Newly diagnosed with TMJ disorder..but NOW WHAT? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

scotianprincess · 04-25-2003, 11:28 AM

so after 2 1/2 months of COUNTLESS doc appointments, specialist appointments, antibiotics...and NO diagnosis, I ended up researching and diagnosing myself with a TMJ disorder which was confirmed by my dentist 2 days ago..
THANK GOD...
I am so relieved to know I am not imagining this stuff..I hadn't even HEARD of TMJ disorder b4 trying to figure out what was going on MYSELF b/c no professional seemed to be able to do it for me...
Thank you all for being here on this message board...You all helped me so much!!!

So, I need to get a bite guard....but is that IT?? It seems to me that won't stop the disorder, only stop my teeth from being ground up into bits...that won't help with all the pain in my head/face/ears, the diziness, the nausea..etc etc etc...

what do I do NOW?

how do I STOP this disorder?!

Thanks

CherylLynn24 · 04-25-2003, 11:54 AM

Hi there,

A bite guard or splint will help you to stop that clenching or grinding a bit. It's less pressure biting down onto something rather than tooth on tooth. Once you get the grinding and clenching under control, the headaches and ear problems should diminish some, possibly completely, depending on if that is your only problem. Only trust a professional to make this for you, if someone inexperienced does, you could end up with more problems.

Cheryl

HRevero · 04-26-2003, 01:18 PM

I don't know if we can ever stop this disorder from ocurring, but we would love that if we could. Some of the people on the web board swear by accupressure, accupuncture, and massages to feel better. A lot of us are on countless muscle relaxers also. I personally see a physical therapist, and an accupressurist. the accup. does help my headaches. My jaw locks a lot lately and the pt is trying to fix that portion. I would check with your tmj specialist before doing anything though. We all seem to have similiar symptoms but it seems like we all carry tmj different in our bodies. Not everything works for everybody, I sure wish they did it would make life a little easier. This particular website will give you wonderful insight on what tmj actually is from our point of view. I have had tmj for many years and I did not even know it.
Heather

justpancho · 04-27-2003, 02:35 AM

Yes if you can relieve the pressure on your jaw with the bite guard then your symptoms might get better. That is by no means that it will cure you though. If you read around on this board you will find (like Heather mentioned above) that there are other things you can do to help out. Lots of people go to the accupunturist or a chiro. Muscle relaxers or aleve might help. If you get swelling and pain in the jaw a lot you could try icing it down. There are lots more stuff to try if you really want to help aid this thing along. But always consult your doctor first before trying any of it. Only he can give the approval! Good luck with the bite guard. I hope that it works for ya!

panch

uscoastiewife · 04-28-2003, 03:02 PM

Hi there!I went through the same thing!!!!!I went to over 30 appointments(over$7,000 out of pocket)with no diagnosis and no treatment!!!I diagnosed myself with TMJ before a professional did.I knew I had it.I had the symptoms.They aren't too knowledgeable about TMJ out there.It took about 40 Dr.,dentist,neurologist,chiropractor,... ...etc. appointments before someone said TMJ!I just finally had a splint made.I have to fix my clenching problem though.I wake up more sore with the splint because I now have a solid bite with the splint and I clench down on it.Since it is hard,I hurt more.For people that don't have a bad clenching problem at night,the splint probably helps a lot.The splint really helps out though.During the day I have less muscle tension,less headaches,and a solid bite.(my bite was off)