have a serious question and would like for some imput

i know this should probably go into health, but because not alot of people read that forum i decided to post it here. i suffer from migraines.. so i know what a migraine feels like and the pain associated with them. Lately I have been having this pain in my head.. it is like a muscle spasms sorta.. i guess the best way to describe it is, it feels like an electrical pulse in the side of my head.. when it hits.. it radiates down into my lower jaw.. it doesnt last more than 5 seconds at a time.. and there isnt any pain after it quits..
does any one have any clue what this may be?

The newest Dx I have been given that involves the problems you mentioned here (plus some) was TMJ (also Known as) TMD.

Symptoms:

Ear pain
Sore jaw muscles
Temple/cheek pain
Jaw popping/clicking
Locking of the jaw
Difficulty in opening the mouth fully
Frequent head/neck aches

I would suggest that YOU see your GP (and) if your GP cant help then see a Neurologist or Dentist.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

I have already been diagnosed with TMJ... I along with my doctor believe this may be causeing my migraines.. thanks for the info.

Since YOU have already been Dx with TMJ - then I would say that it is indeed the cause of the Electrical Sharp Shooting PAINS you have been experiencing as Migraines..... I have been suffering with this for eight months now and the only thing that might help aside from surgery is a mouth guard that one wears at night and steroid shots as needed.


Good Luck......
LoVe,
Rhapsody -

You can read my story in HEALTH - under Had MRI / Phooie Darn TMJ & Insurance.

i ususally get my migraines on the right side of my head.. this pain is on the left.. my body is sooo weird.. i guess i need to go back to the doctor

You could be having problems with both sides of your TM Joint...... most of my PAIN is on the right (TMJ worse on that side), but I still have some PAIN on left side of head - just not as often.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

Sorry to hear about your head pains. Everyone has TMJs...that's the name (for those reading who aren't sure) for our jaw joints: temporo mandibular joints

Having TMD is a dysfunction of the TMJ.

Because of my accident, I had to have bilateral TMJ surgery...because both sides of the jaw had been knocked off the hinges.

Talk about head pain! Yes, it can cause migraines, but it also causes what you describe with the jaw muscle spasms.

Physical therapy is a must if you ask me. The PT needs to massage the muscles that connect...and some of them are inside the back of the mouth, on either side. You can do this yourself...once you know how to... also the neck muscles. Posture is highly important, as most ppl with a jaw problem tend to jut the jaw forward, and it needs to be tucked in. A PT can help with proper postition learning too.

I had to wear a splint 24/7 for many years...even after my surgeries. But because I limited what I ate (no tough foods, large bites, strong chewing) I have only had to have the one time surgeries.

Another important aspect is learning to manage stress, and pain. My oral surgeon wouldn't even do the surgery until I could prove (through biofeedback) that I could manage those...as they found that without controlling how we respond to stress, we undo the effects of the jaw stablization. Go figure.

This malady can also affect your hearing and cause dizziness and vertigo. It can affect your sense of taste and smell. And if the muscle spasms aren't relaxed, can affect the rest of your body too (Which you may already know.)

It's not a small thing, having TMD. Please study up on it and do all you can to improve.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having this pain. Have you asked your Dr. to rule out stroke or seizures? It's probably not that, but it might be good to rule it out.

Warmest regards,

Peanut

First thing I thought of was TMJ, Hon. Get on your doctor to find out exactly what it is, just like I did.