lucy25
11-20-2003, 07:04 PM
Hi All...I am a bit confused with some things, hopefully someone can give me some help here! I have been wearing my upper splint for almost 2 months now and have seen minimal improvements. I was told I will have to wear it for 3 months and then they will decide phase 2 from there. What if I don't feel complete relief from 3 months of splint therapy? Do some people improve with longer wear of the splint? I am getting scared and I feel like my headaches are coming back. Any answers would be appreciated because I am getting really worried and depressed again...
Thank You, Lucy
Thank You, Lucy
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saaraah
11-20-2003, 10:56 PM
phase I of splint therapy can last as long as 1 year.. generally, it seems that 4-6 months is the "norm". if you feel that your symptoms are coming back, perhaps you need an adjustment.
additionally, phase II therapy shouldnt be started until the symptoms have been resolved.
- saaraah.
additionally, phase II therapy shouldnt be started until the symptoms have been resolved.
- saaraah.
TMJgirl
11-21-2003, 09:20 PM
Hi:
I have had my splint for 2 months. I notice a remarkable realignment in my face and jaw, but my clogged ear and vertigo are worse for me. My theory is that the jaw is repositioned and I notice my bite is different and the jaw now moves toward the back when I chew and hence pushes the jaw into my ear more! I am going to the NM dentist on Tuesday, for adjustment but I cant imagine why this would be happening. Maybe everything has to settle down, but in the meantime the anxiety is at an all time high! I am getting scared that I will never get better. Do you have ear symptoms and dizziness also?
I have had my splint for 2 months. I notice a remarkable realignment in my face and jaw, but my clogged ear and vertigo are worse for me. My theory is that the jaw is repositioned and I notice my bite is different and the jaw now moves toward the back when I chew and hence pushes the jaw into my ear more! I am going to the NM dentist on Tuesday, for adjustment but I cant imagine why this would be happening. Maybe everything has to settle down, but in the meantime the anxiety is at an all time high! I am getting scared that I will never get better. Do you have ear symptoms and dizziness also?
lucy25
11-24-2003, 02:02 PM
Hi TMJgirl...
I know what you mean about your anxieties being out of control right now! The first few weeks I was wearing my splint, I noticed some positive changes, but after my first adjustment I feel like I am getting worse. My worst symptoms are the tightness around my eyes (causing major visual disturbances), constant plugged ears (I have a hard time in loud places, and I can't tell which direction noises are coming from), brainfog, and serious headaches. Because of all of my symptoms, I am so tired all the time! I go for my second adjustment in 2 weeks and I hope he will tell me that this is all a part of the healing process because I am feeling really down lately! Hang in there, you aren't going through this alone!
Lucy :)
I know what you mean about your anxieties being out of control right now! The first few weeks I was wearing my splint, I noticed some positive changes, but after my first adjustment I feel like I am getting worse. My worst symptoms are the tightness around my eyes (causing major visual disturbances), constant plugged ears (I have a hard time in loud places, and I can't tell which direction noises are coming from), brainfog, and serious headaches. Because of all of my symptoms, I am so tired all the time! I go for my second adjustment in 2 weeks and I hope he will tell me that this is all a part of the healing process because I am feeling really down lately! Hang in there, you aren't going through this alone!
Lucy :)
TMJgirl
11-24-2003, 02:58 PM
Hi Lucy:
I am going to my NM dentist tomorrow for another adjustment. This is crazy. I swear the anxiety is worse then anything. I am going to try some prozac and hope for the best. Ever use any meds for this? I tried zoloft, buspar, and lexapro. All made symptoms worse off. To many side effects. I feel like a freak. My whole body feels wierd from the anxiety. My ears are clogged like you, sounds bounce off the walls and I cant tell where they come from. This freaks me out. The dizzy is the worst. Do you get that too? I feel like I see the world from a fish eye lens. This is horrific, and all I do is cry. Thanks for writting. Bye bye.
