Hi everyone,
I have tmj in my left jaw and after some dental work last week, it seems that I have developed it in the right jaw as well. I can barely eat. I tried ibuprophen, but I really hate to do that. The warm compresses are fine at night, but not practical during the day. I am going to try acupuncture tomorrow hoping for some relief. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Should I call my doctor for a muscle relaxant for evenings. It seems I really clench at night when sleeping. Did any of you try that? Thanks, I appreciate any feedback.

Hi enough,

I can tell you what my dentist suggested to me. He suggested a night guard, in order to keep my teeth from cracking from the grinding. Not an otc one, has to be custom made or will potentially cause further problems down the road. He gave me muscle relaxers and suggested a glass of wine before bed.

As far as the pain goes, I seem to have constant pain, somedays worse than others and I can press the joint and that seems to relieve some of the stress, or stretch the joint, if I can open my mouth comfortably.

I know how painful it can be to have to deal with this kind of thing and I hope you find the relief you need soon.

Let me know how your visit with the acupuncturist goes.


tidalwaves

I was diagnosed with this over a month ago and after five days of using the mouth splint that I received from my d.d.s. I'm making great progress. Many of my symptoms (headache, neckache, constant teethache, earache, dizziness, off balance feeling, facial pain, temple pain...just to list a few ) have either decreased or are gone.

I'm still doing the soft die because I notice increased jaw pain and the return of some other symptoms when I try to eat anything that requires extensive chewing. Guess I'll follow this diet for awhile.

What provided some relief, until I got the splint, was warm heat, cold compacts, Flexeril 10mg at night, soft food diet, sitting or laying down. For some strange reason I felt "normal" when I sat or layed down. The dizziness, which was more like motion sickness along with feeling lightheaded subsided with I was not walking around.

Ditto what Tidal said about getting the right apparatus to help with that night time clenching and/or grinding of your teeth.

Hope you get relief soon .

I thank you both for answering. My faith, does the Flexeril help? My doctor just ordered it for me. I am always so hesitant to try meds, but I think I should give it a shot, even if it's just at night.

Are the splints pricey? I dont 'have dental insurance.

thank you both for answering, I liked the idea of red wine, if I don't use the Flexeril.

The that my doctor prefers was expensive (Thank God for Insurance), but check around. I'm reading a really good book on tmj and according the the d.d.s who wrote the book there seem to be different type of splints that each doctor prefers.

The Flexeril helped me, but I must say that it had me feeling a bit loopy first thing in the morning (I am quite sensitive to medications). It really did alleviate the pain and helped me to sleep very well at nights.

Lately, it seems that quite a few of us are developing tmj...I just wonder if this is another "peri/meno thing," or what ...probaby the or what, lol !

MyFaith,
Could you please give me the name of the TMJ book that you are reading? I'd appreciate it because need to learn more. I have a nightguard for upper teeth but not sure it is adequate (it was quite expensive, apprx $400 about 8 yrs ago). Seems they help with teeth grinding, but not with clenching which puts a lot of strain on teeth. Just had to have a lower tooth bonded today because of it... Hopefully I can learn more from your book. thanks!

Good morning,
I tried acupuncture today. y mouth felt better all day and I slept better than I have in months. I only woke up once between 11 and 5:30!!! Anyway, the left side still hurts now, but maybe with a few more treatments it will get better. I will keep you posted.

The acupuncture is working for the tmj. I actually feel that I am not clenching my teeth at night. It is amazing. The ear pain is gone too. Even the neck is better. Now, If it helps IBS and palps, we will be in business. One step at a time!!!!

Hi there,
Just letting you know that my tmj has been much relieved by acupunture and the use of an mouth splint whilst I'm sleeping. It's made a tremendous difference. I think chiropractic has been useful also. I haven't had to use a muscle relaxant since I've had the oral splint. I got mine from the dentist and I haven't looked back. Check your stress levels also my friend which I found to be the cause of my tmj in the first place. I haven't completely managed my stress levels but these other "helpers" have significantly relieved my pain
Good luck and take care
Gabby

Hello L2. I sent you a pm .

Gabby this is great to hear:)!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've also found relief from my oral splint and haven't had to use another muscle relaxer since I started wearing the splint at nights. I also incorporated some low resistance exercise to alleviate the neck and shoulder tension.

