My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Since approximately april of 2002 I've had the same constant symptoms where the left side of my head/forehead and neck, as well as along the left side of my back to an extent, has felt constantly tight which has affected both my perception (because of the tightness around the left side of the head) and also my concentration.

So, since 2002 I've tried hayfever medication, accupuncture, nasal and brain mri scans, spine ct scans, chiropracter, physio, muscle relaxants, eye ear and nose specialists, a neurologist as well as an ultra sound of my neck and of the carotid artery and nothing has been able to determine what the cause of my very frustrating health problem is.

Recently I had a stress echo cardiogram, which showed the heart was fine, but the doctor there thought my jaw could potentially be responsible for my symptoms so my G.P. prescribed diazepam to take for a week (if it was a case of bruxism caused by stress) yet aside from making me sleepy the diazepam didn't do anything to relieve the symptoms.

After that, my G.P. suggested I see my dentist so they could tell me whether the structure of my jaw was responsible for my symptoms and I did that, and the dentist agreed there could be something to this theory and has referred me on to see a proper 'jaw specialist' for the 27th of August (which will be bloody expensive).

Since the dental appointment I have become more conscious of the fact that my teeth/jaw feels misalligned in that when I shut my jaw I feel that there is a certain amount of pressure upon the left side of the jaw caused by the way the teeth close together. and when I stretch open my mouth my G.P. said my jaw did not seem to be normally composed on the left side.

So, could I possibly, after six years of frustrating schlepping, be upon the precipice of finally resolving my health problem? Will this require some sort of surgery to correct to resolve my symptoms?

I feel cautiously optimistic but don't want to get my hopes up too much because over the last six years I've gotten my hopes up countless times only to be expertly quashed when something didn't work (ie: such as when I spent seven months at a chiropracter where I just ended up wasting more than $1000!).

Thank you.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

It's called TMJ and it absolutely can be the cause. There could also be an underlying problem with the joint itself / bone structure. Hard to say what the course of action would be, but surgery would be the last option. I have it myself, but have not had any treatment for it (it doesn't bother me to the extent you are having with it). My dentist told me I had it a few years ago when he did an evaluation of my jaw.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=wakkochic17;3693554]It's called TMJ and it absolutely can be the cause. There could also be an underlying problem with the joint itself / bone structure. Hard to say what the course of action would be, but surgery would be the last option. I have it myself, but have not had any treatment for it (it doesn't bother me to the extent you are having with it). My dentist told me I had it a few years ago when he did an evaluation of my jaw.[/QUOTE]

Considering the severity of my symptoms (which has considerably affected me physically and mentally), if this is what is causing it, I should think that surgery will be necessary.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Probably lots of dental work, possibly a night guard to prevent bruxism.

Rather than go whole hog and do the joint replacement surgery you could have arthrocentesis of the jaw to "clean" the joint of any debris. This often reduces inflammation considerably.

Other surgical options are disk repositioning or discectomy. If you've heard "popping" noises coming from your jaw, it's likely you have a slipped jaw disc. The discs are made of cartilage and protects where the jaw joint joins the skull.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

So, the "jaw specialist" will have a variety of options to choose from in addressing this issue yet hopefully whatever is deemed the best path will resolve my symptoms (the tightness along the left side of my head, and to an extent along the left side of my back, which has adversely affected my perception and concentration) as the symptoms have had a constant negative impact over the last 6 years.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=AuntieLeela;3694359]Probably lots of dental work, possibly a night guard to prevent bruxism.

Rather than go whole hog and do the joint replacement surgery you could have arthrocentesis of the jaw to "clean" the joint of any debris. This often reduces inflammation considerably.

Other surgical options are disk repositioning or discectomy. If you've heard "popping" noises coming from your jaw, it's likely you have a slipped jaw disc. The discs are made of cartilage and protects where the jaw joint joins the skull.[/QUOTE]
I have a problem with the jaw popping consantly. Now I find that Ive got an aching ear...or it seems like its the ear...and it goes down into the neck area, where the glands are directly underneath the ear. Not nice

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=Jerry1985;3694571]So, the "jaw specialist" will have a variety of options to choose from in addressing this issue yet hopefully whatever is deemed the best path will resolve my symptoms (the tightness along the left side of my head, and to an extent along the left side of my back, which has adversely affected my perception and concentration) as the symptoms have had a constant negative impact over the last 6 years.[/QUOTE]

unfortunately when it comes to the face/jaw/neck, things are all connected and something minor can cause the WORST discomfort. Sometimes surgery isn't a quick fix, which is why it will be the last option. They will want to do an X-ray probably to see if there are any physical problems with the joint and bones. Also, they may try night guards to force your jaw into alignment, maybe muscle relaxers to release the tension in the jaw muscle. There are many options that could work, but no one can say for sure until they look at your jaw structure which method will be best. good luck, I hope they figure it out for you!

