m4ria88
12-20-2008, 12:01 AM
Hi there!, ive been suffering from tmj for nearly are year now. I'm 20 years old and find it very hard to cope with because it seems to be endless suffering which has taken away many pleasures of mine:(. I'm currently seeing a specialist who says that i have a displaced disk in the right side of my jaw. I've been wearing a mouth splint every night while I sleep for 5 months now. hoping that my muscles will relax and the disk goes back into place. I can't open wide, is very stiff and can only eat soft food. I would very much appeciate it, if anyone similar to my problem can help me by sharing their stories on their treatment, if any were helpful or did the complete oppisite and what you are going thru :(. I would love to hear success stories!:) When i started to have symptoms of pain, i started to stress badly fearing i wouldnt get better which lead me to have panic attacks, loss of weight and prevented me from doing any schooling this year. Therefore i would like to know of any strategies that help relax the mind and body while suffering from tmj. Today, i try to help myself by not thinking about it and to keep my mind occupied but it is always in the back of mind. My heart goes out to each of you, who are suffering from this disability daily and wish you all the best of luck in easing your pain and disfunction. Feel free to ask me any questions as well!
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Thelma-Louise
12-21-2008, 07:44 PM
Welcome! I didn't want your first post not to have no response so I thought I would post just to say hello and welcome you to the boards. I do not have a personal success story to share with you at this time but fully understand the pain and suffering you have endured and still experience. Hopefully you see your dr regularly and he is monitoring your progress so you can make a full recovery quickly. Unfortunately most members that do post are those that are struggling with their treatment or symptoms and pain in one way or another but there are members here who have seen improvement or have recovered that check the boards now and then - and maybe they will see your post and share their stories with you. I hope you continue to see improvement and are finally able to put this all behind you at some point and get on with your life.
m4ria88
12-25-2008, 04:13 AM
thanks for your reply thelma louise:) just wondering how long have you been suffering from it? I don't see my specialist to often just every 2 months so far to check how im going.
temera2
12-25-2008, 11:35 PM
hey there sweety!!
Welcome to the board.. i would of written to you AGES back but i dont have the net at home so i just came on after 2 weeks!!!
I am ALSO you're age!!What symptoms do you suffer??
My threads all indicate my pain of tmj and struggles of EARACHES! Have a read , i apologise if they are not too pretty :( i have had so many ups and downs!!! that is the only one which plagues me! How about you??
Hope to hear from you soon honey! I want to know your symptoms , we can both work on a health plan thing for you and hopefully we will both recover!! Also tell me your severity!!??
I immensely struggle to study it in fact inflates my earaches!! anyways ill write more when i hear from you! i want YOU to get better so much hey god i know how you feel !!
We are all here for you! im hoping to hear from you soon!!! BIG HUG
Welcome to the board.. i would of written to you AGES back but i dont have the net at home so i just came on after 2 weeks!!!
I am ALSO you're age!!What symptoms do you suffer??
My threads all indicate my pain of tmj and struggles of EARACHES! Have a read , i apologise if they are not too pretty :( i have had so many ups and downs!!! that is the only one which plagues me! How about you??
Hope to hear from you soon honey! I want to know your symptoms , we can both work on a health plan thing for you and hopefully we will both recover!! Also tell me your severity!!??
I immensely struggle to study it in fact inflates my earaches!! anyways ill write more when i hear from you! i want YOU to get better so much hey god i know how you feel !!
We are all here for you! im hoping to hear from you soon!!! BIG HUG
m4ria88
12-29-2008, 03:52 AM
Hey there temera! thanks for reppplying:)...i have read your threads about your earached they sound so painful you poor thing! i only had an earache once from tmj unpleasent! I am praying for you and I to get well! my problem is pretty severe...i have a displaced disc in the right side of my jaw, before it happened my jaw use to click, now it has stopped clicking. therefore i cannot open my mouth at full range, feels stiff so i can only eat soft food, i eat so much pasta! Ive been wearing a splint just while i sleep for 5 months now, and my specialist has said i have improved abit. but to me it hasnt felt likee it...also while having this problem i accidently received a knock to:( which cause a muscle to tighten up and some days i get a bad pain under my top gum:( Come to think about it i guess i have improved a bit, i couldnt laugh or talk much but now i can do those 2 things:) im so grateful to have my laughter back! Are you currently seeing a specialist and do you have other symptoms besides your earaches? hope to hear from you sooonnn hun. take care xx
lindy23
12-30-2008, 02:48 PM
I completely understand how you feel. I've wanted to go to soo many bachelorette, birthday and Christmas parties just this month. I missed most of them, and the ones I did go to, I had to leave early because of my headaches and jaw.
I mostly eat soup, canned fruit, applesauce, chili, peanut butter, watery oatmeal and occasionally a grilled cheese sandwhich that I tear apart in little pieces. If I stray from that I can tell a difference immediately after eating. I did loose a lot of weight. The first bit I lost was not from TMJ, I had gained quite a bit of weight in college and starting taking that off before my jaw went crazy. Now I can't even think of running on a treadmill!!!! But I can guess that I lost 10-15lbs just from my jaw. Probably 5 or more in the past 3 weeks. I am short, so that is more than it sounds :angel:
I guess I am lucky my jaw wasn't too bad while I was in college. It really only flared up my last year. By my last year, it really didn't matter how many classes I skipped. I know that sounds bad, but I could do just as good without going, most of the work was projects, and the other was just electives. I two months shy of 24 now, but I've been having problems for 2-3 years. I had just turned 22 when I graduated.
I guess I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I was about your age when it started. I have been up and down since.
I read a book that suggested Yoga helps. I believe the reasoning is it is good for your balance and muscles and also for relaxation. I haven't tried it, but I am about to get yoga for Wii. I feel silly for thinking about doing it, but if it helps then that is great.
I have problems in both sides of my jaw. They take turns flaring up. As far as treatment with my jaw goes, when I take my meds, wear my splint 24/7 (normally I just wear it at night, unless my disc moves--I can tell when it is out of place because my jaw stops popping and I can't open my mouth wide at all. My TMJ Dentist told me to wear it during the day when this happens), use moist heat, eat like I mentioned above, get a back rub from someone;), my jaw will usually move back into place in a few weeks. I But I am sorry to say it is always sore, along with most of my other muscles and I usually have the headache with it. I may not have a headache for a few hours each week :( I hate taking so much medicine.
But like I said earlier, it is up and down all the time....so don't give up!
Good luck to you with your treatment.
I mostly eat soup, canned fruit, applesauce, chili, peanut butter, watery oatmeal and occasionally a grilled cheese sandwhich that I tear apart in little pieces. If I stray from that I can tell a difference immediately after eating. I did loose a lot of weight. The first bit I lost was not from TMJ, I had gained quite a bit of weight in college and starting taking that off before my jaw went crazy. Now I can't even think of running on a treadmill!!!! But I can guess that I lost 10-15lbs just from my jaw. Probably 5 or more in the past 3 weeks. I am short, so that is more than it sounds :angel:
I guess I am lucky my jaw wasn't too bad while I was in college. It really only flared up my last year. By my last year, it really didn't matter how many classes I skipped. I know that sounds bad, but I could do just as good without going, most of the work was projects, and the other was just electives. I two months shy of 24 now, but I've been having problems for 2-3 years. I had just turned 22 when I graduated.
I guess I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I was about your age when it started. I have been up and down since.
I read a book that suggested Yoga helps. I believe the reasoning is it is good for your balance and muscles and also for relaxation. I haven't tried it, but I am about to get yoga for Wii. I feel silly for thinking about doing it, but if it helps then that is great.
I have problems in both sides of my jaw. They take turns flaring up. As far as treatment with my jaw goes, when I take my meds, wear my splint 24/7 (normally I just wear it at night, unless my disc moves--I can tell when it is out of place because my jaw stops popping and I can't open my mouth wide at all. My TMJ Dentist told me to wear it during the day when this happens), use moist heat, eat like I mentioned above, get a back rub from someone;), my jaw will usually move back into place in a few weeks. I But I am sorry to say it is always sore, along with most of my other muscles and I usually have the headache with it. I may not have a headache for a few hours each week :( I hate taking so much medicine.
But like I said earlier, it is up and down all the time....so don't give up!
Good luck to you with your treatment.
