I hope someone has had this happen to them. I have had this TMJ for almost a year now. I have been recieving splint therapy for about two months. Since I got the splint my symptoms have become worse, ie: dizziness, clogged ears, cracking, popping, etc. I am exasperated. My dentist told me that the splint is faze one of the process. Phase two would be the wisdom teeth extraction which would be in 6-9 months from now. I was comfortable with that. I have had the scans done and the muscles are in spasm. The second scan was worse then the first, during splint therapy. Last week I went for an adjustment of the splint and my dentist told me that I have to get the teeth removed asap. I was shocked. I have alot of anxiety and panic attacks every day due to this mayhem. It is the holidays now and I am scared to death about elective surgury right now, and I cannot handle this mentally, physically or financially at this point in time. On Thanksgiving day my splint broke to wear I cannot wear it anymore, since it has been shaved so thin. I havent had it in my mouth since then. I can feel my jaw in a different place and I can tell when I chew that things are off wack. I think this is making my symptoms worse. I told my dentist the facts that I do not want this operation now, and that he told me 6-9 in the first place. He said that he is done with me now, until I get them out because he cannot go any further with me. I am at the point now, that I feel to much intervention has been done to my head and I am willing to try nothing right now. I am going to drop off the orthotic to him on Monday and not use it anymore. I feel I wasted alot of money and I feel left in the cold. Meanwhile, I will continue to work out at the gym daily and go to my chiropractor. I think enough already with the splint and the TENS and the intervention. Maybe nature has to take its course here and just be left alone. I plan to take an antidepressant to help me deal with the anxiety but I am afraid to take the prozac. I tried different ones before and they gave me to many side effects. Has anyone out there had negative results from their splint??? Please answer..I dont know what to do.
I hope someone has had this happen to them. I have had this TMJ for almost a year now. I have been recieving splint therapy for about two months. Since I got the splint my symptoms have become worse, ie: dizziness, clogged ears, cracking, popping, etc. I am exasperated. My dentist told me that the splint is faze one of the process. Phase two would be the wisdom teeth extraction which would be in 6-9 months from now. I was comfortable with that. I have had the scans done and the muscles are in spasm. The second scan was worse then the first, during splint therapy. Last week I went for an adjustment of the splint and my dentist told me that I have to get the teeth removed asap. I was shocked. I have alot of anxiety and panic attacks every day due to this mayhem. It is the holidays now and I am scared to death about elective surgury right now, and I cannot handle this mentally, physically or financially at this point in time. On Thanksgiving day my splint broke to wear I cannot wear it anymore, since it has been shaved so thin. I havent had it in my mouth since then. I can feel my jaw in a different place and I can tell when I chew that things are off wack. I think this is making my symptoms worse. I told my dentist the facts that I do not want this operation now, and that he told me 6-9 in the first place. He said that he is done with me now, until I get them out because he cannot go any further with me. I am at the point now, that I feel to much intervention has been done to my head and I am willing to try nothing right now. I am going to drop off the orthotic to him on Monday and not use it anymore. I feel I wasted alot of money and I feel left in the cold. Meanwhile, I will continue to work out at the gym daily and go to my chiropractor. I think enough already with the splint and the TENS and the intervention. Maybe nature has to take its course here and just be left alone. I plan to take an antidepressant to help me deal with the anxiety but I am afraid to take the prozac. I tried different ones before and they gave me to many side effects. Has anyone out there had negative results from their splint??? Please answer..I dont know what to do.
Hi TMJgirl,
Your dentist does not sound very compassionate. The last thing someone should do is have surgery when they are dealing with tmj. The symptoms have to be addressed first. Is he interested in making money from phase II, or getting you better? It sounds like your case is too complicated for him to handle. Maybe you should seek out someone that has more experience in treating TMJ. A true specialist will treat the whole person, not just the tmj, because sometimes there are many things that contribute to the problem.
