Many people who suffer from
pain become anxious and in time feel depressed. Some tell
us they think that this is because they consulted so many
doctors who told them that there was nothing wrong regardless
of persistent pain. In time, these patients feel that there
will be no end to their suffering and the limitations and
loss of joy in their lives which results.
However, in many other cases, patients become depressed
because the pain lasts for months or years, or even for
decades, resulting in their conditions becoming “chronic”.
Unfortunately, depression is a common characteristic of
chronic pain which can develop as early as three to six
months after pain begins.
In our experience, the good
news is that once the headaches and other symptoms improve,
even partially, depression which developed after pain onset
typically disappears. Some patients have even said that
reading this website, seeing that they are not alone, and
that there are answers to their problems, gave them a new
lease on life.
We do not treat depression
or anxiety. However, if these conditions develop after the
onset of pain, elimination of feelings of depression and
anxiety is a very welcome side-benefit.
One final reason for extreme
concern which some people have reported is the nightmarish
stories portrayed by certain organizations and their members.
It is sad but true that up until the mid-1980's a large
number of people underwent surgical placement of a device
made of a material called Teflon Proplast to replace the
discs in their jaws. While Teflon may be good for pots and
pans, it should never have been placed in anyone's
TM joint. Over time, the material broke into pieces which
spread throughout their bodies. In some cases it is believed
to have caused cancer and numerous other horrible diseases.
Many of the recipients who are still alive will be on morphine
for the rest of their lives. Without a doubt, this was one
of the worst episodes in medical/dental history and we feel
compassion for each and every person who was so horrendously
violated.
However, the truth is that
hardly any of our patients need joint surgery, that none
of them need Teflon or any comparable material put in their
joints, and that over 90% of our patients report that their
pain is "gone" when they complete treatment
and are discharged regardless of how many years they were
in pain.
Those are the facts, and
if anyone on the internet or elsewhere tells you scary stories,
know in your heart that they are well-meaning and deserving
of the utmost compassion and understanding, but do not let
them scare you into thinking that treatment of your condition
will lead to the horror that they or their loved ones have
endured.
Even a partial review of
our photo gallery
should provide more than adequate proof.*
*Thanks to Carolyn from Maryland who made it clear that this addition to our website is necessary.
“Before I came to the Center for Headaches and Facial Pain, I couldn’t sleep, I was depressed, and I had a really short fuse because the headaches and eye pain were so bad. Words cannot explain how thrilled I am to be completely free of pain. I feel like a new person. My whole outlook on life has changed.“ - Heather M.
“It was so depressing to have really bad headaches that were making me throw up, but now I’m back to normal because it’s all gone. Everyone is fabulous, and Dr. Klemons works magic!” - Teresa K.
“I honestly would have paid any amount of money to stop having migraines and pain in my tongue, throat, and chest. I became non-functional and made so many mistakes because I couldn’t think straight. I can’t tell you how good it feels to feel good and not have to think about how much I hurt for the first time in 19 years. I really have no pain at all. I
really smile and laugh.
Everyone here is so fabulous. They’re truly like family. I couldn’t be more appreciative of my ear, nose and throat specialist for sending me here. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was the greatest day of my life." - Mary Lynn F.
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