TMJ Forum - TMJ or TMD ?

Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > TMJ or TMD ?

Q: TMJ or TMD ?

asked by: lookinforideas on June 24th, 2008

New User

So I must start saying I have health anxiety, especially latey with my anxiety of my upcoming wedding. However, for me TMJ/TMD would be a relief (so sorry to those of you with incredible pain).

Here are my symptoms. I needed my wisdom teeth out forever. But they never really hurt.

Then 3 years ago I cracked my right jaw. Like yawned and CRACK. Like cracking your knuckle. I noticed it felt good and I could hear squishy ness which was interesting.

Well I developed a habit of doing this day in and day out. Then one day I stopped (as I figured it was bad). Then I noticed now I could pop the other side.

Long story short I did this often (as well as my neck). I got my wisdom teeth out last year. I stopped popping the jaw (Until one day while eating it absolutely exploded while eating and was sore as heck; and made my ears ring). Then I stopped for a few months. With my anxiety back I started again.

Also, I find myself clenching my teeth very often. (Anxiety again)

Now my symptoms are:

1. Jaw cracking when I try (Like cracking muscles)
2. Not much jaw pain (But a little)
3. Tension in neck
4. Brief sharp pains at temple (Like a pinch)
5. Tiny burning sensations on scalp (Feels like pressure in a small area of scalp that goes away very quickly; within 20 seconds)
6. Pain behind eye sometimes (quickly again)
7. Cheek stiffness/achyness
8. Notice pains and such around the head when clenching teeth.
9. Pain/stiffness across bridge of nose and forehead
10. Sometimes pressure/pain (minor) when bending head downwards

Since I've stopped cracking my neck and jaw it seems to be getting worse (although still not terrible) just tighter feeling. I assume this is from it "healing"

I hestitate to say headaches as none are "pulsating or very painful" and the pain seems to jump around.

Still making me paranoid.

Anyways any insight would be great. Is this TMD or TMJ? And do my symptoms sound common?

Thanks much great forum! Very helpful especially that Idaho person.

Replies(7)

TMJWorld

replied on June 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Lol ---That Idaho person---that would be me:) that gave me a good chuckle

Anyway---Every one has tmj---in fact they have 2 of them. tmj stands for temporomandibular joint. Tmd however is the disfunction of the tmj and stands for temporomandibular disorder.

This does sound like you have a case of tmd----At one point, i had all these symptoms. Im glad that you said that you have stoped cracking your neck --this can cause more promblems than not. Also--dont pop your jaw--its not good. I know you have stoped it but sometimes its hard to resist the urge---ive done it too:P

AS for the clenching--i know its hard--i still do it------try not to--that puts unnessary stress on your muscles and causes them to ache and can pull your bite out of its proper place----when you put your teeth together, do they feel off a bit or do they fit together well and comfortably?

What id suggest to help you with the clenching is to keep your teeth about 1/4 inch apart at all times and put your tounge to the roof of your mouth--dont push, just rest it there. this will become habit and you will do it in your sleep as well and minimize clenching then too. also try to reduce your stress level as much as possible---I know thats hard too.

I think that you should see a chiropractor--it would help the poping and the headaches, and overall health--it may even help with the anxiety. I know it has helped me with depression issues( i had major skeletal misalignment and it put pressure on my brain--causing strange emotional outbursts and depression--its all gone now. Id also like to see you go to a neuromuscular dentist. the neck being tense would be helped by the chiro and nmd. they can and should work together on this.

If you need anyting im right here. im usually here daily--except for saturdays.

and congratulations on the upcoming wedding.

lookinforideas

replied on June 24th, 2008

New User

Thanks man! As I said I have health anxiety so I immediately jump to dying of something for half the feelings in my scalp/head.

The headaches aren't bad at all. I guess you would describe them as tension headahces where as they don't stop me from doing things but when I'm NOT doing things I notice the pressure/stiffness.

I think I'm gonna get through the wedding honeymoon and hit up the chiropractor. Been to too many docs latley.

Eye doctor (checked out pefect), Regular Doctor for Blood tests (checked out perfect), Psychologist for the Hypochondria (reducing stress).

I've tried adding more Calcium and magnesium and b12 which seems to make me feel better today.

I'm starting to sleep on my back which seems to help too.

Anyways thanks! Its nice (well not nice) but reassuring to hear that my symptoms fit pretty well with TMD rather then my worst tumor fears!

I'm only 26 btw

Thanks again!

TMJWorld

replied on June 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

no problem---im 25-----the supplements are good as well try adding some glucosamine and msm as well.----you can sleep on your side as well but you want to stay off your stomach-----do you have a good pillow? if not you should get a good one that supports your head. I use chiroflow and in my opinion is the best pillow out there---there are other pillows out there though. you should try to find one that works for you.

tmj tumors are rare ---so dont even worry about that:)

lookinforideas

replied on June 24th, 2008

New User

Tmddyan wrote:

hahah not worried about TMJ tumors. My latest healthy anxiety has been brain tumors even though my only symptom is slight head aches (and no one gets headaches right) but I'm working on it. Nice to see (again not nice but you know) that the head feelings i'm getting others get here as well. And considering they seem to appear with clenching/popping there's probably a good chance they are related Smile

TMJWorld

replied on June 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I do get headaches all the time with tmd---the chiropractor helps that and is related to the tmd-----but you are on the right track---get in to the chiro and you will be on a good road to recovery

lookinforideas

replied on June 24th, 2008

New User

Thanks much man. I think the future wife will shank me if I plan another doctor's appt before the wedding so I'll probably wait till afterwards. Hopefully 2 weeks in the caribbean relaxes me Smile

TMJWorld

replied on June 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

it should---just dont forget sunscreen!

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