I am so glad to hear that the tmj pain and symptoms have decreased. Sadly, I don't know too much to tell you about what the ent said about the ear situation. I have never heard of ostoclerosis so I checked a medical dictionary and could not find anything even trying different spellings. Do you think you could get the doc to spell the word for you so we can do some research?

I've also never heard of a virus aggravating by tmj but that does sound plausible. Any ear infection you get is going to be affected by your tmjs because of the closeness of the inner ear and disc. My left ear is almost always slightly uncomfortable and it has tinnitus off and on. I also have my doc check it all the time and they will say, "oh, it's red, or, there's a little fluid in there," but never suggest what I could do. I actually figured it was because it was my tmj and the docs just don't know what to do. I have never been to an ent and have thought about going to one (more though for my throat because I have swallowing problems sometimes because of this stupid tmj).

Did you ever have an mri? Whereas I don't think they are as necessary as we seem to think they are, in your case i'm wondering if they can find out if the disc or joint cartilage or something is pressing against the inner ear giving you pressure and tinnitus. If that were true, I don't know what could be done. I'm wondering though if you found a good massage therapist if he or she could work in that area.

Do you take anything for sinus problems (like sudafed)? When I was younger I took sudafed almost daily because of my ears. I think it helped a little, but I honestly can't remember very well. It could work because if your ears or sinuses are slightly aggravated, they swell. The swelling could then make the inner ear swell against the jaw joint and if you have a pain jaw joint due to tmj, it might aggravate you even more than than a normal sinus problem. You might try icing the joint area right in front of the ear sometimes to see what that does (for any swelling).

I'm sorry i'm no help this time. I would like to see if you can get a spelling of that osteo word. I'd love to research it. I think you were wise to go to the ent. It will be interesting to see what he does to help you. Make sure to keep me informed (and get the osto spelling).

Carol

Witt - i'm all excited about a "dysfunction" or something that I ran across accidentally when I saw the word, "otalgia" in an internet article about a tmj study. The study didn't say anything other than the word under ears so I googled it. I haven't read too much yet, but it sure might explain your ear problems as well as mine. Wow, this is so cool (that I found the word, not the dysfunction).


I was also writing to tell you about an excellent tmj book that I found a little while ago and it's now on-line. There is a short chapter about ears that you might want to check out. Headandneck.Com/book/

hope you are feeling well and check out the websites. Let me know what you think.

Carol

Dear carol, my spelling is terrible. The correct term is otosclerosis. Strange thing today and yesterday though. I did not wear my bite all day and my ears did not fill up and pop near as much when I wore it. Iam still getting the uneasy and queasy feelings though. Thanks for your efforts and research though. As you know, it is a miserable road!

Witt - I found the following website with the resultant information. Sheesh, what do they think we are? Doctors? I kindof understand what it's saying, but I have no idea what it means. Maybe you could print this out and take it to your next ent's appointment and ask him to tell you what this means in english.
__________________________________________ __________


********otosclerosis
a pathological condition of the bony labyrinth of the ear, in which there is formation of spongy bone (otospongiosis), especially in front of and posterior to the footplate of the stapes, it may cause bony ankylosis of the stapes, resulting in conductive hearing loss. Cochlear otosclerosis may also develop, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss.***************
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this is me again ----------- also, ask the doctor about "otalgia" and if that has anything to do with your situation. I would be curious what he thinks about otalgia. The following is what I found about otalgia. It's long reading but a little easier to understand than the otosclerosis.
__________________________________________ ______________
********* history: the algorithm to systematically reduce the vast differential diagnosis for otalgia begins with a thorough history and physical examination. The history should be complete and specifically encompass a review of otologic symptomatology, swallowing disorders, sinus problems, cervicofacial pain syndromes (eg, myalgias, neuralgias, arthritis), recent trauma, and cardiopulmonary background. Patient history can guide the clinician in the selection of subsequent testing.


Physical: the physical examination should include an exhaustive otologic, neuro-otologic, head, and neck examination. Careful rhinoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, and indirect laryngoscopy are mandatory. Despite the low prevalence of malignant upper aerodigestive tract tumors in the authors' study, a well-known strong association (as high as 19% in some studies) between cancer and otalgia exists, and the results of a missed diagnosis can be devastating. Because of its high relative prevalence, actively seek sinus pathology. Palpation of the neck is important to look for thyroid disease, adenopathy, and musculoskeletal disorders.


Causes: dental disorders are the most common cause of referred pain to the ear. Of this group of disorders, temporomandibular dysfunctions account for the majority of patients. Bruxism, degenerative joint disease, or stress can lead to internal derangements within the joint. The third division of the trigeminal nerve and the auriculotemporal nerve mediate pain, which is often perceived deep within the ear. Other odontogenic causes range from abscessed teeth to poorly fitting dentures.

Within the oral cavity, the sensory innervation becomes quite complex. The tongue receives fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve, the facial nerve receives fibers from the chorda tympani, and the trigeminal nerve receives fibers from the lingual branch and vagus nerve posteriorly. All these nerves have distributions in the ear as well.

Sinusitis is another very common source of ear pain. The neural pathway is along the second branch of the trigeminal nerve and the auriculotemporal nerve. Because the trigeminal nerve supplies the nasal cavity, patients with inflammatory mucosal contact points and nasal obstruction may develop symptoms in their ears. The proximity of the eustachian tube orifice also contributes to the problem.

