britishgirl2
12-14-2004, 07:20 PM
Hi everyone,
I am relatively new to this board and to TMJ - and I would like to say how much I sympathize with those of you who have been dealing with this pain for an extended period of time. I am still unsure as to what is happening to me physically and just wanted to share my symptoms and story and gain feedback from those of you who have more knowledge than I on this matter.
Back in June of this year I developed a sinus infection (which is common for me). After two rounds of antibiotics I still had this feeling in my throat/neck area below my ear lobs of a tightness/full feeling that wouldn't go away. I was put on decongestants, steroids, and acid reducer with no relief. I also suffered panic attacks because of it as I felt like my throat was closing in though I had no sore throat! AFter a few months I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with LPR Reflux and continued me on Aciphex and Nasacort - little reflief at times but still there. I went back a couple of months later and he said that it was myofascial pain/TMJD - he has put me on Nexium and Bextra, he also suggested I get facial massages which I now do once a week. My symptoms are varied and confusing to me and at times I still experience panic attacks because I don't know what's going on. I have pain in the sinus area of my face most of the time, when I bend over I get pain in my forehead - I have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in the right side of my head behind the ear that at times feels like it extends from the neck, behind my ear over to my face. I also have shoulder pain (infrequently) and am tired most of the time. I did have a CT Scan and MRI done earlier in the year and everything came back ok. I have had the pulling feeling in the right side of my head for quite some time (couple of years). I also have a great deal of clicking, popping etc. in my jaw and pain in that area consistently.
Any words of wisdom and advice would be welcomed. :confused:
I am relatively new to this board and to TMJ - and I would like to say how much I sympathize with those of you who have been dealing with this pain for an extended period of time. I am still unsure as to what is happening to me physically and just wanted to share my symptoms and story and gain feedback from those of you who have more knowledge than I on this matter.
Back in June of this year I developed a sinus infection (which is common for me). After two rounds of antibiotics I still had this feeling in my throat/neck area below my ear lobs of a tightness/full feeling that wouldn't go away. I was put on decongestants, steroids, and acid reducer with no relief. I also suffered panic attacks because of it as I felt like my throat was closing in though I had no sore throat! AFter a few months I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with LPR Reflux and continued me on Aciphex and Nasacort - little reflief at times but still there. I went back a couple of months later and he said that it was myofascial pain/TMJD - he has put me on Nexium and Bextra, he also suggested I get facial massages which I now do once a week. My symptoms are varied and confusing to me and at times I still experience panic attacks because I don't know what's going on. I have pain in the sinus area of my face most of the time, when I bend over I get pain in my forehead - I have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in the right side of my head behind the ear that at times feels like it extends from the neck, behind my ear over to my face. I also have shoulder pain (infrequently) and am tired most of the time. I did have a CT Scan and MRI done earlier in the year and everything came back ok. I have had the pulling feeling in the right side of my head for quite some time (couple of years). I also have a great deal of clicking, popping etc. in my jaw and pain in that area consistently.
Any words of wisdom and advice would be welcomed. :confused:
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britishgirl2
12-15-2004, 08:33 PM
Thanks, I am south of Atlanta in the Macon, GA area - if anyone knows of someone who can help I would appreciate it.
daydreamer504
12-15-2004, 11:16 PM
Hi there...my doc is way, way north of Macon, in Calhoun, GA (straight shot up the interstate). But I know that he works with a sleep clinic in Macon sometimes (I think he's the director). I don't know if he ever sees TMJ patients down there though. He is the best in GA (I feel, so it might be worth the 3.5 hour drive just for the evaluation and to see if he could recommend someone down near you). However, I will ask him if he knows of someone down that way. He's a DMD and is great at diagnosing what is going on and working with my other doctors. His name is Dr. Larry Tilley in case you want it, but I see him Tuesday and will ask about Macon. He's used to me asking about docs in different places...I do this to him all of the time, lol.
I too have sinus problems, so it's frustrating...my myofacial pain seemed to flare after this last infection also.