Demi
I am going to my NM dentist tomorrow for another adjustment. This is crazy. I swear the anxiety is worse then anything. I am going to try some prozac and hope for the best. Ever use any meds for this? I tried zoloft, buspar, and lexapro. All made symptoms worse off. To many side effects. I feel like a freak. My whole body feels wierd from the anxiety. My ears are clogged like you, sounds bounce off the walls and I cant tell where they come from. This freaks me out. The dizzy is the worst. Do you get that too? I feel like I see the world from a fish eye lens. This is horrific, and all I do is cry. Thanks for writting. Bye bye.
Demi
lucy25
11-24-2003, 04:07 PM
Hi again...
Yes I too have tried meds to calm down my anxieties over this. I tried Paxil. Effexor and Celexa and all made my feel so sick so I stopped that route! I do carry Ativan & herbal remedies around with me in case I "go crazy", but just carrying them with me helps ease the tension. I also get the dizzies and for me I believe it is a combo of the hearing difficulties and the tightness around my eyes. I know what you mean when you say that you feel like you're looking through a lens at all times. Every day I have to double check that I put my contact lenses in because I can hardly see! I hope that your adjustment helps. I feel that my last one made me feel worse so I'm scared to go in again! Good Luck tomorrow. And keep me posted on your recovery ok.
Lucy:)
Yes I too have tried meds to calm down my anxieties over this. I tried Paxil. Effexor and Celexa and all made my feel so sick so I stopped that route! I do carry Ativan & herbal remedies around with me in case I "go crazy", but just carrying them with me helps ease the tension. I also get the dizzies and for me I believe it is a combo of the hearing difficulties and the tightness around my eyes. I know what you mean when you say that you feel like you're looking through a lens at all times. Every day I have to double check that I put my contact lenses in because I can hardly see! I hope that your adjustment helps. I feel that my last one made me feel worse so I'm scared to go in again! Good Luck tomorrow. And keep me posted on your recovery ok.
Lucy:)
TMJgirl
11-24-2003, 07:29 PM
Lucy:
I am about to pick up the prozac. I am scared to take it but I have no choice. Funny you mentioned ativan because there is a girl at the gym who takes it to take the edge off. Is it cool or does it cause drowsiness? I need to know this because I have found something positive in my life and that is I lift weights every day at a little tiny gym near my house and am making leaps and bounds at it in just a month. No one can believe what I can do and they all say they cant see my pain in my face. It is inside my head!! I dont want anything to interfere with that, because I have nothing left........The spasms are horrific right now, and I feel like my eustachian tubes are all inflamed and clogged even tho there is no fluid in them. I hear my oun voice, I hear my breathing and heart beat. This is Chinese water torture at it best. Drinking a glass of wine to calm down and am going tomorrow once again to the dentist for the adjustment. I have many questions for him. I will tell you what he said about this madness then...........thanks for answering. God Bless us everyone!!!!
I am about to pick up the prozac. I am scared to take it but I have no choice. Funny you mentioned ativan because there is a girl at the gym who takes it to take the edge off. Is it cool or does it cause drowsiness? I need to know this because I have found something positive in my life and that is I lift weights every day at a little tiny gym near my house and am making leaps and bounds at it in just a month. No one can believe what I can do and they all say they cant see my pain in my face. It is inside my head!! I dont want anything to interfere with that, because I have nothing left........The spasms are horrific right now, and I feel like my eustachian tubes are all inflamed and clogged even tho there is no fluid in them. I hear my oun voice, I hear my breathing and heart beat. This is Chinese water torture at it best. Drinking a glass of wine to calm down and am going tomorrow once again to the dentist for the adjustment. I have many questions for him. I will tell you what he said about this madness then...........thanks for answering. God Bless us everyone!!!!
lucy25
11-25-2003, 03:25 PM
Hi TMJGirl...
Wow, we have a lot in common! I too have begun an exercise program, only I bought weights and lift at home. I can relate when people ask why you can do much when you say you're in so much pain. I have the same problem with everyone around me. They think I am making up the pain and that I'm probably just depressed and need meds! GRRR! This is so frustrating! I haven't had to take any ativan yet but my friend says it has helped her through some hard times and doesn't make you too drowsy. Good luck with the prozac...I hope it helps calm you down whie you recover. Keep lifting those weights, I know that it helps from experience...let me know how your appt goes ok..
