Seeking some answers for TMJ & Tinnitus - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

mikealbritton · 11-12-2005, 09:40 PM

Hi, my name is Mike and I live in Georgia. I have been dealing with TMJ & Tinnitus for over seven years now. I woke up one night back in 1998 with my ears ringing and they haven't stopped since then. Over the years I have been to every doctor on the planet and tried just about everything from splints to homeopathy. Chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy seems to work the best. I do have to admit that I only used the splint when I first got it because it cost so much money! Anyhow, I also have Psoriatic arthritis that doesn't really make things better. Over the last six months, the ringing has been keeing up every night. I usually don't go to sleep until after midnight, and then I'm awoke by the ringing anywhere between 4-6am. I've tried sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and nothing works to help me sleep when the ringing is so intense.
Now adjustments and massages aren't working and I'm back to wearing the splint to see if it will help. I'm also dominant right sided and have weak left sided muscles, especially in the upper body. My vision is blurred and I have "floaters" in my eyes that seem to be worse since I feel there is pressure behind the eye. Of course I keep regular company with many doctors who think that I'm a hypochondriac, but the truth of the matter is that I'm dealing with multiple chronic conditions and they are not. You really can't hold anything against them; doesn't do any good if you do! I constantly find myself self diagnosiing myself with sinus problems, neck tension, in an attempt to make the ringing go away. Am I the only who does this, or are there others? If so, I would love to hear from you to help ease my mind. I also just started taking the lowest dosage of Zanax to help with the depression I'm experiencing due to no sleep. I believe it's important that people who deal with TMJ know that they may be dealing with depression subconsciously and that they would benefit greatly from a short regiment of a mild anti-depressant. It also assists with losing wieght in many cases as an extra benefit!!

jean_2005 · 11-13-2005, 12:25 AM

I had a constant ringing in my ears that kept me up at night for years and what I found out that toned them down was stop taken anything with aspirn in it. I still have ringing but hardly notice it . I also go to sleep listening to soft music or nature sounds.

mikealbritton · 11-13-2005, 03:48 PM

Jean,
was your ringing only noticable during the night, or was it something that you were aware of during the day as well?

TiffanyAnn · 11-13-2005, 08:41 PM

Hi Mike:
I have some ringing in my ears. It seems to come and go, sometimes worse than others. It was alot worse when it first started but since my splint therapy it has greatly improved. My husband on the other hand has terrible, horrible ringing in his ears. He does not have TMJ, not that we know anyway. His is due to not wearing hearing protection at work he thinks. But what you describe sounds alot like what he describes. He says the quieter it gets the louder the ringing is. I know it drives him nuts and he is a very patient, calm man. So, I understand your problem very well.
Tiffany

mikealbritton · 11-13-2005, 08:48 PM

Hey Tiffany,
my ringing is tied to my TMJ, arthritis, and posture. I have made contact with a nueromuscular dentist to have another evaluation. I too have a splint and it does seem to improve the ringing. Have you ever heard of Kevin Hogan. He is a tinnitus sufferer who now speaks on the subject. His asnwer to his ringing was Zanax!? Have you ever heard of someone taking anti-depressants for tinnitus?