I too have sinus problems, so it's frustrating...my myofacial pain seemed to flare after this last infection also.
britishgirl2
12-16-2004, 02:27 PM
Thank you all for the info......if you could get me a name of someone down here that would be great. I'm having a bad day today, getting pains on the left side of head and in the eye socket - could be because I missed my massage this week :nono: Is there anything I can take with the Bextra that I'm already taking???? to help with the pain?
daydreamer504
12-16-2004, 07:16 PM
Moist heat really helps a lot...korean hand therapy actually helps sometimes...look for it and TMJ and you should find pictures and everything.
britishgirl2
12-17-2004, 02:12 PM
Thank you,
I do go to a massage therapist (usually once a week, but missed this week) she is an oriental lady who does trigger point therapy and it really does seem to help a lot - she really can find that "sore" spots and works out the kinks! Right now my face feels like it's just throbbing, I've taken tylenol but it's not even touching it and I'm at work so it makes it difficult to put any heat on it right now..........it feels like a really bad sinus infection (although I know I don't have that)....I'm starting to wonder now if my diagnosis of sinus infections throughout the past couple of years really have been TMJ and not sinus related at all?
I do go to a massage therapist (usually once a week, but missed this week) she is an oriental lady who does trigger point therapy and it really does seem to help a lot - she really can find that "sore" spots and works out the kinks! Right now my face feels like it's just throbbing, I've taken tylenol but it's not even touching it and I'm at work so it makes it difficult to put any heat on it right now..........it feels like a really bad sinus infection (although I know I don't have that)....I'm starting to wonder now if my diagnosis of sinus infections throughout the past couple of years really have been TMJ and not sinus related at all?
daydreamer504
12-18-2004, 12:13 AM
I know some of mine were sinus infections because they were cultured and were bacterial, but I wonder if all of it started as TMJ and then I was prescribed antibiotics when I didn't need it and it ruined my immune system ....unnecessary sinus surgery, etc. Now that we culture every time, I know there are times my sinuses act infected and it's either a virus or they aren't infected at all....I tend to think it's the TMJ because that can cause sore throats. I clenched and caused adhesions on muscles that are connected to the eustacian tubes. ARGHHHHH!!!!!! MY NEW ENT treated sinus infections properly and dx'ed the TMJ. I wish I had seen him from the start.
britishgirl2
12-18-2004, 11:46 AM
I know, it's all very confusing...you think you have one thing and they try to treat it and it doesn't go away, so they diagnose something else and treat that....it makes you wonder what is really going on in your body when even the doctor's can't come up with a diagnosis you can be sure of. I'm still not convinced of what is going on with me and each day I get pains somewhere else I get scared.....like today I have "tenderness" on the right side of my head in the temple and cheek bone area and it's driving me crazy.....and I get scared that I have something majorly wrong there. Does anyone else feel like that? I'm starting to get so depressed with this and I know my marriage is suffering, my husband doesn't understand why I'm so tired and just want to lay around and sleep :(
britishgirl2
12-20-2004, 10:56 AM
I'm in agreement there, I wish i had gone to an ENT earlier on - my problems started with this feeling in what I thought was the gland area (right below the jaw, even with the ear lobes)....and I still get that feeling of something being in there or constricting in some way.....I had actually gone to the ER one time because I felt like I couldn't breathe, I was actually having a panic attack from it - and this weekend I have been having the same thing. I don't know exactly what causes that or what it is, no-one seems to be able to give me an answer :confused:
westin4
12-20-2004, 11:47 AM
british......
you sound like I did years ago. New symptoms everyday...one dr says one thing and another says something else. I am sure all you feel is that you must have some serious undiagnosed illness. I know how you feel. I hope you can try and get some answers and I know how hard it is. Try to keep in mind that tmj can cause all of this and especially if it is not being treated. Try to keep your anxiety under control, I know how hard it is. I developed panic/anxiety disorder from all the stuff was going on.......I totally feel for you......keep us posted on your condition....
Karen
you sound like I did years ago. New symptoms everyday...one dr says one thing and another says something else. I am sure all you feel is that you must have some serious undiagnosed illness. I know how you feel. I hope you can try and get some answers and I know how hard it is. Try to keep in mind that tmj can cause all of this and especially if it is not being treated. Try to keep your anxiety under control, I know how hard it is. I developed panic/anxiety disorder from all the stuff was going on.......I totally feel for you......keep us posted on your condition....