Hi MyFaith,
I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. I was thinking about you just this morning. It's geat to hear a success story from one of meno sisters
Gabby

I believe that I am experiencing TMJ as well. This past summer I had five top molars removed, had to wait for the partial which didn't fit correctly, and am due now on Monday to go try the new one. I also require a bottom partial. So, since July I have not had teeth or a correct bite I would imagine. At the end of December I developed ringing in my ears. Assuming it was sinus related I first went to a GP - antibiotics etc. did not help. I then saw and ENT who said I did have TMJ. He did a CT scan of sinuses, but all looks good. I would like to know if any of you have experienced the ringing in the ears with TMJ. If so, what has helped? This is so hard to live with. I also have facial and ear pain. I am very much considering acupunture. Also, are any of you denture wearers and if so how have they affected your TMJ?

Thanks so much for any help or advice.

Dor

I have noticed that no one has really been back to this topic in awhile so I am reposting a bit. Pleas read my posting before this one. I am most interested to know if there are any partial wearers who experienced TMJ while waiting for the partials and did getting the partials help those problems? The ear ringing is my most difficult symptom to handle and I do feel there is a definite link to the teeth. I have had two acupunture treatments, but it does not appear to be helping much. Thanks to anyone who can offer some insight or can share their experience.

Dor, I sorry that I did not see your previous post until today. I don't know how this slipped by me since this is a very relevant topic in my life nowadays .

I also had the ringing in my ears, but I have dealt with tinnitus since I was about 8 years old. Despite my history of tinnitus I knew there was something else going on with my ears because the ringing was louder and my ear felt as if it was suffed with cotton. My doctor prescribed Flexeril which did help with some of the facial pain, jaw pain, ringing in my ears, headaches and several other tmjd symptoms.

Currently I'm using the mouth splint for tmjd and it has helped tremendously. I still have facial and jaw pain when I keep my neck in a certain position or talk extensively. Being on the computer for any length of time will cause the facial, jaw, neck and shoulder pain to return. I am beginning to think that besides the tmjd I might have some neck or posture issues. I plan to discuss this with my doctor to see if further therapy or some sort of adjustment might be needed.

I do not wear dentures so I can not provide any insight, but maybe someone else will reply soon.

Please keep me posted .

I'm sorry I didn't catch your post either or I would have replied too. When I read what all you said I shook my head. I could be you and you could be me. I was dx'd with TMJ a few years ago when I went to the doctor for what I thought was ear infection - turned out to be a dislocated jaw due to tmj. Since then I've had major problems with my teeth resulting in tooth/teeth loss. Just in the last 3 years I've had to have the 3 upper left hand teeth removed, one upper right and one lower right because I ground them so hard in my sleep they literally splintered. (sigh) This year, I'm hoping to get a partial like you, when I'm down in mexico, plus have the LAST bottom moral I have left fitted with a crown. That too split last month...(sigh) and yes, I also have the ringing in the ears, some days it's a hiss, sometimes it sounds like locust singing... (today it's a hiss). I've learned to block most of it out since being dx'd with tmj a few years back.

Ya know, I just realized something - I leave for mexico tomorrow and while I'm there I have doctors appt - dentist appts. Yep, shaping up to be one relaxing vacation - NOT!! However, if I can come home anxiety free AND have a new smile - well...what more can I ask for?? Good health and a good smile - is everything - right??

Thank you, thank you to both of you. I so appreciate you writing back and sharing your stories with me. And, please don't apologize for missing my postings. I just thought if I redid it that it would appear again and someone would notice. Thanks for noticing.

Tay, I am so sorry about all of your extractions. I so, so understand and it is indeed a lot to go through. Not only it is hard on one's mouth, but I do believe it is a strain on the whole body. May I ask why you are seeing doctors and dentists in Mexico? Sounds interesting.

I have just come back from my third acupunture treatment and I really don't feel it has helped that much - sadly. Her feeling is that none of this will be corrected or symptoms will not abait until I have my new dentures. I think I pretty much agree. The whole bite has to be fixed and that can not happen until the partials are fitted. It is so frustrating to wait for that. This is also a frustrating ailment to deal with - no easy fixes and lots to go through before resolution. I am most sorry that you both are dealing with it too.

Hopefully we can stay in touch and give encouragement and things we find out along the way. The biggest help to me at this point is knowing that others understand and care. Have a good trip Tay and my best to both of you. I will write more as I learn more. Hopefully we will all feel better soon. It would be nice to get my life back and to eat again!!! I am sure you both feel the same.

