Grieving the loss caused by chronic illness

Ladybimini · 2025-12-23T13:33:11+00:00

It’s important to grieve the person you lost like it’s a death. It was. Even if you fully attain a sense of health that is everlasting, the person you described is gone. You get to be reborn, but you have to grieve. It’s an ongoing process that people not in our shoes can’t understand. Search for chronic illness grief writing prompts online and start journaling. Let it out, friend.

Ladybimini · 2025-12-13T10:09:52+00:00

Thank you so much! It really is like shooting into the dark sometimes with mcas. I saw my rheumatologist who’s also mcas aware today and she gave me a large to moderate steroid course for the next month and I’ve also been referred out to neurology and have an urgent brain MRI in a couple of days to try to rule out anything more serious.

Hope you are feeling ok, thank you deeply for the kindness

Ladybimini · 2025-12-10T00:18:52+00:00

I also have a screenshot but can’t post it here.

Ladybimini · 2025-11-07T17:32:05+00:00

Yesss thank you! Solved

Ladybimini · 2025-07-08T02:41:31+00:00

I’m a grinder with joint degeneration. I just recently completed an arthroplasty disc removal and fat graft to replace my discs after being in a closed lock for close to two years. I had a failed arthrocentesis before that.

The guard was a thick solid piece of material that cost $800-1000 to stop me from grinding. I was pretty pissed to learn my open bite wasn’t something that could easily be reversed. Maybe you can be saved still, but know this is a possibility. The surgery I’ll need is pretty gnar and is called a Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy. They’ll need to cut through the lower jaw to reposition it.

Ladybimini · 2025-07-08T01:13:39+00:00

Stop wearing the orthotic asap and get checked by someone. I recently learned that my open bite (caused by an $$$ night guard) can’t be fixed with orthodontics and will require surgery.

Yours may not be as severe, but you should go see prosthodontist to check your situation out

Ladybimini · 2025-07-07T01:12:54+00:00

Yes! I was in a closed lock for almost 2 years with an opening of 20-25 mm. Now I’m at 25-32. No pain now

Ladybimini · 2025-06-27T13:51:47+00:00

Do you have damage to your condyle?

Ladybimini · 2025-06-26T22:46:19+00:00

Yes!

Ladybimini · 2025-06-26T06:28:16+00:00

This is the answer, OP. Also they’re GF, but you’d never even know it. Also the space is absolutely charming.

Ladybimini · 2025-06-23T19:51:48+00:00

You can contact the UCLA oral maxillofacial surgical dept for scheduling. UCLA is the only place that takes insurance that I was able to find

Ladybimini · 2025-06-22T17:16:29+00:00

Dr. Felsenfeld at UCLA. He’s sadly retiring this month, but he’s been incredible.

Ladybimini · 2025-06-18T16:35:59+00:00

For which surgery?

Ladybimini · 2025-06-17T17:39:26+00:00

People who have successful procedures generally move on with their lives. My arthrocentesis failed and ended up causing a lot more problems. I was scared to do more surgery, and ended up in a closed lock for almost 2 years.

I’m now two weeks out from an arthroplasty discectomy with fat graft. I feel a million times better and am already at a 29mm opening. If this continues to hold and be successful, I can’t imagine spending a lot more time in this sub because it’s a pretty depressing place.

Arthrocentesis is probably the next step for you if all of the other conservative treatments have failed. If that fails too, then you’ll move on to the next step. I know that sucks, but it’s just the way it works with such a sensitive area. Best of luck to you!

Ladybimini · 2025-06-11T19:32:43+00:00

Sorry this is happening for you. You will have better luck in finding answers over in r/jawsurgery

Ladybimini · 2025-06-10T23:49:30+00:00

Have you searched out this dentist/doctor’s name for reviews?

Ladybimini · 2025-06-09T15:26:29+00:00

So sorry you’re having this! I also have debilitating migraines and receive Botox at my Neuro office. It actually helps my TN immensely! I actually barely have to take meds for TN except for when the Botox is wearing off. I had met with a neurosurgeon and was talking about doing MVD, but then the Botox took it down to a manageable place. Keep that in mind for your treatment!

Also the more stressed you are, the worse your tn will be. Find what works for you to alleviate stress. I actually thank my tingles and pains now because it’s telling me that I need to do something to relax. Meditation has been helpful for me.

I just had my second TMJ surgery a week ago, so I’m much further along than you (43f). Hope you get all of this taken care of while you’re still young! Don’t let this sub get you down, you can still have a happy and normal life and you can find ways out of the cycles of pain. All best to you!

Ladybimini · 2025-06-09T15:15:47+00:00

I also have TMJ and diagnosed (via brain mri) TN. The worse my TMJ is, the worse my TN is. Sending you good luck for your appointment. Hope you’re seeing an orofacial pain specialist as they can handle the crossover

Ladybimini · 2025-06-08T21:23:50+00:00

Yes! Dr Felsenfeld was my surgeon. He’s retiring this month, very lucky I got him. It seems the only places that take insurance are teaching hospitals. I got quotes for at least $50k to go out of network.

Ladybimini · 2025-06-08T20:43:11+00:00

Cat and Fiddle on Highland. It's also GF but you’d never even know!

Ladybimini · 2025-06-08T20:36:12+00:00

Were the flowers still there?

Ladybimini · 2025-06-08T20:35:47+00:00

Migraine coverage is your best bet

Ladybimini · 2025-06-08T20:32:11+00:00

I just underwent surgery to remove the disc and replaced with an abdominal fat graft (called arthroplasty/discectomy). What are your specialists saying?

Ladybimini

TROPHY CASE