TMJ and Migrane headaches - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

Kierra · 02-12-2003, 10:34 AM

HI Everyone

I had suffered from migranes for 6 years. I had them everyday all the time. It got to the point where doctors and hospitals were getting tired of seeing me come into their office. I had 5 tell me to get out because they thought that I was drug seeking and an addict because I am on 40mg of Morphine and 300mg Demoral a day. I had MRI CT, Lumbar Puncture, sleep study and even had sacreal Therapy all tests came back normal which added to the doctors beliefe of drug seeking. I found out actually by accident at the dentist that my jaw was off center. Told the doctor about this and they sent me to get X-Ray's and to see a dental specilest. I am due to go in for jaw surgury in March and found all this out Jan 8th/03. Since then, as long as I don't chew, I have no headaches...Wanted to say thank you to everyone who I have talked to and for them telling me to not give up and to keep searching for the right doctor. ( I was almost ready to give up)

mlgable · 02-13-2003, 09:09 AM

Sorry about the headaches but why did it take so long to consider the dental aspect of this? Dental problems are often the cause of headaches and should always be considered a routine thing to get checked when you have persistant headaches. It is just unfortunate that none of the doctors bothered to ask if you had ever seen the dentist to see if this might be part of the problem.

Kierra · 02-13-2003, 11:52 AM

Hi mlgable.

The reason why it took sooooo long is because I asked about 6 (that I can remember) doctors if my jaw having been broken 11 years ago (that never healed properly) could be causeing the migranes. They all said that the migranes would have likley started soon after it healed and that it wasn't possinle since it's only been about 6 years I've been getting the migranes. So doctors just started pushing meds on me. They thought that I was lying about the migrane medication like the anti-depresents, toradol, imitrex, Zomeg, Zoloft, not working,and that I wanted medication to get high, now we found out that the reason I didn't respond to them is because they are not typical migranes, a nerve of something is being pressed (difficult to explain) when my jaw moves. After I get my surgury, then I have to do the drug withdrawl thing. Cure one thing and start another. I should have preesed about the jaw, but after diff docs said no it can't be, you start to think that maybe there right and it is all in your head. (no pun). I have to see the dental surgon tomorrow so I will know more then ( I hope)
Kierra

thisstarr · 02-13-2003, 03:12 PM

Hi,

I am so sorry you suffer from TMJ, I have TMJ and have suffer for over 6 years with my symptoms.

I know how you feel about going doctor to doctor and them thinking your addicted to drugs (when your not) It took me years of going doctor hopping to find out what was the cause of all my pain. Your on some powerful stuff, does it help at all, I know when I have had that in the hospital it didnt do a thing for my headaches. What type of doctor are you seeing for your migranes? And has your doctor been helpful? I need to find a good doctor, I am so sick of wasting money going to quacks that cant help me!

You should really check out the TMJ board and see what others say about Surgery. Most of the people on the board suffer worse now then they did before surgery. Doctors tend to rush surgery because they dont know what to do about TMJ, there are so many doctors/specialest/dentist that claim "they" know alot about TMJ but they really dont! I hope you take the time to make a post on the board. I suffer so bad everyday and wouldnt want you to live with this pain for the rest of you life!

Good Luck & Take Care,

Starr

[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 02-13-2003).]

Kierra · 02-13-2003, 04:17 PM

Hi starr

Thanks for the advice about the other board, i'll check it out. The dentists and surgens have told me that surgury is the only option (jaw off center by alot) what do you do for pain? im tired of all the pain med and the withdrawls are starting to bother me
Any advice would be great....Thank you
Kierra