Hi all,
I have had a bit of an emotional journey after the operation wasn't the answer I had hoped for. My breathing was so much better but there was very little difference to the headache.
I went back to the pain specialist resigned that perhaps the pain is all in my head rather than physical, even though it didn't seem right to me. He recommended ADs again. I tried but had bad side effects immediately so after seeing my GP I stopped them and agreed to see a psych (specialising in pain) instead.
I had an appointment with a specialist the same day as the psych. The psych and I did not click at all. She was cold in the way she spoke to me, gave nutrition advice as her takeaway for me and left me feeling much worse.
However, the maxillofacial specialist pressed the muscles inside my mouth near my jaw, resulting in excruciating pain. He then announced that TMD is the cause of the headache. I cried with happiness. He said an occlusal splint will resolve it. I went to my GP straight after. She agreed to pass on the psych and see how I go knowing I have hope again.
I felt so validated in knowing it is something physical. All of my instincts were telling me it was physical.
While I waited for the appointment to get the splint, I found a new physio specialising in TMD. She is amazing. Within 2 weeks the pain had eased from a 6 to a 4. She is working on all the muscles in my face and head and now my neck and back as well. She said it is no wonder I had the headache, says I am "a mess". She said she could hardly move the muscles in my neck/back they were so tight. Still a lot of work to do but each week I feel improvement. I feel angry that none of my other physios noticed the muscles in my neck and back being so bad. The head and face I understand but not the neck and back which have been looked at so much.
I have the splint now and after a week and a bit I can tell it is helping. Pain is a 3. It is just a matter of time now I hope of relaxing all the muscles and the splint stopping my teeth clenching at night which will prevent it getting worse.
3 years after the accident and 2 since the headache became constant and I am getting my life back. I am caring for hubby and family more. I can talk to my friends without being preoccupied with pain or being depressed. I have started working on my physical state with some walking. Physio says to be careful not to overdo it.
Thank you all so much for all the support you give. It has meant so very much xx
