Hey, board:

I read somewhere (perhaps on this board) that anti-depressants may have a helping hand in causing TMJ. I am wondering how this is the case. Does anyone know the link between the two?



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Sheldon

I don't know that they cause tmj but they can
help tmj by their relaxing effect.

Hello,

The side effect of some anti depressants is bruxism (teeth grinding) or clenching - that's how anti depressants can play a part. Old style try cyclic anti depressants are used to treat tmj also - works on pain receptors in the brain and relaxes muscles. I am on one, nortryptiline, seems to be helping some of my symptoms but ever since taking it have been terribly dizzy. Sigh. Still waiting to talk to the specialist to find out if the anti dep is causing the dizzines.

Hi There,

SSRI's can cause bruxism. By the way, hbep, Pamelor (nortriptyline) does cause dizziness. It's a common side effect.
Cheryl

Hello,
I have been on PaxilCR now for approx. 2 months and can not stop clenching my teeth! I never thought to ask if it was a common side effect????

Originally posted by SRH_NF:
Hey, board:

I read somewhere (perhaps on this board) that anti-depressants may have a helping hand in causing TMJ. I am wondering how this is the case. Does anyone know the link between the two?

Sheldon,

I am on a anti-depressant...Amitriptyline for my neck injury, not for my TMJD. But the medicine does help my jaw relax more...not clench more. I have read somewhere before in a local newspaper about possible side effects of more clenching or grinding of the teeth. In my case, I don't have that.

Hi:

I was on clonazepam at one point to relax my face muscles. After four days on it, I awoke in the morning with my teeth more tightly clenched than they'd even been before. I halved the dosage and still had the clenching. Then I tried amitriptylene which was supposed to help my mouth accept the change in bite I'd experienced after having 2 fillings done 18 months ago. Same result. I'm now trying celexa. I haven't noticed any clenching, but the last 2 days I've woken up with very sore front teeth even though I'm wearing a nightguard to bed. I'll call my doctor tomorrow because I think the celexa is causing more problems than it's helping.

I think it depends on body chemistry and everyone reacts differently to drugs.

Regards,
Arleen