4fourlegs
01-03-2009, 07:19 AM
I really need some help here. I have had the clicking and popping for as long as i can remember, but the pain just started a few months ago. I broke a molar from grinding my teeth and after the dental repair the joint has taken full revenge!! Today marks EIGHT WEEKS that i have had a severe headache that stretches down into my neck with horrible pain in and around my eyes. Frequent sharp shooting pains in the sides of my face and general feeling of YUCK! i went to a TMJ specialist and have all of the tmj disorders one can have with the exception of disk displacement. Does anyone else have this headache or should i look at another cause for that? They have been treating me with 1500mg of Robaxin twice a day and though it helps me sleep it is not stopping the pain. I have an appointment to get fitted for a mouth piece but what do i do in the meantime? Originally the doctor said that my headache was a sinus infection and i was treated with antibiotics for three weeks with a week between then when that wasn't working they put me on steroids for 10 days. The steroids seemed to help for a couple of days but no real relief.
I am at my wits end! I have lost 12 pounds and am now 5'7" and weight 129 pounds...too thin! All i can eat is soup and pasta without making it worse. I can't sleep, my work is suffering and my husband is going crazy with me. Any info would help. I don't see a lot of people with the same facial pain symptoms as i have so maybe this is something else. I would love to put my mind at ease so anyone out there that can help, Thank You!!
I am at my wits end! I have lost 12 pounds and am now 5'7" and weight 129 pounds...too thin! All i can eat is soup and pasta without making it worse. I can't sleep, my work is suffering and my husband is going crazy with me. Any info would help. I don't see a lot of people with the same facial pain symptoms as i have so maybe this is something else. I would love to put my mind at ease so anyone out there that can help, Thank You!!
4fourlegs
01-07-2009, 01:11 AM
i am in the same boat and it is very frustrating. The Robaxin seems to help during the day and i am getting fitted for a night guard tomorrow. I am going to try using a stronger muscle relaxer for night time. I have been doing a lot of research and there is info out there that if you can "reset" the muscles at night it helps the healing in use with the splint.
Good luck to you
Good luck to you
StillHope
01-07-2009, 11:25 PM
Hi 4fourlegs, does your bite feel lower after the molar repair? I mean can you close your teeth further than before that? Do your front teeth touch when you bite?
I'd suggest checking your bite with a dentist competent in occlusion.
I've been struggling with the tmj pains, ear pains, sinus like symptoms (I don't have any infection) since my back teeth were lowered and the bite totally messed up. Learned from dental websites that the main reason for tmj (95 or 98%??) is caused by bad occlusion.
Living on pain killers is no fun.
Hope all of you will find the cause of your pains and resolve it soon! Just be careful not to have irreversible changes by dentists if you will need any adjustments. Ask them for a back-up solution beforehand!
I'd suggest checking your bite with a dentist competent in occlusion.
I've been struggling with the tmj pains, ear pains, sinus like symptoms (I don't have any infection) since my back teeth were lowered and the bite totally messed up. Learned from dental websites that the main reason for tmj (95 or 98%??) is caused by bad occlusion.
Living on pain killers is no fun.
Hope all of you will find the cause of your pains and resolve it soon! Just be careful not to have irreversible changes by dentists if you will need any adjustments. Ask them for a back-up solution beforehand!
temera2
01-11-2009, 11:06 PM
hey everyone has posted such wonderful and supportive replies,
i know how everyone feels with the eating issues, i have never had trouble opening my jaw but what happens is when my earaches come, i feel like throwing up so i have absolute no appetite!
m4ria88 no worries for the reply honey, i'm always here for you!!! i am currently just seeing my dentist which i met last may,and i have a upper and lower splint. i have worn these splints since last may! i also had displacement which it took them 14 months to work out , i was so angry because they originally had be on this NTI splint but it didn't help me at all , as i heard they are good for headaches but i never have had a tmj headache , ever. All i have is the earaches which are usually accompanied by jaw and facial pain but basically thats all liveable but not my earaches that is my prime symptom. Sometimes i wish i had another symptom as i cant take earaches , i want head pain instead but i will never know if its worse. so i should just accept what i have. Its just so so sharp the pain . I have just posted a post discussing my 09 update, have a read, you can see i fluctuate. :eek:
Hey but m4ria88 seriously you're displacement can be fixed, mine is! i had the same displacement and after having a lower and upper splint which is called i repositioning splints im sure , x-rays indicate my displacement is gone but the thing is i suffer my earaches still indicating i probably have muscle issues.. oh i dont know :confused: im confused. :dizzy:but i have faith you will recover. Do you get occasional earache? Write back and let me know how you are!!
Lindy23 i am so proud that you are doing yoga! Good on you :) How is it going, has it helped your headaches?? That is also wonderful you have completed you're degree, do you think it flares in times of stress?
fourlegs how is the new splint coming along beautiful? Any progress? Stillhope are you also on splint therapy , you also have earaches like me :( Gosh they hurt so so much!!! Do you think the ears flare in times of stress?
I hope to hear from all of you soon :wave:
i know how everyone feels with the eating issues, i have never had trouble opening my jaw but what happens is when my earaches come, i feel like throwing up so i have absolute no appetite!
m4ria88 no worries for the reply honey, i'm always here for you!!! i am currently just seeing my dentist which i met last may,and i have a upper and lower splint. i have worn these splints since last may! i also had displacement which it took them 14 months to work out , i was so angry because they originally had be on this NTI splint but it didn't help me at all , as i heard they are good for headaches but i never have had a tmj headache , ever. All i have is the earaches which are usually accompanied by jaw and facial pain but basically thats all liveable but not my earaches that is my prime symptom. Sometimes i wish i had another symptom as i cant take earaches , i want head pain instead but i will never know if its worse. so i should just accept what i have. Its just so so sharp the pain . I have just posted a post discussing my 09 update, have a read, you can see i fluctuate. :eek:
Hey but m4ria88 seriously you're displacement can be fixed, mine is! i had the same displacement and after having a lower and upper splint which is called i repositioning splints im sure , x-rays indicate my displacement is gone but the thing is i suffer my earaches still indicating i probably have muscle issues.. oh i dont know :confused: im confused. :dizzy:but i have faith you will recover. Do you get occasional earache? Write back and let me know how you are!!
Lindy23 i am so proud that you are doing yoga! Good on you :) How is it going, has it helped your headaches?? That is also wonderful you have completed you're degree, do you think it flares in times of stress?
fourlegs how is the new splint coming along beautiful? Any progress? Stillhope are you also on splint therapy , you also have earaches like me :( Gosh they hurt so so much!!! Do you think the ears flare in times of stress?
I hope to hear from all of you soon :wave:
StillHope
01-11-2009, 11:19 PM
Hi temera2, thanks for your interest in all of us. No, I am not wearing a splint. The one that I had made was clearly making things worse right away and I do not want to add more damage to my tmj, so I don't wear it; just lost a lot of $.
I had strong earaches like there were metal rods in my ears or so. I also had the ears compressed and "clogged". As I learned causes are different. The first kind of pain happens if my jaw was forced to move too much forward, usually the chin moves forward too like trying to reach smth. , or the head drops down. Clogging is more from hitting too hard on some teeth.
I'd suggest, try to rest your head and jaw by not allowing it to close, hopefully, your pain will ease up. Then watch what happens with the jaw when you do close your teeth.
Making observations and educating ourselves is what can help!
Surely, in times of stress everything gets worse: muscles tense up, pull the bones, the bones press on nerves, nerves make more muscle spasm and here we go...:eek:
I had strong earaches like there were metal rods in my ears or so. I also had the ears compressed and "clogged". As I learned causes are different. The first kind of pain happens if my jaw was forced to move too much forward, usually the chin moves forward too like trying to reach smth. , or the head drops down. Clogging is more from hitting too hard on some teeth.
I'd suggest, try to rest your head and jaw by not allowing it to close, hopefully, your pain will ease up. Then watch what happens with the jaw when you do close your teeth.
Making observations and educating ourselves is what can help!
Surely, in times of stress everything gets worse: muscles tense up, pull the bones, the bones press on nerves, nerves make more muscle spasm and here we go...:eek:
lindy23
01-12-2009, 03:01 PM
Hi Temera, I am sorry to hear that you are not getting better. I read your 09 update, so this is kinda for both posts. My ears hurt as well, but not all the time, just when my jaw is really bad. My right ear has been hurting/sore for the past 2 months, with headaches, and muscle pains all over. Is yours sore when you touch it on the outside, like a bruise? Mine just started doing that, it use to only hurt from the inside. I can't sleep on that side or anything, because the pain wakes me up. It had been a couple months before I had a displacement, though, so I guess I should consider myself lucky for that break. I still had pain and soreness, but not like what I have now.
