Tiffany
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TiffanyAAnn |
Total frustration! |
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I have been reading on the boards and lately it seems that so many people are really down and discouraged and I am major frustrated reading about all that so many have been through with their TMJ. So many ripped off, screwed, cheated, damaged and beaten down trying to fight the system that truly doesn't give a rat's ass what happens to people. If you have enough money they care more but not much more. If they treat you and something goes wrong they give them the shove off almost as fast as they do the rest of us. It's wrong that our system is like this and there is so little concern for people. The only thing that is worshipped is the almighty BUCK$$$$$$$$$$$$. There is only one doctor (or that is what they call him anyway) in our area who people with TMJ who can no longer stand the pain can go to if they need surgery and of course this man tell them ALL they need surgery. This man has been getting extremely rich off people's pain in this area for several years. But his main office, which I understand is decorated extremely rich, is in another state but I was driving down the road the other day and realized the worthless rip off piece of trash is building his own wonderful office building right here locally so he can get even richer. Is it never enough for them? If I had my way this man would have no patients. I tell anyone who will listen about the many people I personally know of that he has screwed up and over. I guess we can only hope that he pays after he dies. I apologize for the rant. Sometimes I just get so mad and I can't contain it anymore. I personally have been really lucky in that my splint therapy has been such a success but I know that there are so many out there still in pain and suffering and looking for answers and I know what road blocks lay ahead for them and it gets to me. I will shut up now.
Tiffany |
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JerrLee |
Re: Total frustration! | ||
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Tiffany, I'm glad you got this off your chest. I think it's a cultural phenomonen, if you know what I mean. Our society is very affluent but we're paying a price.
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Michelle Denise |
Re: Total frustration! | ||
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Oh Tiffany, I think I know about the worthless piece of money grubbing trash you speak of that has entered our area. I have yet to see his palace in our local town. I am sure it will be something else just like the other two I have been in next to our state. Yes, the more I talk to people the more people I find that have had surgery by him. The last story I told you about was pitiful.
Yesterday when I went for my retainer impressions the gal working on me use to work in his Joplin office (the old one). I told her I wouldn't hold it against her. She told me "Honey I don't work for him anymore." She had a big smile on her face. I figured he was a big ass to work for, because he treated me awful and I was a paying customer. I am sure I was right by the look on her face. I hope you have a great weekend. Michelle |
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perspective81 |
Who is this *******? | ||
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I live in the Springfield, MO area... by chance are you talking about Joplin, MO... if so could you please give me a name even if you want to email it to me so that I am sure to stay away from him... whoever he is. I have enough problems without working with a money grubber. thanks
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Michelle Denise |
Re: Who is this *******? | ||
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What doctor is treating you?
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perspective81 |
TMJ Doctor | ||
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Currently, I am working with my family dentist, Dr. Marcia Preston. I am very impressed by her tenacious attitude. She tells my that we are going to figure this out, and that she will find me relief. I have also been to an orthodontist, Dr. Austin. I was also impressed by him. He told me that I do not need braces. He recommended some changes to my splint and called my family dentist to share his opinion. However, my family dentist has said that if she cannot find an answer to my problems, then there is a specialist in Springfield. She told me that he is VERY expensive! His consultation is enough to make me pass out. She is trying to help me avoid this at all costs because she knows that I am a teacher and my husband is a police officer. Like most of us, we just don't have tons of money. Anyway, I would like to know if the specialist is that same man that you all are talking about. I would like to stay away from someone who is only after that all mighty dollar. I need someone like my dentist who really cares for her patients. Thanks.
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TiffanyAAnn |
Re: TMJ Doctor | ||
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perspective:
What is the name of the doctor you are thinking of in Springfield? |
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perspective81 |
not sure | ||
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My dentist has said his name only about two times. Each time I remember thinking that it sound kind of like a strange name... I am pretty sure that it started with an m. It sounded kind of foreign... I wish I could remember. I have looked in the yellow pages and could not find the name or anything that looked like it. The only thing saw was a TMJD and Facial Pain Specialist of Springfield. When I go back to my dentist at the end of July, I will ask her the name again.
I just thought of something that sounded like it... Mosh...? I just don't want to get caught up with some jerk... I really need some help and want to go to the right place. I believe that my family dentist would only recommend someone she thought could really help... but I have also heard horror stories of fraud... Thanks |
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Michelle Denise |
Re: not sure | ||
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I haven't heard of anyone in our area with a name that sounds like anything like that name. Maybe the guy your general dentist is thinking of sending you to is someone that specializes in craniofacial pain and not necessarily surgery. I think that would be a good thing.
I am going up to see this type of doctor at the Mayo Clinic in August to get a second opinion regarding my surgery. I have been there once, but I want to get his opinion about my ability to stay on meds long-term. I also want to see if I will be able to avoid surgery in the future. I am hoping I will not get to a point in my life where I will have to have it whether or not I want it. I hope your dentist is able to help you. Keep us posted on your progress since you are local. |
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perspective81 |
Thanks | ||
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Thanks for your information. I really appreciate your support. It's nice to have some support. I really don't have anyone that I can talk to who really understands my situation. I check the board almost daily. It's really nice to know that there are people out there who can sympathize. I appreciate knowing that there are people who are local who understand. Thanks for being there.
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Michelle Denise |
Re: Thanks | ||
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Hey Perspective,
You feel free to join in on any discussion you want. I know how hard it can be to have TMJ. It can consume your life and take over. The awful thing is that you look normal, so everyone thinks you are just fine. You look fine so therefore you must be fine. I have tried to explain on a couple occasions my problem, and I get this clueless look from close friends. They just really don't have a clue and unless you give them an anatomy lesson it is pretty hard to explain. You are right TMJ is expensive. I have spent a lot of money. My bilateral mitek anchor arthroplasty that I had in Arkansas cost around $17,000.00 in 2003. I have had a couple of MRIs at $1200.00. I have been to Dallas, Texas for a second opinion to see Dr. Larry Wolford. You can count for travel and consultation fee $250.00. I have been to Mayo in MN once travel, CT Scan, all consultation fees are not covered by insurance. I can't remember what that added up to but it wasn't cheap. You know we live in the State of Missouri, so we have no coverage mandated by law. I wrote the governor twice or three times about this without receiving any response at all. Aren't elected officials just great? After I had the surgery my bite was way off completely and despite having pain beginning six weeks post op that was worse than before surgery, my OS insisted I move on with braces at six months. My orthodontist kept waiting thinking my pain would resolve but it never did. That was another $5,000.00. I am finally getting them off in two weeks, but I have an anterior open bite that would not close unless I had jaw surgery. I was not about to let them try and put the disc back in place and move my jaw forward. If arthroplasty didn't work the first time why would it work the second time? Also my OS told me only one disc was out of place when I went to Dallas. The surgeon there told me they both were out of place, and this is the surgeon my OS recommended for a second opinion. They didn't even agree and Wolford trained my OS on this technique of arthroplasty. Plus, my OS wanted to charge me again to do the surgery over. He wasn't going to charge me his fee, but he had to charge me the surgery centers fee, which would of been 50 percent (but he owns the surgery center, duh!) I guess he thinks I just feel off the turnip truck? Anyway, I didn't mean to go on and on. I think I have alerted you to the unethical practices of OS and dentist. My orthodontist is very nice TiffanyAnn and I both go to him. We both like him a lot, but he does work with this surgeon. The OS refers his patients to him, because he is very good at his work. He was able to get Tiffany out of pain with splint therapy. I was able to meet her through the orthodontist office. Come back and let us know how you are doing! |
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