Hi Marcus,
Welcome to the Board. Muscle tension is always present with TMJD or so it seems. I just started wearing a splint (again) after 10 years. (I've been in some kind of treatment on & off for 25 years.)
What kind of splint are you wearing?
I was in splints & orthodontics from 1977 to 1992. After an open joint surgery in 92, I was told that splint therapy would not help me. I continued to believe this due to my Surgeons advice until a couple of months ago. I started reading this Board and checked into advancements that had beem made in splint therapy and decided it was worth a try.
My joints are pretty much destroyed due to surgical procedures and long term TMJD. My Dentist prescribed a "posterior muscle repositional splint", told me that due to the damage in my joints, it was the only thing I could wear and the only type that he and others that have been researching Splints, believe might possibly help and not make things worse.
I have not had any increase in pain or spasms. (I've been wearing it a little over 3 weeks). I am noticing some subtle changes. I do not wake up with a headache everyday. I am able to open wider and talk better.
My constant roaring tinnitus has started to fluctuate.
Sometimes, louder for short periods, but some days, gone all together. This is the way the tinnitus started, so I hope this is a sign that it's starting to go away.
I have tried muscle relaxants in the past and they did not do anything, but make me feel drugged. Klonopin was precribed for me several years ago because my face was drawing to one side really bad. It has almost stopped this problem.
In the past, I was put into splints that caused increased pain and symtoms. My Dentist does not believe this should happen. He says discomfort to start with, usually means that the splint is too thick or not the right kind.
Marlene, a long time board member, wore an "Anterior Repositional Splint", and says that her TMJ problems are pretty much gone. (She calls herself, the resident success story). You should read some of her posts, she's very knowledgeable.
I was out of the "Splint Therapy" loop for so long, I'm having to play catch-up. I'm learning from this board, doing a lot of my own research and from my Dentist that using the correct splint for each individuals condition is the best treatment available, right now. However, I see that a lot of people may not be getting this kind of individualized care.
My TMJD is almost as bad as it can get( with the exception of those who have defective implants). I was dumped into "Pain Management" 5 years ago after my last TMJ surgery and told that nothing else could be done. I asked for complete "joint replacements" last May and was told that due to multiple surgeries, scar tissue, extensive nerve damage, muscle involvement, eye, ear and nasal problems, I "WAS NOT" a candidate for any more surgeries and that staying medicated was my only option. This opinion came from the 2 top OS's in my area. I did not want to live "MEDICATED".
One more thing that I have done that I think really helps with the tension and muscle spasms is Massage Therapy. I've been seeing a lady (on & off for about 3 years) who is trained to work with TMJD and this has helped tremedously. When it's really bad, I see her every week, when it eases up, I see her as needed.
I hope this info helps and I think I would check with whomever is doing your splint therapy and ask about the increased spasms and tinnitus.
Good Luck,
Cymy Sue
P.S.
I've always been told to use (ice or heat) which ever works best. However, I've learned that if you have joint damage and bad spasms, usually heat is best and I've been told that moist heat is the better.
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 01-16-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 01-16-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 01-16-2003).]
| 
Linear Mode
