New TMJ Information  - TMJ Arthrocentesis Surgery Basics  and  TMJ Pain Management

Hi! My name is Stacy. I currently live in Atlanta, although I have moved all over the U.S. and have lived in more than 30 cities (my favorite being San Francisco!).

I have had TMJ disorder since I was mauled by a neighbor's dog in 1992. I have been to more doctors than I can count, and have had symptoms ranging from migraine headaches, to chronic facial pain and vertigo. I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder from the dog attack, chronic daily headaches and migraines, malocclusion from improper orthodontics, degenerative disc disorder in my neck, and various neuropathies.. all of which were symptoms of a much bigger problem, TMJ disorder.

Treatments have included splint therapy, trigger point injections, physical therapy, cervical facet blocks and occipital nerve blocks, seizure medications, anti-depressants, and psychological evaluations.

I have had 9 surgeries (mostly bilateral) starting in 2003. These include multiple arthrocentesis, bilateral arthroplasty ("disc plication"), arthroscopy, temporalis muscle graft, and finally, a bilateral total joint replacement in late June 2006. The joint replacements are titanium and were made custom for me from a 3-D CT scan.

I have been a patient advocate for many years, have been blogging since 2004, and have run/participated in chronic pain advocacy related websites since 2005. Most recently, I launched an endeavor that has been a long time coming - TMJ Hope, which is a (soon-to-be) non-profit organization for patients suffering with TMJ disorder.

I don't check my messages very often here, and most of the time it seems as though I do not get notification when someone writes me... so:

If you would like to contact me, please visit my website: TMJ Hope | Contact Us