Some 'light' at the end of the tunnel please... - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

nonny-mouse · 08-22-2003, 07:51 AM

Hi,
I've been having some severe pains which I believe to be TMJD. About 3 years ago I had impacted wisdom teeth which caused an infection. I then had me two lower wisdom teeth out.

I then started getting pain in the exact same place which was a shooting/burining pain from my lower jaw to my ear. This eventually went away for a few months. It then came back for a few months and continued this cycle, getting worse each time until now.

I have tried a splint for a few weeks, had an MRI scan, had two different sorts of drugs to help me sleep and stop clenching as I do severely clench my teeth (I have done this all my 27 year life).

Recently, the pain had gone away for 6 months, now it's back again I just don't know what to do. I can't tolerate this pain, I can't eat, drink or talk without immense, searing pain and as you can imagine I am feeling very down.

I've looked through a lot of this discussion group for something to give me hope and it seems like the general trend is that no-one has had any successful cures and everyone is just learning to live with it.

I'm just looking to see if anyone has conquered TMJD and how. Also if anyone else has expeirienced similar things to me and got over it.

Thanks.

DianeTMJ · 08-22-2003, 08:08 AM

Good morning Nonny-mouse and welcome to the board!
When I was at my worst point with TMJD, I couldn't talk, I couldn't laugh, I couldn't eat, the pain was so severe. After 2 years, 13 dentists, I found Dr B. He is a Neuromuscular dentist. He put me back on the planet so to speak. I was ready to just curl up in a dark corner and die. It was awful. He has taken me from a very long list of symptoms, to zippo, nota, nothing, no pain.
The most important thing is find someone who is well trained in TMJD, not just one or two classes. Surgery should be your last, last, last option, last, last, last. Surgeries are not too successful. It is a long hard search to find someone well qualified to help those with TMJD. I was sooo lucky to have Dr B, he has walked our path, he has experienced TMJD in his own life. I think that is what drives him into helping those with TMJD. Do research, research, research. "interview" each dentist, if they get huffy with you, then they may not be the one for you. If they listen with an open mind, with a heart, then perhaps that is one for you. They need more then one class though to really help you out. Education is so important.
I hope this helps!
Have a good morning and I hope your symptoms get better
Diane

[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 08-25-2003).]

GenDen · 08-22-2003, 10:23 AM

Have you been to a neurologist to see if you have trigeminal neuralgia?

Cymy Sue · 08-22-2003, 12:19 PM

Hi nonny,

I'm glad you found us.

GenDen has made an excellent suggestion within a question.

The pain you're describing is almost exactly what I've experienced with a surgically induced Trigeminal Neuralgia problem. There are many ways for the Trigeminal Nerves to be damaged or irritated and sometimes dental work can do it. This can be treated.

Also, if you do have TMJD, it can be treated. Many here are being helped and successfully treated with splints and other non-invasive therapies.

I am a multi-surgical mess with no disc. A very simple splint designed for my condition 8 months ago changed my life completely within the first few months. I sought help for 25 years and now am living with almost no symtoms.
(I had the nerve pain you describe daily, and now it flares very briefly, occasionally. I started having it about 16 years ago)

We do have some very sad stories, but we have many members who are finding help everyday.

Most of our members are being helped or seeking help. We are not just learning to live with it.

To answer your last question, I have experienced something very similiar to what you are describing and now it is very minor as well as all of my TMJD symtoms.

Take care,
Cymy Sue

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 08-22-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 08-23-2003).]

nonny-mouse · 08-23-2003, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Diane, how long have you been pain free and what was it that 'cured' you?

I've had a MRI scan, my doctor mentioned Trigeminal neuralgia but I don't think it's that as they didn't find anything.

I got the impression that my consultant didn't appreciate how painful it was until I went to them about 6 months ago unable to eat, talk or drink and having a "pain attack" every 10 minutes or so, that's when they stepped up the investigation.

Anymore suggestions/success stories would be greatly appreciated, I can certainly do with all the hope I can get!

Thanks!

(My name is Stuart and I'm from the UK by the way..."stuart" and "Anonymous" were most likely taken so I picked a more "random" name!)