This is my first post. Since June, I have had a lot of ear pain---which my GP diagnosed as fluid. Did OTC decongestants all summer, and the pain came and went. REALLY bad in September, when my GP said that my right ear drum was sucked in from all the fluid. I have been on three prescriptoin decongestants, and inhaler and amoxicillin and was finally referred to an ENT, who immediately looked in my ears, so NO fluid, and said I had TMJ. We're doing some other tests---one is a BSA? Brain Stem something or other---but he feels strongly he is seeing TMJ. Now, I have been under a lot of stress---and I do clench my jaw. What I'm wondering is how the ear pain goes away?
I was reading through some of the posts on other boards and it seems that there is a 50/50 chance my insurance will even cover this...I need to look into that!
But---I have no other symptoms EXCEPT my ears feeling clogged. Anyone out there with a similar experience? When and how did you find relief?
Thanks in advance
LZM
I'm no doctor but sounds like it could be TMJ to me. I had a lot of pain in my ears, also some of the clogged feeling. Although I have no dental coverage, my insurance covered it with my dentist because it is considered a medical problem. I have a splint I sleep in and it has helped a great deal.
LZM,
are you saying you were diagnosed with tmj by someone looking in your ears? If that is the case, you better find a new doctor real quick. Go to <A HREF="http://www.tmjd.com" TARGET=_blank>www.tmjd.com</A> you will find answers to anything and everything dealing with tmj. Several surgical patients on that site, I am one of them and what a nightmare!!
I am sure it is neccessary in some cases but only if you have a problem with function, tmj surgery does not cure pain so don't fall for that line like I did.
Good luck,
Elaine
I agree with Elaine. Your only symptom is plugged ears. It is premature to jump to conclusions. I would find a good dentist or Maxillo facial surgeon to evaluate you. Don't let anyone treat you untill you have more than one opinion. There are several Docs on TMJD.COM who can refer you to a doc in your area so you can find out for sure. Hopefully you have something easily treated and can avoid the TMD merry go round! Good luck!
Hi,
I agree that the tmj can't be diagnosed by just looking in your ear however, mine started a year ago the same exact way. My doctor had me on decongetants and anti-biotics for 3 weeks before I said no more
and went to see an ENT. He diagnosed the tmj but didn't do much else. I finally found a great dentist recently who fitted me with an NTI appliance (www.drjimboyd.com) and it has been the only thing to relax the muscles(previously had a mouthguard to sleep with that only made things worse). My pain progressed from an earache to severe and constant tension headaches over the course of 5 or 6 months. Good luck to you and check out the info on the NTI appliance if you do indeed have tmj!
