how does TMJ affect the ears and sinuses??? - Sinus Problems Message Board

thezoo17 · 01-08-2003, 06:04 PM

Hello all, this is my first time posting here but I have read alot of posts in the past and I have to say you all are great!

I am a bit confused--I had a severe sinus infection last year, went to a ENT dr who did allergy testing and found that I am allergic to almost everything and now I am on allergy shots and meds and I feel alittle better but my biggest complaint is the constant (for a year) feeling of fluid in my ears, it is here day and night, but when I lay down to go to sleep it keeps me up for hours due to the draining and then I am up again every so often swallowing it. It is driving me crazy.
I went back to my ENT dr and complained and he said that he didnt see any fluid and just gave me some nose spray.
Well, I couldnt take it any longer so I went to another ENT dr today and he ran all kinds of hearing test and a test that shows if you have fluid behind your ear drum and I passed with flying colors on all test. No signs of fluid or loss of hearing! He referred me to TMJ specialist but I really dont understand how the heck I could have TMJ, the only complaint I have is the feeling of fluid in my ear and the draining at night...
Can someone shed some light on this for me--I am totally confused!
Thanks for your help, Joyce

Autumn Angel · 01-08-2003, 08:29 PM

Well I dont know about the actual draining from the ears but I do have the feeling of "fullness" or fluid in my left ear. And I went to my Primary Doc yesterday and I have a slight sinus infection and he put me on antibiotics and said its possibly related to my TMJD I know the ear fullness is forsure as others here can probably tell you. And if you get ringing in your ears this could be TMJ related as well.

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Cheers...Autumn
Female...42
TMJD for 12 years
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
Anxiety/Panic Attacks (cured now I think)
Teen daughters that have had medical problems and I will help and over advice on what areas I am knowledgable in.
Hysterectomy in 2002 due to endometrial bleeding.
Hernia repair in 98.

burgeke · 01-09-2003, 08:22 AM

Joyce,

Your symptoms are identical to mine. Constant fluid that feels like it is near the ear. I also get the post nasal drip you mention. Along with that, I have many of the TMJD symptoms. Check out my post "TMJ - Unknown illness for 6 months." I just bumped it up a minute ago.

shana · 01-09-2003, 12:53 PM

TheZoo17,

Hi, it sounds like you have the full ear that is soooo common to those of us that have tmjd. I know just what you are feeling it drives me crazy, I am 32 & I have had this for several years now, it really stinks! Definately go to the tmj specialist, if you have this problem it is best to get help asap, It took my dentist so long to admit I have a problem that he couldn't treat that I now need a surgery for a bi-lateral disk replacement (how fun!) If you do have a tmj problem it sounds like you don't have many symptoms so there are several things that they can do for you so that your symptoms & the problem doesn't progress. My suggestion to you is, don't let the doctors just say they don't have an answer, this is NOT normal & there has got to be a reason for it! I too have the draining feeling that you mentioned & I have never had any type of allergy problems, my ears feel like they are really full & I don't hear very well anymore, when my kids talk to me they get so mad because 1/2 the time they think I am ignoring them but the truth is I don't hear well. My oldest was crying the other night because was in the other room & started telling me this long story about school that day & he thought I didn't want to visit. I feel so bad, I have explained to him a hundred & one times that if you need to get my attention before you talk to me.
Good Luck & let us know what you find out! Shana

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shana

burgeke · 01-09-2003, 01:35 PM

Shana

Do you know what actually causes the congestion if not allergy related? I know that the sinus/ears produce fluid all the time that could back up if your eustation tube does not open but to the extent that we seem to have? My ears feel like there is jello in them

Just curius if anyone here has some insight into this.