kami-girl
10-13-2003, 09:13 PM
I've had my splint for 10 weeks and still have the brain fog all the time. About 6 weeks ago my dentist built my splint up quite a bit at the back and I have had ear ringing ever since. I have also found that my neck muscles (the ones at the base of the skull) have been really sore. I have read where some of you have had your splint built up quite high at the back, does anyone know why?
Grace
Grace
Sponsor
Ouch-ear-pain
10-13-2003, 09:53 PM
Hi,
What do you mean by brain fog? Does your head feel foggy? Well, I am not in a splint yet. I hope you feel and get better!
Ear http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif
What do you mean by brain fog? Does your head feel foggy? Well, I am not in a splint yet. I hope you feel and get better!
Ear http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif
kami-girl
10-13-2003, 11:04 PM
I call it brain fog for lack of a better term. It is kind of like being half drunk all the time without the euphoria. I guess it is kind of like being dizzy, having trouble tracking motion or just plain out of it. Light and sound sensitive, head achey, kind of like having a bad head cold. Just hard to explain I guess.
Grace
Grace
Anastasia
10-13-2003, 11:23 PM
hi Grace!
long time no chat. how have you been other than foggy? i'm glad to hear your tomograms went well. what do they do different from an x-ray? i've been meaning to reply sooner but my computer is acting stupid again. but in the mean time i booked my apointment for the Chloric test. it's on Dec. 15th. any advice? i'm going to be devistated if it's negative.
so what are they going to do with you now? is there anything they do for arthritis or just splint theropy? i'm glad to hear you had fun with your grandkids in the city. i love Vancouver too. there's alot to do and see. by the way, why'd they give you the boot for a week? you don't seem to be a rebel to me :)
take care and talk to you soon.
Anastasia
long time no chat. how have you been other than foggy? i'm glad to hear your tomograms went well. what do they do different from an x-ray? i've been meaning to reply sooner but my computer is acting stupid again. but in the mean time i booked my apointment for the Chloric test. it's on Dec. 15th. any advice? i'm going to be devistated if it's negative.
so what are they going to do with you now? is there anything they do for arthritis or just splint theropy? i'm glad to hear you had fun with your grandkids in the city. i love Vancouver too. there's alot to do and see. by the way, why'd they give you the boot for a week? you don't seem to be a rebel to me :)
take care and talk to you soon.
Anastasia
kami-girl
10-14-2003, 01:54 AM
Hi Anastasia,
The tomogram was very much like having a panoramic x-ray that you have at the dentist except the machine goes not only around but goes back and forth and makes kind of funny noises. The x-rays were done with and without my splint in. Don't know much more until i see the dentist. I'm not even sure if they can tell from it what my discs are like. From what I can gather the tomogram pictures will give the dentist a better picture of how to adjust my splint for the damage in the tmj's.
For me, the first time I had the caloric test done, it made me a little dizzy during the water part and the second time it was worse. Both times i got no diagnosis, just guesses. I saw a neurologist last week and he told me that the neurotologists diagnosis's, first possible bppv and second possible central vestibular damage were just generic diagnosis's because they really didn't know what is causing the dizziness and brain fog. He suggested it is being caused by a disequilibrium in the brain chemicals for which there is no test, of course. He also suggested that anxiety is causing this problem. He didn't even entertain the idea that any of this could be tmj related. Personally I still think it is and also muscle spasm in the neck.
I got banned because I posted a site that explains how the muscle spasms in the neck can cause dizziness and how it is related to tmjd. What I didn't realize at the time is that the site was from a dentist and I guess that is considered advertising.
Hope this finds you feeling better. How are you doing?
Grace
The tomogram was very much like having a panoramic x-ray that you have at the dentist except the machine goes not only around but goes back and forth and makes kind of funny noises. The x-rays were done with and without my splint in. Don't know much more until i see the dentist. I'm not even sure if they can tell from it what my discs are like. From what I can gather the tomogram pictures will give the dentist a better picture of how to adjust my splint for the damage in the tmj's.
For me, the first time I had the caloric test done, it made me a little dizzy during the water part and the second time it was worse. Both times i got no diagnosis, just guesses. I saw a neurologist last week and he told me that the neurotologists diagnosis's, first possible bppv and second possible central vestibular damage were just generic diagnosis's because they really didn't know what is causing the dizziness and brain fog. He suggested it is being caused by a disequilibrium in the brain chemicals for which there is no test, of course. He also suggested that anxiety is causing this problem. He didn't even entertain the idea that any of this could be tmj related. Personally I still think it is and also muscle spasm in the neck.
