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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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Dislocated TMJ
#7684846 - 11/27/07 07:43 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Yea, I seem to have this problem. My left jaw joint is not sitting right and sometimes I wake up in the morning not being able to open my mouth all the way.
The problem is that I live in this wonderful country called America that does not have free health care, so I need to ask if anyone here has ever had the same issue with their jaw and knew how much medical treatment would cost.
I've heard it could cost $400-$800 just to relocate it. But I don't know for sure.
Because if the price really is that high, I might as well just fly over to Germany and get free treatment there..
Any ideas?
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Thin White Duke
Stranger
Registered: 10/20/04
Posts: 51,530
Loc:
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Wouldn't the flight cost more? And are you German?
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wortiesbo
Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 866
Loc: new vegas
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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yeah i think the free healthcare is for citizens only in germany.
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trendal
J♠
Registered: 04/17/01
Posts: 20,815
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Besides, Cuba is a lot closer
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Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.
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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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No, but I used to live there for nearly a decade and I have health insurance there. The flight could cost more than the medical bill but to see my family there along with a free doctor's visit is priceless.
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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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Re: Dislocated TMJ [Re: trendal]
#7684904 - 11/27/07 08:12 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Can the hospital give me an estimate if I just walked in there and asked?
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wortiesbo
Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 866
Loc: new vegas
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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hmmm good question... i think they charge you just to examine you lol
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trendal
J♠
Registered: 04/17/01
Posts: 20,815
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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When is the last time you had a tetanus shot, by the way?
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Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.
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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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Re: Dislocated TMJ [Re: trendal]
#7685369 - 11/27/07 10:25 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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records tell me i have all five doses of that shot. i may have just opened my mouth too wide at some point. i'll take immediate action if the problem gets worse.
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trendal
J♠
Registered: 04/17/01
Posts: 20,815
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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"all five"??
You have to get a tetanus shot periodically throughout life to maintain immunity to it. Usually, it's given every 10 years, starting when you are 5 (you get five shots by the time you are 5). You likely got a "booster" shot when you were 15, or at least I did through my school (it was a DTP shot).
You are generally on your own, though, after 15. I got another booster shot when I was 25...but that was more because of my family doctor than anything (she's really big on getting your shots).
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Once, men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.
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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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Re: Dislocated TMJ [Re: trendal]
#7685543 - 11/27/07 11:19 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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oh alright. yeah, five shots from when i was 5 is what i was referring to. i didn't know that they are continuous.
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freddurgan
Techgnostic
Registered: 01/11/04
Posts: 3,648
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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There is absolutely nothing they can do to "fix" that, just so you know. TMJ disorders never go away. Admittedly I've only been to two doctors but my friend has the same disorder and there's no fix for her either.
They can attempt surgery but I've read that it makes it worse sometimes too. The best thing you can do is manage it, or do some physical therapy but that's just extreme management.
Good luck!
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AlteredAgain
Visual Alchemist
Registered: 04/27/06
Posts: 11,181
Loc: Solar Circuit
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well i don't know if it's really a tmj disorder, i'm only assuming because the joint of concern is close to my ear. i'll get it diagnosed by a doctor at some point. it's just the money man, i can't exactly afford the medical bill here in the U.S.
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ZippoZ
Knomadic
Registered: 06/17/03
Posts: 13,227
Loc: Pongyang, North Korea
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mine was so bad that i couldnt even eat an apple the other week, i think that the cold weather messed me up, but over time it got better on its own....
-------------------- PEACE zippoz "in times of widespread chaos and confusion, it has been the duty of more advanced human beings - artists, scientists, clowns, and philosophers - to create order. In such times as ours however, when there is too much order, too much m management, too much programming and control, it becomes the duty of superior men and women and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption" "People do it every day, they talk to themselves ... they see themselves as they'd like to be, they don't have the courage you have, to just run with it."
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Eightball
whore consumer
Registered: 07/21/01
Posts: 3,013
Last seen: 9 years, 8 months
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theres no quick fix for tmj. your jaw doesn't really dislocate with tmj. There are varying degrees of TMJ but that all involve the cartilage cushion thats in the joint either moving slightly out of alignment causing the jaw to click (occasionally lock or shifting the jaw when opening/closing) or to a complete detachment of the cartilage which results in the jaw always moving sideways to move around the out of position cartilage, locking very frequently, and causing inner ear pain, and 'migraines'.
If your symptoms have just begun, you need to have a mouth guard or retainer made that will align your teeth correctly when they are closed. A major cause of tmj is grinding your teeth (while asleep usually). This puts extreme pressure on the joint and also the side to side motion eventually leads to a complete detachment of the cushion. Make sure that its a hard acrylic and not one of those soft sports types of mouth guards. and make sure the doctor adjusts it perfectly so the bite is correct and also does not allow side to side motion. I recommend a bottom only guard because they can be much smaller. And most importantly WEAR IT EVERY NIGHT and if you find it uncomfortable, go back to the doc and make them adjust it (they most likely will not charge for adjustments). The last one i had made cost me around $600 but it was too late and no amount of braces or mouth guards can reattach the cartilage. I have constant jaw and inner ear pain now and my teeth are worn down a lot. My only option is surgery. Please do yourself a favor and get it taken care of immediately and always wear the guard. Dont chew gum or eat carrots or open your mouth too wide. Also take multivitamins and lots of magnesium (helps with joints)
-------------------- If you're frightened of dying and you're holding on.you'll see devils tearing your life away. But...if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels Freeing you from the earth.
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