Take Care, Lucy :)
Wow, we have a lot in common! I too have begun an exercise program, only I bought weights and lift at home. I can relate when people ask why you can do much when you say you're in so much pain. I have the same problem with everyone around me. They think I am making up the pain and that I'm probably just depressed and need meds! GRRR! This is so frustrating! I haven't had to take any ativan yet but my friend says it has helped her through some hard times and doesn't make you too drowsy. Good luck with the prozac...I hope it helps calm you down whie you recover. Keep lifting those weights, I know that it helps from experience...let me know how your appt goes ok..
Take Care, Lucy :)
Katie G
11-26-2003, 12:23 PM
Hi All...I am a bit confused with some things, hopefully someone can give me some help here! I have been wearing my upper splint for almost 2 months now and have seen minimal improvements. I was told I will have to wear it for 3 months and then they will decide phase 2 from there. What if I don't feel complete relief from 3 months of splint therapy? Do some people improve with longer wear of the splint? I am getting scared and I feel like my headaches are coming back. Any answers would be appreciated because I am getting really worried and depressed again...
Thank You, Lucy
Hi Lucy. I'm new to this specific board, but have posted a lot on the Digestive/Bowel Disorders & Irritable Bowel Syndrome sites. Having suffered with TMD for 10+ years, I finally decided to do something about it and am now seeing an orthodontist who specializes in TMD. Right now I have an upper splint (also called MORA) that I wear 24/7 and may end up wearing for up to a year. Then Phase 2 begins (possible surgery, braces, crowning/capping teeth) depending on how well I realign the joints and relax the muscles in the jaw. I've been wearing it for about 6 weeks now, and the ortho says my realignment is starting to improve already. I honestly don't notice a whole lot of relief. Maybe my headaches are less, but I still have neck/shoulder pain, joint/muscle pain in the jaw, tinnitus, and still try to clench my teeth if I'm not aware of it. I do know too that I'm getting very dependent on it because when I take it out to brush, I have to consciously hold my teeth apart or they immediately clench.
So anyway to make a long post short - I'm looking at a year of wearing my MORA and am hopeful it will improve my situation. It can't get much worse; the ortho stated I have a severe to profound case of TMD.
Good luck to you,
Katie G
Thank You, Lucy
Hi Lucy. I'm new to this specific board, but have posted a lot on the Digestive/Bowel Disorders & Irritable Bowel Syndrome sites. Having suffered with TMD for 10+ years, I finally decided to do something about it and am now seeing an orthodontist who specializes in TMD. Right now I have an upper splint (also called MORA) that I wear 24/7 and may end up wearing for up to a year. Then Phase 2 begins (possible surgery, braces, crowning/capping teeth) depending on how well I realign the joints and relax the muscles in the jaw. I've been wearing it for about 6 weeks now, and the ortho says my realignment is starting to improve already. I honestly don't notice a whole lot of relief. Maybe my headaches are less, but I still have neck/shoulder pain, joint/muscle pain in the jaw, tinnitus, and still try to clench my teeth if I'm not aware of it. I do know too that I'm getting very dependent on it because when I take it out to brush, I have to consciously hold my teeth apart or they immediately clench.
So anyway to make a long post short - I'm looking at a year of wearing my MORA and am hopeful it will improve my situation. It can't get much worse; the ortho stated I have a severe to profound case of TMD.
Good luck to you,
Katie G
lucy25
11-26-2003, 07:42 PM
Hi Katie, thanks for posting under my topic. Any info is so helpful. I had a feeling that I would have to wear this ugly thing for a lot longer than 3 months! I don't care if I had to wear it for 3 years, as long as I can have my life back! I just hate that no one can guarantee a recovery with splint therapy or with TMD for that matter. I would be so much more relaxed if I knew that I was going to recover from this and live a normal life agaon, fell normal again and have an honest smile again. I hate having to pretend that I feel good...thanks again for posting. I will ask my ortho next week if he thinks I will be wearing it for longer.
Take Care, Lucy :)
Take Care, Lucy :)