I got banned because I posted a site that explains how the muscle spasms in the neck can cause dizziness and how it is related to tmjd. What I didn't realize at the time is that the site was from a dentist and I guess that is considered advertising.
Hope this finds you feeling better. How are you doing?
Grace
Elaine
10-14-2003, 02:31 AM
Grace,
The dizziness thing is crazy. It just started with me recently. I quit all my medications "thinking" that was the cause of it. I was taking neurontin last summer and quit when my mother died. I was too sick to keep anything down. I decided to try it again and thought I was doing ok but this dizzy thing started so I thought maybe it was the neurontin. I am off the neuronin, dizzy, and nerve pain is unreal. I think I read the dentist site you are talking about with the cervical neck spasms and it makes sense to me. My whole mess was caused by a whiplash so needless to say, my neck is as screwed up as the rest of me. I just don't know which area of my spine hurts the worst. Two back fusion so far and the discs above what I have fused seem to love the dominoe effect. If this is someone's idea of how pain makes you a stronger person, I fail to see the humor... :(
Take care,
Elaine http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif
The dizziness thing is crazy. It just started with me recently. I quit all my medications "thinking" that was the cause of it. I was taking neurontin last summer and quit when my mother died. I was too sick to keep anything down. I decided to try it again and thought I was doing ok but this dizzy thing started so I thought maybe it was the neurontin. I am off the neuronin, dizzy, and nerve pain is unreal. I think I read the dentist site you are talking about with the cervical neck spasms and it makes sense to me. My whole mess was caused by a whiplash so needless to say, my neck is as screwed up as the rest of me. I just don't know which area of my spine hurts the worst. Two back fusion so far and the discs above what I have fused seem to love the dominoe effect. If this is someone's idea of how pain makes you a stronger person, I fail to see the humor... :(
Take care,
Elaine http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif
CherylLynn24
10-14-2003, 04:28 AM
Grace,
I completely identify with the 'brain fog'. While out, I sometimes feel as if I'm in a 'fog' of sorts, and have to focus on something to 'gather' my thoughts so to speak. I hope you're managing okay.
Cheryl
[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-14-2003).]
I completely identify with the 'brain fog'. While out, I sometimes feel as if I'm in a 'fog' of sorts, and have to focus on something to 'gather' my thoughts so to speak. I hope you're managing okay.
Cheryl
[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-14-2003).]
Anastasia
10-14-2003, 07:25 PM
hi guys
just a quick note about the neck thing causing brain fog. there's a guy named Dr. B. P. Radanov who did an extensive study on whiplash and cognitive problems. it's really cool stuff if you can find any of it. i think his report came out 2001...i'm not exactly sure but you guys should check it out.
Take care
Anastasia
just a quick note about the neck thing causing brain fog. there's a guy named Dr. B. P. Radanov who did an extensive study on whiplash and cognitive problems. it's really cool stuff if you can find any of it. i think his report came out 2001...i'm not exactly sure but you guys should check it out.
Take care
Anastasia
Michelle W
10-15-2003, 12:48 AM
Kami-Girl,
I occasionally have this brain fog you talk about. I have a theory just sort of thinking about it based on what I know of anatomy and physiology. I just wonder if spasms in the neck and ear compress the eustachian tube causing it to block it off. If I understand correctly the tube equalizes pressure within the ear, and the inner ear is where the semi-circular canals are, which is responsible for balance. Someone else may have already came up with this theory. I know from my own experience the more spasms I have in my neck and ear; the more stuffy my ears become.
I occasionally have this brain fog you talk about. I have a theory just sort of thinking about it based on what I know of anatomy and physiology. I just wonder if spasms in the neck and ear compress the eustachian tube causing it to block it off. If I understand correctly the tube equalizes pressure within the ear, and the inner ear is where the semi-circular canals are, which is responsible for balance. Someone else may have already came up with this theory. I know from my own experience the more spasms I have in my neck and ear; the more stuffy my ears become.
Elaine
10-15-2003, 12:58 AM
Cervical Spasm: Many people have spasms in their neck muscles on a constant basis that they are not aware of. This is often accompanied by a subluxation of the neck vertebrae. The neck has many proprioceptive nerves which tell the brain where the head is in space. But when the neck muscles are in spasm, these nerves don't function properly, giving the brain improper signals, thus causing the sensation of vertigo/dizziness. The jaw is often involved in that when the bite is improper, the muscle tone in the neck is elevated.
