So, I have been posting in my head for weeks, but have to manage my time such that the clothes MUST get washed, and the dishes MUST come clean...so blogging must wait.
Good thing I have a real job ( read Dooce) to bring in money for the family.

Anyway, today's segment is about my journey into the world of Orofacial pain.
A few years ago, after polishing off an entire bag of Twizzlers, my jaw started to ache tremendously.
Fortunately, the pain subsides and I went on with my life. However not so long after, I noticed that after I ate anything that had the slightest bit of substance, I was again riddled with the pain in the right side of my face, followed by a nagging headache that could last up to 4 days.
Well, here it is 2008 and I finally have answers!!
I knew, from reading, (isn't reading great??) that what was ailing me was TMJ, only it's not called TMJ, it is correctly referred to as TMD, or TMJD.
And what is that you ask?
It's a major malfunction of the jaw joint that allows you to chew.
So I went to the Dr, who referred me to my dentist, who referred my to an orthodontist.
So I go to the orthodontist, and yep, sure enough, that's what I have, and we can fit you for a Splint, it will help you bite down in a DIFFERENT way, so as to not use the muscles that make your whole face hurt when you want to enjoy a bagel.
FUN!!
So I go through the whole consult, and after heeding the Orthodontists advice, I decide to proceed with Braces, this will not only help( as he told me,) but re align my jaw and correct the TMD.
OK, when can I get them?
Well, they tell me, your insurance only covers 50%, so the remaining balance, or something like $2400 is your responsibility, so you have options, $850 today, and $150 a month for something like 10 months or something OUTRAGEOUS like that...uh, stammering, uh...hubbawha!??
OK, well let me discuss this with my husband, and I will work something out.
What did I work out? NO FREAKING way..If I had an extra $850 socked away somewhere, you can sure as heck bet I will pay off something else first. WHAT DO WE HAVE DENTAL INSURANCE FOR anyway!!!

I called around to find another orthodontist to obtain a 'second opinion' and this one, told me not to waste my money, there is NO CURE FOR TMD, you have had it for 30 plus years and it's to far gone...
WOW, thanks for you CANDOR Dr.!!!
UH, what do I do now? Just stick to a liquid diet, no gum? I came home and thankfully found a site dedicated to those of us blessed enough to have been given Orofacial Pain Problems
YOU DOWN WITH OPP?? YEAH< YOU KNOW ME!!!
and found a specialist close to home that I can see for treatment, because yes there is no cure, but there are treatment options!!
So the next step in my journey is to see this Wonderful Dental God, and see if there is in fact, life after OPP.
Until the next update...