And Away We Go | Arthritis Information

 

Well, caught up on some posts so thought I'd do a quick update.  Went to the Rheumy yesterday and wanted to CHOKE him.  He wanted me in because of the bad week of flares last week including my left jaw.  Took me off the pred, which I figured he would.  Wants me to go off, see what happens and then he'll put me back on if I flare.  Well OF COURSE I'M GONNA FLARE!!  Flippin ding dong.  Now get this, EVERY time I go in he says "Do you have a lot of stiffness when you wake up in the morning?" and EVERY time I tell him "No, I never have really had stiffness they way you're describing, just pain".  So ding dong does a joint count.  Of course it hasn't changed except that now we can add my jaw.  Then!!  OMG then, he has the nerve to tell me that he doesn't think that my left jaw is a flare and it could be TMJ.  Ummm, ok Doc.  I've never EVER had this problem in my life until this whole lovely RA business.  I've had the worse week for a flare going from left knee to right knee to left shoulder to left jaw and now right wrist...Of course it's TMJ.  That makes total sense to me.  GRRRRR!!  So then he continues to tell me to stick with the study because he REALLY believes that I'm only on MTX and the rest are placebos and REALLY believes that in 4 more weeks they will add enbrel to the mix because I haven't improved.  I want to choke him...just 3 minutes, closed room...please let me.  Crap! I told him I thought everything but the MTX was a placebo long ago.  Of course the MTX is real, they tell you that in the beginning ding dong and besides that it makes me SICK...yep it's real.  Oh and then, I ask him what his opinion on disability was because of my situation and he tells me "Well, you can try.  It's really difficult to get approved and sometimes it takes a very long time".  Can someone tell me something I don't already know.  Shouldn't he have just a little more information or advice?  Ok Ok, I'm done venting...ahhhh.  I feel much better now.  Thanks for listening all.

Peace & Love...Neasy

Anytime neasy!!

Welp, sounds like RD, is either having a bad day or he is just

Coo-coo for coco-puffs!!

Man, I wish I had some coco puffs! Iam going thru sugar withdrawals!!

Can't believe a rheumy would say that it was tmj.  When it happened to me so severely that I went to the emergency room only to have the ER doc say it was probably tmj, I called the rheumy next day and he laughed and said it was a flare since I had done nothing to set off any tmj and had no history anyway.  He said ER docs are not up on RA enough to even think about a flare in the jaw.   I also, in my long long life had ever had tmj so took that with a grain of salt.  I think you should too, even if your rheumy doesn't agree with mine.  Mine did say it is a somewhat unusual presentation but certainly not unheard of.Neasy,  Where are you?  He must be talking about long term disability.  Neasy I had a ONE WEEK waiting period for short term disability.  It can't be that different where you are.  Isn't unemployment federal?  It comes out of the unemployment office.  Neasy, you need to get on short term disability until they are giving you the REAL STUFF.  This is crazy.  I am getting so sick of hearing what folks go through without good insurance.   IT IS SO F***ING WRONG !!!!  There are people on this board who have HMOs and they obviously need the biologics and can't get them.  I want you guys to kick my butt the next time I complain.  I am so blessed to have insurance, even if they do fight me every inch of the way.  If I don't like my rheumy, I can fire him.  The next rheumy will take my insurance.  My heart seriously breaks for those of you that have to deal with getting decent care on top of ra.  I got an arthritis magazine today.  It has some websites in it for help with meds.  I will post them tomorrow.  I AM SO ANGRY FOR WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH NEASY

Peace & Love...Neasy

NO kidding Neasy.  Did you do an internet search on short term disability?  DO I HAVE TO DO IT FOR YOU ??????  Check into it and if it is not straight forward, pm me and I will help you.  I guess I am an expert since I am on it

HELP!!

I know what that feels like to feel you just wasted your time and money on a visit with the doc and you just get more frustrated than helped.Especially when they ask questions you have already answered before.Makes you wonder do they even review your records before you come in.

I know it does take awhile to get disability.And you will be turned down the first time I bet.I think everyone does.It is a long process but I think worth giving a try.

What you need is a big bowl of chocolate ice cream,that always helps me when I have had to deal with these moments that just make you want to scream.

ps  Sheila,  You are talking long term disability.  Short term disability takes the same amount of time as unemployment.

roxy38589.5171180556

Roxy,

Can you tell me about the short term disability?  I will be out of work for a couple of months after my shoulder surgery.  will I be able to collect it then?  I live in PA.  any info you have would be helpful.

thanks,

Linda

 

 

OK now you guys got me going.  I will look up the website.  The only thing I do not know is if it is different in different states.  I will do some checking. 

"TMJ" stands for TemporoMandibular Joint, or the jaw joint. You have two TMJs, one in front of each ear, connecting the lower jaw bone (the mandible) to the skull. The joints allow movement up and down, side to side, and forward and back—all the mobility necessary for biting, chewing and swallowing food, for speaking and for making facial expressions.

TMJ Diseases/Disorders:

Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders, commonly called TMJ, are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. Injury and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also affect the temporomandibular joint.

Who is Affected by TMJ Diseases/Disorders:

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. While both men and women experience TMJ problems, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.

Causes:

Not all causes are known. Some possible causes or contributing factors are injuries to the jaw area, various forms of Arthritis, dental procedures, genetics, hormones, low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, stretching of the jaw as occurs with inserting a breathing tube before surgery, and clenching or grinding of the teeth.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing TMJ diseases and disorders can be difficult and confusing. For example, facial pain can be a symptom of many conditions, such as sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, and facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain).

