So, besides the pain...I can be honest and say you are never really aware of how alone you are with this disease until friends, family, and coworkers look at you strange. Im in construction...and we are known to joke around and tease one another. Ive missed several hours of work because of pain...dr and dentists visits. I can feel coworkers starting to talk behind my back...thinking this is all in my head or I have something else entirly going on. Laughing at me because of the way I have to talk, move, or act. Im scared Im going to lose my job soon if I cant get rid of this pain. Yesterday I had to tell my boss that I couldnt take the pain today...and that I was leaving at lunch to see a doctor. He just kind of shook his head at me and laughed...most likely because of the manner in which I have to talk with a strange look on my mouth and face. Im the last guy who would be considered sensitive, but when he laughed and coworkers just look at me strange I kind of lost it in the car ride home. I couldnt stop crying...not just because of the pain...but with everything else on top of it. Bad thoughts began controlling my head...and hope seemed dim at best. Got home to do research online and it was the smartest thing I could have done. Its pretty bad when you have to diagnose yourself before any doctors or dentists could. I believe that MORE DENTISTS should be aware of this disease almost more so than doctors. 2 teeth from 2 seperate dentists...gone...for no reason at all. What the hell did I do to deserve this?
I am so sorry for your pain, from TN, the dentists, and fellow humans. I am thankful for the internet too, I can research, learn from others, and not feel so alone as this has caused me to become bedridden for most of the day. I began medication today and feel so much better, but am afraid that it will not last. I hear my mother's voice in my head telling me to, "Keep on trucking!" It is what she says whenever I've been blue in my life, somehow it gives me strength with a smile. I hope this may help you too.
In a crazy way the words from your Mother..'keep on trucking!' help more than you know. Whenever I told my Father something wasn't fair, he would always say "the fair's in August!'...which is when the state fair is held in Indiana. lol I gotta keep trucking....sure is hard though.
Oh, how sweet laugher I had reading of your father's 'the fair's in August!". It is hard and we will keep on trucking' and August is just around the corner! Thank you mom and dad!
Brock I just read your postings and ... very moving to say the least, my heart goes out to you. If I didn't know better it's remarkably similar to my story. I was diagnosed 3 months ago and don't give up hope because mine is now in remission and I have my old life back. I'm sure that will happen for you. I find the less stress the better and keeping warm also. Take care and keep positive.
Thank you Busy, and you telling me that yours has gone in remission really gives me some light at the end of the tunnel. I was diagnosed 2 days ago now, and am currently on Lyrica and Tegretol. It is similar since we are so closley diagnosed. I want my old life back too. Im trying to stay calm...but 2 hrs of sleep last night. No matter which way I laid down, the pounding wont stop. :( How the hell am I supposed to work like this? I cant even shave, let alone work my tools at my job. I avoid breaktime because I know Ill have to talk, and at lunch I just go to my car and scream. Trying to stay positive, but its hard. Well, time to strap on my boots and suck up another day. Thanks for the post and look forward to any information we can share Busy...
Hey Brock...I was diagnosed last June and have been in remission since October...but I TOTALLY understand how you are feeling.. I was in a PANIC...depressed, scared..couldn't eat, sleep, ride in car or talk without pain...but the tegretol worked fast and so far so good!! I like to come on here to encpurage others who have been newly diagnosed....don't read all the bad stories and get yourself more worried...lots of people have long remissions and success with meds, surgeries and other treatments... life will get back to normal!!
Thank you Tacocat, your info gives me hope that maybe remission could be in my future. Ive finally come to the realization that I need to take time off work. Please share anything else you can with me, and I hope you stay in remission....and of coarse..GO STEELERS!