Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Corona, CA
New Here.. Been Some Time With Tmj... Posted: 08-17-07 13:10pm
Hello!
Looks active here! Nice to see that we are
all not alone. I have been lingering, but
decided to join the forum to help get some
better answers than the ones I have been
getting.
Background:
Started experiencing eustachian tube
problems (plugged, full ears) after
visiting my dentist for a few root canals
at the same time I was trying to quit
smoking about four years ago. Chewed
nicorette, regular gum chewing and
suckers... needless to say my ears plugged
up completely. I got tubes during that
time thinking it was allergies.
Two years ago I got a bridge on the lower
left side and I also attempted to quit
smoking again (gum, suckers, etc)...
lasted seven months until the pain in the
side of my head (muscles directly above
the ears) got so bad that I thought
smoking was a better option. The muscles
first started with a "creepy" feeling like
small spasms that eventually lead to
severe pain all day. Funny that I visit
the dentist and quit smoking both
times...
The muscles that are mainly affected are
around the Temporal Fascia:
h
ttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commo
ns/0/00/Gray906.png -
h
ttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commo
ns/f/fa/Gray378.png - AURICULARIS SUP.
and AURICULARIS ANT.
I had visited my GP and complained of
headaches/head pain after six months of no
relief. Got scans and a visit to the
neurologist ... He prescribed neurontin
that did nothing but give me nightmares
(still had pain). He increased the dosage
every month and it sucked. I eventually
got online and started reading about TMJ
and decided to buy and over the counter
nightguard... that helped for a little
while, so I went back to my dentist to get
one made thinking it might be better
($500)... he had ground down the teeth to
even the bite and it helped too... but I
only get some relief and my neck would
hurt. After a few days the pain just seems
to shift to other areas around my ears.
Some relief anyway...
Went another six months and decided to see
a specialist... more nightguard... the
guard originally worked out great. Pain
was a lot less than it had been for the
year and half.. after grinding the guard
down... the pain got really bad. On my
next visit the specialist nearly denied to
continue to help me. Seems that if his
form of treatment is not working, he gives
up! $2000 lesson learned with the
specialist.
Went to visit a dentist friend (flew to MN
to see him) and he fitted me with a new
guard that was a little bit higher and I
was back to almost functioning and the
pain comes and goes now.. been about six
months that I wear it on and off during
the day and at night.
I have done some hot and cold packs, but
it only seems to provide a temporary
relief that I can only really do at night
when I home.
Currently I still wake up hurting and
some days are worse than others, but I am
managing to make it to work and do my job,
but little more. I have a family and want
so much to be a part of it rather than
simply managing to work.... my priority is
providing for them at the moment... wish I
had more energy to actually enjoy being
with them (I am sure you all know the
feeling).
Some questions:
I have two wisdom teeth still in: one
lower right and one lower left that holds
the bridge. Should I try to get these
removed?
How do I go about getting phys therapy
started? My GP? Will it be covered?
Does sleeping on your back really help?
Maybe a neck brace at night too?
What about Chiros? What should I expect
from that?
I see diet and exercise should be a
consideration... or not? Have you changed
your diet? (not just to lose weight... I
am already skinny people!)
I don't really like the idea of anxiety
meds... but I am looking at that too
(pills are always easier right...
sarcasm)?
I hear that prayer works... and yes.. I do
that too.
BTW, I have no cracking or popping... no
obstruction in the joint itself. Just
FYI...
If you have a similar situation or
symptoms I would really like to hear from
you.. please reply to this post rather
than PM... it will certainly help others.
Thanks
Carl
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catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 08-17-07 22:14pm
Hi Carl. It is really nice to know that
we aren't alone in this nightmare. I've
had this for over 27 years and it wasn't
until just a few years ago that I
discovered Internet support sites. They
have been a God-send to me.
As soon as I read that your ear problems
started soon after having dental work, I
knew (if I can say that) that you had TMJ
issues. And the chewing gum. You were
set up just about. TMJ, which is actually
TMD or TMJD, doesn't necessarily have to
have popping or cracking in the joint
area. The muscles you mention, tho, are
frequently troublesome with TMJ. I'll try
and answer your questions, but they're
only my opinions and/or ideas.
niceguydesign
wrote:
I have two wisdom teeth
still in: one lower right and one lower
left that holds the bridge. Should I try
to get these
removed?
That's a difficult questions to answer;
it's like 50-50. But since the tooth
holds the bridge, I might hesitate to
remove the teeth.
