Friday, July 04, 2008 Wendy asks

Q: I need some replies to help me understand.

My jaws/teeth hurt due to grinding and always trying to pop my jaws. Being forgettable is the worst feeling I could ever experience, not to mention how I take it out on my family. My doctor put me on 30mg prevacid, and all I can do now is run to the restroom. I tend to lose my balance, and have hot/cold flashes. I'm 38, and feel like a big failure

Still in bad shape I really need some help! I can't live like this! I don't and will not live like this. My family is most important to me. Im the Mom. PLEASE SOMEONE, HELP ME KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

Answers (4)

Notify me when there are new answers

Dr. Diana L Walcutt

7/ 5/08 9:34pm

Hi Wendy: I agree with Angelhair, it could be generalized anxiety. If that is all that is going on, I would agree that you might want to talk with your physician about an antidepressant (or a mood stabilizer of some kind) as well. Anxiety can be caused by rumination, that is, worried thinking that can be managed by antidepressants.

Two other things come to mind, however; when was the last time you had a complete physical? It might be worth going in for one, to rule out something that might be causing it.

The second thing, is that once the physical component is taken care of, you should honestly consider seeing a professional who specializes in anxiety/depression issues. Someone with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy expertise can help you change your life. Even if you get a prescription for medication, unless you change how you are living, and how you view your problems, the symptoms are only being "covered up" by the meds and are likely to return if you stop taking them.

I hope this helps!

angelhair

7/ 5/08 8:52am

Wendy,

I have been through this , and it is generalized anxiety disorder. The teeth grinding is because your muscles throughout your body just get tighter. I had muscle aches all over, especially in my back. I wanted to stretch all the time, but itnever relieved it. I got to the point that I had pain in my arms like cold or heat. I could not work because I thought I would faint. I wanted to run away. I was deathly afraid of heights and impending danger all the time. It got worse ands worse, until I had a nervous breakdown. I went to my doc and he put me on Lexapro, and added bupropion(wellbutrin). I am doin 100% better. I have flown in airplanes and looked down at the grand canyon. What a freeing experience. I still at times get nervous, and for that I have Xanax on hand. Good luck.

Angelhair

coolterp2

7/ 6/08 10:23pm

You sound like me about 4 years ago. The combo of being a professional, having 2 children, September 11th and the DC snipers had my stomach in a knot, slight vertigo, numb fingers and shaking hands. I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack- they told me to stop taking Sudafed and that this was the cause.(Yea right!) I went to my Internist the next day and he explained the anxiety (GAD) and veritigo. He prescribed Zoloft and Xanax. The Zoloft did not work and I took Xanax all the time- so I saw a psychologist and he put me on Lexapro. 60 pounds heavier with no shaking- I am 'cured' by the medicines. I am working on the weight gain. I want you to know that you are not crazy and that there are MANY women that go through this for years or situations in their lives. There are some folks that do not understand this illness and it is best to sometimes keep it to yourself. Good luck to you.

Hazel

10/23/11 9:10pm

Hi Wendy, I have been going through something similar to this for the whole of this year and it has been taking a terrible toll on myself and my family. I had been grinding and clenching my teeth every night (and then all day as well) due to our house being reposessed after my husband lost his job, and at the same time my mum was in hospital with cancer, then my 5 year old son was diagnosed with a long term illness. All this stress came within the same 6 month period prior to my health problems starting. I was feeling terribly ill all through the day and getting a whole load of sypmtoms like bad headaches, dizzy spells, couldn't concentrate or even think a whole sentence through, was getting short-tempered and impatient, and went on to get lots of toothache leading to multiple root treatments.

It turned out I had chronic Bruxism My dentist made me a bruxism splint which I now wear every night, and the splint is taking the force that is going through my teeth if I clench them now due to stress. I have also been massaging my jaw muscles and using heat therapy on them. I was never prescibed any medication for this, but I had been on strong painkillers all the way through, but now I don't need them. On the whole my jaw muscles are now relaxed and it is no longer causing those symptoms through the day, although I'm still grinding my teeth every night. But now I can enjoy my family again and not be 'the mum from hell'!

Q: I need some replies to help me understand.

Related Questions

Ask a Question