I have TMJ mostly on my rt side, the past few days I have had really bad pain from my temple down behind my ear and down into my neck. Is this normal? It feels like my muscles are tight and stretchy. I don't know how to explain it well. Would heat or cold help? Excedrine helps some, but as soon as it wears off it is right back to hurting. Most of the pain is at the bottom of my head on the right side and into my neck.
Yes, I believe pains in the neck and shoulder area are symptomatic of TMJ. For me, Aleve helps a little (has naprosyn in it, an NSAID) but it seems like heating helps the most. If you're looking into a prescription medication for the pain, I've taken Tramadol and Percocet, both help but not enough in my opinion. Take into consideration side effects of prescription meds... dizziness, drowsiness, and for me, constipation (ugh!) ) Also, if you have someone who can massage the area that hurts, that will help loosen up the muscle. Massage AFTER heat is most effective.
You've probably already tried the heating pad, but I wanted to second the advice you were given and say heating can really help. My dentist wants me to use a heating pad twice a day for 5 - 10 min if I can also, so I have an electric heating pad at night and a microwaveable one with velcro that I can 'wear' around my head in the mornings as I'm getting ready for work/drinking coffee. The heat is supposed to relax the muscles, but also stimulate blood flow to the area so fluids in the tissues can drain like they are supposed to through the lymph nodes, etc., and out. I don't know about all that, but I do know the heat really helps the muscle tension. Hope it has helped you.
hello, long story short I think I've suffered from TMJ for five years but didn't realise. I had a root canal last March which was the final straw. Ended up having surgery in October to fix a dislocated muscle in my jaw. I was in serious pain right through my back, neck, base of skull, into face, all over scalp, yuk. What is working for me, albeit slowly is physio. I found an amazing physio who has been working with massage up through my lower back, into my upper back and then into the base of the neck, throat (not reached jaw yet!) you will find the attachments for the jaw are actually at the base of your throat and this is what causes the tightness. I've had big flare ups through the treatment (my jaw affected my balance so I have horrendous dizziness to boot) but this therapy along with trigger injections into my jaw has literally saved me. Too many doctors will go into surgery when its not required. Get a physio who specialises in TMJ and a lot of this tension can be released through body work. Happy to answer any questions you may have! My understanding of this now is pretty good as the doctors never believed me.
I have what I am sure is undiagnosed TMJD, my doctor passed me off with "Bell's Palsy" but the symptoms never explained my muscular soreness.
It is also on my right side, it runs from the top of my head (above my jaw) down past my temple, seems to loop behind my ear (where the boney part is) and continues down my neck. The main tendon that connects the inside of my shoulder to my neck feels constantly tense as if I were carrying a heavy bag on that arm, pain killers and massaging only provide temporary relief... as soon as I stop the pain continues.
It's not an intense pain just a relentless aching tension but when it starts "playing up" the tension seems to spread to beneath my shoulder blade even to kidney height - again only down the right hand side.
When it first happened I had facial paralysis/numbness for a week or so and thought I had suffered a stroke (worrying thought considering I am 21 years old). If you hear of any remedy or solution for this please contact me at [removed].
Until then I live in hope that it cures itself, but this hope has been there for 10 months without the situation worsening or recovering so I am unable to keep attending my doctor's surgery regularly since he acts like I am undermining his incorrect diagnosis or a hypochondriac. God knows I wish the discomfort was imaginary because it interferes with daily life.
--Joe--
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