There is a wonderful Facebook group called TMJ Cure? They are always looking for new members. The group organizer is well versed with TMJ surgeries and treatments and the members are very friendly and helpful. If you would like to join, search for the group TMJ Cure? or try this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564361020499861/ and click the Join button. (You will have to copy and paste it. My editing software for this blog is not working at the moment. ) Also PM Lisa Berner-Schmidt that you would like to join.
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I often get asked for names of TMJ Surgeons so I thought this would be a good time to do a TMJ Surgeon roll call. In the comments, let me know your surgeons name, city and state where he/she is located, and what surgical procedures he/she has done on you. Thanks!
I saw my surgeon Dr. Psutka about my concerns and he sincerely didn't think it was due to a metal hypersensitivity. He said that he's done thousands of TMJ replacement surgeries and has seen metal hypersensitivity and doesn't think that I have it. He said that there would be a full rash around the area and pain upon touching. I have mild pain upon touching, which I have always had, but not moderate or severe pain. He suggested that I see my family doctor and have blood tests done to see if there is any other explanation. At this point, he will see me at my annual appointment in April. He didn't think it was worth spending $500+ on the test. He said that if anything changes, to make an appointment to come back to see him earlier. I have not made an appointment with my family doctor yet. He is on vacation and I will do so after the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend.
On Sunday I was at a friends house. My friends have 4 Great Danes, one who is not good with people. The husband said it was safe to go out to the backyard and the dogs were inside. I went to the backyard. Just as I went through the gate into the backyard, the wife who had been downstairs didn't know I was in the backyard and let the dog out because it had to pee. The dog attacked me. Since it was a Great Dane the size and height of a horse, its' head was at the level of my chest, I protected myself and my face (particularly my jaw) and got bit on the arm.
Damn it hurts from my shoulder to my finger tips. I went to the hospital, had xrays to make sure it wasn't broken and had a tetanus shot. When the nurse put saline in one of the bites to clean it, it would squirt out another hole.like a sprinkler. The canine teeth went all the way through. I have 4 punctures wounds. It was a bad bite. I am on antibiotics but have been fighting infection. The largest puncture wound is not healing well because it is so deep and large. The doctor wouldn't stitch it because it needs to drain. All I can do is keep cleaning it with saline and putting Polysporin on it. In Canada, the doctor is legally obligated to report it to Public Health. An official called me for the details and the dog will be in quarantine for 10 days to make sure it doesn't have rabies. The owner assured me that the dog was up to date on all it's shots including rabies. I am starting to wonder if a variety of my health problems are due to metal hypersensitivity to my dental implants or the TMJ prosthetic joint which include:
A couple months after my TMJ Replacement surgery, I had a rash on my right mandible. I did a patch test to see if I was allergic to the metals but it came back negative. He did take pictures to document what was happening. I am now wondering if this rash on my face around the implant area was due to metal allergy. I found a lab close to my house that does the Melisa testing and will bring the form to my surgeon on September 13th to approve the test. In Canada, Melisa testing starts at $450. Here are some articles and links on this subject: Metal Hypersensitivity to Implant Materials - TMJ Association, Ltd. - click to download PDF http://www.cobalt-chromium-toxicity.com/metal-implants-and-hypersensitivity/ http://www.aaos.org/cc_files/aaosorg/research/committee/biomed/bme_se_2013.pdf http://abcmt.org/bones-metals.pdf http://chealth.canoe.com/Condition/GetCondition/Metal-Hypersensitivity Considerations for Metal Implants allergy Articles on Melisa Website This is a presentation by my surgeon Dr. David Psutka titled "TMJ Bootcamp", posted by the Canadian Dental Association. Click on the link below to automatically open in a new tab or if it doesn't open, copy and paste.
I received the result of my biopsy for skin discoloration on my forearms. It is a complication from follliculitis which is an infection of the hair follicles. The office said it is nothing to worry about. I have a follow-up to the appointment October 11th to discuss my alopecia and the follliculitis.
I saw a dermatologist last week to find out why I have lost most of my eyelashes, eyebrows and all my arm and leg hair. He said that I have alopecia or patchy hair loss. He didn't spend much time with me so I wasn't able to ask any questions. All he said was that when they have the result of the biopsy, he will treat it then but treatment is difficult and limited. He was more concerned with the rash on my arms and had the nurse do a biopsy. I have skin discoloration on my lower arms between my wrist and elbows. In the picture below, you can see the difference in coloring. It's almost like I have a spotty tan. The dermatologist also looked at other areas of my body where I had hair loss to see if I had any other skin discoloration. He said to call the office in two weeks and they would tell me the next step or follow up.
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August 2016
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