Topic: Question on jaw (TMJ) stiffness, ear fullness, tinnitus...
bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
So..one of my remaining symptoms is a sometimes stiff jaw joint, sometimes stuffy ears, and constant, usually mild, tinnitus. (I have occasional quick "spikes" that last 1-5 seconds and also sometimes get a small increase in volume.)
I'm trying to figure out of these are due to lyme & co, or is it really just a TMJ issue?
Before my lyme diagnosis, I was going from Dr. to Dr. trying to get a diagnosis. I had a lot of anxiety and my ears felt stuffy, particularly the right ear. I found some anxiety forums which listed these as a symptom..so I went to a Chiropractor and had some 'adjustments.'
He adjusted my back, neck, and jaw. I had injured my jaw back in the mid 1990's in a sporting injury. I never had problems with it but could tell it was slightly "off."
So..the chiropractor used his activator to push on the back of the right side of my jaw and on the front of the left side. OUCH!! I had it done twice in 4 days. My jaw was incredibly sore after that for weeks.
It didn't help. Still searching, I went to a TMJ clinic in Boston to get some MORA splints. I wear them religiously now.
Fast forward 8 months to today...my jaw doesn't hurt, but it can sometimes feel a bit "stiff" and my ears still sometimes feel full and constantly ring.
I know these are TMJ symptoms. My question is...do I have a legitimate TMJ issue causing this? Or is it lyme & co?
I noticed when I was treating Bart for 5 weeks my jaw felt great and I had almost no ear stuffiness.
For those of you who had jaw / ear issues, and are now cured, what treatment cleared it up for you? Was it lyme, Babs, or Bart?
Thanks.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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posted
I had this when I had babesia with lyme. The only thing that worked for me was accupuncture. It took a good month or two - but it really worked.
Good luck!
Posts: 65 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
Babesia treatment seems to be clearing up my ear pressure/pain/clogged feeling. I have had this for 2 years. It was one of my first symptoms. I, too, went to TMJ specialists, ENTs, dentists. I got a splint...nothing helped.
My ear did really well after 2 weeks of IV zith, but I had to stop due to "screaming" in my ears from the medicine. I am bummed because I think zithromax was really helping, but I don't want to risk damaging my ears even further. I am also on mepron, IV clindamycin, artemisinin, septra, and flagyl.
I know, this is a really annoying symptom!! i have been so grateful for the improvement in my ear, but I am constantly worried it will come back or won't heal fully.
Also, I've noticed it gets better when I'm on diflucan.
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
With lyme and co., it loves joints and you need to remember that this really is a joint.
I have jaw issues, I'm in dentistry, and I have lyme and co. It comes and goes with pain.
I have to watch what foods I eat, no sticky chewy... but sometimes, I will get a lyme pain in the joint for a few weeks.. then ok for months after.
TMD will make it feel like you have ear infection and pain down your neck. Lyme induced TMD will give you the same feeling.
I don't think there is a way to figure out which is giving you the pain with lyme. I feel that the little buggers love a 'weak' area... so yes, you probably do have a TMJ issue... and yes... lyme makes it hurt too.
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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