TMJ vs. Allergies vs. Sinusitus How do you know which is which? - Sinus Problems Message Board

N2golf · 05-21-2003, 01:30 PM

How can you tell the difference between TMJ, Allergies, and Sinusitis? What do you do to relieve the pain of TMJ? Is there anything? Doesn't TMJ resemble facial pain (as with sinusitis) headache (which is allergies and sinusitis)Ear pain (which can be allergies or sinuses). Is TMJ treatable? According to the TMJ site, treatments are based on Professional opinions and not scientific evidence. What does one do for TMJ? Oh, and how is it diagnosed in the first place and what kind of doctor diagnoses it?

PINKYPRISCILLA · 05-21-2003, 02:06 PM

This is really a tricky question. I had bad sinus infections all winter Jan and feb were the worse I felt
like I was always sick, I was on antibiotics, decongestants, you name it, then, right after these bad sinus problems, I was hit with the worse tmj flareup I had ever had in 10 yrs.

I believe there is a direct relation between the two, TMJ
makes your sinuses more inflamed which makes the pain worse its a vicious cycle.

I initially went to the ENT doctor which put me on Rhinocort and I saw an allergist. I am a little allergic to pollen and cats, but TMJ makes it definitely worse!!! I noticed that when the tmj pain isn't bad all of the other symptoms go away, so that's how you can tell. THis time it really caught me off guard because I thought it was all sinus/allergies. TMJ is really the GREAT IMPOSTER!!! Headandneck .com goes into this relationship.

Mickeycat · 05-21-2003, 02:16 PM

Hi Golf,
You can read this TMJ board to find out the answers to several of your questions. I am being treated for TMJ and also had a son who was treated. It is best to go to a dentist who has some expertise in TMJ (just ask), to an oral surgeon, or maxillofacial specialist. The person I am dealing with is a dentist who is in a maxillofacial group, and he specializes in TMJ. I, too, had sinus-type pain and continue to have it after 4 months. My TMJ said that was not a common symptom. It is more of a numb, cold feeling in and behind my nose, into my upper jaw and teeth. I saw an ENT doc to rule out any ENT problems. He examined me twice, did sinus x-rays, all OK. He referred me to a neurologist, who did an MRI of my head. That came out normal. Oh, I also had an MRI of my TMJ joints, as that is the only test that can actually see the soft tissue. Panoramic x-rays are done in the dentist's office, but that only shows the condyles, and not that well, and the teeth. To see the disc, an MRI of the TMJ joints has to be done. Surf this Board to see the myriad of symptoms people experience. Basically, any symtoms in the head could be symptoms of TMJ including but not limited to headaches, clicking, grating sounds when eating, ear problems, locking jaws, etc.

As I said before, my symptoms were mainly a numb-stuffed-up feeling in and behind my nose into my top jaw. I also have a lot of creaking and cracking when trying to chew anything that is not soft. I also cannot open my mouth very wide. My jaws ache, and my tongue is sensitive when brushing my teeth/tongue.

My son's primary symptoms were jaw locking, a feeling that his bite was off, and clicking when eating.

In my opinion, the most important thing is to research to seek out somebody who is truly qualified to diagnose TMJ as it is an expensive condition, and most medical insurances do not cover it. Lots of dentists think they can treat it but are not really qualified to.

Well, I hope this helps.

MB

N2golf · 05-21-2003, 03:33 PM

Thanks so much for the info!!!!!