strange tmjd start - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

schnee8 · 02-04-2007, 10:21 PM

Hi Everyone.
I am really glad I found this site. It has been so helpful!
I have some strange TMJ symptoms and I was wondering if anyone else has had these.
I think my tmj started almost 2 months ago. But, the first sypmtoms I had were a strange feeling in my tongue and throat tightness. I thought I was either having an allergic reaction or a panic attack. I have never had wither before.
So, I was tested for allergies and nothing.
In the mean time I started to get really tired and had a really hard time sleeping.
Then, one dayafter lunch my face and lower lip swelled. The doctor thought it was allergies and had me take benedryl. That did nothing.
Since that time, the right side if my face has been really difficult to move and I have had a tome of soreness, ear pain, my throat gets tight after eating certain unknown foods...It is causing a ton of anxiety and really turned my life upside down.
My dentist thinks I might have tmj. so, she order a nightgaurd. I just got it and it did take almost all of the pain from my jaw away.
anyone else experince anything similar??
thank you all so much for the help!

velvetrance · 02-05-2007, 11:31 AM

i had panic attacks REALLY badly when i first experienced TMJ symptoms. it was as if i had no idea what was going on and the not knowing generated some kind of panic response. i have more tightness in my neck and ears than throat although my throat hurting and closing up was a result of the panic attack. i noticed that the attacks went away after i finally figured out it was TMJ. it seems that the less in the dark you are about what's going on the less the anxiety affects you.

schnee8 · 02-05-2007, 05:57 PM

thank you for replying.
I just wish I could get a definate answer as to what exactly is going on. I am going to a nuerologist next week. I am really hoping he will be able to give me some answers.
Did your anxiety just go away? How were you able to deal with it?
The not knowing can be very scary!
Thanks again!!

velvetrance · 02-06-2007, 02:33 PM

if the nightguard helped chances are you are grinding your teeth at night. that would explain the tightness in your throat and that general area. bruxism is HIGHLY related to stress problems and anxiety and will be something you do in your sleep whether or you can help it or not. you might want to ask your doctor about a muscle relaxant. i take them before i go to sleep to prevent myself from teeth grinding and muscle tension during the night.

i still deal with anxiety on a daily basis. my biggest problem is having the symptoms i do associated with TMJ and being in public. when im in public i have a hard time focusing and communicating thus making me incredibly panicked and anxious. this was never an issue for me before all of this happened. im incredibly social and people oriented; i was a bartender before i had to quit my job due to my illness. i just try not to put myself in really socially focused situations. im trying to find a job i can do from home and i don't go out much. it feels awful but thats about all i can do right now. i would highly recommend the muscle relaxants though. that would help with the nightguard effectiveness.

schnee8 · 02-08-2007, 08:02 PM

The anxiety is I think the most difficult part. I really don't have a lot of pain.
I am just trying to do a little at a time and I am slowing getting back to my old self. I really don't want to give up my life. I had a great life before the stress and this tmj set in. I think it will be a long time before I eat in a restaurant again though.
So, how do you deal with it? do you know of any good books about anxiety and tmj? I haven't found any yet!!
I hope you are able to get your life back, too.
thanks for your help!