Home treatments for TMJ..... - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

DAnn73 · 04-24-2003, 09:09 AM

Hi everyone. I've only posted once, but have been lurking here for several weeks. Finding this board was a God send. I almost cried and several times I think my jaw hit the floor when I realized the exact issues I had been experiencing weren't mine alone. So...to all of you-THANK YOU! I'll try not to make this a huge life story, but here goes...I've had headaches all of my life. I mean every day, all day, ever since I can remember. I've been to the eye doctor, the general doctor, internist, dentist, headache specialist, etc etc. I've been on Neurontin, Elavil, Midrin, several blool pressure meds, several muscle relaxants, etc. etc. You all know the drill I'm sure. I finally had enough this January and just stopped the medication that didn't seem to do a darn thing for me...and just continued on my blood pressure medication (which I unfortunately, do need). I'm taking huge amounts of Excedrin and Tylenol and just am at my wit's end with these daily ongoing headaches. I went to the dentist for a check up last month, told him yet again about my headaches (for which a few years ago he gave me a splint to wear at night), and he inserted a finger inside my mouth, against my jaw bone and then rubbed the outside of my face/temple area rather hard for a few minutes. He stopped, looked at me and said "The headache is gone, isn't it?!" I sat there, amazed, and said yes. I wanted to cry in the chair right there. After all these years, all the doctors, all the medications...could it really be that simple? He told me I needed PT and ultrasound...apparently it's a muscle along my jaw line that is constantly "inflammed" or something. I guess I'm looking for some "home treatments" that you all do to help your jaws relax, simply because I can't afford PT, I can't afford more medications. The insurance at my job really really stinks, and as much as I'd like to try PT and/or medications that might help, I just can't. Sometimes I read that heat helps, other times cold therapy is recommended. I just don't know what to do and would like some advice from those of you that actually have to live with the pain. My jaw aches, my head pounds the 18 hours or so that I"m awake each day, my face is "tired" (if that makes any sense at all)....so anything you all can recommend for me, I would be VERY much appreciative. I apologize for the long posting...but I'm just so frustrated, as I have seen that many of you are as well. Thank you in advance!

jladams · 04-24-2003, 09:34 AM

DAnn73
Hello,
Glad that you found the board. Like you, I also suffer from headaches and jaw/ear pain the majority of the hours that I am awake. As soon as my feet hit the floor in the mornings I start to feel the throbbing. Then I go through my dialy ritual of popping Ibuprophen...which right on schedule starts to wear off after 6 hours and then I am eating more of them. I'm sure I'll end up with all kinds of stomache trouble too before it's all over with. I also have some muscle relaxers that I can take but they make me very sleepy and I have young children to take care of. Like you, I am also willing to try any at home techniques that might work for the pain. What I have found to work best is ice for the head and heat for the jaw/face. For some reason the ice on my jaw makes the pain worse. I am also in the positon where I can't afford treatment. My father-in-law is a massage therapist and he works on me from time to time. I found a specialist that I would like to go to but he wants a fee up-front that I unfortunately can't come up with right now so that will have to wait. Sorry I wasn't much help but I sympathize with your pain and understand about not being able to get treatment.

Jodi

[This message has been edited by jladams (edited 04-24-2003).]

DAnn73 · 04-24-2003, 12:34 PM

Jodi

Thank you for your suggestions! I will definately try the heat tonight on my joints. I totally understand what you mean about your feet hitting the floor and the pounding begins. It's so frustrating and so tiring having your body fight the pain every day all day. Just like you, as soon as the 4-6 hours from the medication wears off-BOOM-I have to take another dose. In fact, the headache specialist I went to several months ago suggested that I stop ALL medications, since he thought I was dealing with "rebound headaches" from all the Excedrin/Tylenol I take. I did stop and it lasted a week. A most miserable week. Drives me insane. I'm sorry to hear that you're having the same trouble as me...wish I had more answers to help you with.

Take Care,
DAnn

OHJELJ · 04-24-2003, 02:08 PM

Hey DAnn,

My PT has told me to go inside my mouth with the thumb opposite to the side that hurts, hold the outside with your other hand...do a "c" motion against the inside of your mouth...carefully, if you find the muscle it will hurt like a you know what! If you can isolate the muscle like your dentist, it will really help. Keep pushing gently and rubbing it and it will relax. Make sure you relax your mouth while you're doing this. I have major problems with the muscles in that part of my jaw/mouth and even PT doesn't give me great relief some days.

You'll need to get some stretching exercises (you can probably find some on line or in books about the mascistor etc...jaw muscles) The muscles in your next, jaw, back, collarbone etc...are all connected. So be aware of all of your movements. You might find you're doing something during the day that is irritating. Be conscious of your posture...if you sit at a desk, be careful you stretch...it really does help a lot.

I was pretty shut down by lunch today, did some stretching about 2 hours ago and now feel much better. It's best to begin doing stretches after you've been in the shower or have used moist heat on your neck and jaw.....

Try to do a little surfing on that type of thing and you'll probably find a lot of info...Also, if you wake up with it, you might be grinding your teeth or clenching and you might want to look at changing your sleeping position and getting a bite plate and WEARING it every night. Flat on your back it's more difficult to grind...you need to keep your head level to relieve some of the pressure from your joints as well.

Hope some of these helped! Make sure you stay on a soft diet...no gum, ice chewing etc...try to avoid opening wide when you yawn and sing and talk.

Good Luck!
Jennifer

sunshine123 · 04-24-2003, 06:21 PM

Hi DAnn: Sometimes heat helps me and sometimes ice. I bought a book called "Taking Control of TMJ" by Robert Uppgaard. It shows lots of exercises that you can do at home. My TMJ DDS has me stretch my jaw by opening my mouth, putting my index finger against my lower teeth and pulling down and forward for 15 seconds. I do that 6 times a day. I had daily headaches for over 30 years, so I can relate to your pain, unfortunately. I finally got some relief through splint therapy. The first 2 splints I got made the pain worse, but now I have a new on that fits on all my lower teeth and it doesn't cause the headaches or facial pain. I just had it adjusted again today. I also started getting a weekly massage by an RN. That relaxes me and relieves the neck pain I've had for years. Acup. is effective for me too. Sometimes insurance covers Acup. or massage, but mine doesn't. I hope something I've said will help you. Sue