The TMJ Association - changing the face of TMJ

TMJ Resources - Our Family - Patient Talk

Delores

I am living in Switzerland and found the TMJ Association about 3 months ago. I had an accident in 1984 and nobody noticed that both my tmj’s were completely broken. Three years later I had severe arthrosis and had reconstruction on both sides. Five days after this surgery I had an infection with staphyccoccus aureus in both articulations. It was so bad after that, so much pain and no opening of the mouth. A year later I had surgery again and was implanted with a Proplast II in the right TMJ. I had 12 mounths of severe pain and was treated for a psychologic problem. An other surgeon found out that my Proplast had destructed and was almost going into my brain. In 1990 he took this proplast out and used my own bones (ribs) for reconstruction. I was ok for 10 years but still had a lot of tension and limited opening. But 3 years ago, I had severe pain in my head, neck and back , lack of concentration, problems eating, noises in the ears, pain in the ears, liquid coming out of the skin in both sides of the TMJ. After 15 months of visiting doctor after doctor I had a CT-Scan and it showed a complete destruction of both articulations with a new risk of penetration in the brain. I had surgery in September 2002 for the right side with bone reconstruction again and in March 2003 for the left side. I am still in severe pain, can no longer work as a nurse, and have been taking pain pills every 8 hours for 2 years now. My surgeon said that my right articulation is destroyed and my mobility is very limited. He is sure the arthrosis will come back again with severe destruction. Last time I saw him, he recommended a complete titanium implant. I don't know what to think about this procedure.

Here in Switzerland, I feel really alone as I don’t know anybody with this kind of problem. No other doctors know about it, just my surgeon understands what is happening. I would like to find an organization in Switzerland or in France like The TMJ Association but I don't think there is one. Last week I found out about the huge Teflon problem with the intoxication of the body including giant cells reactions, immune system reaction, pain inflammation in the body, etc. All the problems I have seem to be the same as the ones related to TEFLON intoxication including pain, dizziness and lack of concentration.

Thank you for hearing me, it is so hard, I am so happy I found tmj.org and could see that I was not alone and not crazy. I would like to speak or write to others in the same situation me.