TMJ questions

Posted by Pammy @pammyl66, Jun 7, 2015

I clench my teeth at night which has resulted in severe TMJ. I have seen dentist, ortho and medical doctors. I am on Zoloft to help reduce stress and I have a custom mouth guard. My problem is none of this is working. I find if I wear my guard I seem to clench harder, if I don't my tongue has teeth imprints on the end from pressing against my bottom teeth. I don't know what to do. This is miserable pain in jaws, neck and ear pain and headaches. My jaw locks up from time to time and my throat even gets sore. Muscles and probably gets scratched because I can't chew my food properly. Please Help! This has been going on well over 2 years....

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Profile picture for lustarr @lustarr

Wow. I too was diagnosed with TMJ in my 20s because my jaw locked up a few times while just talking and eating. I did go to the dentist but nothing in particular worked except learning biofeedback and rubbing the jaw. I’m now 67 and my dentist fitted me with a mouth guard on my lower teeth I was told I should contemplate wearing it throughout the day. I haven’t tried this yet but after my last visit he informed me that my jaw has now become arthritic thus the nagging ear and neck pain. I was on all types of meds in my 30 and 40s but including gabapentin and 200 mg of celebrex which gave me GERD. So Tylenol is the one of the only meds I take now along with 100 mg of celebrex and intermittent flexaril to relieve the muscle spasms in my shoulders and ultimately jaw. I don’t know if any other methods to alleviate the pain so hope it doesn’t get any worse. I know I’m kidding myself. God bless and I pray we find something that will help the pain and osteo degenerative process.

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I was just diagnosed too with OA TMA in my right jaw! I am a 72 female. It does not hurt so much until I eat! Was told to chew on both sides, but how can you when it hurts? I was blown off by doctors and my dentist but found a "head, neck & TMJ" clinic near me. A CT scan showed it was OA. They also fitted me with a lower "splint". I hate it but am able fall asleep with it. I don't see how stretches will help since it is OA. Hurts to even open my mouth wide. Also hard to eat unless cut up very small.
I do ice it after meals and take 400mg of Advil at the end of the day. I also take 1500 mg of Glucosamine with 1200 mg of Chondroitin once a day. Not sure it does anything. Unhappy!

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I have tmj issues where my jaw is locking
I wear a mouth guard I got from a tmj clinic. I can’t eat much because of the locking.
I don’t know where to get help anymore

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I just posted but will add to it that I don’t have pain. I use heat and I did do tensing; which is not effective for me anymore.
I wear the mouthguard at night and I still feel the clicking
I just want relief!

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Profile picture for wegn1963 @wegn1963

I have tmj issues where my jaw is locking
I wear a mouth guard I got from a tmj clinic. I can’t eat much because of the locking.
I don’t know where to get help anymore

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@wegn1963 if that was me I would see an oro maxilla and facial surgeon ( thats what we call them in Australia ) mine told me she wouldnt operate until my jaw started to lock. so you could do with a consult with someone like that .

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

@wegn1963 if that was me I would see an oro maxilla and facial surgeon ( thats what we call them in Australia ) mine told me she wouldnt operate until my jaw started to lock. so you could do with a consult with someone like that .

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@tisme sure hope to find one soon!

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Profile picture for wegn1963 @wegn1963

I just posted but will add to it that I don’t have pain. I use heat and I did do tensing; which is not effective for me anymore.
I wear the mouthguard at night and I still feel the clicking
I just want relief!

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@wegn1963. I had TMJ in the 80's and had four teeth removed. One on each side at the very back. This fixed the problem totally. My dentist said they wouldn't pull those teeth today but not sure what they offer today. Good luck and take care.

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I have been experiencing throat issues for a long time involving constant throat clearing and a cough. It's driving me crazy and I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

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Profile picture for wilsond @wilsond

@wegn1963. I had TMJ in the 80's and had four teeth removed. One on each side at the very back. This fixed the problem totally. My dentist said they wouldn't pull those teeth today but not sure what they offer today. Good luck and take care.

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@wilsond wow interesting! I think the dentist that pulled my one tooth about 7 years ago set the tone for my issues now. He about yanked me out of the chair!

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Profile picture for wilsond @wilsond

I have been experiencing throat issues for a long time involving constant throat clearing and a cough. It's driving me crazy and I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

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Sounds like GERD. Do you have phelm?

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Yes, I have GERD and take Proton pump inhibitors twice daily. I think it's more likely LPR, larnygopharnygeal reflux. Constant throat clearing, cough, voice hoarseness, feeling of lump in throat and nasal dripping. Thank you for responding. I'm just frustrated with it all.

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