TMJ and antidepressants

TMJ can flare up at any time. It's a good idea to keep a journal of what you do and eat during the day, that way when the pain starts you may be able to see what triggers it.
Anti-depressants are for pain management. If the muscles in your face are so wound up that they're causing you so much pain, you'll need to be patient while you work to relax them.
I'm not sure whether TMJ can be cured, but it can be managed, you just need to work out what steps are right for you.
I've been on anti-depressants since November; itially, I felt so much better, but it's all heading down hill again.
It's very frustrating being told that TMJ is caused by stress, because it increases that stress dramatically. Basically, the list of things you're doing sound good, but you need to give it time. Also, have you restricted your diet to mostly soft food? This helps give your jaw a break.
Which anti-depressants are you on, by the way?

Good luck
Melanie.

I'm not on any antidepressants right now because im afraid of pills even though i take vicodin which isnt even perscribed to me. Though its the only pain medicine i hve been taking that was helping with TMJ but i dont want to keep taking pain medicine!!!! And i eat only 2 times a day and the only thing i eat is mostly pasta stuff and milk thats about it. i go to bed around 6 or 7am. then wake up around 4 or 5:00pm. I lay in bed all day long and do NOTHING. because im in pain now my neck is hurting down my spine and im getting bad headaches. it just keeps getting worse. This TMJ stuff started in Febuary 1 month after something horrible happened that was a trauma in my life so idk if that is causing tmj or what is i just want it to stop.

I have learned my TMJ *is* anxiety and stress, that I was not recognizing! I thought "life was fine" until I started having panic attacks which lead to my TMJ diagnosis. Therefore, I plan to stay on my Lexapro for a few months.

How are you doing?

TMJisRuiningmyLife I feel EXACTLY the same as you..I have tried everything from all different kinds of doctors to expensive specialists, oral surgeons, mouthguards, therapy to manage my anxiety..and nothing is working. It is controlling my life, the pain is constant, I feel like I am dying that's how bad it is. My doctors have suggested an anti-depressant Lexapro, though I hear this can worsen it sometimes and I am hesitant but at this point I am desperate. Anyone have any suggestions?

I felt the same way 11 months ago. No one could understand what I was going through or felt not even doctors. Everyone has anxiety from time to time but when you are in constant pain for a long time and nothings helping and you think and feel you have to live like this anxiety and depression just sky rocket. I thank God everyday for feeling better and I would love to tell you my story and why I choose the treatment I did. Please feel free to write me. Jessica

I have been on lexapro 10mg for 7mths, I was scared at first but it has helped my anxirty and tmj pain well. I have more energy these days and dont feel as buggard at the end of the day