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

When my G.P first suggested the jaw potentially causing the symptoms she prescribed the muscle relaxant diazepam to take for more than a week (in 2007 a neurologist had prescribed me the endep 10 muscle relaxant for 8 weeks and that didn't do anything) and, just like the endep 10, the diazepam did nothing but make me feel sleepy before bed.

Considering the length and severity of my problem I can't imagine an alternative to surgery or some sort of procedure to "clean up" the structure of the jaw which is causing the symptoms.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Originally I was meant to see the jaw specialist August 13th but the day before my appointment I got a phone call saying he had been injured in a chainsaw accident (jeesh!) and the appointment was postponed to August 27th.

I recently rang up to confirm the appointment on the 27th and she said that the specialist was only just getting out of hospital so was unsure whether he would be ready for the 27th, so this is all very frustrating....

Anyway, considering the length and severity of my symptoms (ie: constant tightness along the left side of my head/forehead and to a certain extent along the left side of my back which has negatively affected my perception and concentration) and considering that previous muscle relaxants have done nothing for me I assume some sort of procedure will have to be conducted? Whether it is to "clean up" the cause of the problem or to do a more intense operation?

I can't see a special mouth guard resolving this...

Thoughts?

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Hey Jerry.. did you get to see the doctor yet or did they push it back further? hope you get some answers soon.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=wakkochic17;3708001]Hey Jerry.. did you get to see the doctor yet or did they push it back further? hope you get some answers soon.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, the 'jaw specialist' was only recently released from hospital (he accidentally hurt his leg with a chainsaw) so my appointment has been once again postponed, this time for September 17th!

I was told that if there are any cancellations before then that I could potentially get in earlier though I will deffinitely see the specialist on September 17th.

I'm basically pinning everything on this 'jaw specialist' being able to locate the cause of the problem (as the 'process of elimination' over the last 6 years has essentially ruled everything else out) so that this horrendous 6 year health problem can finally be resolved.

Thanks for your continued interest.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=Jerry1985;3693357]Since approximately april of 2002 I've had the same constant symptoms where the left side of my head/forehead and neck, as well as along the left side of my back to an extent, has felt constantly tight which has affected both my perception (because of the tightness around the left side of the head) and also my concentration.

So, since 2002 I've tried hayfever medication, accupuncture, nasal and brain mri scans, spine ct scans, chiropracter, physio, muscle relaxants, eye ear and nose specialists, a neurologist as well as an ultra sound of my neck and of the carotid artery and nothing has been able to determine what the cause of my very frustrating health problem is.

Recently I had a stress echo cardiogram, which showed the heart was fine, but the doctor there thought my jaw could potentially be responsible for my symptoms so my G.P. prescribed diazepam to take for a week (if it was a case of bruxism caused by stress) yet aside from making me sleepy the diazepam didn't do anything to relieve the symptoms.

After that, my G.P. suggested I see my dentist so they could tell me whether the structure of my jaw was responsible for my symptoms and I did that, and the dentist agreed there could be something to this theory and has referred me on to see a proper 'jaw specialist' for the 27th of August (which will be bloody expensive).

Since the dental appointment I have become more conscious of the fact that my teeth/jaw feels misalligned in that when I shut my jaw I feel that there is a certain amount of pressure upon the left side of the jaw caused by the way the teeth close together. and when I stretch open my mouth my G.P. said my jaw did not seem to be normally composed on the left side.

So, could I possibly, after six years of frustrating schlepping, be upon the precipice of finally resolving my health problem? Will this require some sort of surgery to correct to resolve my symptoms?

I feel cautiously optimistic but don't want to get my hopes up too much because over the last six years I've gotten my hopes up countless times only to be expertly quashed when something didn't work (ie: such as when I spent seven months at a chiropracter where I just ended up wasting more than $1000!).

Thank you.[/QUOTE]
how did you get on???.....judych

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

[QUOTE=judych;3710625]how did you get on???.....judych[/QUOTE]

sorry?

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

saw the jaw specialist and he said my problem is being caused by a part of the muscle (near the left part of the jaw) which has been consistently tight that has caused my symptoms.

For the next 3 weeks he wants me to take doxepin (25 mg) daily (second week two tablets per day then third week 3 a day) then I check back in with him to see how its going.