Unfortunately I have not felt good enough to start yoga. I have no energy and just want to lie in bed with a heating pad all the time.
I don't think stress is a factor with my jaw. I am a very easy going person when I feel good. Mentally I am not stressed, but when I start feeling really bad and getting physically stressed out, then I get stressed out mentally. I actually think I am getting a little depressed because my quality of life is not so good right now. It probably doesn't help my jaw out, but stress isn't the cause.
I have been noticing cold weather is a MAJOR cause. I am glad I live in South Louisiana! It is an unusally cold winter here, though. It actually snowed last month. It's been 8 years since we've seen snow. I can't handle it, and it is taking a toll on my jaw and muscles for sure. Hopefully I will make an improvement this spring.
You said your dentist told you that with splint therapy your disk shouldn't dislocate? Mine told me one time, I was crying in his office--embarrassing, but I couldn't handle the pain--that it will not always be in the right spot. I had origanally went in for my left side dislocated, and my right side in and out all the time. Now, I do believe it is just my left side. If it doesn't pop in every morning, it will stay out for about two weeks. So I don't know if it is just how my jaw is, but he did say I will probably have to deal with it for the rest of my life :(
I am glad I found this site, to see that there are other things you can do to try to help with everything. I just thought since I saw a specialist, he knew the best thing to do for me. I know that's not the case anymore, he just knows how to do the best thing he could do for me. I am lucky he is a great guy, and referred me to an ortho in my area who actually took classes with him concentrating with TMJ. Can't wait for my braces!! I haven't scheduled anything yet, but it will be in the next 6 months. He also said he would recommend surgery to push my bottom jaw back and to bring my top jaw fwd, but after hearing all these terrible stories about TMJ surgery, I am very reluctant to consider this.
Good luck to you.
Unfortunately I have not felt good enough to start yoga. I have no energy and just want to lie in bed with a heating pad all the time.
I don't think stress is a factor with my jaw. I am a very easy going person when I feel good. Mentally I am not stressed, but when I start feeling really bad and getting physically stressed out, then I get stressed out mentally. I actually think I am getting a little depressed because my quality of life is not so good right now. It probably doesn't help my jaw out, but stress isn't the cause.
I have been noticing cold weather is a MAJOR cause. I am glad I live in South Louisiana! It is an unusally cold winter here, though. It actually snowed last month. It's been 8 years since we've seen snow. I can't handle it, and it is taking a toll on my jaw and muscles for sure. Hopefully I will make an improvement this spring.
You said your dentist told you that with splint therapy your disk shouldn't dislocate? Mine told me one time, I was crying in his office--embarrassing, but I couldn't handle the pain--that it will not always be in the right spot. I had origanally went in for my left side dislocated, and my right side in and out all the time. Now, I do believe it is just my left side. If it doesn't pop in every morning, it will stay out for about two weeks. So I don't know if it is just how my jaw is, but he did say I will probably have to deal with it for the rest of my life :(
I am glad I found this site, to see that there are other things you can do to try to help with everything. I just thought since I saw a specialist, he knew the best thing to do for me. I know that's not the case anymore, he just knows how to do the best thing he could do for me. I am lucky he is a great guy, and referred me to an ortho in my area who actually took classes with him concentrating with TMJ. Can't wait for my braces!! I haven't scheduled anything yet, but it will be in the next 6 months. He also said he would recommend surgery to push my bottom jaw back and to bring my top jaw fwd, but after hearing all these terrible stories about TMJ surgery, I am very reluctant to consider this.
Good luck to you.
m4ria88
01-21-2009, 07:33 AM
Oh temera! it's so nice of you giving so much support to all of us! i have read your update and i see your earaches arn't getting better:( i don't get any earaches, my symptoms is mostly stiffness due to my displacement. I think you should try and go see a specialist who specialises in tmj and to explain why you get these awful earaches. I'm going to see my specialist in 2 more weeks to see how i'm going and to start physio therapy. hopefully that will help me. I see your displacement got fixed, how long did it take for you? hey everyone has posted such wonderful and supportive replies,
i know how everyone feels with the eating issues, i have never had trouble opening my jaw but what happens is when my earaches come, i feel like throwing up so i have absolute no appetite!
m4ria88 no worries for the reply honey, i'm always here for you!!! i am currently just seeing my dentist which i met last may,and i have a upper and lower splint. i have worn these splints since last may! i also had displacement which it took them 14 months to work out , i was so angry because they originally had be on this NTI splint but it didn't help me at all , as i heard they are good for headaches but i never have had a tmj headache , ever. All i have is the earaches which are usually accompanied by jaw and facial pain but basically thats all liveable but not my earaches that is my prime symptom. Sometimes i wish i had another symptom as i cant take earaches , i want head pain instead but i will never know if its worse. so i should just accept what i have. Its just so so sharp the pain . I have just posted a post discussing my 09 update, have a read, you can see i fluctuate. :eek:
Hey but m4ria88 seriously you're displacement can be fixed, mine is! i had the same displacement and after having a lower and upper splint which is called i repositioning splints im sure , x-rays indicate my displacement is gone but the thing is i suffer my earaches still indicating i probably have muscle issues.. oh i dont know :confused: im confused. :dizzy:but i have faith you will recover. Do you get occasional earache? Write back and let me know how you are!!
Lindy23 i am so proud that you are doing yoga! Good on you :) How is it going, has it helped your headaches?? That is also wonderful you have completed you're degree, do you think it flares in times of stress?
fourlegs how is the new splint coming along beautiful? Any progress? Stillhope are you also on splint therapy , you also have earaches like me :( Gosh they hurt so so much!!! Do you think the ears flare in times of stress?
I hope to hear from all of you soon :wave:
i know how everyone feels with the eating issues, i have never had trouble opening my jaw but what happens is when my earaches come, i feel like throwing up so i have absolute no appetite!
m4ria88 no worries for the reply honey, i'm always here for you!!! i am currently just seeing my dentist which i met last may,and i have a upper and lower splint. i have worn these splints since last may! i also had displacement which it took them 14 months to work out , i was so angry because they originally had be on this NTI splint but it didn't help me at all , as i heard they are good for headaches but i never have had a tmj headache , ever. All i have is the earaches which are usually accompanied by jaw and facial pain but basically thats all liveable but not my earaches that is my prime symptom. Sometimes i wish i had another symptom as i cant take earaches , i want head pain instead but i will never know if its worse. so i should just accept what i have. Its just so so sharp the pain . I have just posted a post discussing my 09 update, have a read, you can see i fluctuate. :eek:
Hey but m4ria88 seriously you're displacement can be fixed, mine is! i had the same displacement and after having a lower and upper splint which is called i repositioning splints im sure , x-rays indicate my displacement is gone but the thing is i suffer my earaches still indicating i probably have muscle issues.. oh i dont know :confused: im confused. :dizzy:but i have faith you will recover. Do you get occasional earache? Write back and let me know how you are!!
Lindy23 i am so proud that you are doing yoga! Good on you :) How is it going, has it helped your headaches?? That is also wonderful you have completed you're degree, do you think it flares in times of stress?
fourlegs how is the new splint coming along beautiful? Any progress? Stillhope are you also on splint therapy , you also have earaches like me :( Gosh they hurt so so much!!! Do you think the ears flare in times of stress?
I hope to hear from all of you soon :wave:
temera2
01-21-2009, 08:38 AM
hey my beautiful friends!! :)
Thank you so much for all you're replies!
Stillhope i am so sorry the splint didn't work out? What is your action plan for the moment? I know Valium and endep have helped with the earaches.. Are you on drug therapy , we need to work out a way to cure our symptom hey.. perhaps try a repositioning splint? i know the costs are crazy hey honey but do you think that might do the trick?? You have a muscular issue hey?
