Hi, I was assaulted around 10 years ago and ended up with a broken jaw which was plated. I have had no problem since apart from the odd twinge in cold weather.
About 2 months ago it started aching at night, which I thought could be tooth ache so I visited my dentist who advised my teeth were all OK. The pain continued to get worse and just before xmas I was in agony every night. I visited my doctor and he suggested nerve pain?? and has me on medication. This medication is doing nothing apart from making me very sleepy. I have been back to visit my doctor who is convinced it's nerve pain and merely changed my medication and suggested I leave it until March 8-| and if I'm still having the pain then he will refer me to Maxilliofacial.
I'm struggling to eat, my jaw feels like it's moving when I chew and makes the occasional popping noise and when I relax my jaw it 'pops' to go back into place... In the night I wake up and my jaw is so tightly clenched it hurts to relax it?
I have absolutely no idea who to go to next, as I feel my Doc isn't listening to a word I say.... any thoughts would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance. :-D
About 2 months ago it started aching at night, which I thought could be tooth ache so I visited my dentist who advised my teeth were all OK. The pain continued to get worse and just before xmas I was in agony every night. I visited my doctor and he suggested nerve pain?? and has me on medication. This medication is doing nothing apart from making me very sleepy. I have been back to visit my doctor who is convinced it's nerve pain and merely changed my medication and suggested I leave it until March 8-| and if I'm still having the pain then he will refer me to Maxilliofacial.
I'm struggling to eat, my jaw feels like it's moving when I chew and makes the occasional popping noise and when I relax my jaw it 'pops' to go back into place... In the night I wake up and my jaw is so tightly clenched it hurts to relax it?
I have absolutely no idea who to go to next, as I feel my Doc isn't listening to a word I say.... any thoughts would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance. :-D
Hi,
Im sorry to hear that you have had such a poor response from your doctor, I really do feel that you need to head back and insist on the maxfax referral asap.
To be requiring high levels of analgesia for a problem that is only continuing to worsen is concerning, if necessary see a different doctor at the practise.
Considering your doctor has suggested neuropathic pain as a possible cause, has he even referred you for scans or fully assessed you for areas of altered sensation / numbness or compared previous with current xrays?
Have you been assessed to see if there could a bacterial cause for the pain - have you been unwell in yourself at all or had any other synptoms coinciding with the start of your problem?
Im sorry to hear that you have had such a poor response from your doctor, I really do feel that you need to head back and insist on the maxfax referral asap.
To be requiring high levels of analgesia for a problem that is only continuing to worsen is concerning, if necessary see a different doctor at the practise.
Considering your doctor has suggested neuropathic pain as a possible cause, has he even referred you for scans or fully assessed you for areas of altered sensation / numbness or compared previous with current xrays?
Have you been assessed to see if there could a bacterial cause for the pain - have you been unwell in yourself at all or had any other synptoms coinciding with the start of your problem?
Thank you :-)
he says that maxfax will only do the same as he is doing and therefore he has to do them first so we can say we have tried everything??
It's very difficult to see another doctor, there are only two at the practice and the other is very popular (I now know why) and with work commitments I may be waiting until March to see her.
The medication I am on now are mainly used for anti-depressants and although I am assured they work well for neuropathic pain I am still reluctant to take them.
I asked why he wasn't sending me for an x-ray or scan to rule out any damage as it's the irregular movement and popping that concerns me and he simply said 'because it's unnecessary'. I am having to spend practically the whole day with my jaw clenched because of the pain. The only 'assessing' he has done was to feel the joint in my jaw (temporomandibular??) while I was moving it up and down and said "hmmmm". I haven't been unwell, no temp or sickness or anything.
The pain is just wearing me down, I was considering a visit A & E to see what they thought???
Thanks
he says that maxfax will only do the same as he is doing and therefore he has to do them first so we can say we have tried everything??
It's very difficult to see another doctor, there are only two at the practice and the other is very popular (I now know why) and with work commitments I may be waiting until March to see her.
The medication I am on now are mainly used for anti-depressants and although I am assured they work well for neuropathic pain I am still reluctant to take them.
I asked why he wasn't sending me for an x-ray or scan to rule out any damage as it's the irregular movement and popping that concerns me and he simply said 'because it's unnecessary'. I am having to spend practically the whole day with my jaw clenched because of the pain. The only 'assessing' he has done was to feel the joint in my jaw (temporomandibular??) while I was moving it up and down and said "hmmmm". I haven't been unwell, no temp or sickness or anything.
The pain is just wearing me down, I was considering a visit A & E to see what they thought???
Thanks
Hi,
well on the bright side, at least he has prescribed the correct range of meds for neuropathic pain (they can be very good however take a while to kick in) however just assessing for TMJ syndrome is hardly a full assessment.
