I have suffered from migraines for years and the docors feel that they are TMJ related. I use a night guard every night ut I still wake up with migraines. I don't feel like I am stressed out. Relpax works well but it makes me very tired and the insurance only will pay for 6 per month. Any suggestions?
sharra
Hi Sharra!
Another option might be Botox as well. If it is something you would consider. They can do the injections into the jaw area and it helps with jaw pain as well as Migraines.
Good luck!
Eileen
I also have TMJ. I work for a Dentist and I talked to her about my migraines. She found out there are TONS your Dentist can do to help with your migraines. I just got a NTI its a special type of night guard (Occlusal Guard) for those with headaches, jaw pain or neck pain especially early in the morning. They are a bit more costly but they last Forever if you take care of them properly. A normal nightguard just keeps you from grinding your teeth by giving you something to bite on and put pressure on but this can acctually be worse for your TMJ and migraines. Most dental offices offer some sort of credit or pay out plan. I promis a NTI is well worth the cost. I love mine. Its also very small in relation to a normal mouth guard so its easier to wear.
There are other things your dentist can do including splints. You can also have Carbocaine (the stuff they use to numb you) injected directly into the muscules in your cheek and jaw are causeing your pain. Also my dentist told me about a lidocaine (again one of the things they use to numb you) spray. Its just lidocaine in a nasal spray bottle. You use it as soon as you feel a migraine coming on.
My family doctor also recently prescribed me Fioricet. It is for migraine and tension headaches and has a generic version. You can get it with or with out Codine. It only cost me $12 for 20! They work great! They are no Imetrex or other abortive but they work well.
I just started an intensive treatment plan with my Dentist for my migraines. She is doing it as part of a case study. I will be posting regarding the results and procedures. You are welcome to tune in.
For more info on the NTI go to www.HeadachePrevention.Com
~Tawny
I have done stretches, e-stim with ultrasound, spray and stretch, moist heat, and a biteplane with one doc. It helped a lot at the time. I have continued the stretches, heat as needed, and biteplane (bite appliance, nightguard).
I also have done nerve block injections in that area that was helping a lot. I also found Elavil helped with that part of the headache. It didn't get rid of all the pain but helped to stop the temple pain.
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