Hi Ronda and everyone,
I have just set up a TMJ and MIGRAINE sufferers message board.
I know that many people who sign this journal do not have email addresses so I thought this would be a good way to receive their messages.
Also, I think it'd be nice sometimes that rather than emailing each person you want to respond to, you can just reply right to their message and it'll be available for other to read also.
I have this board linked backed to the Online Journal if that's okay with you Ronda???? Please let me know.
This is currently a private board as I do not have a link to it from my homepage.
If you'd like to visit this board and leave a message or reply to one, here's the addy:
http://www.bravenet.com/forum/show.asp?userid=fx34569
Donna <inpain@bellsouth.net>
Huntsville, AL USA - Date: 09/03/98 (Thu)
Time: 09:31:02 AM
I am SOOOO glad I found this site. Looks like I'm not the only one suffering chronic pain.
About 8 years ago I was hit in the jaw with a ball and had lots of popping in my jaw when I ate or yawned. I never did see a Dr. (had no insurance at that time) so I just lived with the popping. Eventually it seemed to go away on its own. Then in 1990 I was in a car accident. The car rolled two and a half times and crushed the roof on the passenger side (my side) way into my seat. If I had been wearing a seat belt I might not be here today. I was thrown ALL OVER the car, all I can really remember about the accident is that is was really dark and I kept tasting dirt and glass. When the car came to a stop my husband started screaming get out, get out! So I crawled out of the car and walked home. We were both VERY LUCKY. I didn't seem to have any problems and he only suffered road burns because he has his arm out the window at the time of the crash. Anyway, I started having some headaches, nothing terribly bad, just having them quite often.
About a year after the car accident I was in a couple of fights at which time I had my hair RIPPED out of my head (in CHUNKS) and was pinned to the ground with a hand pushing on my left cheek and forcing the whole right side of my head into the ground. I have also had my head smacked into walls. Needless to say, my headaches had become more sever and more frequent after those episodes.
I lived on Tylenol almost daily until I became pregnant early in 1992. It was my fourth and last child and the most difficult pregnancy I'd ever had. My headaches turned into sinus problem and earaches (so I thought). I had been treated for sinus problems and given antibiotics for my earaches even though they saw nothing wrong, (I was symptomatic).
After my last daughter was born I started getting toothaches so I started seeing a dentist who said I had a dental infection, BINGO, we figured out what my problem was, right? WRONG. I just about lived on one form of antibiotic or another until 1996, but nothing I was given EVER helped. I was decided in 1996 that I would need to have some teeth removed to get rid of the infection and to help me start feeling better. Well, I ended up with having FIVE teeth taken out and was STILL in the same amount of constant pain.
My Dentist then decided that maybe my problem was with my TMJ so he sent me to a maxillo-facial surgeon. I had x-rays taken and my joint seemed to look okay, so I was told that all I needed to do was to get partials to align my bite. I then saw a different surgeon who said my problem was definately my TMJ so he referred me to a dentist who is also a TMJ specialist. After the testing he did (range of motion, where does it hurt, etc. etc.) he decided that my WHOLE problem was my bite and that a dental splint would solve the problem. WRONG AGAIN!
I've been wearing this splint for almost 3 months now and it's NOT helping me one bit. Actually, my pain has become WORSE in the last 6 mos. My neck muscles are CONSTANTLY tired and sore, as with my shoulder muscles. I have a CONSTANT earache and the WHOLE right side of my head hurts CONSTANTLY. I have also begun to get headaches so sever that I'd be nauseas, dizzy or lightheaded and couldn't concentrate. You know those headaches, the PLEASE SHOOT ME ones. I'd get those headaches atleast four or five times a week. They total disable me. The only thing I can do is lay in bed on a heating pad and TRY to fall asleep. Oh, and eat about 25 Tylenol a day.
When the Tylenol FINALLY seemed to kick in enough to wear I was atleast able to sit up, I'd still have a headache. My head hurt in multiple places, i.e. above my neck, the top of my head, behind my right ear, and both temples. This is what I live with now DAILY.
I am SO SICK and TIRED of being in pain (as I know all of you are). I don't know what it is to wake up JUST ONE DAY and not be in pain. I have turned mean and angry and don't like myself anymore.
I am known as "smiley" where my husband works because I NEVER SMILE and when I do it's a forced, fake smile. People have asked my husband "what's wrong with your wife?" Everytime I see her she looks as if she'd like to kill somebody. Well, that's how I feel sometimes when I'm around people, especially LOUD people. I just want to be left alone.
Sorry this is so long, I just need someone to talk to I guess.
I called my dentist last week and told him that the splint is not helping me so he decided that maybe I have another problem besides my TMJ so he referred me to his physician (a family Dr.) The Dr. asked me a few questions, checked my breathing, etc. and decided that I was also suffering from migraine headaches. So, now we're trying Midrin and Elavil for 30 days to see if they help, if not, maybe a CT scan or MRI and some blood work will have to be done.
So far I've been taking the Midrin and Elavil for three days, it's NOT helping.
This constant pain I am in has totally ruined my life. I cannot seem to do anything. I HAVE to do things, so I do, but I sure don't want to.
I was the kind of person who would NEVER even take a tylenol or an aspirin when I was younger. I didn't want to take ANYTHING at all, NO DRUGS because I come from a family that the majority of them are on one drug or another for various reasons, most depression.
