The Never Ending TMJ/TJR Drama

Most of us are accustomed to pain, fighting with insurance companies, and dealing with doctors.   It's not fun...every once-in-awhile you get a break, and then some other issue manages to rear its ugly little head.

For me, this is the fact that I no longer have an OMS.  Not only do I not have an OMS, but my old surgeon left for another job in another state without notifying his patients.  I was flabbergasted to learn of his move after returning this summer.  How could he not even send an email?  What am I supposed to do now? 

With little to no other alternatives, I made an appointment with another surgeon in his office.  I scoured the Internet for information about him and TJR surgeries, nothing.  I searched the TJR directory (http://www.astmjs.org/public.htm) and he was not listed.

Last week I drove to Miami with my list of questions only to find the office canceled my appointment and I never got the message. I spoke with everyone at length about my concerns.  I've know the people in the office for approximately nine years.  They told me to give this surgeon a chance and that he is very good. 

I went back down to Miami yesterday.  I was armed with questions:

Do you often do TJR?  His reply was that most doctors prefer not to do them but he has been in on the surgery and done the surgery with other surgeons.  

That was all I needed to hear, he is not qualified to get near anyone with TJR. 

He did do an exam which consisted of lightly touching my jaw.  His touch wouldn't have hurt anyone.

I told him my symptoms:
Headaches/migraines (but that's normal for most of us)
Pulsating Tinnitus and it sometimes gets so bad I feel my ear is throbbing (not hurting) and full
Sore (when I bite)
Eye pulling/bothering me 
Dry mouth

I was prescribed muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory meds.  I am to take it every day for 30 days and a soft and liquid diet.  No cheating.  Of course, this is after the girls cruise. 

He looked at my panoramic xray and nothing stood out.  If this doesn't help the next step is blood work to see if it's an infection.  As far as the dry mouth, he told me to drink more water.  I explained it's been going on for a year and it's not the water.  He didn't seem to bothered by it (of course it's not his body).  He doesn't believe that my dry mouth is connected to my TJR.  I do.

Here's why:  I went to a dentist and a local oral surgeon.  The oral surgeon examined my tongue and said that he felt no blockage and he felt that it felt moist.  He stated that the muscle and/or nerve damage probably caused this. 

I asked about physical therapy exercises and he said not to do them.  He wants me to rest my jaw as much as possible. 

I am fine with the conservative method.  I am not fine with the fact that I believe he is under qualified.  Right now, I am at a loss.

        Happy moments!