What do you all think? Should this resolve this sustained muscle tightness over the course of a few weeks?

Thanks.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Well Jerry,

What do you have to lose. You have been suffering for six years. No good doctor is going to immediately suggest doing something major. They are going to try the conservative method first. You mention that this whole thing has cost you a boat load of money. Would it not be great if in fact this medication does the trick. You need to give this one a try and follow the instructions completely. I would say this would be the cheaper option.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

In 2 days I will finish taking the doxepin tablets I've been taking, as I will see the jaw specialist again (on wednesday) to see what step to take next (2 weeks ago I had a jaw x-ray done at his request so hopefully that will give him greater insight as to how to treat the problem).

During the first week of taking the tablets I took one per day, then during the second week 2 per day then during the third week 3 taken throughout the day. I do feel as though the tablets have made the tightness along the left side of my head/forehead feel different (as in, it feels as though the medication is affecting it) but the symptoms remain as they have been (the tightness remains) as well as the weird perception I constantly have of my nose which is a direct result of the tightness along the left side of my head (which affects the left eye which is obviously situated on the left part of my head).

The specialist says he believes the problem is that a muscle along, or near, the left part of the jaw has been constantly tight possibly because of dental word I had done when I was 16/17 (before this health problem began) where I had to open my jaw on a continual basis for dental work.

So, hopefully the x-ray can reveal exactly where or what the specific tightness is and hopefully he'll be able to suggest some more direct treatment that will finally resolve this 6 and a half year problem.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas and what they think will be able to finally resolve this problem I'd love to hear them.

Thanks.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Well, after many years of suffering, and my dentist noting the double clicking noise emitting from my jaw each time I opened my mouth, he referred me to a "jaw specialist" or a myofacial specialist/surgeon. This was back about 10 years ago maybe? He did a very thorough exam, xrays and such he declared that I have "[i]severe[/i]" TMJ.

The treatment included Diazapam, biofeedback once weekly and relaxation techniques. He also suggested I ramp up my exercise routine, as exercise helps release endorphins, a natural pain reliever. Oh, and I had a special mouth guard made (very pricey) and had to see him every two weeks and he would have to readjust it based on how much my jaw moved. I'm not a grinder, I'm a clencher, as in I've always clenched my jaw. This all came about from a fall directly on my jaw back in 1985 (!) from a height of about 6 feet, plus extensive dental work and then a car accident in '89.

I suffered for many years and could barely open mouth. I had constant headaches and ear pain but just lived with it, popping lots and lots of Ibuprofen. Silly me.

I don't wear the mouthguard anymore as I moved away from the doctor and it's not feasible to have it manipulated anymore. I just live with the double clicking. My new dentist actually refers to me as his "double clicker" whenever I go in to have my teeth cleaned! Ha ha, very funny.

I stopped taking the diazapam years ago, as well. I just try relaxing techniques that I was taught. It's just something I have to live with. Hopefully your doctor will be able to teach you some techniques or turn you towards things such as biofeedback. My doc said surgery was absolutely the last resort and could actually make matters worse.

But every case is different.

Best of luck to you! I hope you find relief soon!

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

My jaw x-ray came back fine (my jaw and teeth looked fine, in fact he said my teeth looked like i had never had any fillings).

So, he increased my dosage from 25mg of doxepin tablets up to 50mg doxepin and for the next 2 weeks I am to take two tablets per day and for the 2 weeks after that take 3 per day.

I really hope this will finally resolve the long term, and constant, tightness i have along the left side of my head/forehead which has also distorted my perception and concentration.

Thanks.

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

How long should it take for these 50mg doxepin tablets to resolve my long term problem with a very tight muscle along the left side of my head (I'm taking 3 tablets per day for the next 3 weeks).

I feel like I'm going mad waiting for this medication to work (I really need to get better soon otherwise I'm sure I will go insane).

Re: My Ridiculous 6 Year Health Problem: So The Jaw Is Responsible?
 

Could the long term tightness (over 6 years) I feel along the left side of my forehead/head be the result of my left jaw joint (or the muscle near that joint) negatively affecting my trigiminal nerve (or another significant facial nerve)?

Because I've read that the jaw joint and the trigiminal nerve are very close to one another so could my long term feeling of "tightness" along the left side of my head/forehead be caused by a main facial nerve being impinged upon? And, if that is the case, could a procedure or surgery finally relieve me of this tightness which has negatively affected my life since 2002 (I feel like my life has been pretty much on hold during this period).

Thankyou.