I started with a neuromuscular dentist and spent $5,000 on the scans, etc. It did not work for me. It's not for everyone. I am currently seeing another specialist and I hope that this treatment works better than the first. One thing I can tell you is that sometimes the increased joint noises are not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes the disc is now reducing because it finally has room to move around. Splint therapy takes time, but, it also has to be done precisely for the individual and by someone with a lot of experience. Tomo's are important x-rays to see if the joint is in the proper position, The ligaments take a long time to heal, Also, I've read lifting weights is not necessarily good when you have tmj problems.
If you feel the need to take a break and see if things settle down on their own, then that's what you should do. There are quite a few people on the boards that tried neuromuscular splint therapy and it did not work out for them. Some are taking a break and some are looking for other treatment. Splint treatment can be successful in the hands of a qualified specialist. Then again, it's not for everybody.
I feel so bad that you are having such a hard time with your tmj. I wish I could put my arms around you and tell you it will be alright. You and I have corresponded before and we have a lot in common. I finally broke down and started taking Zoloft this week. It takes about 2 weeks for it to kick in, but, I feel a little calmer on it. I was told by a doctor once that sometimes it takes a few tries before someone finds an anti-depressant that works for them. I would try the med and see if it helps. TMJgirl I know exactly how you feel, I'm there myself. You are not alone.
Hi,
I understand how you feel. I have had my splint for 5 months now and haven't seen alot of improvement yet either. I wish I knew the answer. It is so frustrating. I am not ready to give up on it yet mainly because I have spent so much money and I truly want to believe that my problems are mainly muscular and between the splint and the added trigger point massage there will be some improvement.
I feel so bad for you going through so much anxiety, I've been there and still am alot of the time. Two years ago when I was at my worst with the dizziness I did not want to take meds but finally agreed because the panic attacks were just too much for me. I wish I was your neighbor and we could walk through this together. TMJ and all the craziness that goes with it can be so terrible especially when you feel like you are fighting it alone, at least that is how I feel most of the time. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
To Grace and Navy:
Thanks so much for your reply. It brought a smile to my face just knowing you are there for me, electronically or otherwise. My dentist is a neuromuscular dentist. He does the scan thing to me and the electrodes, etc. I have not had an MRI of the joint, simply lots of xrays. I reiterate, I told him that I am not ready for surgery right now, for God's sake! He doesnt want to hear that, and I feel I lost lots and lots of money! I do not want to start all over again with someone else. My mother suggested that I eliminate one thing at a time, and see what happens. I cant stop the weights, my body is strong and fit and I need this in my life right now. I am going to a hypnotist Monday evening in my area. She is a cardiologist too, but believes in treating the whole person and not just the physical things. She said she feels that something is just "plugged in wrong" right now, and that the anxiety is exasperating the symptoms. I am supposed to have an ENG test Wed. and I dont know if I want to go thru that either. Stop the maddness!!!!!!!!!!!!! My vertigo is horrible and yesterday was my daughters 18th birthday and I tried to decorate the house for Christmas with her and I ended up yelling at her because she wasnt doing it right. That is pathetic! I do not like myself and who am now at all. I just wish someone out there could help me. I had utmost trust in this dentist. We have had many heart to heart conversations and I felt he was my friend. Now I feel betrayed. I am not going to my appointment with him tomorrow. Whats the use? He already stated his case, and I am out the 6,000!
I can feel your anxiety and frustration. TMJ dysfunction is difficult. I have a suggestion about lifting weights. Perhaps you should wear a sponge-like mouthpiece to take the stress off the joints when you lift. Ask someone with experience if this is a good idea.
I don't know your neuromuscular dentist, so I don't know if he has your best interest at heart. Has he explained to you why he needs to take out your wisdom teeth in order to continue with your treatment plan? I think I would go to the appointment tomorrow and ask for an explanation. He probably has a very good medical reason. If he understands where you are emotionally and that you can't handle the extractions right now, perhaps he will be able to help you with your emotional situation so that you can get ready for the extractions at a later time. He may be fine with your decision to take a break--then begin again a little later and you won't lose the money you have spent. I would have a very honest talk with him and see where it goes from there. You have more to gain than lose. I think it is better than not keeping your visit. The one thing that TMJ dysfunction treatment takes is patience. It takes a long time and the progress is slow. I wish I could give you a hug and tell you that things will be okay. All the best to you in whatever decision you make.
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