Jaw and Ear Pain after being punched in TMJ SUPPORT Forum

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Jaw and Ear Pain after being punched

Author	Comment
hjames11	Jaw and Ear Pain after being punched	Lead	[-]
Member Posts: 1 (06/03/08 14:12:04) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Remove this ad I'm new to this site and to TMJD. I've had problems for about two months now. It started after I was punched in the jaw when I wasn't looking. I took xrays and they came back negative. Initially, the clicking was on my left side with a lot of pain in my cheek muscle, but then the right side started clicking too and now I have pain mostly on my right side with ear pain. The clicking is less often now, but it still hurts a lot when I talk or try to chew. I've done some research and have been icing the painful areas as well as hot showers which make it feel better. My diet has also changed with mostly just soft foods and liquids now. I've lost about 20 pounds since the incident. I'm wondering if this is still acute pain or if I'm going ot have chronic pain from this. I've been taking Tylenol and Advil for the pain, but it doesn't seem to be doing much these days. I'm also taking glucosemine and condroiten to help rebuild the cartilage and a daily multivitamin. Has anyone else had success with this? Just looking for any advice on what I should be doing to help the healing and how long it will take. My dad said that he had a similar injury and it took several years before the clicking went away. I would love to eat a steak or burger, but I don't want to risk aggrevating the injury. When will I be able to eat normal food again? When will the pain go away when I talk? What exercises/pt help this type of injury and when should I begin doing them? Are their any books on this subject to read and learn more? I appreciate any help or advice you can give.
Michelle Denise	More Questions	#1	[-]
Posts: 6585 (06/03/08 14:55:08) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi HJames, It sounds to me that you are doing all the right things at this time. A soft diet will speed your recovery and putting ice initially on the injury and taking an antiiflammatory is definitely the right measures. Now it just depends on what feels best to you ice or warm moist heat. You mention the hot showes feel good, so if you don't already have one I would suggest you get what is called a bed buddy at Walgreen's or any drug store. It is a pack that looks like ace bandage. and you put it in the microwave for a few minutes and it stays warm with moist heat for quite awhile. I am just curious if you went to the hospital and got checked out when this happened? Also, I am wondering what state you might live in? We have members that live in a lot of different states; it is possible a member here might be able to refer you to someone that we know is good for an evaluation. I would say you are still in the acute pain phase, and you have not crossed into chronic pain yet. I hope you don't. Can you afford to be losing 20 pounds? I sure can, but if you can not then you will need to get on some high protein liquid supplements, so you don't lose too much weight- especially muscle. That is a lot of weight in two months. You may have to see a dietician to get enough calories. Maybe you could eat soft scrambled eggs or cheese egg omlets, which would be high in protein and very soft? I don't know if you like eggs or if you are a vegetarian but eggs are high in protein and are soft. I am sure others will be by soon with some good ideas.
feelines		#2	[-]
Posts: 1878 (06/03/08 15:59:28) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	We can't diagnose here, but it does sound like it is acute. Physical therapy, massage therapy, osteopaths, chiropractors, craniosacral therapists, etc. might be helpful. A splint might help initially but could lead to irreversible changes in your bite. Take conservative measures first....
ginnic		#3	[-]
Posts: 460 (06/03/08 19:00:47) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	OUCH! Sorry you are having to go through this! Though I have long term TMD problems, I have also had the "shorter" acute phases after being either 1) whacked by one of my larger fast moving dogs in the face 2) hit by a hard kicked soccer ball in the face/jaw. My guess, as others have said, is that you are still going through acute pain phase - and acute can still take several months to heal - just think of when someone you know has broken a bone etc. Did you have any fractures from this? Hopefully not! I would agree, whatever measures can get you through this. I think the heat or cold (whatever feels best), the NSAIDs, etc. And a soft diet. Agree with Michelle Denise, if you cannot afford the weight loss, try some high protein supplements. For me, the only thing good about TMD IS the weight loss...... Best of luck and hope you heal rapidly. Ginni in WI

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