Spent the morning at the dentist
#287859 - 10/25/06 09:43 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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My jaw is completely dislocated. Apparently your bottom jaw is a ball and socket thing, kinda like your knee. There is a capsule around your lower jaw and some cartilage that keep the bone in its capsule from pressing on the nerves. My joint is out of the capsule, the capsule is pushed over to the side and the cartilage is pushed next to that. My dentist said he has never seen anything like it.
I was there for two hours, got shot up with a lot of crap, more x-rays than I can count. Apparently the RA or the use of the steroids to treat the RA has eaten away at the joint. I have a bit splint in right now and my dentist is conferring with two different specialist to see if I need to have a permanent splint made or if I will need surgery. They can't put it back in place and I can't open my mouth more than a tiny bit and the pain is awful.
It seems like everyday there is something else. I just want to scream!!!! The wrist brace I got at the rheumy yesterday seems to be helping that some. Apparently there is a production issue with the injectable mtx and they had to special order it but it should be in tomorrow. I really wish I could take some time off but here I sit at my desk, drooling because my whole face is numb, a glow in the dark bit split between my front two teeth, a big splint on my wrist and arm, zoned out on vicodin. PLEASE don't let anything else go wrong, I'm at the end of my rope and holding on with very painful, swollen fingers. 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Oh dear...my thoughts are with you. You are by far the strongest person I can even imagine. After everything you've been through, you're still going...  Hopefully someday soon when you're nice and healthy, you can look back at all of this and see how strong of a person you are! Take care and we're ALL rooting for you!
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IBS-A
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I'm so sorry about all of this, Michele. I hope your dentist and his specialists can figure out what to do about this - and that the solution won't be too miserable for you.
Surely by now you're sick enough to qualify for disability. Is that an option for you?
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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You poor thing. I can't believe you still manage to work. Do you get many sick days? Can you afford to take time off of work? I think being home recovering from surgery has done wonders for me. No stress, I can use my own bathroom whenever I want, I don't have to interact with coworkers. It's very nice I would look into some kind of leave of absence or disability. I hope you start getting some better answers soon and start feeling better. Stay strong!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
 
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Michele,
you're a superwoman! I know of NO ONE who would be at work in your situation no matter what their financial needs. Keep hanging on to that rope - you have a lot of people pulling for you here. Even us "lurkers" who you don't know so well.
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Just lots of hugs, Michele. I'm so sorry. Please just don't give up! We're all here rooting for you.
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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I really appreciate everyone's well wishes. I really need them. I am on the verge of a total and complete meltdown.
First, I spent 45 minutes at the pharmacy arguing with that same, stupid old man that gave me a problem a few months back about the humira. I got the mtx but I believe they wrote the wrong instructions on it. Ok, so I call the rheumy and ask the nurse how much am I supposed to inject?? 1/2 cc or a full cc? Pretty straight forward question but she insists she can't tell me and has to call the pharmacist. I explain as calmly as I could the pharmacist is a clueless old man and didn't even know what mtx was!!! So, I'm waiting for someone, not sure who to call me back before I start it because there's a big difference between 1/2 cc and a whole cc when it comes to a chemo therapy drug!! 
I go back to the dentist this am and he asks if its any better. Nope, I reply. I still can't open my mouth more than about a quarter of an inch. He called the other specialist back and I see him on Tuesday, in the meantime, he gave me a bottle of percocet.
The specialist doesn't bill insurance. The splint is a minimum of $700, I already have the x-rays and the initial consult if another $150.00. Due Tuesday. My hubbys business is very slow and money is very tight. Hubby made me feel horrible for costing so much money. I am going to ask my boss to pay for it tomorrow when he is in. Wish me luck if he won't pay for it, not sure what I will do. In the meantime, pain pills and liquid diet and walk around with a dislocated jaw. 
I work for a small optometrist office. Its just the doc and me. He owns two other offices so is only here two half days and one full day. But when he isn't here people call for appts and to order contacts and people come in to pick things up. If I am not here, the office is closed. There isn't anyone else to work. The other two offices are 1.5 hours away and the girls won't drive that far to work for me. If the office isn't open, no money comes in and he will be forced to close this office and I will be out of a job. So, its come to work "sick" or I'll be out a job.
In order to get disability, you have to be not working and it can take over a year to get approved and you usually get rejected the first time or two.
