posted
Hi folks, I am experiencing some awful pain in my jaws and teeth. I started a few weeks ago and is not pretty bad to the poing where the tears are starting to roll. I do grind my teeth but have a nightguard for that.
Heck, just tring to keep my mouth open so that I dont grind my teeth hurts. That in itself causes pain, but I am thinking it is because the Lyme buggers is affecting all my muscles in the facial area.
I read in Burrascano's paper that this is a symptom of Lyme disease.
I have an appointment for a TMJ specialist next week but had to find out if any of you have had the same problems and what to do for the pain.
So far, muscle relaxers nor pain pills are really helping out that much. I thought about maybe going to get a massage for my face.
It also kinda comes and goes, but when it comes it comes with a vengence. Sharp pains and dull.
If you went to a TMJ specialist, what did they do. I know I dont want steroids injected anywhere.
Any information, thoughts or ideas would be great.
Phillipians 4:8-9. Lemonhead
Posts: 156 | From Corpus Christi, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Thanks for posting this. I too need to see a TMJ specialist and am in the process of trying to find one in my area who takes my insurance.
I have TMJ issues. Pain, dull aches, stiffness, cracking and popping, etc.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
No pain but chattering. I guess you could call it light grinding and my jaw clenches at times but when I put my teeth close together - they chatter.
Does anyone else have teeth that chatter all the time? Mine are part of a very fine full body tremor it seems.
Posts: 30 | From DC | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
I've been to two TMJ specialists. Dentists with extra training. They will do impressions and xrays. They build an orthotic device to wear, usually at night. They will probably prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants. None that I've been to recognize Lyme as a possible cause. The treatment might help a little but if it doesn't they will shake their head and say we've done all we could we just don't know what is causing your problem. Oh and fork over your life savings too.
Posts: 199 | From utah | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
Yeah, bwillis, you've got it in a nutshell.
I have never had TMJ issues, but I've been in the dental hygiene profession for 17 years.
That's about what you can expect.
You may get significant improvement in your symptoms from wearing an appliance to realign the jaw.
The massage may prove to be very beneficial. Just make sure you go to a licensed massage therapist.
Posts: 797 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Yep. Costs a fortune to get all realigned again.
Prolothearapy injections helped me greatly as well as getting cranial/sacral therapy done by a Osteopath Dr. (The injections BTW were NOT steroids)
TENS unit helped too.
I'm still wearing my splint till it breaks cuz we have no more money to finish the job and get crowns.
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thank you folks, I think I will get ahold of my LLMD before I go see the TMJ dentist. Someone said that it could be the tri-geminal nerve on the side of the face. I believe that is the one that can cause Bell's pausey. Now the pain is on both sides but mostly on the left and now is going down my neck and my tongue is not being affected a bit with soreness and numbness. Maybe that is it.
Thank you for all your suggestions and information. Lemonhead
Posts: 156 | From Corpus Christi, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
several treatments i used as a dentist with non lyme related tmj tmj is from STRESS PERIOD.also from misalignment of teeth from the neutral posittion the jaw wants to be in. a tooth positioner must be made so that the lower jaw is brought forward and edge to edge with the upper teeth. also a 2-4 mm opening in the front is necessary. no other niteguard will work. this also clears snoring also. stress relief is prime objective. biofeedback, benzodiazepams, discontinue heavy chewing soft foods only, no gum. tens, massage therapy and anesthesia injections warm compresses,will all help to some extent. Tmj is the only joint in the body that is bilateral, meaning 2 joints connected as one. if one side of the jaw muscles is stretched then the other side is compressed, so they must be in equilibrium. lyme tmj is basically the same thing except that the trigger is still stress but brought on by lyme. this is from an inflamation of the 5th and 7th cranial nerves that goes through the ear canal. many people also get tinnitus(ringing) and some get bell's palsy(5th cranial nerve) if it becomes extremely painful, neurotin, tegretol or trileptal can be used sometimes to control the neuralgia and also other neuralgias in the body. i would recommend a neurologist ll if possible to treat the neuralgia, but would use other avenues prior to seeing a neurologist. any other questions pm me there is a lot of infomation i have previously posted about this subject in betty's list at the top of medical. docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
TMJ was my first symptom after the flu like illness. I started going to doctors and dentist. For years I sought help.
Nothing and no one helped...I could hardly open my mouth but I finally just resigned myself into breaking up my food in tiny pieces.
As I got older all the other symptoms raged and after a few doctors, my sister, a nurse thought I had Lyme.
I went to an LLMD and was put on heavy doses of amox. After a three day herx, I was able to open my mouth for the 1st time in 16 years!
I still enjoy opening my mouth. Boy the things we learn to appreciate!
I do have one little exercise that always seemed to help a little. Holding your palm under your chin and pushing into it. I still do this.
I haven't had this as a bad symptom since that first round of abx.
Hope you get some relief soon. I know how frustrating and painful it is.
Posts: 472 | From New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2007
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
My teeth are way out of alignment. I want to get braces again, with an orthodontist who is trained about TMJ. My kid's ortho happens to be one, and he gives family discounts, so that will help a bit.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
lymedva do not remove any teeth for orthodontic treatment this is a major cause of tmj in people 25-50 that had first bicuspids removed to make space. this places all teeth in the wrong position other techniques are now used to make space and keeping teeth in correct orientation in the skull to the tmj.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Well, after doing a bit of my own research as I am a biologist who researches information, and a suggestion from a friend of mine who suggested the trigemminal nerve neuropathy, I called my LLMD.
I did not think TMJ because this is way past what I hear TMJ is all about.
My pain started at an area behind my ear and up a bit, then went into my teeth, my tongue, my throat, the side of my face, and various other places.
So talked to the LLMD, a lovely man who calls on a weekend just to see how you are doing. I praise God for doctors like him.
We figured out that it is most likely trigemminal neuropathy that is my problem, and probably related to the Lyme disease as this sometimes happens with Lyme disease patients. And this is some pain that I havent run into in a long time, maybe 33 years ago having a baby.
So back on Doxycycline and he suggested I get an antiseisure medicaton from my psychiatrist which is also suggested from Medline on the Internet.
I'm glad to go back on Doxycycline, that was when I felt the best. Hooray, I wouldn't mind a Christmas period.
Only thing is I have to wait until Tuesday for the antiseizure unless it becomes absolutely unbearable as prescriptions are not emergency during the weekend or holiday normally.
It comes and goes. I just really dont like the coming part; (absolutely no pun intended).
So sticking to either the Darvocet or Norgesic Forte muscle relaxer until then.
Thank you for the suggestions and the well wishes.
FYI, if this happens to you, make sure you go ahead and get a handle on it as I read that if you go too long, the myelin sheath around the nerve can deteriorate and cause the nerves to quit working altogether.
Lemonhead
Posts: 156 | From Corpus Christi, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Thanks docdave. The teeth were already removed when I had braces as a kid, back in the dark ages!
My wisdom teeth came in after I had finished treatment and retainers. Immediately messed up teeth, before they could be removed.
I have a very small dental arch, and my bottom teeth are quite crowded. Top teeth too, but not as bad as bottom.
Dental floss, even the glide type, gets stuck in them if I'm not super careful.
Unfortunately my teeth have returned somewhat to their previous positions, but not completely, thank goodness!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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