Karen
daydreamer504
12-21-2004, 10:27 PM
My doc says that the closest doc to you that he could recommend is Dr. John Hughes in Stockbridge. I know that's still kinda far but closer than Calhoun.
britishgirl2
12-22-2004, 10:13 AM
thank you for the information.......if things don't improve and i can't find anyone down here I will definitely look into it.
britishgirl2
12-22-2004, 10:13 PM
Today I woke up with severe nausea and it has been with me all day - along with tiredness and this constricting feeling in my jaw/neck area.....I even had my massage therapy today and still feel lousy. Does anyone else experience the nausea or could this possibly be from the Bextra I am taking. I know last time I took it, along with something else, I also experienced nausea but wasn't sure which med it was from. Anyone have any feedback on this?
westin4
12-23-2004, 12:00 AM
I have had pain and dizziness so bad it has caused me nausea. I am also thinking it could be the meds. I hope you are feeling better. Did you take the bextra with anyother med?
Karen
Karen
daydreamer504
12-23-2004, 09:12 AM
I get nausea when the headache gets really bad...I take phenergan or lomotil depending on what the nausea is like...my doc says there's not anyone down there worth seeing...I could probably twist his arm and get HIM to see you down there though...I know he's done it before...the problem is that it would just be a one time deal and you probably need long-term care.
britishgirl2
12-23-2004, 11:00 AM
Before I had taken Bextra with other meds, but not this time - Bextra is the only thing I'm taking. I'm supposed to be taking Nexium as well, but it's so expensive that I haven't filled the script yet. I think I could handle the pain if this weird sensation/feeling in my jaw/neck area would cease - that's what drives me absolutely insane....I can't even explain how it feels, it can be gone for a week or so, and then come back full force - I'm not sure if it's TMJ related or reflux related does anyone else have this weird feeling in that area?
daydreamer504
12-23-2004, 05:29 PM
What's your blood pressure doing? I missed the constricting feeling.
daydreamer504
12-23-2004, 05:33 PM
Yes, I've had the temple soreness quite often. Would you mind summarizing what's been going on with you...I'm having a little trouble following. I'm sure that's because you are having new symptoms daily, which happens and is scary...I'm just trying to get a big picture here and am having trouble doing so. Thanks!
britishgirl2
12-23-2004, 08:00 PM
The Big Picture - about 2 years ago I started taking zoloft for about 6 months....after I stopped taking it I would get these shooting pains in the right side of my head that lasted for a few seconds. They would come and go over the months. Earlier this year I went to the doctor and told him about it and he ordered a CT scan and an MRI both normal. In june of this year I had a sinus infection....treated with 2 rounds of antibiotics....I acquired this feeling in my jaw/neck area that felt like constriction - my GP could find nothing, went to an ENT and he diagnosed LPR REflux and put me on Aciphex, no relief, went back he diagnosed myofascial pain and reflux, put me on Bextra and Nexium - also suggested massage therapy. The symptoms I'm having are major anxiety - constricting feeling in the jaw/neck area, jaw pain, facial pain, headaches, right now I have a "tightness" in the right side of my head that is about to drive me crazy, I'm not sure if it is worse today because I had a massage yesterday and she did massage that spot quite heavily, I usually am sore the day after which is normal, depending on which spot she concentrates on most. I also experience extreme fatigue and lack of motivation/energy. I can deal with the pain but not the constricting feeling and this tightness in my head. That's pretty much the jist of things...lol
daydreamer504
12-26-2004, 10:41 PM
Zoloft can cause clenching of your teeth with might have started everything, I don't know. You might want to talk to you doc about it. Sinus infections tend to exacerbate the myofacial pain. You have to be really careful when you have massage for myofacial pain...some days they don't even touch my face at all. Sometimes I have to ice afterwards. Usually I have to take antihistmine afterwards because I have such a strong histmine release when I'm worked on. Are you really red after being worked on?
They also told me to be checked for hypothyroidism and Wilson's syndrome...it sounds like you and I have a lot of the same symptoms...you might want to investigate these. Take care!
They also told me to be checked for hypothyroidism and Wilson's syndrome...it sounds like you and I have a lot of the same symptoms...you might want to investigate these. Take care!
britishgirl2
12-27-2004, 03:26 PM
I am sometimes red after the massage, especially in the back of the neck....what is Wilsons? I've heard of hypothyroidism and think I'm ok there as I do regularly have blood work done. My symptoms are a little better today, still have the stiffness/constriction in my jaw area but the head feels a bit better, I've also stopped taking the Bextra and the nauseau has gone away, so I guess that was the culprit! ;)
daydreamer504
12-28-2004, 12:47 AM
The redness is just your body releasing a lot of histamine during the massage. I take benadryl after a massage.