Neck problems can also refer pain to the ears. These disorders include cervical osteoarthritis, cervical myofascial pain syndrome, and traumatic injuries. The cervical spine is sensitive and well supplied by the cervical nerve roots. Muscular pain from the trapezius or sternocleidomastoid may project postauricularly to the mastoid and occipital area.

Sensory branches of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves supply upper aerodigestive tract mucosal areas such as the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. The vagus continues caudally and supplies sensory enervation to the bronchus, esophagus, and heart as well. Irritative lesions at any of these sites may mimic stimulation of arnold and jacobson nerves.

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are very common causes of earaches in children. Less commonly, laryngitis, laryngeal tumors, esophagitis, and even angina pectoris may manifest as otalgia. Eagle syndrome, in which the elongated styloid process irritates branches of cn viv and cn x, is even more rare. This crossing of signals works both ways; thus, stimulation of the ear canal may be felt as a tickle in the throat or may produce the cough reflex.

Sometimes, pain may be from irritation of the nerves themselves without an inciting source. These disorders are termed neuralgias. Neuralgias are typified by lancinating pain in the distribution of the involved nerve. Otologic symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are referred along its auriculotemporal branch. Geniculate neuralgia is rare but can be observed in ramsey hunt syndrome. This neuralgia involves the irritation of facial nerve sensory fibers, which corresponds to the pain sensation felt within the auricle. Sphenopalatine and vidian neuralgias cause similar aural pain via crossing fibers of the greater superficial petrosal nerves and the facial nerves. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, which causes a phantom tonsillar pain, may also cause otalgia by simulating excitation of the jacobson nerve.

A number of otologic conditions can produce ear discomfort without altering the external appearance of the auditory canal and tympanic membrane. Ménière disease is associated with a sensation of aural fullness, in addition to vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss. Tumors of the temporal bone, such as meningiomas, glomus jugulare, and cerebellopontine angle lesions, have been associated with otalgia, possibly by nerve root compression. Bell palsy is often associated (as many as 60% of cases) with otogenic pain thought to emanate from the sensory fibers of the facial nerve.

Eustachian tube dysfunction causing an intermittent inability to equalize middle ear pressures may manifest with such minimal tympanic membrane bulging or retraction that even otomicroscopy does not detect an abnormality. The problem may be as simple as a sensitive ear canal that requires protection from cold winds along with reassurance that nothing is actually wrong.

A few other diagnoses should always be considered when dealing with otalgia. Temporal arteritis, parotid neoplasms, and herpes zoster are all treatable diseases in which early diagnosis may be critical to ensure a favorable outcome.*****************
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once again, this is me-------------i hope you were able to figure out this posting. Bite splints can be so strange so i'm not surprised to hear that things changed when you didn't wear it. When is the last time you had it adjusted?


Tmj has so many different symptoms that I wonder if two people ever have the same problems. It also makes me mad because over the 25 years, my symptoms have changed so many times and I go to a doctor and of course, there's nothing wrong and I figure it out to be my tmj with a new symptom. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! I'm going through a change right now but I know it's my tmj and don't need to waste my money on a doctor this time. I think this is why researching is so important.


Anyway, sorry for this very loooooooooooooonnnnngg message. I hope you are feeling well. Don't forget, i'll be interested in what your ent says about those two words. Take care and god bless.....


Carol

Hi my name is jamie.When I was 13 I had a brain tumor.I had to have
some radiation treatments for my tumor.I need to what you can do to make a trigeminal nerve to quit hurting.Mine hurts all the time.I lay on a
hot heating and take tylenol all the time.I also take some codeine.I just want somebody who else who has had this to tell me to tell what to do for
the pain.Thanks

Hi jamie,
i'm sorry to hear about your problems. Question - are they sure it is tn and not tmj? The two go together frequently and get misdiagnosed often. Doctors don't seem to know about tmj.

Tn is supposedly the worst pain there is. I studied it a little bit when my tmj got worse a few years back and my face started burning. I did find that tens helped a little (i have a portable machine at home), but the biggest help for me was a newer medication called lyrica, a nerve pain killer. It's supposedly safer to take than neurontin, a common nerve pain killer. I didn't notice an immediate relief of pain but over time, the pain wasn't as bad. Talk to your parents (if you are still a minor) and doctors and see if these (tens & lyrica) are something you can do.

Tylenol really won't do much of anything i'm sorry to say. And I don't know if ibuprofen would be any better or not. Ibu helps me for my tmj and other pains the best. Hydrocodone also helps me better than codeine. Moist heat is good for your face. Cranial sacral massage might be something to look into.

Talk to your doctors jamie. You shouldn't have to suffer so much. Double check for tmj. I so hope and pray that you feel better soon. Oh, and do lots of research over the internet. I find knowledge to be extremely beneficial just in knowing what to try sometimes.

Take care and god bless...
Carol
(catswolds, formerly catswold)

I was reading posts...I saw that you wanted answers to fix your tinnitus? ANd braintumorman wanted help with the trigeminal nerve?

I know B12 vitamin shots are suppose to help with that (tinnitus and nerve issues), it has been proven that they are effective in reducing tinnitus, and suppose to help with nerve regeneration! So ask your doctor to give you them, they work miracles for ear issues.

I dont have tinnitus,but I do have TMJ and mild diminished subjective hearing loss, I dont know how its going to progress...it worries me but Im not sure what can be done to fix it, it seems to come whenever I have colds/sore throats. I dont have any tmj pain, just these ear symptoms on the left joint.

Anyways hope this helps, and if you know anything abt subj. hearing loss please post thanks.