Pain everyday - please help! - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

ldl · 10-06-2004, 06:12 AM

Hi all,

I am 34 years old and new to this board and wanted some advice/help.

I have been suffering from neck and face pain for the past five years. My neck pain is usually concentrated at the base of the skull (sub-occipitals). The face pain is usually behind and below my eyes and sometimes goes to the top of my head and towards my ears. The pain feels like pressure and almost like some of my face is swollen - but it is not. Sometimes it turns into a migraine headache.

I have seen so many doctors and have tried all medications. I've been to ENTs who have stated that I didn't have a sinus problem. Years ago, I saw a headache and face pain specialist who tried a mouthpiece and some utrasound as he thought it was TMJ related. I remember it helping for only a short period and then the pain came back. I've been to Neurologists who have tried anti-depressant and beta-blockers with no success. I've been to a rheumotologist who has tried me on Skelaxin, Vioxx and Celebrex to no avail. I've seen a sports medicine doctor who has tried lidocaine injections into my neck which really didn't make a difference.

I've seen several MRIs, MRAs and X-rays over the years. The only thing that came back a little abnormal was that I have a buldged disk in my neck.

Believe it or not, the only person that seems to consistently help is my chiropracter - but sometimes I need to go there a few times a week to get relief. The only medicine that really has helped has been a course of prednisone via a medrol pack but I have only done this twice in five years since I know that it is not the best for you. Motrin works intermittenly.

At my recent trip to another ENT, he suggested that I see someone who specializes in TMJ. I don't have any clicking or popping in the jaw area so I am not sure. I went to see my regular dentist who is not that knowledgable in the field and fitted me for a mouthpiece and has me on Flexeril. The first two days were better but then the pain returned.

Does anyone suffer from this problems and have any advice for me? I live in NJ and wonder how to find someone that specializes in this field.

I'm sorry for such a long message.

Thanks,
Larry

cvella · 10-09-2004, 03:27 PM

I have very similar pain in my sub-occipitals, neck, and jaw. I have constant neck pain, facial pain and migraines. My main problem is C-1, C-2, and C-3 (cervical spine) are unstable and rotate out of place. At first, the chiro was the only doctor to make me feel better, however, I later figured out that it was actually making me worse. I have loose ligaments in my neck and this causes my bones to slip out of place. Apparently, every time a chiro adjusts you, it loosens the ligaments that support the bones. I have also heard that chiro therapy can irritate the cervical discs.

Have you tried a doctor of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine? They may be able to help. Or a physical therapist that specializes in the neck? Both helped me. If your problem is really a bulging disc you may need to strengthen your neck muscles.