Wilson's is a form of hypothroidism that doesn't show up in blood work but has interesting symptoms. Search on it...it's easy to find.
I have to take pepcid with my indocin so that I don't get sick with it.
I'm glad you're a little better today! :)
Wilson's is a form of hypothroidism that doesn't show up in blood work but has interesting symptoms. Search on it...it's easy to find.
I have to take pepcid with my indocin so that I don't get sick with it.
I'm glad you're a little better today! :)
EvonneMCFC
12-28-2004, 09:27 AM
Hi everyone,
I am relatively new to this board and to TMJ - and I would like to say how much I sympathize with those of you who have been dealing with this pain for an extended period of time. I am still unsure as to what is happening to me physically and just wanted to share my symptoms and story and gain feedback from those of you who have more knowledge than I on this matter.
Back in June of this year I developed a sinus infection (which is common for me). After two rounds of antibiotics I still had this feeling in my throat/neck area below my ear lobs of a tightness/full feeling that wouldn't go away. I was put on decongestants, steroids, and acid reducer with no relief. I also suffered panic attacks because of it as I felt like my throat was closing in though I had no sore throat! AFter a few months I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with LPR Reflux and continued me on Aciphex and Nasacort - little reflief at times but still there. I went back a couple of months later and he said that it was myofascial pain/TMJD - he has put me on Nexium and Bextra, he also suggested I get facial massages which I now do once a week. My symptoms are varied and confusing to me and at times I still experience panic attacks because I don't know what's going on. I have pain in the sinus area of my face most of the time, when I bend over I get pain in my forehead - I have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in the right side of my head behind the ear that at times feels like it extends from the neck, behind my ear over to my face. I also have shoulder pain (infrequently) and am tired most of the time. I did have a CT Scan and MRI done earlier in the year and everything came back ok. I have had the pulling feeling in the right side of my head for quite some time (couple of years). I also have a great deal of clicking, popping etc. in my jaw and pain in that area consistently.
Any words of wisdom and advice would be welcomed. :confused:
Hi Britishgirl
When you say you have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in head, does it feel worse when you get up from bending over?
As I have that and it sort of puts me into a panic and unstable feeling for a few seconds until it settles even though its there constantly its worse for me after bending over. Is this how it is with you?
Evonne
I am relatively new to this board and to TMJ - and I would like to say how much I sympathize with those of you who have been dealing with this pain for an extended period of time. I am still unsure as to what is happening to me physically and just wanted to share my symptoms and story and gain feedback from those of you who have more knowledge than I on this matter.
Back in June of this year I developed a sinus infection (which is common for me). After two rounds of antibiotics I still had this feeling in my throat/neck area below my ear lobs of a tightness/full feeling that wouldn't go away. I was put on decongestants, steroids, and acid reducer with no relief. I also suffered panic attacks because of it as I felt like my throat was closing in though I had no sore throat! AFter a few months I went to an ENT who diagnosed me with LPR Reflux and continued me on Aciphex and Nasacort - little reflief at times but still there. I went back a couple of months later and he said that it was myofascial pain/TMJD - he has put me on Nexium and Bextra, he also suggested I get facial massages which I now do once a week. My symptoms are varied and confusing to me and at times I still experience panic attacks because I don't know what's going on. I have pain in the sinus area of my face most of the time, when I bend over I get pain in my forehead - I have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in the right side of my head behind the ear that at times feels like it extends from the neck, behind my ear over to my face. I also have shoulder pain (infrequently) and am tired most of the time. I did have a CT Scan and MRI done earlier in the year and everything came back ok. I have had the pulling feeling in the right side of my head for quite some time (couple of years). I also have a great deal of clicking, popping etc. in my jaw and pain in that area consistently.
Any words of wisdom and advice would be welcomed. :confused:
Hi Britishgirl
When you say you have a consistent tightness/pulling feeling in head, does it feel worse when you get up from bending over?
As I have that and it sort of puts me into a panic and unstable feeling for a few seconds until it settles even though its there constantly its worse for me after bending over. Is this how it is with you?