I would really push for the maxfax referral, however if you are in such pain and having such a hard time then it may be worth a visit to your local walk in centre. These are staffed by emergency nurse practitioners who are able to refer to hospital if nec, the downside is that they often dont have xray facilities.
If you choose to go down the a/e route, then bear in mind that they provide an acute service. If you go in and tell them that you have been through this lengthy ordeal with your GP they may not look too favorably on you, so it may be worth tweaking your story slightly...
well on the bright side, at least he has prescribed the correct range of meds for neuropathic pain (they can be very good however take a while to kick in) however just assessing for TMJ syndrome is hardly a full assessment.
I would really push for the maxfax referral, however if you are in such pain and having such a hard time then it may be worth a visit to your local walk in centre. These are staffed by emergency nurse practitioners who are able to refer to hospital if nec, the downside is that they often dont have xray facilities.
If you choose to go down the a/e route, then bear in mind that they provide an acute service. If you go in and tell them that you have been through this lengthy ordeal with your GP they may not look too favorably on you, so it may be worth tweaking your story slightly...
ooh meant to add, it really is worth pushing your gp for the xray in case the plate is irritating one of the main facial nerves - therefore causing the neuropathic pain and will require action taking in order to rectify it... it could also show up any infection etc (tho i know you said you had been well in yourself its worth ruling out - i take it they've tried anti inflammatories and antibiotics already yes?)
I had 3 plates put in my jaw in July'08. I've had two taken out since. 3 ops in total, because they were supposed to take two out in one go but the larger plate had different screws and they "didn't have the right screw driver". I'm sure I should have sue'd them for that, but it is the NHS after all.
This sounds like what I had, the tensing i am not sure of but the pain could easily be a plate irritating. I would push for that side of things. The only pains i really get since having them removed are some weird twinges/tickles which tend to happen in spurts. I wont have any for weeks but then have some consistent for 2 days or so.
I kept going to my doctors and eventually one suggested I go to the dentist as they can get max fax referrals quicker. I got myself an xray at the dentist the same day on an emergency appointment and they got me a next day appointment with the max fax. Not longer after that they were arranging my op to remove the plates.
So, try and get a referral from the dentist.
This sounds like what I had, the tensing i am not sure of but the pain could easily be a plate irritating. I would push for that side of things. The only pains i really get since having them removed are some weird twinges/tickles which tend to happen in spurts. I wont have any for weeks but then have some consistent for 2 days or so.
I kept going to my doctors and eventually one suggested I go to the dentist as they can get max fax referrals quicker. I got myself an xray at the dentist the same day on an emergency appointment and they got me a next day appointment with the max fax. Not longer after that they were arranging my op to remove the plates.
So, try and get a referral from the dentist.
Hey chedz, I was assaulted also around 5 years ago at the age of 16 and I'm also experiencing pain. I'm on a liquid diet until I can make it to the doc in a couple days. I still have 2 plates and 8 screws that are expected to stay in but I feer I may be heeded down the same road. Although I'm in the military and I won't be paying for anything this is possibly grounds for medical discharge. Keep me posted about what works for you because I had no problems until recently.
I was attacked 6 years ago broke my jaw have two plates now. Recently has started getting agony do not know why should i get it checked as i have all the same symptoms you have mentioned. Advice please
I had mine broken almost 2 years ago . I see a pain specialist now . 150 Norco a month . The pain is unbearable and they don't know what to do .
Hi. I had an industrial accident 10 years ago and broke my jaw in 3 places. It was also plated. I endure the same things you are describing here, daily and with no end in sight. I have been given a few homeopathic remedies I'm told will do wonders, however, im curious if you have found any relief. I have gone the same route with my Dr. and the medication, and the maxillio facial clinic. It's very frustrating.
I imagine you already know this but be very careful with the pain doc! I had my mandible broken in 2013. The pain doctor had no other choice besides pain meds. 120 hydro 10s' a month. That was the beginning of a nasty opiate addiction that i deal with daily and take Suboxone for. Now, being on sub, not only does it block the euphoric/pain reliefi effects of other opiates for days, but also makes your tolerance insanely high. Now the hydros that had previously given me terrific relief wouldn't even come close, even by the handful.
Hi I broke my both jaws in 2010, got plates and stuff. I have been fine ever since but this year I am experiencing server pain on my left jaw and it's been for 2 weeks now I can't even sneeze because of the pain. Please recommend
"hydros"...sounds like u got the poppy flu bro.....they are great for face pain, but they are the worst of the opiates for addiction. get a more stable med..ms contin or opana. these drs are scared of their own meds.