Physical
Therapy - Either your doctor or TMJ
dentist can write a referral. I would
suggest making sure that they put on the
referral that you are seeing the PT for
head and/or neck pain rather than TMJ
specifically. Most insurance companies
don't seem to cover anything TMJ. But
also have your doctor specify exactly what
the therapist should do - ultrasound jaw
muscles and/or TENS, massage (head &
neck), exercises for jaw and neck (and a
few other things that are slipping my mind
at the moment).
Back
sleeping - It is suggested by many
TMJ specialists but it does not help me.
It might if my mouth kept shut but I guess
it doesn't. I sleep on my side with a
pillow specifically designed for TMJ
side-sleepers. I wouldn't recommend a
neck brace as they usually put pressure on
the jaw, which is very bad.
Chiropractors - I was first
helped by a chiro. He massaged inside my
mouth for just a minute or two (as far
back as possible towards the ear). It
hurt like crazy but broke up the non-stop
spasms. He also cracked my neck and I
liked it back then, but I think it caused
the arthritis I have now in my neck (same
spot he cracked). Maybe not. He was
another God-send to me, tho. I have tried
others but never liked any other chiro
after him. I haven't been to one for
years so I don't know what they do now to
help TMJ patients. I was evaluated a
couple of years ago but they wanted to
focus too much on my back. I don't have
back problems (except between the shoulder
blades occasionally), so I did not return.
Good massage therapy seems to work better
for me (which you can have at many
chiros).
Diet - changing to a no-chew
or soft food diet can help. I can chew
foods now even with all the damage to my
jaws, but there are certain foods I can't
touch - hard chewy or gooey things. Gum
chewing and ice eating are also big
NO-NOs. Adding certain supplements can
help tremendously, I believe. My choices
- Vitamin B Super Complex for repair and
Magnesium to help curb any night time
bruxism. Glucosamine seems to help some
people. St. John's Wort is another.
Always check with your doctor before
taking any supplements (especially the St.
John's Wort).
Meds - I did not take any
meds for about the first 20 years of this
nightmare. I was strong.
I believe I was
actually stupid and made a big mistake;
one that cost me much of my life, if you
want to know the truth. Yes, for some
they are a cop out and some will become
addicts (dependency is not
addiction), but those who are truly in
pain and the quality of their life is
being adversely affected really need to
think about pain management. It is
possible to find the best combination of
medications that help and not make us
dopey or sleepy, etc. Muscle relaxants,
anti-d's, anti-anxiety, narcotics, etc.
There are so many different types now and
if you have a good doctor who is willing
to "experiment," you should try this
option of treatment if it is affecting
your life that much (I say again).
Since this has become sooooooo long, I
will close now. I hope and pray that you
will find the treatment(s) that helps you
the best.
God bless...
Carol
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4426 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 99
Thanked:68
Hey Posted: 08-20-07 12:32pm
welcome
|
niceguydesign
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Corona, CA
Posted: 08-20-07 15:37pm
Thanks Carol.... and it's good to see you
too Dyan... I have read both of your
introductions and a lot of your replies to
others.
Carol,
What type of pillow is it? Where did you
get it? (I am so much of a side-sleeper) I
currently have to constantly wake up and
flip to my back.
Did the chiro really massage "inside" your
mouth?
Thanks for the tip on Magnesium! I see
others have done this too:
http://www.is.wayne.edu/mnissani/bruxnet/a
dvice.htm#Nutritional
It's amazing that I haven't read anything
like this yet... I grind at night too I was completely
unaware of this fact until I started
experiencing the pain and my wife said
"What? you didn't know? Sounds like a door
creaking when you do it loud." - the
things your learn from others
I am trying to avoid the MEDS as much as I
can. I am a very strong minded individual
that has overcome many things in my life.
I will just come right and say that I used
Crystal Meth for a very long time in my
early years... 12yrs to 22 yrs (there goes
my presidential campaign). I am sure that
there are some residual issues with the
jaw and teeth because of it. Needless to
say, I don't ever want to "feel
different"... I just don't want the pain
if it can be lessened or avoided. It's
ironic how one can pull himself/herself up
by the boot straps, feel free from the
struggle of the streets, go to college,
have a good career, start a great family,
and have something like a trip to the
dentist and quiting smoking cause so much
harm to my general well-being. If I ever
feel that I NEED to be on meds, I will
certainly go willingly down that path, but
for now... I simply look back to look
forward.
