Posted by Bob on October 29, 1998 at 13:41:39:
In Reply to: Re: READ THIS!! Fellow sufferers, we're on to something! posted by Bob on October 28, 1998 at 00:16:12:
OK just got back from the dentist. he took xrays and thinks there "might" be a problem with one of my upper LEFT teeth - it may be an abcess - i might need a root canal. he doesn't know if this is causal or not for the CHs.
He also doesn't think my jaw popping is the result of bad bite. not sure i agree with him - but i'll go the formal route until frustrated. he suggested i see a specialist for "temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain" (that's what the card says). sounds close. the dentist feels the "popping" in the left jaw joint is due to "some other" problem (as yet unspecified). the only thing is - we began talking about trigeminal neuralgia - good thing i read up on this first. the Trigemenal Neuralgia pages are rather interesting - as regards CH. this is a very similar affliction to CH - but with different centers of pain (facial) and triggers (sometimes as little as wind on the face). TGN patients feel the kind of pain we do - excruciating, indescribable, paroxysmal - but in the face, nose, jaw (external "skin" areas) where we get it inside the head. i think the same (trigeminal) nerve is involved - but it appears to me that the TGN patients are having the pain generated more externally than internally. anyhow - wanted to give you an update on my personal research/experiences. tomorrow is the endodontist (abcess/root canal) appointment. i'll see the temporomandibular specialist after that. again - i'll keep you all posted. we WILL kill this beast - pain freedom for ALL!
-bob