I'm just on overload. I had to get blood drawn as well today, 4 sticks later and a hell of a bruise. I had to go to 3 different pharmacies to get my percocet filled, you would think the stuff is crack or something. Harley has diarrhea. Oliver is going to the vet tomorrow to get fixed so I'm worried about having to leave him overnight. My hubby is freaking out about money. My boss is pissed because I've been late coming in with the dentist stuff. My body hurts all over and I'm shaky and have had D as well, despite numerous Imodium and narcotics and the fact I haven't eaten anything solid in over a week. I just want to melt under my desk and cry.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I'm so sorry, Michele, it all sounds so horrible.  I just can't believe everything you have to deal with -- I think most of us would have completely melted down a long time ago.
I know it's none of my business, but it ticks me off that on top of everything else your husband is making you feel bad about money. Again, none of my business, but I bet he's a whole lot healthier than you are, so why doesn't he take on a second job? Or give up on the home-based business and get a better-paying full-time job? Or get a full-time job and do the home-based thing on evenings and weekends? It sounds like he can definitely do a whole lot more about your financial situation than you can.
Money has been tight with us too because I quit my job to focus on getting my health under control. I've begun to look for a job so hopefully pretty soon it won't be as much of an issue. Because we viewed our situation as short-term rather than long-term, we focused on doing small things -- selling unwanted items, cutting back on things we don't need, occasionally putting stuff on a credit card to float a month or two if we thought we were going to run short of cash (I don't recommend doing this if you have a high-interest rate credit card -- we have a fixed 6% APR). We've discussed long-term options but we haven't had to go there yet -- taking out a second mortgage on the house, selling some of our more expensive items, even selling the house itself and living in an apartment. My husband is a great guy but we've had some pretty nasty arguments about money since I quit working -- money problems can be pretty brutal on a marriage. But please, try not to let him make you feel bad. It is absolutely not your fault that you're sick.
Hopefully the new meds and increased steroids will help you and in another couple months this will all just seem like a bad dream.
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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I know hubby didn't mean to make me feel bad and I can't help that I'm so sick but its so darned expensive. The steroids also make me more depressed and make everything harder to deal with emotionally.
I did talk to my boss and he agreed to pay the bill for me at the specialist next Tuesday. My insurance will pay %80 after a $250 deductible but the dr doesn't bill insurance so it all needs to be paid up front. My boss said he would pay for it all and than I'll just pay him back whatever the insurance reimburses us. So, that relieved a lot of stress.  It sucks not being able to take time off but he does take good care of me!
Hubby got laid off from his job over two years ago and the economy just plain sucks here in Michigan. There isn't much of a market for what he does, which is repairing and modifying pro-audio gear. He was doing relatively well for a long while, making better money than where he was working before but the bad economy effects everyone. We are hoping its just a slump and things will pick up but if not, yeah, he is going to have to figure something else out.
We have a fair amount of credit card debt at the moment. Its all been shuffled around to low interest, some as low as 1.9%. We have talked about a second mortgage but we have only been in our house for 7 years and paid no money down through a va loan. Our house is old, built in 1922 and we just had to repave the driveway and put new windows in last year. Its going to need new siding as its still the original wood and it won't hold paint anymore so we want to wait and do the second mortgage for that when we can't put off the repairs anymore.
My car will be paid off next fall so that will help a lot. Our health insurance keeps going up. We started off paying $200 something a month and its up to $872.00 a month!!!! With my health issues, no one else will insure me so we are stuck with the rising premiums.
We have cut expenses. We NEVER go out, partly because I'm always so sick. I honestly didn't know hubby's business was so bad until a few weeks ago when he told me he borrowed a few thousand dollars from his brother to pay his taxes. I think he was trying to hide it from me so I wouldn't worry.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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you were so kind to responde to my blog when, here you have some much going on yourself...thank you.
I've been keeping you in my prayers. How is the new medication going?
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I start the new medication tomorrow night. I wanted to wait until Friday night so I can lay in bed all weekend if it makes me sick!
Its a good thing I did call the rheumys office today though as the pharmacist did instruct me to take DOUBLE the amount I'm supposed to!!! Its a good thing I'm paying attention or I would have likely landed myself in the er with an overdose! I'm nervous enough as it is without the stupid incompetence of an old, ignorant pharmacists!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I just want to melt under my desk and cry.
I wish I could be there to pass the tissues. Things really seem to have piled up. One good thing is that your boss seems very nice to advance the money for the dental treatment. Do you have a couch in the office so you can at least lie down? I don't know about Michigan but California has pretty good state disability. Might that be an option? Maybe you could take a couple of months off while waiting to see if the new treatments work. I used to get state disability then would get unemployment. Did that for several years. Finally I applied for Social Security disability. Mine was based more on bipolar disorder than physical problems, although those were thrown into the application brew. I think the fact that I would keep trying to work and then have to take off, plus I had several hospitalizations and lots of treatment, which helped me get approval without appealing or going to court. Believe me, I would rather be able to work as being home on disability has it's own set of problems. Murder on self esteem and feeling like a productive member of society. I try to do volunteer work when I can and that makes me feel a little better. Plus finally I am old enough where it is not weird that I am "retired." Do look into disability. In California it is relatively easy to receive. Doctor fills out the form and specifies for how long.
