overwhelmed

There's hope, if your pain is caused by TMJD, there's a variety of ways to treat it.  The problem is that it's a long process to get a diagnosis, and even longer to find a treatment that will work for you.  A lot of us have gone through many different doctors trying to find one that can help.  Second, third, and fourth opinions are important.  Especially if you get to the point of considering any irreversable surgical treatments.

Hang in there and take each day as it comes. 

alex, thanks so much for your kinds words, it helps to vent!  do you suffer from this and have you found any relief?? 

I have problems with both jaw joints resulting from a bicycling accident in '98.  I broke the jaw on both sides right below the joints and snapped the front of it as well.  I had clicking and popping since then, but it wasn't especially painful until last year. 

I've been seeing several doctors since early last fall.  I had an MRI right away that showed TMJD problems.  I had a CT scan recently that really showed how bad it is.  I'm seeing a surgeon later this week that can do simultaneous joint replacement and jaw reconstruction surgery.

I haven't found much relief yet, but I am able to work.  I have a dental appliance that fits over the bottom teeth that tries to keep the jaw centered and keeps it from closing too far and putting the joints in a bad position.  That helps.  I have muscle relaxers that let me sleep when the facial and neck muscles clamp down and get painful. 

The real relief is knowing that I'm still making progress with the doctors.  No one has given up yet.  I don't like the options they're having me consider, but at least there are options.  It's just frustratingly slow.  It's comforting having this online community, for venting, and to see that others are getting somewhere with their treatments.

Tell me, what are the types of things you deal with specifically since you have been diagnosed with it.  I have not yet.  Do you have teeth pain?  with nothing wrong with them?  I just think that is so weird!!  But now everything aches... neck, ears, teeth, head.  I don't feel relaxed in any position with my jaw.  I don't know if my underchin, or "swollen gland" feelings is from that or not. 

 

I hope your surgeries go well... I would love for you to be pain free!! 

 

 I have to get a root canal on a tooth that i know needs it, but i am worried this will get worse after that as i seem to read over and over again. 

 

i will be praying that you surgery is a success!!!

Yes there is hope out there.  I am glad Alex shared his story with you since his jaw issues also came from an accident.  I think he will be able to share more about treatment and may be able to guide you in the right direction.

 

I was just wondering if you are a clencher.....if so, that would explain a lot of you pain in your teeth.  Moist heat also help ease the pain of tight muscles in the jaw area...........it also just feels nice.

 

Hope things get better and you continue to get direction and advice.

 

SUE

Teeth pain?  Yes, very much so.  This didn't really start for me until the last few months.  I can tell that many of my bottom teeth are gapped differently when I floss.  My front top teeth are especially painful, it reminds me of having braces just after they'd be tightened.

Ear aches, yes.  This can be one of the most painful symptoms.  The joints are right next to the ears, and they can cause excruciating pain.

My neck gets sore, probably from straining.  I can't sleep easily, and when I do sleep I'm not in a good position.  I think this is affecting my neck, back, and shoulders.  Physical therapy helped a little, but not a whole lot.

Head, depends how you mean.  Facial pain is a big part of it.  The facial muscles clamp down to protect the jaw joints.  I feel this around the joints, up to the chin, and especially below the eyes.  I get frequent headaches too, in different spots.  The worst is when it feels like someone is carving out the inside of my skull.

If you get the root canal, be sure to mention your symptoms, so they can judge whether it's safe to do it.  They might help you find a doctor that specializes in TMJD.

Try to keep your jaw relaxed.  Tensing up is a natural reaction to pain, and just makes it worse.  Certainly get it checked out as soon as you can.

i don't know if i clench at night while sleeping but i do know that during the day, my teeth never touch, but my muscle (right side) is always tight and i can never find a comfortable position for it... it seems like a spring, my jaw is always to the right rather than being top and bottom teeth in line, like if i keep it as it should be , place my bite together, it feels awkward and hurts my left side muscle.  i don't know if this makes sense but if feels tense.  i try to keep it together but then i loose attention and catch it slinging to the right again.  i probably sound crazy.  i do go to my dentist tomorrow to see who i can go to that specializes in this.  it sounds like a long road if it is.   

alex,

 

your description of the teeth and braces is exactly how i feel.  or the spacers that give you before they put the braces on... lol

 

sue!  thanks for your help also!! i hope i don't drive everyone crazy.  i will try to drive my dentist crazy so she will want to help me!

You really want to see a dentist who works in the area in TMJ/TMD.  If you look in the phonebook, they generally advertise this specialty.  Also, you might ask your primary care physician, if you have on, for a referral to a dentist who specializes in this field.  I would avoid seeing an oral-surgeon right off the bat!  After all, they are surgeons and surgeons CUT!  If you can keep from having surgery to "cure" your tmj and/or trigeminal-nerve problems, you'll usually be better off.  Surgery on the TMjoints should be done only as a last resort! 

There are also many physical therapists who specialise in TMJ treament;  again, ask your PCP.  If you don't have one, go to the phonebook and make some calls.  They can tell you what docs they work with on a regular basis in the management of pain from these conditions.  --again an oral-surgeon should be seen at a last resort.. if nothing else works AT ALL!  There are a LOT of modalities and therapies to ease pain from tmj diseases and dysfunction but, generally, there is no cure.  Once you go the surgical route, however, your avenues for lessening or easing the pain are much more limited.

Let me know how it goes for you!