Daily Headaches/ Can Surgery Help? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

MAGGIEMC · 01-11-2003, 09:56 PM

I am still waiting to have my MRI done. But I suffer from daily headaches with my TMJ problems. Physical Therapy did not seem to help, splint either.

I am pretty certain that surgery will be suggested to me.

Did it take away your daily headaches? I am willing to do anything to make this pain stop.

Elaine · 01-11-2003, 10:32 PM

Maggie,
If you are anywhere near Chicago, I suggest Doctor Leslie Heffez. He is at the U of I and the head doctor there. Surgery is not going to cure daily headaches and will not cure pain. The main reason for TMJ surgery is function and even with that there is no guarantee. I have even less of an opening than before surgery, 10mm to be exact. My jaw deviates to one side on opening and my bite is way off. The headaches I had before surgery would be a "blessing" at this point. If a doctor tells you this surgery will cure headaches, he is out to lunch, on your time....
Take care,
Elaine

thisstarr · 01-11-2003, 11:11 PM

Hi,

Mag: I suffer from daily headaches too, arent you having a baby or are planning on having one, I remember reading something about it and I thought it was you

It must be hard because you cant take medication. I wish surgery was the answer to get rid of the headaches, do you have a headache behind you eyes?

ELAINE:So surgery didnt help your headaches at all? The last doctor I saw told me surgery would get rid of the pain behyind my eyes and my consent headache..ha...what a lier....

My jaw shifts to the left side when I open my mouth, I know I need an MRI on my tmj joint to see whats wrong, I am just scared when I do get insurance the doctors I go to are going to push surgery...

Glad your back

take care,
Starr

Elaine · 01-12-2003, 08:13 PM

Star,
Surgery helped with the pain for awhile. Very short term relief. Once all the muscles and nerves grew back, it was worse than ever. The pain starts behind my right ear, goes down the neck, and up behind my right eye. That is when I know I am in for a real puker, that last anywhere up to seven hours. You are right, any doctor that tells you this is going to cure your headaches, he is a liar. What he should be telling you is, "he is hoping".
It is hard to do when things are such a mess but the main thing is to take deep breaths and "try" to relax. Being stressed out aggrivates the hell out of TMJD. And of course being in pain stresses you out so it is a vicious cycle!!! The closest thing to relief I have found it putting my tounge behind my front teeth, like you are going to say the letter M. Try to relax with your jaw in that postition, no clenching etc. Use alternate heat/cold whichever feels the best to you or both. All the rotten surgery in the world is not going to help and I am a true believer of that. Experience has taught me WELL!!!
Hope you find some relief, this life sucks at times..
Take care,
Elaine

thisstarr · 01-13-2003, 01:53 AM

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the information, It is really so sad we put so much trust in to our doctors and half the time they dont even know what the heck they are doing. We believe everything they say when they dont even believe them self's. Once I can get an MRI I will try every last thing I have to before even thinking about getting surgery.. It is so sad, once you sign those paperss your doomed for life and it hits you like a ton of bricks. I am so sorry you have been though so much in your life with tmj and back pain, I know it is hard, if we take one day at a time we will beat this, your a strong women and I know you will over come this!

I will try switching to both,I tried heat earier and it was making my pain worse! So I will try cold tonight, do you get instense pain in your head when you ben over or cough?

thanks,

take care,
Starr