Hey lindy23 yeah my ears fluctuate in pain , its usually sharp and out of now where but most of the time its accompanied by jaw pain , no it doesn't feel bruised however it just feels like my jaws have run a marathon and are real tired if that makes sense! :dizzy: i sound crazy, sorry! okay yeah i know how those earaches are , exactly how you demonstrate.. do you know what helped ease the severity however, my splints.. it used to be bone on bone but now i think its muscular so these earaches aren't half as painful! The drugs i posted on my other post do help also? Are u on any drug therapy? Oh gosh i totally understand how you feel with mentally tired from pain but honey you i know this is hard but you must keep going! i know its so so so hard but the splints can fix our displacements like it has mine and then all we will have to work out is how to remove our muscular pains then we are cured !!! do you agree? I hope this is the case for us all!! Have you tried upper and lower repositioning splints?? ARGHHH BIG HUG!! i live in the hottest of places so its always warm but i cant stand the cold... dont worry honey spring will be on its Way!!! i cannot understand why i never have had headaches :confused:
I know though i had tension headaches for 2 weeks then it turned into nasty earaches and it never ever became a headache but just that earache. Honey tell me why the splints couldnt fix you're displacement?? That should have?? :confused: Were you on upper and lower ones?? they are known as American block splints :confused: Dont do the surgery unless you are convinced the splint therapy hasn't worked.. tell me more about your splint experiences?
m4ria88 thank you so much for your kind words! Thank you also for replying , i care for you all so much on this board.. i wish we would all recover NOW!! :( But i am grateful to have you all. I am not sure how long it took for the displacement to get corrected honey but the earaches were less severe in my splints since I've had them in .. my dentist told me 6 months later the disc has recaptured but thats why i'm confused because why o i have earaches still.. they aren't as bad as without the splint .. gosh they were BAD , i shudder to think of that pain but i know with the splints i saw heaps of recovery.. if i could just stop these muscle spasms earaches i will be set free. i hope this is the cure for us all.. but tell me about you're specialist.. i am in a tight spot as i dont know if i should be patient and trying waiting this out with my splints or what?
But i hope to hear from you all soon , you are all in my heart!!! Take care my beautiful friends and may our pain free days be here soon!!! :wave:
Thank you so much for all you're replies!
Stillhope i am so sorry the splint didn't work out? What is your action plan for the moment? I know Valium and endep have helped with the earaches.. Are you on drug therapy , we need to work out a way to cure our symptom hey.. perhaps try a repositioning splint? i know the costs are crazy hey honey but do you think that might do the trick?? You have a muscular issue hey?
Hey lindy23 yeah my ears fluctuate in pain , its usually sharp and out of now where but most of the time its accompanied by jaw pain , no it doesn't feel bruised however it just feels like my jaws have run a marathon and are real tired if that makes sense! :dizzy: i sound crazy, sorry! okay yeah i know how those earaches are , exactly how you demonstrate.. do you know what helped ease the severity however, my splints.. it used to be bone on bone but now i think its muscular so these earaches aren't half as painful! The drugs i posted on my other post do help also? Are u on any drug therapy? Oh gosh i totally understand how you feel with mentally tired from pain but honey you i know this is hard but you must keep going! i know its so so so hard but the splints can fix our displacements like it has mine and then all we will have to work out is how to remove our muscular pains then we are cured !!! do you agree? I hope this is the case for us all!! Have you tried upper and lower repositioning splints?? ARGHHH BIG HUG!! i live in the hottest of places so its always warm but i cant stand the cold... dont worry honey spring will be on its Way!!! i cannot understand why i never have had headaches :confused:
I know though i had tension headaches for 2 weeks then it turned into nasty earaches and it never ever became a headache but just that earache. Honey tell me why the splints couldnt fix you're displacement?? That should have?? :confused: Were you on upper and lower ones?? they are known as American block splints :confused: Dont do the surgery unless you are convinced the splint therapy hasn't worked.. tell me more about your splint experiences?
m4ria88 thank you so much for your kind words! Thank you also for replying , i care for you all so much on this board.. i wish we would all recover NOW!! :( But i am grateful to have you all. I am not sure how long it took for the displacement to get corrected honey but the earaches were less severe in my splints since I've had them in .. my dentist told me 6 months later the disc has recaptured but thats why i'm confused because why o i have earaches still.. they aren't as bad as without the splint .. gosh they were BAD , i shudder to think of that pain but i know with the splints i saw heaps of recovery.. if i could just stop these muscle spasms earaches i will be set free. i hope this is the cure for us all.. but tell me about you're specialist.. i am in a tight spot as i dont know if i should be patient and trying waiting this out with my splints or what?
But i hope to hear from you all soon , you are all in my heart!!! Take care my beautiful friends and may our pain free days be here soon!!! :wave:
lindy23
01-21-2009, 12:05 PM
Let me try to get this all in! LOL. I wear a night guard on my upper. When I first went in I had a dislocation of my left disc and displacement of my right, with muscular sprains on both sides. I wear it every night and during the day when my discs are out of place. I am taking Lodine and Soma when I feel it is bad. I also just started taking Natural TMJ relief created by Dr. Jeffrey Wheaton. It is a mix of herbs, vitamins and minerals. I will let everyone know how that helps. Soma seems to be the only muscle relaxer I can take. My disk has recaptured for the moment. :D:D:D My problem is with my bite and the muscles, so my dentist says at least until I fix my bite, I will have problems with my disks dislocating. It is not always the same one. Sometimes it is both. So I am happy for the moment, but at the same time waiting for my jaw to dislocate. I still have clicking and muscle soreness in my jaw and neck, and a headach but at least I can open my mouth wider, and the headaches are not half of what they were.
Good luck to you Temara!
Good luck to you Temara!
missksue
01-21-2009, 05:00 PM
Consider searching the web for an OBI dentist in your area. This concept changed my life - perhaps saved it. Chronic pain wears on you, ages you, and can change your personality. I ended up needing full mouth reconstruction and my 18 year old daughter needed jaw surgery which she had last summer. The theories behind OBI make sense, but most general dentists and orthodontists aren't ready to embrace it. Get on the OBI website and read about it and make the decision for yourself. Every person is different but I can definitely say it worked miracles for us. Good luck.
m4ria88
01-25-2009, 08:44 AM
temera no need to thank me for replyinggg! your always here for everyone:) im a bit confused to about you situation since your disk recaptured, and you still have earaches. i see a joint specialist at the royal dental hospital in melbourne. shes very caring! she knows a lot to. That's why I'm thinking maybe if you see a specialist that knows alot concerning the muscles and joint, maybe he or she can help you pin point the problem.
m4ria88
01-25-2009, 08:47 AM
Hii Lindy23! i wish you all the best of luck in trying to recoverrr. i just wanted to know if the splints you are wearing are trying to adjust your bite so that your disks stop dislocating?
kris72lm
02-15-2009, 11:21 PM
Hi, I too am new to the board. I actually am being tested for MS but have noticed the TMJ board and 6 years ago started my painful journey. I wore a splint 24 hours per day for 2 years. Then I had braces for 1.5 years. Then upper and lower jaw surgery which was horrible..then braces for another 1.5years and now need to wear a retainer for another year or so. I had horrible face pain, ear was blocked feeling, ear aches. It is truly debilitating and thank God I am on the road to recovery.. I never want to experience that kind of pain again. Now Doctors assume I have MS...does anyone know if TMJ problems and MS are related at all? Again the surgery was sooo horrible but they cut the nerves in my face and now I have numbness in parts and the face pain in gone. They never touched my joints ,,,,they just repositioned the jaw,,top and bottom to take the pressure off the joints. My face is still drooped on the right side but I can live with that as long as the pain stays away. Its so nice to not have that pain everyday of life,,taking tylenol with codiene every 4 hours and just laying on the couch..I wish the best for all of you.
StillHope
02-16-2009, 12:03 AM
Sorry to hear we have another person in pain here.
Excuse my ignorance, what's MS?
Excuse my ignorance, what's MS?
kris72lm
02-16-2009, 02:10 PM
multiple sclerosis
Thelma-Louise
02-16-2009, 03:19 PM
I am not sure if MS and tmj are related but maybe b/c the symptoms can be similar upon onset of both conditions - medical drs assume the MS and dentists will assume tmj. One member here does have MS and it was suggested that I too might have it based on the results of a brain MRI (it identified 10 significant lesions) but from what I understand or have been informed ,a spinal tap is necessary to confirm an accurate diagnosis of it which I opted not to do.
