Today I went back to see my consultant and even though I'm not 100% happy with what has been said, it's progress!
Firstly, I went in and told him how much pain I am in, how I'm struggling to cope with work and uni, and how I have no social life! I told him that I had been looking into other resolutions and that I wanted a TMJ replacement, which he has mentioned that I may need in the future.
He explained that firstly, I am too young for such drastic surgery, as the joint would have to be replaced every 15 to 20 years, and the more something is operated on, the less it functions. I told him that I don't care what my jaw function is like when I'm 80, I just want it to be better now! He went on to explain that even though a jaw joint replacement would help the pain in the joint, it wouldn't resolve the muscle spasms which are pulling the joint out of place. I asked him whether the replacement might minimise pain which would then control the muscle spasms, but this is a question of the unknown.
He went on to give four needles in the jaw joints to minimise the pain and also measure how much I can open my mouth, which at the moment is 10mm without anaesthetic, and 15mm with. When I cried because of the pain of the needles (which isn't normal for me). he realised how severe the pain has got over the past couple of months. The next steps, which are frustrating but practical are:
- Set up a meeting with another consultant for a second opinion to discuss further options or procedures which may help.
- Have an MRI scan to check they haven't missed anything major.
- Set up an appointment with a clinical psychologist to try and help with the pain and frustration of this problem.
- Wait for the results of my liver function test before starting on a new drug which may help to minimise the pain.
I go back to see him again on the 14th November, so for now I will try to keep smiling and if anybody has had similar problems or has any advice then please let me know :)
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