TMJ Resources - Our Family - Patient Talk
After a car accident and several reconstructive surgeries, including a total replacement of my right TMJ (joint had fused to my skull), I suffered for nearly 8 years with a broken mess in my head. After the statutes of limitations had passed, my surgeon's office called me and told me it needed to be removed. (How thoughtful of him!) After a difficult surgery, I now have no joint on the right side of my face and have frequent pain and very limited jaw function. It cost me nearly $6,000 beyond my insurance to get this out and I was simply unable to have anything else done to my face. So, here I am, 50 years old, with autoimmune difficulties, pain, etc., a single parent without a lot of hope.
I have an entire host of autoimune difficulties which include; Fibromyalgia, Irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD,eczema, all of which surfaced after my ill-fated dance with the chemicals contained in my prosthesis. These particular maladies surfaced much more acutely after the sugery to remove the granulated bits and pieces from my face, jaw, neck and head. My opening was limited prior to this, and became less so after. I brush and floss carefully because it would be impossible to have much dental work and or even an impression for a crown done. Yet, with all of this, I have a 9 year-old son to raise and an income to produce, though as you can well imagine, my bedtime is close to his. I try not to think about my future health too much. I must live in the present, raise my child in the present and certainly pray for the best.
Colleen(USA)