Evonne
daydreamer504
12-28-2004, 09:54 AM
Hmmmm, I was thinking about it, and my asthma/allergies got a lot worse before this myofacial stuff started acting up. I started having analphylactic reactions from allergy shots, things in the air I was allergic to, but I would actually wheeze in addition to my throat closing up. Pulling me off of the allergy shots and putting me on singular has helped that. But it did start like that...that came first, then the colossal sinus infection from you know where, then the myofacial pain.
britishgirl2
12-28-2004, 10:49 AM
The tightness in the head is very intermittent - but I do feel more pain when I bend over - it's like everything rushes to the head/face area! I too get panic attacks at times and have to pop a xanax to relax.
I was also treated for allergies before I was diagnosed with Myofascial pain/TMJ so I wonder what the connection is? Maybe I should think about getting allergy testing done and see if there is a culprit in the air or something....what does anyone think on this? :confused:
I was also treated for allergies before I was diagnosed with Myofascial pain/TMJ so I wonder what the connection is? Maybe I should think about getting allergy testing done and see if there is a culprit in the air or something....what does anyone think on this? :confused:
westin4
12-28-2004, 12:32 PM
Alot of times dr's treat for things like sinus infections......allergies.........ear problemss, because that is easiest to treat and tmj and myofacial pain will require further investigation.
I am just so disgusted with dr's after spending year after year trying to get answers and then trying to get medicaiton. I wish you all the best.
Karen
I am just so disgusted with dr's after spending year after year trying to get answers and then trying to get medicaiton. I wish you all the best.
Karen
daydreamer504
12-28-2004, 06:11 PM
I have had allergies my whole life...I actually got better when we backed off the allergy shots a year ago and just did antihistimines and asthma meds. Things have finally settled down on that end, and I'm not having the throat closing up symptoms any more. My allergist and dentist do work closely together though as my trigger point injections could cause an allergic reaction with the wrong anesthetic. My dentist says that I release a ton of histamine, but other than that, I don't know the connection. Isn't that wierd though? The myofacial pain hasn't calmed down now that the allergies have, but maybe it will soon (I hope)!
daydreamer504
12-30-2004, 10:30 AM
Could sneezing cause the muscles to tense up and cause pain? Aren't there nerves that run through the sinuses and nasal cavities that could get irritated as well? My face always hurts worse AFTER a sinus infection is over...my sinuses just throb...like it's a nerve issue or something. Just a thought.
westin4
12-30-2004, 11:34 AM
Sure, you could have a myofacial pain syndrome and not actually have tmj. There are several different types of facial pain that can occur.......some are from nerve pain.
You would have to get a diagnosis and make sure that you really think about all of your symptoms so you can get the best help in making a definitive diagnosis.
Karen
You would have to get a diagnosis and make sure that you really think about all of your symptoms so you can get the best help in making a definitive diagnosis.
Karen
britishgirl2
12-30-2004, 01:38 PM
I guess I am just confused as to who to see and get a firm diagnosis - I have been to a regular doctor, an ENT, a chiro and a massage therapist - everyone says something different! I have a dental appointment next month, so I'll see what he says - I also have another ENT appointment in February and will continue to see my chiro and massage therapist. My jaw is getting to the point where it pops and clicks continually now - I'm not in a lot of pain but the "tightness" continues 24/7 (except when I sleep) :) I still continue to get the "pains" shooting in my head every once in a while, but they only last maybe a second. I have quit taking all medication for now, the bextra was making me nauseous and the Nexium is too expensive for my budget right now....have to recuperate from Christmas :D
My husband keeps telling me to go back to the doctor, but I don't know what to tell them or who to go to.........I actually have a OB appointment tomorrow and as this is a woman doctor I am going to discuss it with her also - sometimes they have a little more compassion than the male doctors - figured it's worth a shot to see if she has any insight! :)
My husband keeps telling me to go back to the doctor, but I don't know what to tell them or who to go to.........I actually have a OB appointment tomorrow and as this is a woman doctor I am going to discuss it with her also - sometimes they have a little more compassion than the male doctors - figured it's worth a shot to see if she has any insight! :)
daydreamer504
12-31-2004, 12:06 AM
I don't know...I would go to a dentist, but not anyone where you live...you can search the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain for my dentist and see if he'll see you the next time he's down that way...I've already asked him about you. It's Dr. Larry Tilley in Calhoun. The other option would be the guy in Stockbridge. I think you at least need to see a TMJ expert once though, just to find out what is going on. Those are two of the best in our area.