Dor

Does anyone get pain behind the ear with their tmj? I feel uncomfortable when I put on my glasses sometimes. I've had this on and off for 4 years, and did have a brain scan, so I know there is nothing really wrong other than that, I just don't hear too many people say their ear hurts behind it. The dentist said it is normal. The base of my head also feels tight today too. I guess the extra stress I have been under this week is really doing a number on me.

Thanks for listening.

Yes enough, I get pain behind my ear and so does a friend of mine. I also get pain in the front and even into the ear. I am learning a lot about all of this now!!!! It makes sense as all of those nerves and muscles are connected, so of course you will feel pain in those areas. I have looked up the symptoms and pain behind the ears is one that is certainly mentioned. And, yes, I feel tension in my neck and back of the head sometimes as well.

Are you doing anything for your TMJ, and if so what are you doing? Has anything helped?

Dor

Tmj problems are usually related to contracted muscles in the back,neck,face and head. We hold our tension in our shoulders, mostly, and this sets us up for a chain reaction of tension to the muscles mentioned above and possible myofascial trigger point formation. Trigger points in the muscle feel tender to the touch. Trigger points in facial muscles can cause ringing in ears, dislocation of the jaw joint,pain, nausea, dizziness and etc. Check out a great book called The Trigger Point Therapy workbook by Claire Davies....you'll learn how to self massage these areas to relieve yourself of the pain and other symptoms.

Tmj can also develop if you've had recent dental work that changes your bite....sometimes a filling is too high or a crown or partial is not fitted right in the mouth....this change is felt in the jaw joint and needs to be addressed by your dentist. To correct the high filling/crown usually resolves the problem. Ringing in the ears can also be a sign of hypothyroidism. So check your thyroid hormones as so many women develop hypo going into peri/meno.

Thank you MarieB. I do believe that mine is caused by the missing teeth, which I and my dentist are working on correcting. Thank you so much though for your imput. I have ordered the book you suggested and also one on TMJ. I can definitely see the correlation between stressed muscles and all that I am experiencing. Hopefully the book will help as well as the new teeth and some relaxation from the stress of all of this.

Dor

Hi enough,
Get a message ball that people roll over tight muscles and with gentle pressure, roll it over your head, behind the ear, along the jaw, down the side neck muscles. Notice where there is more discomfort and apply some pressure to those spots. You'll be surprised where on the head and face you will feel discomfort as these areas respond to the jaw. The pain radiates to these other areas and if you message them, you might lessen the intensity of the tmj. good luck!
elli

Hi Elli, even though you wrote to someone else I am responding as your idea was really a good one. I have ordered the trigger point book and one on TMJ and going to try their suggestions. So much of it makes sense especially when doctors seem often as confused as we are!

My doctor gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant - Soma. I came home and looked that up - highly addictive and can cause some weird mental sypmtons. Think I would rather have the jaw aches and the ear ringing! He also made me a mouth guard to help the clenching at night. I have only worn it one night so I am waiting to see if that helps. Did wake up this morning though with less pain and tenerness.

Thanks to everyone who keeps writing. It is so good to have support and new ideas.

Dor

I also ordered the Trigger Point book from my local library. My doctor recommended that I see his massage therapist to help with the neck and shoulder discomfort. His assistant who also has tmj stressed that I remain on the soft food diet for awhile.

Dor, my doctor prescribed Flexeril which is a muscle relaxer. Other than making me very sleep and a bit hung over for a couple hours in the morning I did not have any other symptoms that I can remember.

Finally, finally a confirmed diagnosis. I saw the ear, nose, and throat doctor (wonderful, compasionate, experienced older man) and he said I have many of the classic symptoms - face pain, ear pain, ringing in the ears, ear fullness, etc. This is what I suspected, but it was so good to hear it from a professional.

He did prescribe flexeril. I am never a big pill taker other than needed antibiotics and over the counter pain relievers, so a bit concerned about taking it although I would certainly like to get things to calm down. For those of you who have or do take it, how much are you taking? Only at night? Do you find that it helps?

I have to wait for my partials to come in and get fitted - probably another six weeks, and then adjusting required, so that my bite can get aligned again. It is hard to wait and deal with all of these symptoms until then.

Thanks to everyone for being so kind and helpful in your responses. I really, really appreciate it.

Dor

Dor,
I was given a prescription for flexeril, filled it, but never used it. Two days later I tried acupuncture and it really helped. I didn't even need ibuprofen. I did 4 treatments and life got in the way so I haven't been back and it is really becoming a problem again. So, I guess I didn't really help answer your question, but just another alternative. Heating pad helps too. Lots of luck to you.

