To think about getting private health care

[Mamabear04]

I am just at my wits end with my local GP. I've had TMJ pain now for years, been to the dental hospital and they gave me a mouth guard that didn't help and said the only other thing that could be done was to give me diazapam which at the time I was BF so obviously no go. Been back to the GP since, sent for physio, ignored and now I'm just wondering if I need to book in for a private MRI. It's honestly been going on for years and I can't really afford to go private but I honestly don't know what else to do! Has anyone else gone private? What company is the best?

Why would it be unreasonable? You need help and private healthcare ticks that box.

I got no help from gp but luckily have private healthcare through work. A god send

We have private healthcare via DH's job, but I have to say it's only really workable IF you live near a big city or densely populated area. I live in Cumbria but would have to go to Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle for a private hospital on their list. You can at least get private GP appointments online.

Would a neurologist be able to help you, I'd be looking at the option of a private mri and neuro specialising in tjn, I thought you could have nerve treatment and medications that help.

Ignore me, sorry I misread your post as trigeminal nerve. I hope you get this sorted out soon.

Previously worked for PMI company.

If you do go down the PMI route, please shop around. Most PMI providers will not cover existing conditions, so with your medical history of TMJ, this would be specifically excluded. Some companies may offer partial cover, eg with a big excess. Some companies would cover if it was part of an employers scheme.

options
badger the GP
take out a loan to cover private consultation and MRI
arrange for private physio, if that's what the GP has recommended
ask your dentist for their opinion

I went private recently, I went with a circle health dr, rather than looking at the company, I’d look at good rated drs and then work backwards from that to see what company they are with if that makes sense? It was life saving for me (literally) and something I hadn’t considered before, I don’t think you’d be able to get it under a monthly membership as it’s a pre-existing condition.

If you look up the specialists you can go to them directly. They will often work in various private hospitals

Agree. Look up the specialist, it will list which hospitals they work in, most also work for the NHS. It will show their training, experience and speciality interest, it's usually about £250 for the initial consult and many do referrals from the patient rather than the via the gp. Whereabout are you, maybe we know someone, maybe MaxFax?

Edinburgh would be my nearest city but can travel if need be. I never thought that there might be a specific specialist I could see. I just seem the NHS just have sent me pillar to post and no one has helped.

Have you considered Botox? I have TMJ and also bruxism. I clenched so hard one night I bit through my guard 🙄. I’ve had Botox done on my masseter muscles. It lasts between 3-6 months. It’s more expensive than aesthetic Botox as it’s much larger quantities used and goes without saying you need to see a qualified dentist or specialist to get it done. I also see a neurologist for a related headache condition. Sometimes you just need to push for a referral and see a specialist

most TMJ problems require total rest of the jaw so a three month soft food diet/ no stress/ tension/ no overextending the jaw/ mouth guard

you may not get much else from a private specialist
stress management can also help
osteopathy can also really help

No one has ever told me botox could be a course of treatment! I guess I might need to pester my dentist rather than my GP in that case. Is the botox visible aesthetically? I'm so wary of these kind of treatments because of that. Can I ask roughly how much the botox costs?

Nope it’s not aesthetic at all though oh swears by face looks more relaxed which is no surprise because I’m constantly clenching. Aesthetics is not its purpose. It relaxes the masseter (big jaw muscles). I have mine performed by a certified dentist and the difference is phenomenal. Im in Ireland but costs me €300 per treatment. Dentist explained that the cost is primarily down to the volume of Botox that’s used. It far exceeds what would be used for wrinkles etc

Oh and just to say I’ve never had any kind of anti aging treatment. This is a purely medical treatment. And if you were to get any type of injections in your face the person you absolutely want doing it is a dentist as there will be no one better qualified around muscles and nerves in your face. Obviously do your own research but at least speak to a qualified dentist to see if it’s a suitable treatment for you

@rubytubeytubes the problem with the treatment you recommended is that as a sufferer I just didn’t find it feasible. I tried the soft food diet and on the advice of my dentist even wear my guard around the house at times during the day as I’m a persistent clencher but reducing stress and not over extending the jaw??? If only it was that easy. I think I have normal stress levels and according to my dentist he thinks a lot of my problems stem from my palate formation (I had a lip tie that I only for snipped as an adult). While your advice is completely sound and any sufferer should try these things as an overall treatment/long term treatment I just don’t find it feasible. I could be fine for days/weeks and then something sets it off. If I had a soft food diet every time I’d live on yogurt

I have Benenden health and totally recommend it. It's only about £15 a month and works if there is 3 weeks waiting time for the NHS. It does not cover some thing though so best check their website first. Great as a back-up, I'm seeing a respiratory specialist next week, and recently had a CT scan and PET scan covered by them as well. I'd have been waiting months and months for the NHS.

I get TMJ when stressed as thats she I grind my teeth, it’s stress related. Do you know the source of stress in your life?

We joined Benenden- deal with existing health problems.

Great, thanks I'm going to enquire with my dentist as I think they might do this (they definitely offer aesthetic botox anyway).

I do my physio every day for my jaw, have worn the guard and none of it has fixed the problem. Are you completely pain free even when going through a stressful time?

If I knew how to not get stressed I'd probably be sorted for life! It's all I want tbh. Alas I do not know how to manage it nor stop it's consequences!

I've been clenching my jaw due to stress and have damaged various bits of my mouth. Masseter botox has been a total game changer. It stopped the pain in my jaw within 24 hours, even though Botox usually takes a couple of weeks to really kick in. The muscle feels softer to the touch. Can't see a visible difference but was not interested in that. I use my retainer too, but would definitely recommend looking into Botox. Mine was done by an ex a&e nurse, within a medical practice.

Yep pretty much pain free. Get the odd bit of discomfort now and again but wouldn’t be in pain if that makes sense. It’s like your muscles finally relax. And mine was pretty severe. I’ve had to have two teeth removed and dental implants in their place after cracking the teeth at the root from years of persistent clenching.

Dentist said it can take a few weeks to work but I noticed a difference within a few days. They said it lasts anywhere from 3-6 months and I felt the first treatment wear off about 5 months or so. I’m 4 treatments in over past 2 years and dentist has said some people will need them consistently where as some people after a few treatments find they’re pain free long te. I’m hoping I’m the latter