T m d..... (t m j d)

ooohhhhh my jaw hurts! Well, not my jaw, but the posterior belly on the left side. Well, this week it's the left side, last week it was the right side.

PT had to massage the inside jaw muscles. For those who have thankfully never had to have this done, it's like someone taking a razor blade to your muscles at the back of your mouth.

My neck and jaw muscles are like rocks they are so knotted. I'm hoping for release soon, so that they don't pull my TMJs out of place.

Yep, good old TMD. (temporo mandibular joint dysfunction) NOT!

I'm on liquids and soft stuff.

I don't know if any one thing caused this relapse. I need to find out but right now the pain keeps me from focusing on it...on the causes that is.

Just when you think you're at the bottom and only can go up...

Looks like I"ll have to forego one of my best stress reducers tomorrow: movies and popcorn.

WOW no one knew what to do with me after they read my post. I have an appointment in the morning with the orthodontist and he'll remeasure and rebuild up my back teeth so they meet again, and my jaw muscles can finally rest.

I've also put the buying of new pillows on my list, again. (About every 3 months I need new ones.)

And, of course, I'm working on discussion with my pain/stress T.

And I quit the diet I was on: too much crunchy food for my jaw.

Ok then... I went in and had my back teeth built back up so they touch and can allow my jaw to rest. He used the latest technology of compounds, so we'll see if it stays and works. I have to have my teeth cleaned in 2 weeks, so we'll be able to report back to him them.

Jaw pain subsiding as I type.

I am glad you found some relief.

Hey JD,
Glad you found some relief.
Out of curiousity, what does TMJ feel like?
I have this thing where sometimes when I wake up, it feels like I was punched in the teeth. Never really gave it much thought before.
Have a wonderful day!
mj

Yeah, it can feel like that some days. It depends upon whether or not I have been grinding my teeth at night, and how much...or if I've "only" been sleeping on my side and had my head positioned wrong, or put pressure on one side of the jaw.

If you think you are grinding, you could try a cheap mouth guard from the sports store... but if you think it's more than that, like you know at some point you were hit in the jaw with a ball or fist, then the guard might make things feel worse...either way you'd know.

Not just any dentist can do this work well though... and the ensuing headaches and potential jaw damage isn't worth it. But a good orthodontist should be able to determine if your bite is off.

Sure hope it's not your problem.

At last, a night of sleep without waking to a migraine. My jaw does ache some, so I'm still clenching a bit. Hopefully as the jaw muscles begin to relax and rest, I won't do that either. Now if the tinnitus would quiet back down in my right ear (hearing impaired in that ear just because of it, but when the jaw acts up, it's tremendously loud!)

hey JD,
Wow, sounds brutal. My dentist says I grind, and I catch myself with my jaw clenched. I have been trying to catch myself when I clench, and make myself release. Maybe I will look into a mouthguard for sleeping. If something so small can make an impact on pain, I'm in!!!

thanks,
mj

Well I have had TMD now for 3 years. I hurts and clicks , and provides me issues with opening and chewing , so im on soft food too. I have had accupuntrue done, laser, heat and cold, and eventually botox, i hope i don't need to do those injections. I hope you nothing but best wishes.

Have you seen an oral surgeon? Clicks and pops and the like, with pain, probably means your joint itself is compromised, and not "just" out of place. The longer you go that way, the more wear and tear on the joint, the more extensive the surgery later. Anyway you can be evaluated by an oral surgeon? Do you wear a splint, at least at night?

TMD can cause hearing problems, tinnitus, vision problems and the like, not to mention the chewing and eating and mouth opening issues (making it difficult to do good dental care...) Migraines and vertigo... well... it just compounds...

Have you suffered from any neurological disorders?

Hey (JD) were sorry you have any kind of pain and were sorry if you reading this have pain.

Your in our thoughts and prayers (((((( (JD) ))))))))))

I hope there is some part of your day you don't feel pain...

Crew

I have seen a few oral surgeons and had an mri of the jaw and you are right about the joint, well apparently there is a very small plate in that jaw joint near your ear, and it slips in and out and in my case has become dislocated. Im lucky that the jaw is opening and closing evenly but not able to open wide, and is worse when neck is bad. Not easy , another invisible source of pain, and splints, soft food only help so much, at least don't irritate it. I am so leary of surgery right now, I am not able to even go down that path. Have done physical therapy and accupunture and hope to do injections.

I was reading you posts, how refreshing that you know what TMJD is. If you don't mind me asking did him rebuiding your back teeth help? Mine are all breaking off in pieces which is crazy because I'm so **** about brushing my teeth. I broke a front tooth while I was sleeping. My TMJ is pretty much beyond repair, so they told me they won't attempt surgical intervention until I can no longer talk or eat. In the meantime I want to stop this neverending pain. How long have you been suffering from this? Have you found anything that helps, I've tried many things myself. I don't mean to ask alot of questions it's just I have no one who can relate to this disorder, or the pain im going thru..Hope you're having a good day.