I had TMJ- it was horrible- horrible- so glad it's gone- !!! **************************************
1: J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2007 Oct 15
Temporomandibular joint involvement caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi.
Le�ničar G, Zerdoner D. Department of Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions (Head: Prof. Gorazd Le�ničar,M.D., Ph.D.).
BACKGROUND: Lyme borreliosis is an endemic disease in Slovenia with an incidence of around 150 patients per 100,000 inhabitants.
Although the large joints are most typically affected in Lyme borreliosis, there are also periods of disease activity with arthritis or arthralgias involving smaller joints, including the temporo-mandibular joint.
PATIENTS: During the years between 2000 and 2003, two patients with Lyme borreliosis affecting the temporo-mandibular joints were treated.
The patients presented with fatigue and pain in diverse muscle groups accompanied by arthralgia, which was most pronounced in the temporomandibular joint area.
None of the patients were febrile or had joint effusions.
METHODS: Both patients were examined by means of biochemical and serological examinations for Borrelia burgdorferi using ELISA assay and Western blot test (both for IgM and IgG), plain radiographs, MR and CT scans, and scinti-scan of the temporo-mandibular joints.
They both had positive serum markers for an acute B. burgdorferi infection and were treated with intravenous ceftriaxone.
RESULTS: None of the patients had clinical or laboratory signs of chronic Lyme disease activity two and four years following therapy, respectively.
Roentgenographic and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the temporo-mandibular joints had not shown any persistent sign of acute inflammation.
CONCLUSION: There are only few reports of patients with manifest temporo-mandibular joint involvement of Lyme borreliosis in the literature.
This report emphasizes the importance of differential diagnosis of acute temporo-mandibular joint arthralgia, of early diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, and of the necessity for prompt antibiotic treatment.
PMID: 17942315
Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
I second that...I had TMJ too, and it was sooo horrible!
Posted by valymemom (Member # 7076) on :
Thanks, I will take this into my two sons' TMJ specialist. Both sons had an MRI of the jawbone done and my 21 year old showed "arthritis unusual for a 21 year old"
We have gone thru the expense for both and they have splints they wear 24 hours daily.
Next they need their wisdom teeth out.
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
still got it!!!!!!!!
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
Yep. I had this too and it was extremely painful. I would wake up in the mornings with my lower jaw so out of line I had to go to the chiro to put it back. I finally learned how to move it back myself but it was still too painful to eat.
It was one of the first symptoms to go with homeopathic care under an MD who was also a certified homeopath.
I have no residual problems whatsoever and have been free of TMJ since 11/05.
Luvs
Posted by Hides1 (Member # 6348) on :
I had TMJ as one of my early symptoms before I knew I had Lyme. I had extreme pain in the jaw. I went for therapy and saw TMJ specialists. I never had felt anything like it. My TMJ specialist finally gave me steroid injections- probably the worst thing anyone could have done. Head symptoms erupted and life became rough. Finally found out I had the Lyme. I started antibitoic treatment and the TMJ was one of the first symptoms to die down. I still have pain there once and a while and wear a night guard at night. However I don't have the severe pain I once had when I wasn't diagnosed with the Lyme. I personally think any kind of TMJ should be a RED FLAG for Lyme these days and most physicians should realize this but dont!
Posted by pineapple (Member # 11904) on :
. save
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I have this as well.
I don't really have pain, but I have the jaw popping and clicking. I have big pops usually upon waking and throughout the day I notice clicking whenever I move my jaw.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I had this too, 3 years after being bitten. Lying in bed, and suddenly couldn't open my mouth. An oral surgeon made me a splint and that took care of the problem. I thought my head was off center from my neck. Gosh, everything I thought about my symptoms was wrong for 25 years.
Speaking of which, I should call his office about this. I have been calling all 300 practitioners I saw in the last 25 years about the Lyme diagnosis that came in last year, in order to discuss the relevance of Lyme/co info to their field.
I highly recommend that any of you who feel like educating the doctors you saw to go ahead and do so. It may help the next patient who walks in.
Posted by wrotek (Member # 5354) on :