luck, Gin. Let us know what you hear.

I am so sorry you're going through this, Gin. I hope you can find some answers....and hopefully ones that aren't 'too' expensive!! Ugh. Keep us posted...I will pray for you.

Thanks everyone. I am trying to find someone today that will cover all of this, but if not I do have that appointment Tuesday March 18th. It will at least give a second opinion.

Praying for you, Gin.

After about 6 hours on the phone with insurance and doctors I now have an appointment on March 26th with an oral specialist in Houston. I have learned a lot in this journey already. Finding a specialist within my network that ALSO specializes in TMJ has been hard. Its all about asking the right questions and telling them what the problem is doing to me.
Although the first doctor told me it wasn't TMJ I still have to see a specialist for it in order for them to do the right evaluation on me. BLAH!
Good news is that since I have already had a CT scan and x-rays I can take those with me to this guy. I am hoping this can be fixed without too much pain. I have had enough of that already. Thanks for the prayers.

That's good news, Gin. I hope that you can find some answers and that the doctor can eliminate this pain. I wish he could see you next week!! I pray that your insurance will cover most of this. It's nice to find someone who specializes in TMJ. Enough of this run-around. I'll be praying.

Ugh, sorry you have to wait, and sorry you have to go through so much to find the answers you need!! Praying for you, dear Gin. Hang in there!!

I hope and pray the waiting isn't too tough on you, Gin. We prayed for you at church this Sunday. Hope you felt the warmth and love.

You're in my thoughts and prayers, Gin!

Thank you all. March 26th is when I go for a second opinion. I have NEVER been so ready to go to a dentist in my life! Last night i noticed my jaw not only clicks but has shifted. I am really afraid it is going to lock.
Heidi's head bumped my chin last week and I thought I would cry. Poor baby knew something was wrong. She sat beside me for a long time.
  

Wow! That sounds awful, Gin. I truly hope things can get resolved after that second opinion.

Aww Gin, I'm so sorry you're going through this.   I can't wait for you to get this resoved. Keep us posted when you find out more next week. {{HUGS}}

Today is the day!  Let us know what you find out!  I hope you can implement a plan soon to get the help you need.  {{{HUGS}}}

HELLO! I found a really cool doctor that I think will try to help me through this.
I am back home tonight with somewhat of a plan in motion. Doc wants an MRI done before he decides exactly what he needs to do. This will determine one of two problems : a problem with the joint or a problem with the muscles. I think he is leaning and I am too, toward the muscles.
If its a joint issue, then he said he could "wash" the joint ( not sure how this is done) and/ or give me a steroid shot. He even mentioned Botox.
If its a muscular issue then I will probably need a night guard made for me.
The one thing that has us both puzzled for now is the popping in my jaw. I am hoping that the MRI will show clearly more about the joint and it will be an easy fix. I know this will all take some time, but as for now he has given me a muscle relaxer to take at bedtime in hopes that I will not clinch so much.
Just hope I can come alive easy enough in the mornings after taking it.
It really makes this easier to deal with when you have someone that gives you options that aren't scary. After I got his thoughts I did tell him what the last doctor wanted to do. He and the intern had never heard of such a procedure! WHEW!
Thanks for your prayers,thoughts and texts. I do hope this is the beginning of an end to this.
Not sure about when I will have the MRI, but soon. I have to go back to this Doc. in two weeks. Lets just hope the muscles relaxers work well and I don't wet the bed! LOVE!!~ Gin

Glad it looks like someone is going to help you with this, Gin. I hope the muscle relaxers work well.

Glad you got some good info....I know how frustrating it is to not have answers to your questions. Hang in there, praying for you.....and no fluids after 6:00 pm...   

  I hope that helps, Gin. And I hope that this doctor is able to get to the bottom of things for you. Praying!

Gin, I've been thinking about you today. I'm so glad that you found a doctor who took the time to answer your questions and go over some possible treatment options. Hopefully you can have the MRI done soon. You may want to put a plastic liner over your mattress. Ha!

Still praying for you, Gin!