Thanks for your response. I tried acupuncture, but it really didn't help me. In fact, the acupuncturist felt that until I get my partials there was nothing more she could do. Sorry you are dealing with some of this again, and hope you feel better soon.

Dor

Dor I'm glad to hear that you received a diagnosis. Isn't it such a relief to actually hear the doctor confirm what you already suspected !

My doctor also prescribed Flexeril that I took until I received my mouth splint. The Flexeril did make me very sleepy so I took it at night when I got in the bed. The only side effect that I experienced...or can remember...is feeling drowsy for several hours in the morning. The Flexeril really helped me to deal with the myriad of symptoms that I was dealing with. The mouth splint has been a blessing and has eliminated about 95% of my symptoms. I think the longer I continue to use it the closer I'll get to being 100% symptom free. I also had to change the way that I sleep at nights. I had to change my pillows and learn to sleep on my back. I prefer sleeping on my stomach.

I do have some neck and shoulder issues which my doctor said is related to the tmj, but I've wondering if there is something else going on. Eventually, I'm going to discuss this with my family doctor since I'm wondering if maybe something is going on with my neck or even the alignment of my back.

I hope that you also reap the benefits of using the partials . Please keep me posted.

TMJ is so complicated isn't it?

There is isn't such that can be done and things that shall never be done.

Been clenching & grinding for years, what set off my nightmare was a root canal 4 years ago, (a misalignment on my left jaw).
MRI, months later even wearing a hard acrylic splint on my upper teeth 24/7>I felt no better.
The doctor did a procedure (I can't remember what it called)> did I begin to feel better.
It was not surgery, done all with needles to flush out the inflammation and add fluid back to the joint.
Plus he had to snap my jaw back into place.
If he had done it in the first place I would had suffer for so long.

I now wear a soft night guard on my bottom front teeth only, much more comfortable.
There are all different ways splint can be worn etc.

Wish I could tell you I am cure but I know this will all be a on going problem.
When ever I'm stress and don't sleep, I have a flare up!
My jaw locks up, neck pain and of course the TMJ headache> like no other!

Thanks to both of you for responding. I am so sorry though that you have both dealt with this as it certainly is frustrating. I keep just wanting to feel like "me" again and know that I have a way to go yet. Thank you for sharing your stories and all of your kind advice. All I can do is take it day by day until the partials are in and then see where I am, but wow, it has been a long time since the summer and I am so ready to get back to feeling good. It is so amazing what TMJ can do to the body and all the different ways we must learn to cope. Hope you are all doing well as I write this.

Dor

Dor what symptoms are you experiencing? I had migraines, neck and shoulder pain, facial pain, vision disturbance, DIZZINESS, feeling off balanced 24/7, nausea, ear fullness and pain, tonge and throat pain. I had an mri/mra and according to my dr. my symptoms stem for problems with my muscle and not so much my joints.

I hope you get relief soon.

Hello ladies,
I'm bringing back the tmj thing. Its been better, but the last few days I've had a feeling of going down an elevator. It's a quick little rush, but annoying nevertheless. It's sort of like being dizzy, but not quite. My ear really hurts, I can't even lay on it, the chewing is tough again nevermind the sound from the jaw. to add to it, I worked in a house with a cat, which I am highly allergic to, and my eyes are now very itchy and watery.
Do any of you get that quick elevator thing? I should mention the last few days I've been up and down elevators too, so maybe I am just very sensitive to the motion at this time. I guess I should have made that connection before, I think writing it down, made it all become clearer. Anyway, thanks for listening.

PS. This part is funny. I was actually stuck in an elevator last night alone for 15 minutes before they could pry open the doors to get me out. i thought it only happened in movies!!!

My husband was stuck for a hour last summer in elevator while helping our son move into his condo. DH took a nap, we kept talking to him since I was worry about fresh air etc.
I would had collapsed since I am claustrophobic!
911 get me out of here NOW!
Kept thinking>>> I'm glad it not me! I'm glad it not me! I'm glad it not me!