As far as the wisdom teeth... I might try
having the bridge adjusted in the future
if the pain ever recedes and I feel lucky
enough for the dentist... I would pull
all of my teeth if I thought it would help
the pain.. (BTW, has anyone ever done
this? Can't grind my teeth if I don't have
any!
Thanks for the replies. I certainly hope
and pray for everyone here to find some
relief no matter how large or small.
Thanks
Carl
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4426 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 99
Thanked:68
Pillow Posted: 08-20-07 17:57pm
I use a chiroflow--has water in it so it
moves with you to give you support where
you need it. any one else tried it?
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 08-20-07 19:38pm
Hi Carl,
The pillow I have is a Splintek
Side-Sleeper. I thought I was going to
hate it when I received it, but slept
great the first night and still going.
I do know someone who pulled all her teeth
and it was a big mistake. She still has
TMJ and now has an added problem with her
dentures not fitting well.
Seriously try regular MT or PT. They do
miracles.
God bless...
Carol
|
twinkl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Memphis, TN
Similar Ear Pain Posted: 08-27-07 20:46pm
Hi Carl,
I too have pain behind my ear at the top
of it. My outer ear, also at the top,
burns sometimes. Do you experience this
too?
I was diagnosed with TMJ at age 12; I'm
now 28. The only symptoms I've had all
these years all headaches that I've just
dealt with. But my symptoms have been much
worse for the past few weeks, all
following an ear infection.
Drs. have said everything from inflammed
nerves to TMJ. I'm going to an oral
surgeon next week for TMJ treatment but am
interested to see what is working for
you.
I'm like you...never been interested in
medication (rarely even take pain
relievers for the headaches), but can't
deal with the intense pain with the latest
symptoms. It's like the whole side of my
face/ear hurt sometimes.
I also try hot/cold packs but get only
temporarly relief.
Good luck. Let me know what works for you.
|
niceguydesign
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Corona, CA
Twinkl, (i Like Typing That For Some Reason)... And Others.. Posted: 09-04-07 12:32pm
Twinkl, (i like typing that for some
reason)... and others...
TWINKL!! YES!!! It's usually two to two
and half fingers above my ear and to the
back and front (it seems to move
sometimes) Always in the joint though. BUT
PLEASE READ ON!!! EXCITING NEWS FOR
ME!!!!! (so far...)
Oh! I forgot to mention that I stopped
wearing the splint during the day and only
wear it at night. Not sure if this had
something to do with it or not, but hey...
I don't sound so stupid in meetings
anymore
I will keep updating this as things change
(hopefully improve)... I hope you get some
relief too TWINKL. I know the feeling and
when you are able to make it through the
day and feel miserable, but still make
it... you realize you have to do it again
tomorrow... it gets pretty depressing... I
find comfort in the fact that everyone has
told me that "something works for
everyone" and that you just have to find
it...
Thanks again everyone!!!
Carl
|
niceguydesign
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Aug 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Corona, CA
Not Working... Posted: 10-04-07 19:05pm
Just when you think you have it beat!!! It
comes back. It seems that I certainly did
not find the magic bullet for TMJ. It has
all made a comeback and though I tried
going to the chiro again, I am back to the
same symptoms...
As always, I will keep you updated on my
progress. I am going to see my GP next wed
to try and get some PT...
Thanks
Carl
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4426 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 99
Thanked:68
Posted: 10-05-07 12:55pm
sometimes tmd is like that. hang in there
you will find it.
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 10-06-07 16:59pm
Carl,
It is quite common to have TMJ come and
go. It's important that you not stress
out. You know how bad stress is for TMJ.
Did anything happen or did you have a
change in your life recently that might
have set it off?
Keep up the exercises daily and be careful
about your eating habits and how you sit
at the computer. Sometimes TMJ is not
"curable." You might have to learn how to
manage the symptoms, but don't ever get so
frustrated that just the stress of having
TMJ makes the symptoms worse. It can,
believe me.
You might want to consider taking an
anti-d everyday to keep the body stressors
more even. Yes, go to physical therapy.
It can be great! You can do this.
I believe I was
actually stupid and made a big mistake;
one that cost me much of my life, if you
want to know the truth. Yes, for some
they are a cop out and some will become
addicts (dependency is 
I was completely
unaware of this fact until I started
experiencing the pain and my wife said
"What? you didn't know? Sounds like a door
creaking when you do it loud." - the
things your learn from others