My cousin had MS and it advanced quite rapidly - but this was many yrs ago when little was known about it - but her symptoms began differently than mine did (no pain, but vision and equilibrium issues) and as it continued to advance, resulted in a total lack of muscle control affecting her entire body. So I basically decided to take a wait and see approach - that I don't necessarily recommened for anyone - as my feeling was and is, that in my case the tmj adversely affected or impacted my c-spine and that is what caused the symptoms I was and am experiencing. Its been almost 5 yrs since it was suggested I might have MS and although my symptoms are not gone they haven't advanced either so for now I will continue to just "wait and see".
I hope others who have been told they might have MS post here with their thoughts and experience regarding this as well.
My cousin had MS and it advanced quite rapidly - but this was many yrs ago when little was known about it - but her symptoms began differently than mine did (no pain, but vision and equilibrium issues) and as it continued to advance, resulted in a total lack of muscle control affecting her entire body. So I basically decided to take a wait and see approach - that I don't necessarily recommened for anyone - as my feeling was and is, that in my case the tmj adversely affected or impacted my c-spine and that is what caused the symptoms I was and am experiencing. Its been almost 5 yrs since it was suggested I might have MS and although my symptoms are not gone they haven't advanced either so for now I will continue to just "wait and see".
I hope others who have been told they might have MS post here with their thoughts and experience regarding this as well.
violet89
02-17-2009, 05:06 AM
Hi M4ria88, I am also from Melbourne! I didn't think I'd find someone from Melbourne as well!! I've put up a few posts- I haven't been a TMJ sufferer for long. My mouth locked suddenly about a month ago & I haven't been able to open it more than 2cm since. I have a history of grinding & especially clenching (esp when stressed, which is a lot).I'm not in pain yet (which I'm very grateful), but left untreated I'm really scared that pain will set in.
Who is your doctor & where is the clinic that you go to? I'm glad you say that your Dr is nice, because I'm looking for someone to go to. Do you recommend her? Basically I've been to my local dentist, who couldn't do anything really. he made me an occlusal splint, but it just goes over my top teeth, so I'm still clenching and grinding. Don't know how that's supposed to relax my jaw?! So I think that was a big mistake. Then i went and saw a jaw surgeon (being told he was conservative)- but he recommended surgery. There's no way at this early stage that I'm going to agree to that:eek:
I'm looking into physio/other splint therapy at the moment- what is your treatment plan? Is there any other Melbourne dentists/specialists you recommend? It's great knowing someone locally is going through something similar to me, as I feel pretty alone as noone around me has even heard of TMJ and they don't understand how hard it is.... I look forward to hearing from you M4ria88 :)
Good luck everyone else, especially others who have offered advice & support in my other posts... I really appreciate it!
Who is your doctor & where is the clinic that you go to? I'm glad you say that your Dr is nice, because I'm looking for someone to go to. Do you recommend her? Basically I've been to my local dentist, who couldn't do anything really. he made me an occlusal splint, but it just goes over my top teeth, so I'm still clenching and grinding. Don't know how that's supposed to relax my jaw?! So I think that was a big mistake. Then i went and saw a jaw surgeon (being told he was conservative)- but he recommended surgery. There's no way at this early stage that I'm going to agree to that:eek:
I'm looking into physio/other splint therapy at the moment- what is your treatment plan? Is there any other Melbourne dentists/specialists you recommend? It's great knowing someone locally is going through something similar to me, as I feel pretty alone as noone around me has even heard of TMJ and they don't understand how hard it is.... I look forward to hearing from you M4ria88 :)
Good luck everyone else, especially others who have offered advice & support in my other posts... I really appreciate it!
nrcitygal
02-17-2009, 02:28 PM
I read on a post earlier where someeon said there are splints that reposition bites?
what are the names of those?
my problem is that I first need to get my front teeth to not be "caving" inward so that my lower jaw could actually move forward and I could bite 'normally'. Does that make sense?
I've considered invisalign for the front teeth to get them straighter and then repositiion the jaw forward with some kind of splint...
Also I heard the term OBI used here on the board - what does that mean?
Is there any way to "fix" an overbite? b/c my jaw relaxes considerably when I push my jaw foward. ...
what are the names of those?
my problem is that I first need to get my front teeth to not be "caving" inward so that my lower jaw could actually move forward and I could bite 'normally'. Does that make sense?
I've considered invisalign for the front teeth to get them straighter and then repositiion the jaw forward with some kind of splint...
Also I heard the term OBI used here on the board - what does that mean?
Is there any way to "fix" an overbite? b/c my jaw relaxes considerably when I push my jaw foward. ...
bethsheba
02-17-2009, 09:55 PM
.... Now Doctors assume I have MS...does anyone know if TMJ problems and MS are related at all?
No, but TMJ and Lyme Disease are related and Lyme is often misdiagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. Lyme disease can attack the jaw, muscles, and bones, and can result in popping and clicking joints.
. My face is still drooped on the right side but I can live with that as long as the pain stays away.
This may not be due to the surgery but instead Bell's Palsey which again is a symptom of Lyme. [/QUOTE]
No, but TMJ and Lyme Disease are related and Lyme is often misdiagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. Lyme disease can attack the jaw, muscles, and bones, and can result in popping and clicking joints.
. My face is still drooped on the right side but I can live with that as long as the pain stays away.
This may not be due to the surgery but instead Bell's Palsey which again is a symptom of Lyme. [/QUOTE]
bethsheba
02-17-2009, 09:57 PM
...., I am also from Melbourne! I didn't think I'd find someone from Melbourne as well!!
I think if you do an advanced search of these boards for jaw problems you'll find a number of posters from Down Under...and I suspect many have the same condition none of which is TMJ.
I think if you do an advanced search of these boards for jaw problems you'll find a number of posters from Down Under...and I suspect many have the same condition none of which is TMJ.
m4ria88
02-18-2009, 02:47 AM
hey violet89! i really understand what you mean with no one knowing what tmj is! its so hard for people to understand and that what makes it more frustrating.
I hope you get better soon! what happened with me is my local dentist referred me to a private tmj specialist, he wasn't very good and since i had a "healthcare card", he said i could get treated at the royal melbourne dental hospital, because it was far to expensive with him and he rarely explained things to me. Therefore he wrote a letter to the royal melbourne dental hospital "oral medicine unit" explaining my condition. and the head specialist of the unit put me on the waiting list. I'm now seeing the head specialist who is very nice and explains many things to me. I do recommend you go see her. so far i've been wearing a lower bottom splint for about a half a year now and i have seen some improvement in opening my mouth though im still on a soft diet. Also at the hospital i have just started physio to loosen up my muscles, fingers crossed hopefully i'll see more improvement. Surgery is not a good option since there is no garantee plus you haven't had it for that long. i think a mouth splint would really help you. i hope i have helped you. where abouts from melbourne are you from? all the very best take care, xox
I hope you get better soon! what happened with me is my local dentist referred me to a private tmj specialist, he wasn't very good and since i had a "healthcare card", he said i could get treated at the royal melbourne dental hospital, because it was far to expensive with him and he rarely explained things to me. Therefore he wrote a letter to the royal melbourne dental hospital "oral medicine unit" explaining my condition. and the head specialist of the unit put me on the waiting list. I'm now seeing the head specialist who is very nice and explains many things to me. I do recommend you go see her. so far i've been wearing a lower bottom splint for about a half a year now and i have seen some improvement in opening my mouth though im still on a soft diet. Also at the hospital i have just started physio to loosen up my muscles, fingers crossed hopefully i'll see more improvement. Surgery is not a good option since there is no garantee plus you haven't had it for that long. i think a mouth splint would really help you. i hope i have helped you. where abouts from melbourne are you from? all the very best take care, xox
violet89
02-18-2009, 07:14 AM
Hi M4ria88, What is the name of your specialist & how long were you on the waiting list? Is there a waiting list if you pay full price?
I basically just went to a local dentist who supposedly had a fair bit of knowledge about TMJ, but really he hasn't done anything. The splint is an upper teeth one, but I'm still grinding & clenching. The plastic that covers my back molars is already starting to wear out after only 2 weeks! I don't think he fully understands how to treat TMJ- he just made a hard splint to protect my teeth from wear, but he doesn't try and help me stop the cause which is grinding/clenching. Its basically just a mouth guard moulded around all my upper teeth. How does your splint work & is it a particular type? What was your opening when you first got TMJ compared to now? The dentist said he couldn't do much to help my closed lock (opens about 2cm max)- so referred me to oral & maxilofacial surgeon after 1 week. He wasn't very caring and was very black & white saying i needed surgery and that left untreated it could lead to permanent locking. He seemed to dismiss physio or splints as a way of fixing my jaw.
