Uggghhhhh! What more can I say?! The most annoying thing. I always had a little popping, occasionally. When LD hit me 3 yrs ago, it got worse. I've been off ABX/treatment 2 years now.
Now since I have added a lot more stress, BAM! When I wake up in the morning, I can't even close my mouth all the way or chew my food until the jaw pops back into place! I wear a guard for my teeth but nothing can actually keep me from clenching in my sleep.
My really nice doc prescribed me muscle relaxers to take at night, but only difference I see is I don't feel as sore. It's still popped out. Driving me nuts. I'm afraid that one morning I'll get up and won't be able to shut it ever again! Paranoia setting in here......yahhhh
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Try coconut oil and do oil pulling. Helps me
Posted by jarjar (Member # 8847) on :
I had TMJ in a mild form before I became ill and xanax calmed it down. Yours probably is on a different level then mine was.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
If you use a night guard when you sleep it will make all the difference. The NTI night guard is small and just sits on the front of your mouth.
Speak to your dentist. They are expensive but insurance should cover most of it. They last a long time.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
My dentist fixed my jaw problems with a new procedure. Cost me about $700 but was worth it.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
Lymetoo, I would love to know about the new procedure. My DD has horrible TMJ pain.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Certainly make sure nothing physical is going on, but if you grit your teeth or clench at night when you sleep, you need a night guard.
Some of us hold our stress in our jaw. See if sometimes during the day you seem to clench your teeth when you are stressed.
Also, if your symptoms are really noticeable when you wake up, that is a good indication you have been clenching your teeth during the night.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'll have to find out what it's called. It smoothes the surfaces of the teeth so that they don't hit each other. That is what was causing my jaw pain.
They can become unbalanced over the years. He has a fancy/schmancy machine for that!
Posted by Tricky Tickey (Member # 26546) on :
Great advice, folks. But I already have a night guard for my teeth. Had one for 2 years now. doesn't make a bit of difference. Neither did the muscle relaxer. Took longer than normal to pop back in this morning.
The thing about a night guard is that it protects your teeth,period. It won't keep you from clenching the jaw, which is what I do continually. Catch myself doing it in the day, I try to relax but this new job is horrible! I had to take it, though, needed to work. I've done some research and realized that it has a LOT to do with muscle activity.'
My regular doc explained that the muscles contract to cause the issue, which in turn can go so much that it could damage the cartilage. Anyway, it stinks! I try so hard to relax, but I'm high strung as anything.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I have a deep bite so the night guard fixes the night time problem for me. I would end up with horrible morning migraines along with jaw and tooth pain.
Had a lot of teeth crack. The night guard stopped me from paying for all that dental work.
I sure hope you figure it out. No fun at all.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Parasites.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Bruxism and magnesium, my clinical experiences since 1980 By C. Ploceniak
This French dentist realized that magnesium deficiency caused bruxism, or grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw and the resulting temperal mandibular joint problems.
You can google for tmj magnesium to find other articles.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I had a splint made initially.
Now my chiropractor uses an arthrostim machine to put the jaw joint back in place. It looks like a hand-held gun (it's not one - just looks like it) that moves at 12x/sec and can be set at the lightest setting for jaw adjustment.
It's called the Koren Specific Technique, so if you're interested, you can google for them and contact them and ask who near you has done the training.
Posted by Tricky Tickey (Member # 26546) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carol in PA: Bruxism and magnesium, my clinical experiences since 1980 By C. Ploceniak
This French dentist realized that magnesium deficiency caused bruxism, or grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw and the resulting temperal mandibular joint problems.
You can google for tmj magnesium to find other articles.
I'll check into this....very interesting. Good input.
Posted by Tricky Tickey (Member # 26546) on :
I have an appointment with a chiropractor on Wednesday. My jaw joint wouldn't go back in place for 5 hours this morning after I went to work. It finally popped back when I ate lunch. I cant' take anymore....so I'll pay for the visits (no insurance0 I don't care, this is ridiculous!!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
OUCH! Let us know if he is able to help you!
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
I just had my chiro adjust my jaw today and it feels much better. I had burning in my face and painful TMJ symptoms.
So much so that I was taking Lyrica for it.
Hopefully you will have the same good response.
Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on :
Lymetoo, what is the name of the machine your Dentist used?
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
I haven't read everyone's replies, so sorry if these are duplicate suggestions...
I would try oil pulling. If you are not familiar with this great therapy, go to oilpulling.com.
I have a weird jaw/gland/neck/ear issue that I cannot seem to solve. One of the few things that helps a bit is oil pulling.
I would also consider seeing a chiropractor and acupuncturist.
You may also want to try bee venom ointment. (Just make sure first you are not allergic).
Wishing you well.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I remember waking up in the middle of the night screaming it hurt so bad. Back then the only thing docs did was muscle relaxers and heat.
The heat is what helped temporarily. I would put a hot washcloth (as hot as I could tolerate without burning) on the area that hurt. It would at least bring the pain down to bearable.
Something to try while you are waiting for your appointment.
Sorry...not fun at all.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
I have had TMJ twice. The first time for real when I was 18 and the minute they gave me the night guard I got immediate relief. I did ortho treatment and had been symptom free until 25 years later.
This second time the night guard had little if no effect. What really has helped me is lyrical/lamictal.
Posted by annxyzz (Member # 20404) on :
I have read reviews of serra peptase enzyme ( which also releases biofilm ) at iherb and amazon that indicate it was very helpful for inflammation of TMJ and pain. I have also read that glucosamine chondroitin could be beneficial .
Posted by Larae30 (Member # 35220) on :
I have had TMJ since I was a teenager (I was perfectly healthy at that time except for TMJ). I went to a couple specialists and they both said the same thing...the way they did orthodontics back when I had them, they now know it is wrong, so all of my teeth are kind of tilted and I have no bite. It is so frustrating.
I've been wearing a nightguard for years and all it does is protect my teeth if I grind, it does nothing to help with alignment/pain.
Not sure how I can ever afford orthotics/orthodontic work etc... I'm just so used to always being in pn.