Hi bpete,
It sounds like you might be grinding and/or clenching your teeth while sleeping which is why you wake up tight and with some tenderness. You might want to added Magnesium to your daily diet (chelated mag is the best from what I read).

Also, are you on an SSRI anti-depressant of any kind? Check it out and see if you are. These can cause bruxism. If you think this might be the problem, consider adding a very small dose of Buspar (7.5 mg) to your medication. Buspar is not usually recommended with an SSRI, but a very small dose has been found to work well to stop grinding issues. Or, you might want to consider changing the Anti-D from another class.

My last suggestion would be to consider wearing a night-time bite splint. Your dentist should be able to make you one, but sometimes it can be difficult to find a really good bite splint.

I hope and pray that you find something that will help you. Take care and...

God bless...
Carol

Thanks Carol for your reply and great suggestions. I'm not on any meds, and I'm already taking a good magnesium supplement before bed, in addition to what's in my multiple. I guess the next step is to try the mouth guard or bite splint for a while and see if it helps. Do those things need to be done custom by a dentist, or will the premade things work? What is recommended?

Also, have you ever heard of TMJ causing earlobe pain? I have no other ear symptoms (no ringing, popping, hearing loss, pain, etc.), just the weird ache in my earlobe, usually the top of my earlobe. Massaging the trigger points/muscles in the face, jaw and around the ear does not seem to help.

Thanks again!

Yes, they should be custom made. A good splint maker and adjuster is soooooo important. They are usually dentists and some orthodontists.

How is your posture? Especially in front of the computer? If you can relax your shoulders and hold your head and chin properly, some of the pain might lessen. Check out nismat.org Physical Therapy TMJ page for some pictures, exercises and basic info.

I have no heard of anyone with earlobe pain (except when I sleep too hard on my side), but it doesn't surprise me. I have had a lot of problems with my ears in the past, tho.

God bless...
Carol

Thanks Carol for your kind advice. I'll go check out that link.