I am seeing a totally new dentist tomorrow with the hope that he can shed some more light on what I can do & maybe other people I can see for physio etc. Maybe I need a different splint? I'm really sick of getting the run around with these dentists...there seems to be a serious lack of TMJ specialists in Melbourne. Have you struggled getting good treatment as well up until now?
What type of physio are they going to do for you? I am in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, how about you?
I really hope things keep improving for you & I'll be sure to let everyone know if I come across anything that helps..
I basically just went to a local dentist who supposedly had a fair bit of knowledge about TMJ, but really he hasn't done anything. The splint is an upper teeth one, but I'm still grinding & clenching. The plastic that covers my back molars is already starting to wear out after only 2 weeks! I don't think he fully understands how to treat TMJ- he just made a hard splint to protect my teeth from wear, but he doesn't try and help me stop the cause which is grinding/clenching. Its basically just a mouth guard moulded around all my upper teeth. How does your splint work & is it a particular type? What was your opening when you first got TMJ compared to now? The dentist said he couldn't do much to help my closed lock (opens about 2cm max)- so referred me to oral & maxilofacial surgeon after 1 week. He wasn't very caring and was very black & white saying i needed surgery and that left untreated it could lead to permanent locking. He seemed to dismiss physio or splints as a way of fixing my jaw.
I am seeing a totally new dentist tomorrow with the hope that he can shed some more light on what I can do & maybe other people I can see for physio etc. Maybe I need a different splint? I'm really sick of getting the run around with these dentists...there seems to be a serious lack of TMJ specialists in Melbourne. Have you struggled getting good treatment as well up until now?
What type of physio are they going to do for you? I am in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, how about you?
I really hope things keep improving for you & I'll be sure to let everyone know if I come across anything that helps..
missksue
02-18-2009, 08:46 AM
OBI is Orognathic Bioesthetic Dentistry. Check it out at [Removed]. The website explains the theory and can help you find someone in your area.
I have not heard of splints that actually reposition bites, but in OBI, a "mago" is used on the uppers only. It is important to find an OBI dentist near you because the splint will need to be adjusted on a regular basis until stability is achieved. Only then can the problem be diagnosed and treatment plan recommended.
OBI gave me back my life. Good luck
[Do not use websites with advertising. Please read more about this and the other board rules by clicking the "Posting Policy" above. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
I have not heard of splints that actually reposition bites, but in OBI, a "mago" is used on the uppers only. It is important to find an OBI dentist near you because the splint will need to be adjusted on a regular basis until stability is achieved. Only then can the problem be diagnosed and treatment plan recommended.
OBI gave me back my life. Good luck
[Do not use websites with advertising. Please read more about this and the other board rules by clicking the "Posting Policy" above. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]
m4ria88
02-20-2009, 07:14 AM
hey violet89. that oral surgeon you saw, was not good at all!. i've know a few people with tmj and they've recovered with a mouth splint. for him to dismiss suggesting a mouth splint is terrible! I don't think the dental hospital treat people without a healthcare card. you could always ring up and ask though. my specialist name is dr nicole heaphy. she might also treat patients at a private practise, so look her up on the net and see what you can find. I did find it hard to get treatment for about six months, because i went to silly dentists who didnt know what they were talking about. One misdiagnosed me, saying it was wisdom teeth. Im guessing you've seen another dentist. What did he or she say? To see a specialist though, you need to get a referral. The reason i'm doing physio now is because i've been stiff for too long, that i need to start moving my jaw around again. Therefore i have to massage the muscles for 5 minutes everyday and night and then do some stretching exercises. My docter would never reccommend this though for someone like you who hasn't had it for very long. So please do not try this because it could make it worse. I'm from the northern suberbs of melbourne. Let me know soon whats happening hun.
violet89
02-20-2009, 06:56 PM
Hi M4ria88,
The dentist I saw a couple of days ago had a basic knowledge of TMJ, but I wouldn't say he's an expert at all! He had a contradictory diagnosis to the surgeon- he had a look at my X ray and felt my joint & he said the actual TMJ joint has nothing wrong with it.(It kinda makes sense as I get no jaw clicking or joint pain). He said he's almost 100% sure it's muscle fatigue that has caused the lock. I have a full upper arch splint (made from another dentist) & he said it fits well, and is releiving the pressure of the grinding to an extent. However he said a better splint that will offer more relief for the muscles/joint is similar to the NTI splint - it basically was a hard plastic that fits completely over the upper 4 teeth. He said by not allowing the back molars to touch, it will offer more of a chance for the muscles to rest. He said he gets patients to wear it for 2months every night, then every 2nd night until you hopefully stop the grinding habit. He did say the main negative is that it can cause the jaw joint to go further back, causing an overbite & teeth not meeting properly. He said he monitors this, & for patients that this happens to he puts them onto the full arch splint.
He said to take nurofen, heat packs & his new splint should help. If not, he'd then put me on valium & the splint. I've already tried valium for a week with no improvement right at the beginning when I locked, so I am sceptical. I don't know if he is just a text book dentist & just says 'set things to do', then later, will have no answers when things don't work. He referred me to a physio to work on my jaw muscles, however I'm a bit scared now since you said not to rush into that after a month? Why is that? I thought physio was supposed to be pretty safe? I havent made an appointment? Have you done any physio yet? What's it like?
All the best & I hope you keep improving!
The dentist I saw a couple of days ago had a basic knowledge of TMJ, but I wouldn't say he's an expert at all! He had a contradictory diagnosis to the surgeon- he had a look at my X ray and felt my joint & he said the actual TMJ joint has nothing wrong with it.(It kinda makes sense as I get no jaw clicking or joint pain). He said he's almost 100% sure it's muscle fatigue that has caused the lock. I have a full upper arch splint (made from another dentist) & he said it fits well, and is releiving the pressure of the grinding to an extent. However he said a better splint that will offer more relief for the muscles/joint is similar to the NTI splint - it basically was a hard plastic that fits completely over the upper 4 teeth. He said by not allowing the back molars to touch, it will offer more of a chance for the muscles to rest. He said he gets patients to wear it for 2months every night, then every 2nd night until you hopefully stop the grinding habit. He did say the main negative is that it can cause the jaw joint to go further back, causing an overbite & teeth not meeting properly. He said he monitors this, & for patients that this happens to he puts them onto the full arch splint.
He said to take nurofen, heat packs & his new splint should help. If not, he'd then put me on valium & the splint. I've already tried valium for a week with no improvement right at the beginning when I locked, so I am sceptical. I don't know if he is just a text book dentist & just says 'set things to do', then later, will have no answers when things don't work. He referred me to a physio to work on my jaw muscles, however I'm a bit scared now since you said not to rush into that after a month? Why is that? I thought physio was supposed to be pretty safe? I havent made an appointment? Have you done any physio yet? What's it like?
All the best & I hope you keep improving!
m4ria88
02-22-2009, 06:49 AM
hi violet89. Are you going to continue seeing this dentist now? he offered good news about your joint. that theres nothing wrong with it. my one is displaced. I also took valium didnt really help my jaw but it made me sleep because i wasn't sleeping due to stress and being in pain in the early stages. physio may help your situation then if your not in pain, i couldnt do physio because i was in pain at the beginning. i've only been to one physio session, and she told me to do some stretching exercises and she did massage on the muscles surrounding the joint. i have to keep doing this myself everyday until i see her next.
luvtocamp
02-22-2009, 03:49 PM
by stretching exercises is that opening and closing your mouth? or did they mean body exercises?
m4ria88
02-23-2009, 03:33 AM
"opening and closing the mouth"by stretching exercises is that opening and closing your mouth? or did they mean body exercises?
violet89
02-23-2009, 05:02 AM
hi M4ria88
I'm not sure if I am going to keep seeing the new dentist- I wouldn't say he was great & that I fully trusted him. I still don't understand how muscle spasm can restrain a mouth from opening for so long & wouldn't my muscles hurt? I really don't know if its a muscle or jaw disc problem. He said that the physio would be uncomfortable as it would be deep tissue massage. That freaked me out a bit- I don't think it should hurt? Did your physio do any massage or do anything to your jaw. or was it just opening and shutting exercises?