At present, there is no widely accepted, standard test to correctly identify all TMJ conditions. In most cases, however, a complete evaluation, including a detailed medical history, the patient’s description of symptoms, and physical examination of the head, neck, face and jaw provide information useful for making a diagnosis.

Tests that are recommended are often intended to rule out other possible medical conditions. A diagnosis of TMJ diseases and disorders may be made only after every other possibility has been considered and eliminated. Many TMJ patients see multiple healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians, dentists, sleep specialists, ear, nose and throat specialists, neurologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, pain specialists, chiropractors, etc., in their search for answers.

Before undergoing any costly diagnostic test, it is always wise to get an independent opinion from another healthcare provider of your choice and one not associated with your current provider.

 

(copied from a website. just do a search for  TMJ; tons of info) 

 

Hulagirl38589.5266087963

Ok roxy but I was referring to what TMJ meant...

Thanks Hulagirl!! Very enlightening reading!!

I think I know what you are talking about the feeling anyways. I have that feeling everyday of my life. It is just now getting stiffer and I am not able to open my mouth all the way. It use to be the other way around, where I could not close my jaw to where my teeth were on top of each other. But since MTX I can do the oppisite...lol. I do not know what is more annoying not being able to close your mouth or your mouth being closed...lol. Either way cannot chew food, most of the time I just chew 2 -5 times then swallow...that is if I can get the food in my mouth...lol.

jooniper38589.5301736111OK You guys.  I apologize.  Your states are way more confusing.  In California and I think all states, your employer has to give you short term disability insurance.  It is taken out of your paycheck.  There are several different companies that offer it so I can't help you without knowing what short term disability insurance you have.  I opted for state disability because I have two jobs.  If I had used the PERS (Public Employees) short term plan, they would not have taken both of my income into consideration when determining my benefits.  Long story short - call personnel.  Find out what kind of short term disability insurance your job provides.  I pray that I am right and you guys have it.  In California, it is mandatory.  Let me know what happens.  I will be thinking of you. 

I have more good days than bad.

I'm too lazy to think or type Roxy.  Copy & paste is fast & easy

 You're Welcome, Joonie

 

Roxy,
Not all places offer short term disability.   My hubby's company doesn't.  The hotel I worked for does.  I'm in SC.  I know in IN it was the same, some offered it, some did not.
Wayney,  That so sucks.  I had thought it was a federal law.  My mistake.  I guess that is one good thing about living in California.  It seems like it should be a federal law.  I REALLY don't think I could have worked.  That is how people end up homeless

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/tmj.cfm

Neasy, Just wanted to share with you that I had the jaw pain also and my physical therapist massaged (quite vigorously) the sides of my neck (it felt like she was pinching the muscles in my neck, it kind of hurt) BUT it did relieve my jaw pain, believe it or not.  I never would have guessed the muscles (or tendons or whatever) in my neck were connected with my jaw pain, but apparently they are.  She told me to let the shower spray on the sides of the neck too and to do the gentle neck stretches in the shower (tilting your head slowly, ear-to-shoulder).  The same was true when I had terrible pain in my foot (to the point of limping), the PT massaged the muscles in my calf, and that along with gentle stretching helped.  Anyway, I only had a few visits to the physical therapist and she gave me gentle stretching/ROM exercises to do at home which I have found very helpful.  I have a small hand-held massager with a heated knob and it seems to help those sore spots too.  I also take MTX (injectible) and it took a few months before I felt improvement.  Anyway, the Physical Therapist had a lot more suggestions for pain relief than the Rheumy did.  Don't know if any of this is useful info for you, but just wanted to let you know.  Hope you feel much better very soon!

No wonder why our docs are always sending us to physical therapy!!

I hate PT!!

Speaking of PT.  Just got back from my first set; Hands and pool.  They dipped my hands/wrists in hot wax.  Parafin or Parafen.  Wrapped in plastic,towels for 15 minutes.  After the initial shock of HOT, it did feel good.  Pool felt fantastic. Heated, indoor and did some light excercises.  I am starting to pay for it pain-wise, but worth it.  Well, ask me that again tomorrow morning.  

Feel Better,

Kat

Glad PT was a "good" experience for you Hulagirl!!

I hate how they push you to do more then you think you can do. I had to go when i broke my knee...it was awful...felt like it took forever to get done. I quit going after 4 sessions...lol. To much work for more pain...lol.

jooniper38589.8569791667

Hey there... I just wanted to prove two points:

TMJ can pop up at any time, for any reason.  My sister had it once, for no reason.  The doctor told her to stop chewing gum.  She only chewed gum around once a week so I don't know why that would cause it.

Your jaw CAN be affected by RA.  Last month I went to the Dentist to get a cavity filled.  Well, all that freezing and pulling on my jaw left it really sore and it still hasn't gone away.  It hurts when I open my mouth really big and really seems like a joint thing!  RA!!!!  It feels the same as my other joints- dull pain.... hurts when moved.... sigh.  When will REMISSION come?????

Remission was way back in the teens for me. So by my boat you missed the boat...lol. Or you could get preggos...many go into remission while preggos, I did.

jooniper38589.9642361111

Hmmm.  Haven't had the TMJ pain for a couple of months.  So, guess something is working (meds). 

That wax on the hands . . wonder what it would feel like if they dipped my whole body in. (Neck down, of course)
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