Hi DeMarie,
First off - relax. I know that's easier to say/write than do, but it is essential. It is good that you are seeing a TMJ specialist. Before your appointment, educate yourself by researching the Internet, visiting support sites and reading as many postings as possible (archives particularly). Write out questions to ask this specialist. Be discerning in all your research and even at the appointment. Do not rush into a "cure;" there usually is no such thing. You don't want to do anything to your body that may actually do more harm. As hard as it is to do, conservative really is the best way to start.

Even after having TMJ for 27 years, I do believe that TMJ can be "fixed" or managed. I think they are finally seeing the basic root cause for most TMJ problems. BUT, and this is a big but, everybody is different, so, as the saying goes - what works for one may not work for another.

For now (other than the research), there are self-help methods that are very effective. Please check the postings to Jodester for a list of good steps to take for symptom relief. Relieving your stress and watching your posture should be at the top of your list. Relax your body and hold your head, neck and shoulders properly (sit tall, back, chin & shoulders down). Check out nismat.org's TMJ physical therapy page for good basic instructions & pictures.

During and after you check these resources and read the postings to Jodester, ask any and all questions that you might have. Hold your mouth - lips together (or slightly apart relaxed), teeth never touching (even when swallowing), and tongue on roof of mouth. Relaxed.

You can do this. Be gentle to your mouth and try not to "pop" it. Take care.

God bless...
Carol

I was also reffered to a physio, she gave me exercises to do for my neck, and massage for my face, exercises for my jaw.
1 is putting my tongue on the roof of my mouth and gently bringing my jaw down.
after her session i felt a bit better, so hopefully it will help.

she also told me to relax, she said I will make things worse if I dont.
very hard not to though.... i'm just one of those people who thinks alot and I get myself all rolled up.

Thank you for replying to me and passing on advice!

how did you "get" tmd?

I have no idea!
I dont even know if I have it, my jaw pops and makes horrible noises on a daily basis.
thats why I am so fed up with drs atm, because I dont know whats causing my problems atm, for all i know it might be my jaw, but it might not be....

I do recall once maybe a year or 2 ago after seeing my denstist my jaw felt weird, as if it was out of place. perhaps that has something to do with it.

sometimes that is how it is. we just start having symptoms and you cant pin point it. its not like you could say "oh i got hit with a baseball bat and that was probably it."

In my case I was born with it and betting hit by a car brought it out. you see what i mean or did i make it as clear as mud?

The Dentist suggested I may have tmj. I also have these feelings. The roof of my mouth hurts , I get headaches if I keep my mouth closed with teeth touching.Ears itch and hurt. Jaw hurts. I have found that if I keep my mouth opened and jaw relaxed the headache and earpain go away.

Oh and I also have the nose pressure feelings like someone punched me in the nose,and goes up into forehead and temples.

i get that too. try to keep your jaw dropped and your tongue in the roof of your mouth. and relax. things will get better. pm or email me if you have any questions or need anything.

Its really bad when you dont know whats causing it...
Just like 4 months ago when i was having bad pains in the side of my head and temple area... the only way i'd feel relief was by sleeping with my arm over it. sounds weird, but the pressure helped.
dizzyiness, nausia all the time after eating... thought I was going binkers, then I finaly find out it was my jaw.

Well I went back to the Dr, this time I said that I feel as if I am going mad and that I have seen other drs about this.
I explained my situation and FINALY a dr who said we'll take an xray of my sinus.
so I am off to do that today...
I feel as though something is infected, my throat gets REALLY sore, but it comes and goes, but I can feel blockage in my ear and nose area and argh I just feel Horrible.

Does anyone know if TMJ and Sinus tend to come together?

DeMarie - yes, TMJ and sinus symptoms go hand-in-hand, I'm sorry to say. I will be surprised if the x-rays show anything really going on with your sinuses. One of the major symptoms of TMJ is perceived problems of the sinuses (all of them or just one).

I believe it has something to do with how closely everything is compacted into our heads and when the balance is off at the TMJoints, the muscles, nerves, arteries, etc., "act" up. If a muscle is in spasms because of the joints, it is going to affect the sinus cavity sitting right beside the joint. Sadly that is just the way the body works together.

Usually the first step to correcting the problem is to try and relax the muscles, nerves, etc., around the TMJoints (the source of the problem usually). That's where self-help methods, bite splints, etc., are all so important. Trying to rest the jaw muscles as much as possible for a few weeks is also good - less talking, soft diet, etc.

Let us know what the x-rays show. It would almost be great if an infection does show up. Then an antibiotic might fix the problem. Please take care.

God bless...
Carol

Thank you for that information! I really apreciate it!

I'll continue to do the Physio work I was given, and I will keep you posted on my results, I should be getting them on Monday.
I hate scans, they always scare me

Do your ears also itch when you sneeze? Mine do horribly. I hope everything goes well for you in the scan. I have the same symptoms but I also have two small swollen lymph nodes in my neck. Do any of you have swollen lymph nodes from tmj.

yes i had swollen lymph nodes with tmd--however that is usually a sign that your body is fighting off something---2 days after noticing the swollen lymph node i came down with a bad cold. ug

Yes My ears itch or feel clogged. but it comes and goes. Just like the really sore throat I have been getting.
I find when I wake up in the mornings now, my throat is terribly sore and I need to blow my nose, and yuck.. its a horrible green colour TMI I know.
but I generaly thought green mucas is a sign of infection?
but then throughout the day Nothing.. then late at night I start getting the funny throat again, and my eyes feel like thier going to pop out.
I go to a dr and complain about my throat, they look at it and say its fine... thats very annoying!
I dont have any swollon lymph nodes.

about 3-4 weeks ago when it first started it was just pains in the sinus and pressure.

I have had tmj for a while but lately my eyes have been burning and my scalp has been tingling besides eyes and nose pain. Can I consider these as TMJ symptoms or should I be concerned. My jaw does not hurt that much but I know I have been grinding again at night....