Trigeminal Nerve Dysfunction: The trigeminal nerve, unbeknownst to the vast majority of the meical profession, innervates the blood vessels in the brain. Through this innervation and by secretion of neuropeptides from its ganglion, it has the ability to control blood flow to the brain. When the trigeminal nerve is hyperactive from jaw malalignment, this control mechanism can be abnormal, leading to low blood flow to the brain.
Trigeminal Nerve Dysfunction: The trigeminal nerve, unbeknownst to the vast majority of the meical profession, innervates the blood vessels in the brain. Through this innervation and by secretion of neuropeptides from its ganglion, it has the ability to control blood flow to the brain. When the trigeminal nerve is hyperactive from jaw malalignment, this control mechanism can be abnormal, leading to low blood flow to the brain.
kippers
10-15-2003, 03:42 AM
Wow I have found this to be very interesting. I was on the inner ear board for quite a while and since all the tests my neurologist did were negative, and my GP thinking that my lymphatics aren't draining properly I have been to a tmj dentist (by default I was going to get my mecury amalgam fillings removed) was told that all my problems could be caused by tmj. My symptoms are (Grace this might interest you):
Brain Fog - all the time for the last 11 months, this has driven me crazy and I agree with you that most doctors think you are depressed or anxious when you mention brain fog.
Fluid in my ears and ear pressure
sometimes feel as though glands at the front of neck and back of neck are aching
Dizzy but not bad, more of distorted feeling, sometimes objects move but don't spin
eyes are blurry at times.
I have a shocking bite and have had a splint in for 10 days but no change yet.
I'm very confused by all of this because along with the ear/brain symptoms I also get aches and pains in my arms and legs and also tingly feelings. I have had lots of blood tests and all are normal, however my dentist said that if i have fluid in my ears then i am more likely to pick things up. I just wonder if i'm barking up the wrong tree with tmj as i don't have jaw pain or any mouth symptoms. I feel as though my symptoms are like an infection.
if anyone else has similar symptoms I would be happy to hear about them.
cheers kippers
Brain Fog - all the time for the last 11 months, this has driven me crazy and I agree with you that most doctors think you are depressed or anxious when you mention brain fog.
Fluid in my ears and ear pressure
sometimes feel as though glands at the front of neck and back of neck are aching
Dizzy but not bad, more of distorted feeling, sometimes objects move but don't spin
eyes are blurry at times.
I have a shocking bite and have had a splint in for 10 days but no change yet.
I'm very confused by all of this because along with the ear/brain symptoms I also get aches and pains in my arms and legs and also tingly feelings. I have had lots of blood tests and all are normal, however my dentist said that if i have fluid in my ears then i am more likely to pick things up. I just wonder if i'm barking up the wrong tree with tmj as i don't have jaw pain or any mouth symptoms. I feel as though my symptoms are like an infection.
if anyone else has similar symptoms I would be happy to hear about them.
cheers kippers
kami-girl
10-15-2003, 11:19 AM
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies! I'm pretty sure that my brain fog is related to neck tension. I have been doing physio and stretches on these muscles but have not noticed any difference in the brain fog. Any suggestions? Also using heat. I am 3 months into the third year of having this.
Grace
[This message has been edited by kami-girl (edited 10-15-2003).]
Thanks for your replies! I'm pretty sure that my brain fog is related to neck tension. I have been doing physio and stretches on these muscles but have not noticed any difference in the brain fog. Any suggestions? Also using heat. I am 3 months into the third year of having this.
Grace
[This message has been edited by kami-girl (edited 10-15-2003).]
mary111
10-15-2003, 03:32 PM
kippers -
Your post caught my attention because I have also had "brain fog" 24/7 for the past 11 months. For 7 months previous to that I had facial pain/muscle spasm ("tmj"). One day I had vertigo when I put my head in a certain postion. It only lasted for a minute or less but since then I have had this disconnected feeling that many people on the inner ear board have described. For some reason my tmj got less soon after that incident but I now have other problems, including some blurry distance vision. I have had numerous ear tests, and saw a number of doctors including a neuro-otologist and neurologist. No one knows what's going on with me. I wonder if I have a eustacian tube problem even though by tympanogram was normal. Maybe the tmj contributed to it. I drive up and down a mountain almost every day and my left ear never pops and I get a tiny pop in my right one. My friend's ears pop well every time. My right ear had a clogged feeling most of the time. I have other symptoms but I won't go on.