I'm going to continue seeing my old dentist & see if he has anyone else he can refer me to (who wont suggest surgery!). I already paid for my splint with my old dentist, so I'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work & I feel he has nothing to offer me, I might go back to the other dentist or try some new dentists. However, I really want to find someone who specialises in TMJ- it seems like many dentists/surgeons just have a 'general' knowledge of TMJ, but don't seem to deal with it everyday. That's why its hard to trust their opinion, as I don't think they see people with locked jaws very often, if at all. At least in the USA, they seem to have TMJ clinics that people can go to, whereas here in Aus- it's just luck whether you can find someone who has extensive TMJ knowledge.
Anyway best of luck with the physio & i hope everything goes well.
I'm not sure if I am going to keep seeing the new dentist- I wouldn't say he was great & that I fully trusted him. I still don't understand how muscle spasm can restrain a mouth from opening for so long & wouldn't my muscles hurt? I really don't know if its a muscle or jaw disc problem. He said that the physio would be uncomfortable as it would be deep tissue massage. That freaked me out a bit- I don't think it should hurt? Did your physio do any massage or do anything to your jaw. or was it just opening and shutting exercises?
I'm going to continue seeing my old dentist & see if he has anyone else he can refer me to (who wont suggest surgery!). I already paid for my splint with my old dentist, so I'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work & I feel he has nothing to offer me, I might go back to the other dentist or try some new dentists. However, I really want to find someone who specialises in TMJ- it seems like many dentists/surgeons just have a 'general' knowledge of TMJ, but don't seem to deal with it everyday. That's why its hard to trust their opinion, as I don't think they see people with locked jaws very often, if at all. At least in the USA, they seem to have TMJ clinics that people can go to, whereas here in Aus- it's just luck whether you can find someone who has extensive TMJ knowledge.
Anyway best of luck with the physio & i hope everything goes well.
kris72lm
02-23-2009, 10:17 AM
Thanks for the reply. My husband actually thinks its lyme. I work with CARMA..cat rescue maritimes and have handled a couple hundred cats since May. These are feral,barn or strays and I maintain a colony as well which means handling there bedding(straw/hay). I had blood work done for Lyme but negative. Although I know in Canada our Lyme testing is not great. I would like to got to US to get tested but dont know where to start.
Thelma-Louise
02-23-2009, 11:21 AM
I had looked into the possibility of lyme at one point - had good reason too as I found a tick on my head about 2 yrs before my tmj started - and was tested several times and it always came back negative but in my research on it I found that there are 1-2 labs in the US that supposedly test for lyme differently than most US labs and are more accurate as a result - so you may want to look into that. I think most labs in the states use the western block testing method.
m4ria88
03-05-2009, 12:29 AM
hi M4ria88
Hey violet! how are you doing? just wanted to know if you've made any progress? and getting anywhere with these dentists and specialists?
I'm not sure if I am going to keep seeing the new dentist- I wouldn't say he was great & that I fully trusted him. I still don't understand how muscle spasm can restrain a mouth from opening for so long & wouldn't my muscles hurt? I really don't know if its a muscle or jaw disc problem. He said that the physio would be uncomfortable as it would be deep tissue massage. That freaked me out a bit- I don't think it should hurt? Did your physio do any massage or do anything to your jaw. or was it just opening and shutting exercises?
I'm going to continue seeing my old dentist & see if he has anyone else he can refer me to (who wont suggest surgery!). I already paid for my splint with my old dentist, so I'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work & I feel he has nothing to offer me, I might go back to the other dentist or try some new dentists. However, I really want to find someone who specialises in TMJ- it seems like many dentists/surgeons just have a 'general' knowledge of TMJ, but don't seem to deal with it everyday. That's why its hard to trust their opinion, as I don't think they see people with locked jaws very often, if at all. At least in the USA, they seem to have TMJ clinics that people can go to, whereas here in Aus- it's just luck whether you can find someone who has extensive TMJ knowledge.
Anyway best of luck with the physio & i hope everything goes well.
Hey violet! how are you doing? just wanted to know if you've made any progress? and getting anywhere with these dentists and specialists?
I'm not sure if I am going to keep seeing the new dentist- I wouldn't say he was great & that I fully trusted him. I still don't understand how muscle spasm can restrain a mouth from opening for so long & wouldn't my muscles hurt? I really don't know if its a muscle or jaw disc problem. He said that the physio would be uncomfortable as it would be deep tissue massage. That freaked me out a bit- I don't think it should hurt? Did your physio do any massage or do anything to your jaw. or was it just opening and shutting exercises?
I'm going to continue seeing my old dentist & see if he has anyone else he can refer me to (who wont suggest surgery!). I already paid for my splint with my old dentist, so I'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work & I feel he has nothing to offer me, I might go back to the other dentist or try some new dentists. However, I really want to find someone who specialises in TMJ- it seems like many dentists/surgeons just have a 'general' knowledge of TMJ, but don't seem to deal with it everyday. That's why its hard to trust their opinion, as I don't think they see people with locked jaws very often, if at all. At least in the USA, they seem to have TMJ clinics that people can go to, whereas here in Aus- it's just luck whether you can find someone who has extensive TMJ knowledge.
Anyway best of luck with the physio & i hope everything goes well.
violet89
03-07-2009, 03:56 AM
Hi M4ria,
Great to hear from you, thanks for checking how I am. I've had no progress really- I still have the jaw lock & can only open 2cm max, but no pain at this stage. I'm not really seeing any dentists at the moment. I had a follow up appointment with my original dentist re my splint adjustments. When I asked him what should I do now about my closed lock- he said he doesn't think there is a solution. Just live with it or get an arthroscopy. So I've pretty much given up on him. I'm going to see a dentist David Oliver in Malvern in a few weeks. He's meant to specialise in the jaw, but I won't know what he's like until I see him. Have you heard of him at all? I rang up an orthdontist/dentist in Camberwell who I thought dealt with TMJ, but he said he refers people to Dr Oliver (that's how I found out about him).
I'm thinking of maybe going to a GP about my jaw & maybe with some luck I can get some names of other dental/jaw specialists just in case I need second opinions.
What x rays have you had done. Mine don't seem very thorough- just a basic X ray (front on). No MRIs or anything.
How are you going? Also how wide is your mouth opening at the moment? Has it improved from when you first got TMJ?
Take care,
Violet
Great to hear from you, thanks for checking how I am. I've had no progress really- I still have the jaw lock & can only open 2cm max, but no pain at this stage. I'm not really seeing any dentists at the moment. I had a follow up appointment with my original dentist re my splint adjustments. When I asked him what should I do now about my closed lock- he said he doesn't think there is a solution. Just live with it or get an arthroscopy. So I've pretty much given up on him. I'm going to see a dentist David Oliver in Malvern in a few weeks. He's meant to specialise in the jaw, but I won't know what he's like until I see him. Have you heard of him at all? I rang up an orthdontist/dentist in Camberwell who I thought dealt with TMJ, but he said he refers people to Dr Oliver (that's how I found out about him).
I'm thinking of maybe going to a GP about my jaw & maybe with some luck I can get some names of other dental/jaw specialists just in case I need second opinions.
What x rays have you had done. Mine don't seem very thorough- just a basic X ray (front on). No MRIs or anything.
How are you going? Also how wide is your mouth opening at the moment? Has it improved from when you first got TMJ?
Take care,
Violet
Hurtzlot
03-11-2009, 07:42 AM
HI...I am a newbie too. :wave:
First, violet, and all the others of you that are fighting this terrible dis-ease I send you my blessings, and wish that you wake up , and never have to deal with this again :)
For me I am making my way around the boards this is only my second post..lol
But I must admit after having 4 straight days of TMJ indescribable pain under my left eye I thought I would throw my 2 cents in when i found you all. However, I do not have a lot of your symptoms. I do not even know what started mine one day it was not there, and the next it was, and that was about 9 yrs ago. It comes and goes when ever it feels like it , and at the worst possible times usually. i read something about Lyme disease in a few posts, and i did suffer from that as a girl scout leader during my summer camporee in North Carolina. But then I had a friend tell me she thinks the MRSA infection I have could have caused it. I am at the point I really do not care what caused it unless it will help it go away. All i can do when the episodes hit me is press a cold pack compress on my face as hard as I can while taking motrins, and vicoden ,sometimes i take a phenagren to go to sleep because that is the only time It does not hurt, and the rest of the time I cry myself to sleep. I do not grit my teeth, and i never have. The things that i read about that other people have with TMJ I do not have but pain!!!
