This S***s!! in TMJ SUPPORT Forum

0 Points

This S***s!!

Author	Comment
suse	This S***s!!	Lead	[-]
Member Posts: 3 (05/21/08 03:27:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Remove this ad I'm up early with jaw pain, teeth sensitivity and an earache - lucky me. I've had TMJ since my stroke caused facial paralysis over 12 years ago. When I started out I couldn't open my mouth far at all, but I didn't have any pain. Now my mouth opens, and for the last couple of months the pain in my jaw has been terrible. I found out last year that I grind my teeth, and have worn the back few smooth. I have a generic nightguard which I think helps my back teeth, but isn't doing much for the pain. I'm off to see a dentist next month; I'll be evaluated yet agan, and sent to a specialist if necessary. Aside from ibuprofen for pain, any ideas?? Thanks, suse
Michelle Denise	Welcome Suse	#1	[-]
Posts: 6585 (05/21/08 09:53:57) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dear Suse; Welcome Suse to the board I can tell you some general relief measures that might make you more comfortable until you get in for your evaluation. One of the measures I use is a warm, moist pack that I put in the microwave called a bed buddy. A bed buddy is a device that contains sand or a fiber substance that holds heat when you warm it up in the microwave. The fiber substance is wrapped up in material that looks something like light tan gauze or an off white ace band-aide. I bought one at Walgreen that is long that I can lie over my shoulders and neck, which I also have problems with a lot. It appears from my experience on the board many people that have TMJD problems also have neck and/or upper, lower back problems. If you sew I know many people have made there own bed buddies or bags with rice, buckwheat or beans in them that they warm up in the microwave for a few minutes. I was in a hurry so I went out and bought mine at Walgreen's, but I think most pharmacy stores or departments sell them such as Walmart Pharmacy, Target Pharmacy. It might be a good idea to call first with the price of gas before you go driving all over town. Also, if you can or already are on a soft diet that can help to alleviate pain. Eating a soft diet would include such foods such as eating jello, oatmal, cream of wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, pudding, egg custard, yougurt and etc. I do not know what your health conditions you have or diet restrictions such as if you are diabetic like me or are on a low cholesterol or allergic to gluten. If so, you would have to be careful with a soft diet and make sure you had sugar free, high protein, supplements that you would add to you food if for example you were diabetic, check with your doctor about your medication and watch your blood sugar closely. We are not medical staff or registered dieticians here only volunteers with TMJ that have suffered greatly and offer advice on treatment that has worked in our case. I am a past surgical patient that had dislocated disc and was having an inability to eat on one side, so I underwent surgical arthroplasty with repositioning of the articular disc with very, very poor results. It altered my bite greatly, and I underwent braces that still did not correct my bite. I ended up spending money for bite reconstruction work to get my teeth to fit together post surgery and braces. Many times if you do not mind posting what State you live in if you are from the United States it is possible we may have a member that might live in your area that has good luck with a TMJ specialist that fits individuals with a nightguard splint. Also it seems that on-going treatment such as yoga, physical therapy, accupuncture, massage therapy makes a difference. I recently found a physical therapist that has been teaching me stretches and home relief methods to alleviate headaches, which has been an on-going part of my TMJD. It seems to be helping. I am hoping to find a working scanner soon and scan the diagrams and post these stretches online. My therapist and I are also doing posture retraining. That seems to be helping me a lot. I live in Missouri, which is a state that does not cover TMJ treatment.Some states cover TMJ treatment and others do not. I live in Missouri, which is a state that does not cover TMJ treatment. I have spent a great deal of money out of my husband's pocket. If you wouldn't mind posting more about your TMJD history especially about anything you have tried, surgergies, braces, splints, past treatment that have failed for TMJD, your approximate age, such as teenager, or young adult , middle age or anything that you feel would be pertinent such as car accidents or injuries that might give us an idea of an area to guide you. In my case I was 40 when I had surgery, so that really decreased my chances of recovery. If I was younger and had not had surgery I would of been in much better shape is why I ask that question. Once you have surgery you cannot undo an unsuccessful surgery. I am not trying to sound discouraging, but being honest. I did not have the right information and was given false hopes and statistics by my surgeon and after reading many things I can tell you *I was not really given full informed consent.* Is that illegal I don't think so, but very much unethical. You have to be very careful when it comes to TMJ treatment, because there is very little ethics I am sorry to tell you. I learned very quickly that is why they call it THE MONEY JOINT. I hope I have not scared you. We are here very much to help you. I wish so much I had found this place before I had started my TMJ journey. We have a wonderful group Elaine, Cymy, Meg, Lu, Feelines, Ginnic, Tiffany Ann, Carol and many others. I hope you will get some responses soon. Sincerely, Michelle
MaggieMay78		#2	[-]
