Can't Sleep, Confused, Opinions?? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Liliput · 12-02-2003, 03:17 AM

I'm not even sure where to begin. All I know it that I can't sleep. The left side of my jaw hurts. I've suspected that I may be having the onset of TMJ for awhile now, but didn't pay too much attention until now. Maybe I could start with some history and current symptoms...

I have suffered from chronic sinus problems for a long time now.Mostly worse in the winter. This has also led to ear problems and at more than one point my ears have clogged to the point of almost total hearing loss. (I'm guessing it was sinuses, but after eading some posts here, it could have been anything)

I've had braces. After the braces, the wisdom teeth came out. I'm guessing this is when my problems started. I thought the dr. was seriously going to rip my jaw clean off!

When I had a filling done on a molar a few years later, I remember trying to close my mouth after everything was over and it almost didn't close. Talk about freaky! It actually got stuck for a brief second.

I've had headaches, etc.

About a year ago, I had a molar on the left side that was aching. I had it checked only to be told that it was ok, just a shallow filling and had it refilled. It still ached. But wouldn't you know it, when the weather started to clear (was at the end of winter) the tooth got better too.

Well, now, lucky me...THIS winter, all my teeth hurt. Not all at once, and not the same ones everytime. One minute it's in the back, the next, front, still other times it's on the other side of my mouth! OH! And Thanksgiving was just peachy. The left side of my jaw hurt so much, I could barely chew.

And that's why I'm up now. The left side of my jaw (this time, sometimes it's the right side) is just aching. If I were to pinpoint the pain, it would be right underneath the hinge.

I have been told I grind my teeth at night, but I've never noticed any pain/stiffness in the morning. There is a slight pop when I move my jaw, and if you feel both sides at once, the left side seems to come out a little farther at the hinge. I also catch myself clenching my teeth/jaw throughout the day, and I try to relax it, but it just doesn't work. It's like my brain taken over and reprogrammed my jaw to stay clenched.

I'm planning on talking to a dentist about a different problem tomorrow, but mentioning this jaw thing to him as well. Am I a candidate for TMJ?

I've read about the symptoms, and some sound like me and some don't. I'd just like some opinions from those who unlucky enough to have actually been diagnosed.

Sorry this is so long, and thanks in advance!

mdla · 12-02-2003, 03:29 AM

I feel for you, I think sleep deprivation is one of my worst TMJd side affects. I havent slept in over a year without medication. My ears hurt or ring, the jaw throbbs. a couple things help with the pain, moist heat, trigger point massage by a knowledgable therapist, a tens unit.

ORDotti · 12-07-2003, 05:50 PM

I was just diagnoised with TMJ and have been doing research on the internet. For years I've had headaches that felt like someone was slicing my head open with an axe, usually over my right eye. Was referred to ENT doctor and treated for allergies. Had allergy tests, recieved shots for 1 1/2 years, had sinus endoscopic surgery but the headaches never went away, they would always come back. Didn't matter what season it was, then about 5 years ago would get ear aches like someone was stabbing a pencil in my ear whenever they wanted to see me flinch. The ear aches would go away after a few hours to a day. Whenever I would get a massage, about 2-3 times a year, the therapist would always make a comment about my shoulder and upper back muscles being so tight. I work in the operating room and was having a really bad ear ache day, the last couple of months they've been lasting for 3-5 days. They finally dragged me down to an ENT doctor who was working, and between cases he examined me, he about fell over when he stuck his finger in my ear and say "my God girl, you have some bad TMJ" he put me on Ibuprofen for 3 days, 3 times a day, 3 pills, and told me to get a mouth guard. Well, it's been about a week, and the pain is finally gone, and I wear the mouth guard on my lower teeth at night. He looked at my teeth and said I've grinding my teeth for a long time. I already knew that I was clenching my teeth, because I would find myself all tensed up from my head to my back for no reason, and wonder why I was so tense. I'm worried that my symptoms will get worse, and what I can do to prevent any further damage. Another weird comment, when I was telling my youngest daughter (21 yo), about it, she said that her chiropactor had told she had TMJ about one year ago, and my husband reminded me that my mom used to complain alot about jaw pain. I also have arthritis, and have been taking medication for about 6 years. I don't really know what I'm asking, I'm just still trying to deal with understanding it. Thanks for any comments you have. Dotti