Whatever you decide to do, don't quit your job. If your boss must close the office because you are absent too much, then you would at least be able to collect unemployment, especially if he was willing to go along with it. A friend of mine foolishly sabotaged her chances of getting any benefits (disability or unemployment) when she quit her job because of illness. She just wasn't aware of what's out there.
We were financially impacted by my illnesses but I am so lucky to have a hubby who has always been supportive and hasn't held it against me. Or if he has, he doesn't say anything. We did have a few ups and downs, but that is to be expected.
One more thing. Maybe hold off on the neutering. You don't need to add more to your plate right now.
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Thank god you called rheumys office!! I will keep you in my thoughts this weekend...hopefully your hubby will be there to take good care of you 
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Michele!
#288054 - 10/26/06 01:33 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Oh, I feel awful for you. I've had my jaw dislocated and I know the trauma of not finding a good position where it does not hurt or feel "out of place." {{gentle hugs.}}
I hope the pain meds are zonking you out (at least). I'd call you, but I won't put you through having to murmble to me over the phone. I suggest the "look of death" the next time your husband complains to you about the money. It's a simple look that can be administered mouth open or locked. Just create some intimidating eye contact, and hold for 10 seconds. Says a thousand words.
Wishing you all the best to make it through the next 24 hours... ~nelly~
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I was just too depressed to employ the look of death this morning! All I could do was blubber like an idiot! Not sure whats more effective, crying or the evil eye! 
I feel a little better after talking to my boss and knowing he is going to pay for the jaw thing for me. I've had three percocet today, jaw still hurts but I don't care much any more! I'm STARVING though. Can't open my mouth wide enough to get solid food in and soup just isn't cutting it! Might try some cream of wheat for dinner! Followed by another percocet, of course!
I still don't get why they can't pop my jaw back in???? Its been since last Saturday and I don't see the specalist until next Tuesday! At least I should lose the weight I gained recently from the steroids!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: Thanks nelly!
#288059 - 10/26/06 01:52 PM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Cream of Wheat and percocet sounds lovely at the moment! Set a place for me! I started methadone for my pain and D (10mg, 2ce daily starting 3 weeks ago), and although it doesn't give me the huggy feely stuff I get from the vicodin, I just had the most lovely, large poop, so I am very satisfied. And my pain is gone, which is huuge.
The Look of Death will have to wait when you are all cried out. Just know it will be there, waiting to fight on your behalf.
~nelly~
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I have checked into disability a little but I don't think my medical records will qualify me for a permanent disability and I don't want to give up my job. Its not like I can take a few months off and come back. If I continue to have bone loss and x-ray changes over the next year or so, than I would probably be able to qualify but its pretty tricky here.
My hubby's dad had esophageal cancer and it took him 3 years to get his disability!
I may not get to have time off but at least my boss is helping me with the medical expenses and thats more than a lot of bosses do!
I usually "deal" a bit better with things but as you said, its all just sort of piled up lately.
I thought about postponing Oliver's neutering but he is 6 months and humping everything that moves!  I set the money aside a month ago so its just me being a worried mom! I hate that he has to stay overnight! I was a worried wreck when Harley has his done but I know its a simple procedure they probably do 20 a day, I just worry about my babies!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I can appreciate the big poop and feeling better! I do my humira shots on Thursday nights and usually Friday through Sunday, I poop like a regular person!!!! I was amazed when the first regular log o poop came out of my butt!! I wanted to call hubby and have him look, I was so proud!! The D usually comes back by Monday but those few days are bliss!
I have never tried the methadone but have heard it works well for chronic pain. The vicodins don't give me the "good" feeling anymore but the percocet are a nice change!
Do you like brown sugar in your cream of wheat? I just got out my snowman dishes, shall we plan on 7pm?
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Oooo snowman dishes! How festive!! I'll bring some methadone too and we can party like it's 1999.
Brown sugar sounds fab. I'll bring my pjs too, so we can stay up all night grunting and drooling at each other and using hand signals to communicate. Plus I can rest up for the 20 hour drive home.
~nelly~
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Sounds divine! I usually have a dinner part every Christmas so last year my girlfriends all went in and bought me a whole set of really cool snowman dishes! Its gotten so cold so quickly here, I thought way not?!
Pj's are a definite MUST! Don't forget the fuzzy slippers!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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