Posts: 964 (05/21/08 10:49:16) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Suse, welcome to TMJ Talk. Michelle gave you some good advice that should point you in the right direction! I also just wanted to add some of what I have learned. With TMJ, it is very important to watch your posture...it sounds like a little thing, but it's crucial, especially when you're on the computer. Ideally, you will be sitting with your feet flat on the floor (no matter where you're sitting), and do not lean your head forward (ever!) Head-forward posture can really create a strain on the jaw, neck, and upper back. Also, if you could see a physical therapist, they will teach you stretches for your jaw, neck, etc. that can be very helpful. When getting a nightguard (which is also called a "splint" if it's worn 24 hours a day), it's important to find a dentist that is knowledgeable about making them. They need to be correctly balanced, so that your teeth all hit it evenly at the same time. Otherwise, it can do more harm than good. I looked at your profile and saw that you live in Vermont. If you look at the web site of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, you will find some doctors in Vermont. Here is the link to their web site. Just go to the "Members" link on the left side of the page, then put in your state. http://www.aaop.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={E8D82A80-E1C0-47C1-8642-496877A3D4D5} Also, please realize that surgery is always a LAST resort for TMJ problems. It is very important to stick to conservative, reversible therapies...as Michelle pointed out, the TMJ treatment field isn't well-regulated at all. Many dentists claim they're "specialists", even though they have nothing but a few weekend courses in TMJ treatment. That's why it's best to find someone from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, if you can...if not, I'm sure there are still good dentists that are not members of that group...but make sure you really research their credentials. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! ~Meg Last Edited By: MaggieMay78 05/21/08 10:51:58. Edited 1 times.
lu jones		#3	[-]
Posts: 3162 (05/21/08 11:30:40) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Suse, Sorry you had to find us. We are all suffering and help each other. It helps to know you are not alone. Finding a good Dr is the best advice. I have been grinding my teeth for some time. I even broke a tooth and thought that was why my jaw was hurting so much. I find soaking in a hot tub helps relax those sore tight muscles. Stress does make it worse. The other girls have given you some good advice. Heat helps me as well. Keep in touch. We are all here for you. Lu
feelines		#4	[-]
Posts: 1878 (05/21/08 12:13:19) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Welcome Suse! There is so much to take into consideration when being treated with this condition that it can become overwhelming and lead to just more stress, so we really have to watch out for the central nervous system. Take conservative steps first. Splints can result in irreversible changes to the bite, so be very careful with splints. Some people have had lasting positive results with cranio-sacral therapists, especially therapists who are Uppledger-trained. Some people have had lasting results after Rolf(sp?) therapy. I get relief for ear pain by dropping 1-2 drops of calenda (marigold) tincture in each ear and holding it there for about 60 seconds. A few years ago, I got some mileage out of physical therapy from a PT who was Rocabado and McKenzie-trained who also did gentle manipulation. He was fantastic but told me that the work on my neck could alter my bite and that my splint would have to be adjusted as well if that happened. His reasoning: Evidence-based studies show that C1 and C2 of the neck refer to the face. We are each unique individuals and there is much evidence out here that has not been studied. There is even evidence out there that grinding teeth can be a symptom of intestinal parasites. Living in Vermont, you're not too far from people who can help you. I'm not sure where Franklin is or how remote it is, but I know there is a good Amtrak connection to NYC and that there are people upstate New York and all around in the northeast and even Canada there. Buyer beware though of anyone you seek treatment with for this, even with the specialists on the list that Maggie referred you to! I personally favor biological dentists who work closely with medical people in an integrated approach since this is a major medical condition that can present with many variables. Best of luck....
andi	This S***s!	#5	[-]
Member Posts: 30 (05/21/08 13:29:05) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi, I used to live in Vermont. There is a very good TMJ doctor in South Burlington who works closely with a Physical Therapist who specializes in TMJ. I had a lot of success with them & my jaw is virtually pain free!
ginnic		#6	[-]
Posts: 460 (05/21/08 18:29:02) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hello, Many good suggestions already made here......I will add one more - while for many people heat helps more/the most, I personally found that if my actual jaw is aching - as opposed to my neck or shoulder muscles - that ice makes it feel so much better - I use those gel packs for "hot/cold" therapy - you can buy them any drugstore or even sports store in the section where things like ACE wraps, ankle or wrist or knee braces etc are stocked - I keep several in the freezer - put them in an extra pillowcase and lay the affected side of my jaw on them. I get great relief that way............good luck. Vermont is a LOVELY state and I wish I could be there whenever fall rolls around.......... Ginni in WI
Elaine2004		#7	[-]
Posts: 2777 (05/22/08 14:27:35) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Suse, Ice seems to work the best for me also. If I get a terrible headache or the ear pain, ice does wonders. Heat with that kind of pain makes me sick to my stomach so I use ice packs. For the shoulder/neck pain, rice packs like Michelle is describing, works great. I have recently went back to trying a splint made by my "latest" dentist. So far I have had good luck and not waking up with headaches. I have had such rotten luck with my other splints that I quit using them altogether. Lots of good suggestions and ideas in the previous posts. Want to welcome you to our board and hope you find some useful information. Elaine

American Dental Assoc. Wikipedia - TMJD eMedicine Health - TMJ MedlinePlus - TMJ
American Pain Association

We are a peer support group. We hope you find this Group helpful in learning about this disorder and sharing your experiences.

Disclaimer: We cannot replace a Professional Diagnosis by a Doctor or Dentist, nor can we suggest appropriate treatment. We strongly encourage everyone to see a Professional for diagnosis and treatment regarding Temporomandibular Joint Problems.