I don't know if we can post our email addresses but I'd like to correspond with people going through similar problems also.
Mary
Your post caught my attention because I have also had "brain fog" 24/7 for the past 11 months. For 7 months previous to that I had facial pain/muscle spasm ("tmj"). One day I had vertigo when I put my head in a certain postion. It only lasted for a minute or less but since then I have had this disconnected feeling that many people on the inner ear board have described. For some reason my tmj got less soon after that incident but I now have other problems, including some blurry distance vision. I have had numerous ear tests, and saw a number of doctors including a neuro-otologist and neurologist. No one knows what's going on with me. I wonder if I have a eustacian tube problem even though by tympanogram was normal. Maybe the tmj contributed to it. I drive up and down a mountain almost every day and my left ear never pops and I get a tiny pop in my right one. My friend's ears pop well every time. My right ear had a clogged feeling most of the time. I have other symptoms but I won't go on.
I don't know if we can post our email addresses but I'd like to correspond with people going through similar problems also.
Mary
kippers
10-15-2003, 11:14 PM
Kami-girl
re brain fog, i think you mentioned grandchildren? i don't know how old you are but from what my gp and other therapists have said about brain fog, and they have been through it, it can sometimes be hormonal and stress related. mix that up with a tight neck muscles and you could have all three making you feel foggy. I know I got worse 2 weeks after my 2nd son was born, just when all the happy hormones left my body. there are too many variables, its too hard to work out. I do know i don't feel as foggy in the morning, and my gp said this will be because my eustachian tubes will have drained through the night.
good luck
kippers
re brain fog, i think you mentioned grandchildren? i don't know how old you are but from what my gp and other therapists have said about brain fog, and they have been through it, it can sometimes be hormonal and stress related. mix that up with a tight neck muscles and you could have all three making you feel foggy. I know I got worse 2 weeks after my 2nd son was born, just when all the happy hormones left my body. there are too many variables, its too hard to work out. I do know i don't feel as foggy in the morning, and my gp said this will be because my eustachian tubes will have drained through the night.
good luck
kippers
TMJgirl
10-16-2003, 11:03 AM
I too, have the brain fog, clogged ears, vertigo or dizziness what ever they want to call it. Have had every test in the book, so I wont go on about those. End result, TMJ. No jaw pain tho, just my head isnt connected to my body anymore!!! Dont know if I am coming or going anymore. This is unbelievable hell. I have a splint for about a month. The NM dentist said the cartlidge in the joint is beginning to stick where it belongs, by telling when the popping occurs in the jaw. When it occurs in the latter part of the jaw opening process, then it is considered to be a healing message to us. I also have subluxation of c-7 and two spurs on that, which I go to a chiro. twice a week. The spine feels better after 3 months, the jaw supposively is healing, I am joining a weight lifting gym today, and I still feel like garbage. The brain fog is still there. The anxiety is awful, I just want to be like everyone else. All the other people in my life and surroundings walk around normal, and do not have this vertigo, ear thing going on. I hate this!! When will this end, for God's sake!!!!! I feel like I am dying...........
DianeTMJ
10-16-2003, 11:54 AM
Hello Grace -
Oh I hate the brain fog. I called it that and being exhausted all the time. The reason for mine was due to my jaw falling open when I sleep, I breathed through my mouth instead of my nose, thus getting only 70% of the oxygen that people who breath through their noses. I am now wearing a night time splint to hopefully get that all taken care of.
In regard to ringing in the ear getting bad with your splint. I would suggest calling your dentist and letting them know, it sounds like the joint area is not giving enough room for the nerves, etc etc. That should get better, not worse, or if nothing else remain the same, but to get worse, I would get that checked.
Take care
Diane
Oh I hate the brain fog. I called it that and being exhausted all the time. The reason for mine was due to my jaw falling open when I sleep, I breathed through my mouth instead of my nose, thus getting only 70% of the oxygen that people who breath through their noses. I am now wearing a night time splint to hopefully get that all taken care of.
In regard to ringing in the ear getting bad with your splint. I would suggest calling your dentist and letting them know, it sounds like the joint area is not giving enough room for the nerves, etc etc. That should get better, not worse, or if nothing else remain the same, but to get worse, I would get that checked.
Take care
Diane
Marfunkel
01-17-2008, 04:10 PM
I recommend you guys to check out a book called Allergies & Candida by Steven Rochlitz. It could really help. Good luck.