Hello all!
First, I have to apologize for my
username, it's pretty dumb, but I didn't
want anyone googling one of my more well
known usernames and finding this post.
I'm a 22 year old college student. Last
year around this same time I experienced
mild symptoms of TMJ disorder. I didn't
know at the time there was a name for it,
but I more or less ignored it for a month
(I took ibuprofen for night when it was
worst). Eventually, it went away on it's
own.
About a week or so ago, it came back, and
this time it brought friends. Without
taking anything, even in the day time my
pain can range between 5-9. Needless to
say, it's a bit inconvenient.
This time, I did some research, then saw
an oral surgeon. After doing research, I
noticed something I hadn't noticed before,
my jaw clicks (eww). I also have the
typical matching signs (pain in front of
the left ear which sometimes radiates into
my head, neck, back, and teeth). The oral
surgeon diagnosed me with TMD, patted me
on the head and told me to keep taking
what I was taking, use heat/cold, and give
him 200 bucks for his time. Obviously
this wasn't what I was hoping for.
Now we get down to my questions:
1. I've not had my wisdom teeth out (it
has been recommended by regular dentist
just because I have trouble brushing back
that far and tend to accumulate cavities).
Could this be at all related? The oral
surgeon was unclear.
2. I'm not what you would call a very
stressed out person. Finals are coming
up, but to be honest with you I'm mostly
relaxed about them. I've been more
stressed in the past year at different
points with no TMJ issues. I've also
noticed that my TMJ has occurred twice now
at the same time of the year. Could it be
some sort of strange seasonal issue?
3. Ibuprofen works like an absolute
champ, almost entirely negating the effect
of the TMD, as long as I keep myself
constantly on it. The problem is, I've
read that taking ibuprofen at the doses
I'm taking it at (400mg every 4 hours) can
do some serious damage to the stomach and
liver. Since I happen to like both of
those organs (especially the stomach), I'd
prefer to keep them in tact. Does anyone
know how long it would take to do damage?
The last bout of TMJ issues lasted for
about a month.
4. Has anyone had any positive results
from using those little mouth splint deals
that cost between 200 and 400 dollars?
I'm willing to pay whatever I have to, but
only if there's a chance it will actually
work.
5. Other than giving myself
massages/exercise in the jaw area,
medicating, hot/cold, and watching what I
do to my jaw... is there anything else I
can try? I've been trying to watch my
posture and make sure I'm not closing my
jaw all the way as well.
Thank you so much for any help you can
offer... my frustration is sky high from
the pain disrupting my life. God bless.
