I love my dentist.

[iamdollface]

I have his cell phone number and can call him on a sunday when TMJ makes my face swell up like I'm hiding a golfball in my cheek. I know for sure I'll get into to see him tomorrow even though I just bet he's booked solid all week. I do not love having constant dental problems, though. I made myself sleep extra (a whole 9.5 hour night!) in the hopes

Comments

[iamdollface]

Thank you. The pain I can deal with, it's the bother of taking care of the problems that really gets me. What a time-suck! At least I enjoy hanging out with the dentist. My teeth have been a constant issue for the last eight years. It's genetic, and I have it better than a lot of my family, so...

I guess, because I do not grind but clench, that the mouth guard isn't a solution. I've only talked about it once with him as he gave one to my father years ago, but it's never come up again. A friend who had TMJ suggested botox, and I suppose I'll ask the Doc about that down the road. For now I take Soma from time-to-time, which I like better than anything else so far for the simple reason I can take it at work and only sometimes end up too stoned to function (unlike the other pain med which made into a potato). Didn't you just have a botox treatment for your chronic pain conditions? What did you think of it?

What sort of tablet did you get? I was eying an iPad or Galaxy Tab, but I just spent a small fortune on a new MacBookPro, so I guess I am waiting on getting new toys. And I think moving cross-country is as good an excuse as any not to have learned to use your new technology.

[ashbet]

I just got the Botox on Thursday, and it's supposed to take 10-14 days to really take effect, so it's hard to tell so far. I do feel like I'm getting some relief, and I can see that it's had SOME effect (really odd that my eyebrows raise slightly differently, I keep making faces in the mirror!) I'll keep you posted via LJ . . . going to be in Anguilla as of next Saturday, but we'll have wi-fi at the hotel. Here's hoping I can ENJOY the trip instead of spending half the days holed up in the hotel with a pillow over my head!!

The treatment wasn't arduous at all -- I really barely felt it. Steroid shots (which are another TMJ treatment, btw) are more painful, but still not in any way unbearable. Definitely talk to your dentist about injection options for your TMJ, because it can make a big difference!! (Although they won't help with infections, they'll at least keep you from having the jaw pain and clenching.)

I got a CINTIQ that works with my Mac, and came with a copy of Painter 11 (my PC copy of Painter was V8, so I need to learn new software as well as hardware!) It's really slick . . . the only problem I've run into is that the Mini-DVI-to-DVI converter that's needed to make it work with a Mac tends to pop out of the computer port, so I had to buy a giant binder clip to hold it in. Low-tech solutions!!

I do really like it so far, although I did prefer my old tablet PCs for their cord-free use -- I'm not used to having to juggle so many cords. But hopefully I'll stop pulling the damn thing out eventually!! I'm just really skittish when it comes to learning how to use new tech, and with these headaches and chasing down treatments and dealing with major drug side effects, my ability to concentrate has been completely shot. I'm sure it'll come, but I feel guilty to just have it sitting there staring at me! :/

*hugs!*

-- A <3

[iamdollface]

The learning curve for Cintiqs is fairly low, you'll have it mastered in no time. They really are fantastic, and much more sensitive and accurate than tablet PCs. I like the idea of ease/portability in having something like an iPad and there are drawing programs galore for it now, but the truth is I like to draw on paper best. Ha ha. Talk about low tech. Which Cintiq did you get? The big or the mini?

The new intern at work has Fibro and I often think of your LJ stories about dealing with it. She's really young, very talented and I hate to think where she'll be in ten years. Good luck with your treatments and yes, I'll look forward to reading future posts. I'll talk to the dentist about injections, too, though that feels too much like having to fess up to the fact that there's something wrong with me! Arg!

I think I'll go play video games until the Pharmacy has my meds ready.