My Mom suffers from depression and also migraines and has been some type of medication my WHOLE LIFE. I didn't want that for me.
Sorry to write a book here, I just don't feel good (EVER) and need someone to talk to. I can't talk to my husband (I think he thinks it's ALL IN MY HEAD, which it IS, literally). One thing I did notice, was that when I asked him to massage my neck and shoulders it did seem to help me a bit, but it didn't last long. As soon as he quit all the pain was back. Guess he's got more to do than sit around massaging me, huh?
Donna <inpain@bellsouth.net>
Huntsville, AL USA - Date: 09/03/98 (Thu)
Time: 09:00:49 AM
Hi,
Had 33yrs weekly migraines. Went to a neurologist 2mnths ago.
Said I was suffering from "Transformed Migraine". I was using
Codeine all these yrs. Apparently it inhibits the brain's
long-term ability to produce 5-HT(Serotonin). Banned me from
any codeine and gave me Voltaren(generic) suppositories and
put me on Trepiline(Amytryptiline)(10mg longterm). Had an
increase at first of attacks then levelled off again at one
attack a week.
Then I saw on the internet that it's been proven that
amphetamines and similar substances(psycho-stimulants) can
do longterm damage to 5-HT -carrying fibres in the brain.
Another researcher found that increases in 5-HT is accompnd
by linear decreases in 5-HIAA(5-HT metabolism). Thus, if you
stimulate Serotonin production(the way psycho-stimulants do)
you seriously damage the ability to produce Serotonin over
time.
Now I've stopped the Trepiline and am hoping for the best.
Any comments?
Olaf.
Olaf van Renen <508@adept.co.za>
Cape Town, South Africa - Date: 09/03/98 (Thu)
Time: 05:33:03 AM
Hi all, I just wanted to make you all aware that ELLE magazine (Sept 98 issue)
has a great article on Migraneurs. I was very impressed with the piece. I clipped
it out & made copies for my Manager & supervisor at work. Maybe then they MIGHT
understand the living hell we go thru. I am happy to report that I haven't had
a "full blown" migraine in 3 days now. I've had some "baby" migraines, but nothing
that my normal furinol & soma mix didn't cure. I hope (crossing fingers)
that I won't get one over the weekend as I am an attendant at a friends wedding.
I wish you all a pain free holiday weekend. God/dess be with you. *Dianna*
Dianna <ghost@gte.net>
New Port Richey, FL USA - Date: 09/02/98 (Wed)
Time: 10:58:38 PM
About a month ago I mentioned in this journal that I had started on a new drug called Amerge (naratriptan hydrochloride). Well over the past month I have taken it many times for tension/stress migrines and full blowen flasning lights migrines. The results have been great, no side affects what so ever and no rebound headachs. When I first started using it, it seemed to take about an hour to take affect, well this morning I had the nasty onset, I though I was going to pass out. I had taken Amerge with the first flashing lights and with in only 20 minutes it was gone. Its been eight hours and I feel great.
I think its worth asking your Dr. about, it may not help all of you but it may help some. I know for me it has been a God send.
Take care and God Bless!!
J. Carlson <carlson@mtaonline.net>
Palmer, AK USA - Date: 09/02/98 (Wed)
Time: 10:11:28 PM
Hi, I am a 39 year old female who has suffered migraines since I was 5 years old. The only period in my life that I didn't seem to have many migraines is my early to mid-twenties. For most of my life I only seemed to have the headaches once per month, usually just before my cycle. But in the last four years the headaches have gradually increased, both in frequency and intensity to the point I have a chronic horrible migraine/tension headaches. I am seeing a neurologist, but I have had no luck in finding any medication that works. He's tried giving me a variety of antidepressants, betablockers, calcium blockers, seizure meds, anti-inflammitories, fiorinal, esgic, Imitrex etc, etc, nothing works, and I have bad side effects from just about everything. Imitrex works but not as well lately. Mega doses of the Motrin has torn up my stomache to the point I need to take ulcer meds. There have been times I have begged friends and family for anything they may have to stop the pain, including Tylenol with codeine, darvocet and Vicodin. Sometimes the Vicodin works but it makes me itch. The doctors don't want to prescibe narcotics because they are addicting but at this point I wouldn't care. I had a CT scan last week and I am waiting for the results. I went back to my family doctor and told him I am desperate at this point, I will try anything to get the pain to stop. I am still waiting for help. I am married and have a 13 yr. old son both would do just about anything to help me find a solution so I can be normal again. My coworkers are tired of me popping pills and complaining. I would like to try chiropratics and/or acupuncture, or any other less conventional methods if they'd work. Does anyone have the daily dosage of feverfew and B2 that is supposed to work? Please email at crabree@htonline.com Thanks for the support and prayers, we all need it!!!!! Katrinka
Katrinka Crabtree <Crabtree@htonline.com>
Howell, MI USA - Date: 09/02/98 (Wed)
Time: 09:43:42 PM
I have had migraines for the past year since I was involved in a car accident. My doctor put me on duradrin, but that doesn't seem to help at all. Maybe you have some suggestions.
thank you.
Beth Robinson <shedevil@hto.net>
Transfer , PA USA - Date: 09/02/98 (Wed)
Time: 06:07:15 PM
