How Do You Know If Your Joint Is Damaged??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Laurene · 07-03-2003, 05:30 AM

Dear Group,

I'm hoping some of you can help me with this question, as I have SO much anxiety worrying I'm stuck with the pain I have right now.

My TMJ started about six months ago, just clicking and some tightness in my jaw, but no sharp pain or anything with the clicking or tightness. So I guess I didn't think it was a problem. This past weekend, however, there is now sharp pain on my left side, radiating from my ear, down toward the chin. This happens when I talk or swallow (sometimes), and my lower jaw slides backward and clicks. It hasn't let up since it started this past weekend.

I'm seeing a TMJ specialist, but I can't get in for several weeks, and the anxiety is getting to me. I'm afraid I've damaged my jaw joint and that it will never get any better than this. I don't know a whole lot about this condition, so I don't have much to base my fears on, but can you all tell me if I'm in big trouble here? I hope I'm not seeking treatment too late. The other issue is that I have severe tinnitus and hyperacusis (sound sensitivity), and I am dreading it if the TMJ makes these conditions any worse. They're practically unliveable as they are. I also have bad neck pain at the base of my skull and tension band headaches. I've had these for quite some time now.

It is my understanding that if the joint is damaged - it's bad, bad news. How do I know? I have no grinding sounds and no locking, and I can open my mouth wide enough to fit several fingers in, so it's mainly clicking/snapping and sharp pains on my left side. I know I grind my teeth and clench at night pretty bad. I tried to buy a Wal-Mart night guard, but it just doesn't want to stay in. I'm scared that what if I make this worse - much worse between now and the appointment in 3 weeks? What can I do in the meantime?

Oh, I'm so desperate and scared. Please help.

Laurene

Laurene · 07-03-2003, 06:16 AM

P.S.

The pain is even under and on the front of my chin. Weird?

I believe my TMJ was caused by extreme muscle tension in the face and head. I came off Klonopin (given while in the hospital) too abruptly, and all muscles all over my body tensed up, especially my head and face.

How do the muscles get relaxed? Are there any non-addictive muscle relaxers that help this TMJ problem?

blackthug881 · 07-03-2003, 09:22 AM

most likely there is because i had no pain just clicking thats it and i still had damage

PINKYPRISCILLA · 07-03-2003, 09:30 AM

An mri will show if your joint is damaged

Cymy Sue · 07-04-2003, 02:43 AM

Hi Laurene,

Do you feel like you have a muzzle on (since you mentioned your chin) or does it feel like your face is being pulled on the side that's hurting?

If you feel either of these symtoms, it could be muscular. Clicking or popping does not always mean the joint has gone bad, muscles can cause this, too. Muscle problems, even severe ones, can be treated.
With the tension headaches you've mentioned, it sounds like you are having some major muscle problems.
Grinding and clenching can really add to this.

As Pinky said, an MRI will show any soft tissue damage and there are other imaging techniques that will show if the joint or condyles are damaged.

How long have you had the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis?
I suffered with Hyperacusis (different levels) for several years and developed a roaring Tinnitus about 3 years ago. I don't have any ear problems of Ear related nerve damage. It was due to muscle spasms caused by the TMJD. I started Splint Therapy in Dec. I can still hear a pin drop a mile away, but it's not painful and the Tinnitus is slowly going away. Some days I don't have it at all.

If you have nerve damage that has caused your ear problems, treatment for TMJD might not help as much. But getting the muscles settled down might help some.

Try to stay calm (if that's possible) until your appt.
Try not to worry so much until you find out for sure what's going on. The proper Splint Therapy could be the answer, it was for me, it changed my life.

Take Care,
Cymy Sue

P.S I just remebered part of your other post. Did you say the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis started after the Klonopin? If that happened, it is possible, this could all be due to muscle spasms. I've been on & off Klonopin for about 10 years and never had a problem, but we are all very different. Were you on it very long? I have read horror stories about some people having a bad time with it. I've read these side effects do occur with withdrawal, but Klonopin is used to treat Tinnitus in many cases, due to it's muscle relaxing properties.

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 07-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 07-04-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 07-04-2003).]