My symptoms are - ear pain, ear fullness, ringing in the ears (the one hardest for me to deal with at times), facial pain, and jaw pain. I kept waking up last night because I must have been laying on one side or the other and it would pain and ache terribly. I would wake up, turn over, go back to sleep, only to be woken up some time later. I have had occasional dizzy feelings, but those are rare. I think for me the hardest has been the ringing in the ears. Somehow I manage to cope with the aching and the pain, but the ringing can really get to me if I let it. Sometimes it is very loud, other times I am not aware of it as much. Of course, when it is gone I think - yeah, that is over, only to have it return in the morning (when it is the worst). I am so hoping that my new partials correct some of this, but for now I just go along and try not to think of it too much. That gets easier with time. The first few months were awful, especially as I didn't know what was going on. Having a diagnosis seems to take some of the fear and anxiety out of it. It is so frustrating though to go through all of these extractions and the pain before and after, only to end up with TMJ!

My thoughts are with you both. Thanks for sharing and I hope we continue to do so.

Dor

Thanks for answering. The tmj is very annoying this week. The cracking in my jaw is unnerving and the tightness around the back of my head is another thing. I feel a little off---the left side is the worst. My eye is watery, the cheek hurts and the ear pain is a real pain too. I have a prescription for flexeril that i felled but am afraid to try it. maybe tonight at bed. I am using warm compresses, and I guess will try ibuprofen later. My sinuses are stuffed too. I guess it's all connected. I always worry its a brain tumor or stroke, but after an mri a year and three months ago I guess I should let it go and not worry. I had the same symptoms then and for years before as I do now. I just wish I could stop obsessing over it and just move on. I am trying to be off meds as much as possible. I haven't had a xanax in tow and half weeks, when my mom was hospitalized, so I feel I am doing better.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sorry you are having a bad week. I truly understand. My left side is the worst too, and I also have watery eye, pain in the face, ear pain, and of course, the ringing! And, I too, have a prescription for flexeril which I filled but have not used. I don't like taking a lot of drugs and it does scare me to try this. At bed time I do take a small amount of Triaminic which is a children's allergy/cold medicine. I understand that that is a drug as well, but not such a powerful one - sort of like taking a small amount of Benadryl. What it does is help me to sleep and help my jaw to relax, but I am only taking about a quarter of the recommended dosage. And, it does help to clear out my sinuses which helps. Some people have used flexeril on this board though and been find with it.

Being that you have had all the tests, I really wouldn't worry about a tumor or a stroke. It certainly fits all of the TMJ symptoms, so do try letting it go as much as you can - the worry I mean. I know it is hard to forget the pain, but it does help to go do something to distract your mind. I am learning to live with it every day and just hoping that the new teeth with help realign my jaw and teeth.

Keep writing and know you are not alone.

Dor

I got my new partials this week and while they need some tweaking, they seem to be pretty good. This has been the cause of most of my TMJ - loss of molars and taking eight months to get new partials that fit and work correctly. The first set failed!!

I am anxious to know if anyone has partials and how they feel about them, and more importantly did they help to correct the TMJ. I would also like to know if anyone has experienced ear ringing with TMJ. This has been my most annoying symptom. I can tolerate pain fairly well and while the aching does get difficult at times, the ear ringing is the hardest for me to deal with.

Hope all of you are feeling better.

Thanks for your support.

Dor

I had TMJ several years ago after having alot of dental work for a bridge on my lower left side. I had an MRI, was on Flexeril, Lortab, nothing helped the intense pain in my jaw and ear. Yes, the ringing was terrible too. I had a bite plate that did nothing, my TMJ was not from grinding but from too much dental work that caused damage to disc in my joint. That little baby cost almost a 1000.00 that insurance didn't pay for since some insurance companies don't feel TMJ is a real condition. When I was about to go out of my mind, I went to a massage therapist that advertised she could help TMJ sufferers. I had nothing to lose. After several treatments my pain was much improved and by 6-7 treatments the pain was gone. That was over 3 years ago and I have been pain free until the last few weeks. I am having trouble with my right side now. I have not had any dental work done so I am not sure of the cause. I am going to get an appt. next week, I hope she can work her magic like she did before. The ringing in my ears is awful and the hard clicks every time I try to open my mouth is drivng me nuts too. It's always something! Connie

Dear Dor, I don't think tinnitus goes away. You have to find a way to tolerate it. Someone, can't remember who-reminded me that mine is probably stress/anxiety related and this is true. Another thing that makes it worse is caffiene. Another culprit is aspirin or otc painkillers like acedominophin (wow I butchered that word-hehe) anyway.
I, too am having ear problems too lately. The left is ringing and the right one just feels like I am getting a painful bump or something on the inside of the outer part of the ear. Those always hurt.
Hope your ringing subsides.

Senecaguns aka Regina