My first entry is going to be a bit abrupt as my journey has not even begun yet, and I have one symptom too many to list in a single entry... plus I have a huge migraine, but what's new?
Well, I have an appointment with Dr Stephen Schendel coming up soon so I probably won't have much to say until then. So far, I've consulted with 3 orthodontists, a TMJ specialist, an orofacial pain clinic, a rheumatologist, neurologist, 3 ENT's and many more. So far, the only doctor who's given me some fresh insight was an ophthalmologist who noticed unusual and subconscious head tilting/swiveling which I later connected to some of the worsening neurological pain I've been experiencing. I've taken 2 CT's an MRI and a video swallow study.
I'm so glad the MRI came out negative for any spine condition, but then where is this head, c-spine pain and back spasms coming from? Well, it did begin during the last phase of orthodontia... and the muscle spasms, pain and extreme postural discomfort initially existed only around my face/jaws and the base of my skull/neck region. Never my entire neck and back.
Why didn't I think to go to a specialist who looks at the WHOLE complex?!? A craniomaxillofacial surgeon! The head is attached to the neck so one would affect the other wouldn't it? Well, in my case this theory definitely applies, I think.
So, that's where I'm at right now. Basically, I've been running around in circles this whole time.
Currently, I'm wondering if I should request a release of my medical records for this consult or I should just go in with my CT. I really want to hear what this surgeon has to say without the insights from the other physicians but wondering if I'm ultimately screwing myself by doing that.
Until next time.
