Living with TMD or TMJ

[blckbrnfamly]

My dentist calls it TMD because you are talking about the 'disorder' not the joint in particular... I guess. I have gone on magnesium as well and it hasn't done a thing for me. I have a mouth guard, but still clench my teeth hard enough to leave imprints in the guard... and for the last several months I have been living in a state of constant mild migrain, and pain whenever I move my eyes, my mouth is constanly throbbing. I bought a new shower head with a moderate mist type setting so I don't feel like I'm showering under a fire hose.

I have another dentisit apt. Thursday... but until then I was wondering if anybody else has had these issues and what can I do?!

 

[booker81]

I have TMD more from a pretty bad injury to my jaw, which has left me without the discs in either side. Both sides dislocate at will.

I don't clench my teeth or grind them however, so I don't use a guard. Maybe ask about a muscle relaxer before bed? I just have to avoid "big" food or chewy stuff, otherwise things come out. I've had MRIs to determine the extent of the damage, but at this point, there's not much to do other than avoid overuse

 

[bunnibird55]

I've been living with this for 10 years. I used a mouth guard for quite a few years until I could re-train myself to not clench my jaws. I never chew gum or taffy, I don't eat things that are going to cause a lot of hard chewing and I can say I finally don't have any headaches from this anymore! There is hope! I take a lot of magnesium and vitamin B and vitamin D. I know it is nice to be able to move my eyes without feeling like my head will explode! My jaw used to pop out of joint and I had to learn how to pop it back in place after two runs to the dentist. Good luck!!!!

 

[chickenzoo]

It's very difficult. I chewed through 2 mouth guards after I got TMD from a car accident, also fractured teeth from clenching. Muscle relaxer before bed, softer foods, less stress all help. Also chiropractic work helps also, as often with the jaw other areas tense up exasperating the problem. You also learn to train your mouth to relax and not touch your teeth together. There are things to help, but it is something you live with..............

 

[elsa88]

Hi guys,

I think I have TMD or TMJ because my jaw clicks when I open my mouth.

I can remember it clearly that it's caused when I was a kid I ate a
grilled corn. Maybe it was because my mouth was too small and I
opened my mouth too widely when I tried to eat it.

However, I never have migraine, chewing difficulty, or anything like that.

I've been having this for years and I think there's no problem with this.

 

[Boyd]

I've had it going on 16 years or so.. Painful, but with practice and ibuprofen I've been able to stay ahead of it.

 

[Souperchicken]

I have had jaw problems since I was a teenager. Clicking, popping out of joint when I opened my mouth. It got so bad I couldn't open my mouth all the way with out it popping out of joint. I dreaded going to the dentist and having to open my mouth. My jaw would pop out just by eating. I was also getting severe pain at night from sleeping on the joint(both sides). It felt like it was an earache but it is really that joint.

Because of the severe pain at night I started sleeping on my back. Sometimes I sleep on my side, because my body naturally wants to go into that position while I'm asleep, I slip something(like a folded sock, my hand, etc) under my cheek so the spot right at the ear hole doesn't touch the pillow. Not only has the "ear" pain gone away, my jaw has stopped popping out of place and clicking. It has made a world of difference. I don't really even have a problem anymore unless I forget to put something under my cheek, then I pay for it the next day with clicking.

My dad actually has the opposite problem. He normally sleeps on his back and was getting jaw pain. It has helped him to change his sleeping position and not sleep on his back.
I hope this helps someone, because it is miserable having jaw pain.

I was also given a night guard and as far as I could tell it didn't help me much and I could still clench my teeth on the night guard.

 

[Livinzoo]

I went to a specialist about 10 years ago. All he did was put me on Amytriptalene and a mouthguard. Made me stop grinding but also made me start falling asleep behind the wheel. Stopped it and eventually found magnesium. I took 800mg a day (400mg twice a day) with a B complex and not with Calcium. B helps absorption calcium hinders it. I also made sure to take the citrate form of magnesium. It is more absorbable.

My cartilage is not in the right place so it is bone on bone every time I move my jaw. Plus if I open my mouth more than 2 finger widths both sides dislocate.

It is not fun, I'ld play with higher doses of magnesium if I were you. Take it heavily until you get lose bowel movements. Than taper back a bit. Also add a B complex when you take it.

 

[blckbrnfamly]

Well my update on this issue is that my dentist sent me to a Temporomandibluar disorder and Orofacial pain specialist!! Who knew that there were doctors out there like that. I had a very long consult and exam. From which I learned that both of my discs were in trouble. I have arthritis in both joints and nerve damage on one side. They did several xrays, took molds of all my teeth, assested my bite ( I guess my back teeth hit together before my front teeth even come close!!) etc. And over the next two days I was fitted with personalized mouth guards, that fit my needs for clenching and grinding and for my "open bite" The bottom one I wear 24/7 unless eating and drinking, and the top one I wear with my bottom one at night. She put me on an anti-inflamtory and a low dose muscle relaxer I take only at night, I do exercises for my joint and muscles.... who knew again.... and I just don't know what to do with myself!!!

The pain has improved significantly! Which is good because the extra magneisum started to make me ill by lunch time. I was told with time my bite will start to line up correctly on it's own and I won't have to wear my bottom "appliance" all day long! So happy!

 

[punk-a-doodle]

There is a treatment for people who have TMJ caused by clenching or grinding. It's essentially a botox (may even be botox) injection in neck muscles.

I wish I knew where to go about my TMJ/hot spot (fibromyalgia-ish pain), hormone issues, but all the docs I've seen have been completely useless. The latest dentist almost popped his eyes out of his socket when he saw and heard how my jaw moves, but again, no help on treatment. Sometimes it sticks open for a bit, then I manage to close it but it gives a very painful and loud crack. I am pretty sure it will stick open some day, which does happen. Not looking forward to that. In my case, I do not grind or clench. I suspect more joint issues caused by hormones being off kilter, especially since I get arthritis type pain and tendinitis often, even in my toes, and have since high school. Haven't found anyone to help, but some supplements I take for acne (adult acne, also seems hormone caused) helped a bit, as well as seeing a sleep specialist for insomnia I've struggled with since I was a kid. So glad you are finding something to help on your end! I may have to see if I can find an Orofacial pain specialist...but I hate treating one thing at a time when it is likely to all be related to hormones. XD

TMJ is often, but not always, tied to depression, fibromyalgia, and other hormone issues. My husband just recently started getting jaw pain after working the night shift. That mucks up your hormones big time. Poor guy.