I have had high pitches in my ears, and depending what side hurts, or if both hurt at the same time my eyes hurt sometimes, or i get a terrible headache.
Anyway, that is my story, and if anyone out there can help me I am ready...
First, I need to tell you I am allergic to Aluminum to the point of aluminum toxicity now. This means i am allergic to almost all the medicines out there because what colors medicine is aluminum lake dyes, and they use aluminum talc to sort pills in the packing process period. I am lucky enough so far to take motrin, vicoden, and phenagren, and i am on lyrica ,and 100 mcg fentynal duragesic patch that by the way does not help the TMJ pain at all. So, if you tell me to try a different med I have to pray it does not have aluminum in it, or take it and deal with the aluminum pain too get rid of the TMJ pain, and you know i probably would do exactly that..
So, if anyone out there has any ideas i am open to suggestions.:)
Thank-you
Have a Great Day
Hurtzlot in the Snow...
First, violet, and all the others of you that are fighting this terrible dis-ease I send you my blessings, and wish that you wake up , and never have to deal with this again :)
For me I am making my way around the boards this is only my second post..lol
But I must admit after having 4 straight days of TMJ indescribable pain under my left eye I thought I would throw my 2 cents in when i found you all. However, I do not have a lot of your symptoms. I do not even know what started mine one day it was not there, and the next it was, and that was about 9 yrs ago. It comes and goes when ever it feels like it , and at the worst possible times usually. i read something about Lyme disease in a few posts, and i did suffer from that as a girl scout leader during my summer camporee in North Carolina. But then I had a friend tell me she thinks the MRSA infection I have could have caused it. I am at the point I really do not care what caused it unless it will help it go away. All i can do when the episodes hit me is press a cold pack compress on my face as hard as I can while taking motrins, and vicoden ,sometimes i take a phenagren to go to sleep because that is the only time It does not hurt, and the rest of the time I cry myself to sleep. I do not grit my teeth, and i never have. The things that i read about that other people have with TMJ I do not have but pain!!!
I have had high pitches in my ears, and depending what side hurts, or if both hurt at the same time my eyes hurt sometimes, or i get a terrible headache.
Anyway, that is my story, and if anyone out there can help me I am ready...
First, I need to tell you I am allergic to Aluminum to the point of aluminum toxicity now. This means i am allergic to almost all the medicines out there because what colors medicine is aluminum lake dyes, and they use aluminum talc to sort pills in the packing process period. I am lucky enough so far to take motrin, vicoden, and phenagren, and i am on lyrica ,and 100 mcg fentynal duragesic patch that by the way does not help the TMJ pain at all. So, if you tell me to try a different med I have to pray it does not have aluminum in it, or take it and deal with the aluminum pain too get rid of the TMJ pain, and you know i probably would do exactly that..
So, if anyone out there has any ideas i am open to suggestions.:)
Thank-you
Have a Great Day
Hurtzlot in the Snow...
m4ria88
03-13-2009, 10:28 PM
Hey violet, im sorry to hear you still have the jaw lock. when i first had tmj i was in awful pain but then it went away and im left with a stiffness now. hopefully i will keep improving. my jaw now has clicking noises when i go to yawn sometimes, my jaw use to naturally click before my severe problem. my specialist said that it has to start to click again for more improvement to start happening. my jaw opening at the beginning was around 20 mm , now it is 32 mm, for it to be a normal range i have to reach around 40 - 45 mm. I just wanna know if your not in pain, do you have a stiffness? since you can't open very wide and if you have any other symptoms? can you eat normally? I've just had a normal xray done which showed my disc displacement. my specialist said if i had little improvement after 6 months that i would have to do an mri but that wasnt the case since my opening improved. im glad to hear that you will be seeing someone else hopefully he knows a lot about the joint. Since your going to the GP, get him or her to write you a reference to go see Dr david Wiesenfeld. he is an oral specialist and the head of the royal melbourne hospital oral unit. He doesnt treat tmj though but he knows all about the joint and im sure he would know some very good tmj specialists that he could refer you to for treatment.
take good care now.
take good care now.
violet89
03-14-2009, 09:24 AM
Hi M4ria
I do have stiffness in my cheeks & jaw area- it feels tight, but not painful. When I smile or talk a lot I can feel a tightening/straining around my face - I can't do a big smile or laugh. Some days its pretty tight & i dont feel like talking. Also if I'm feeling tense ie running late for something etc, I can feel my cheeks tightening & my mouth only opens about 1cm rather than 2cm for a while. Its weird because before I got the lock- I never even thought about my face, but now I can actually feel it tighten up even if im just a bit stressed.
In terms of eating, that's the bad bit. I only eat soft things like mash potato, tuna, soft pasta, rice, smoothies etc. That's why its really hard going out now as I cant eat much. I can't chew comfortably with only a small opening & also I'm worried that I might do damage to my jaw. If im eating a soft sandwich, I just break off bits & i dont bite into anything. How about you- can you eat normally?
That surgeon I went to at the beginning said there was no derangement in my joint & that it was filled with thick fluid on the right side which stops it opening (so he recommended an arthroscopy). How he could tell there was fluid on the X ray, I don't know. He said its due to the pressure of the clenching & grinding that caused the thick fluid.
So really I don't know if its really a joint issue (whether I should believe it's not deranged/displaced) or whether its purely musclular. I'm just waiting to see that other dentist & I'm hoping he'll know what he's talking about & can explain it to me thoroughly.
I went to the GP the other day (so unfortunately I hadnt seen your post). I didn't expect him to be an expert, I was just wanting some referrals. He kind of knew a bit about TMJ disorders, but didnt know any specific specialists becuase he said he hadnt been in the area long. He felt my face/joints & said they are 'severely spasmed' and he thinks that it could be purely a musclular problem that is limiting my opening & he said to see a physio & take anti inflammatories. If the muscles are so spasmed, wouldnt they be painful? He recommended two physios and i looked one up & they have one therapist that has an interest in TMJ disorders, so I'm thinking of making an appointment- I can only give it a go....
I'm so glad that things are improving for you. How are your physio appointments going? Is the person youre going to a TMJ physio? Have they helped with your opening and pain?
Hope to hear from you soon
Have a great weekend & take care
I do have stiffness in my cheeks & jaw area- it feels tight, but not painful. When I smile or talk a lot I can feel a tightening/straining around my face - I can't do a big smile or laugh. Some days its pretty tight & i dont feel like talking. Also if I'm feeling tense ie running late for something etc, I can feel my cheeks tightening & my mouth only opens about 1cm rather than 2cm for a while. Its weird because before I got the lock- I never even thought about my face, but now I can actually feel it tighten up even if im just a bit stressed.
In terms of eating, that's the bad bit. I only eat soft things like mash potato, tuna, soft pasta, rice, smoothies etc. That's why its really hard going out now as I cant eat much. I can't chew comfortably with only a small opening & also I'm worried that I might do damage to my jaw. If im eating a soft sandwich, I just break off bits & i dont bite into anything. How about you- can you eat normally?
That surgeon I went to at the beginning said there was no derangement in my joint & that it was filled with thick fluid on the right side which stops it opening (so he recommended an arthroscopy). How he could tell there was fluid on the X ray, I don't know. He said its due to the pressure of the clenching & grinding that caused the thick fluid.
So really I don't know if its really a joint issue (whether I should believe it's not deranged/displaced) or whether its purely musclular. I'm just waiting to see that other dentist & I'm hoping he'll know what he's talking about & can explain it to me thoroughly.
I went to the GP the other day (so unfortunately I hadnt seen your post). I didn't expect him to be an expert, I was just wanting some referrals. He kind of knew a bit about TMJ disorders, but didnt know any specific specialists becuase he said he hadnt been in the area long. He felt my face/joints & said they are 'severely spasmed' and he thinks that it could be purely a musclular problem that is limiting my opening & he said to see a physio & take anti inflammatories. If the muscles are so spasmed, wouldnt they be painful? He recommended two physios and i looked one up & they have one therapist that has an interest in TMJ disorders, so I'm thinking of making an appointment- I can only give it a go....
I'm so glad that things are improving for you. How are your physio appointments going? Is the person youre going to a TMJ physio? Have they helped with your opening and pain?
Hope to hear from you soon
Have a great weekend & take care