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TMJ questions
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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@bootblack
I have had botox for TMJ. I'm not sure that it worked. Insurance did not pay for it and it cost around $500.00. I never really felt a difference after it.
@linda1976 it’s in Wisconsin
@linda1976 I don’t want Botox
It’s a bandaid too
@wegn1963
Yes, I agree with you.
@reader3013 mine hasnt I was diagnosed years ago . night splint ( day time too if your stressed and grind/clench your teeth. soft food diet.
**Title: 8 years of TMJ/chronic facial pain — feeling like I’ve run out of options**
I’m 32 and have been dealing with chronic pain for around 8 years, mainly on the right side of my jaw/face, but it has become much more complicated than just TMJ.
My pain can include severe jaw pain, ear pain, facial pain and pain around my neck, with symptoms sometimes radiating into my shoulder/arm. I also have issues around my neck and lower back/hip, so I’m trying to understand whether everything is connected or whether I’m dealing with several separate pain problems.
For my TMJ, I’ve had **two arthroscopies**, dental treatment, a retainer/night guard, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, pain management and MRI investigations. Despite all of this, I’m still living with significant daily pain.
I’ve previously tried medications including pregabalin, duloxetine, naproxen and codeine. I stopped pregabalin because of the weight gain I experienced. I’m currently on duloxetine, but I still have a lot of pain.
Interestingly, I had a septoplasty earlier this year where my turbinates were also treated, and I actually noticed an improvement in my TMJ pain afterwards, which makes me wonder whether there may be more contributing to my pain than just the joint itself.
I’m currently under a pain clinic, but I’m struggling because I don’t feel like we’ve really got to the bottom of what is causing my pain or what the next step should be. I’ve never been offered things like nerve blocks or injections, and I’m wondering whether these are options that people with similar symptoms have explored.
I’m also being referred to maxillofacial elsewhere, but I’m worried about simply being told that this is something I’ll have to live with. I’m only 32 and have already been dealing with this for nearly a decade.
**I’d really like to hear from anyone who has chronic TMJ/facial pain alongside neck/nerve-type symptoms.**
* What treatments actually helped you?
* Has anyone had nerve blocks or injections that made a difference?
* Did you eventually find a specific cause for your pain?
* Has anyone had symptoms involving the jaw, ear, neck and arm together?
* What type of specialist eventually helped you?
I know everyone’s situation is different, but after 8 years I’m really hoping to hear from people who have been through something similar and found something that actually helped.
@tejals132, Hey There. Here are my thoughts.
I have TMJ/Bruxism too. Presently I am not able to wear my mouthguard due to oral thrush from steroids.
I have more pain in my face and upper teeth when I do not wear my night guard. Do you clench your teeth during the day? If so, this can add to your pain. Stick your tongue in the roof of your mouth when you find yourself doing this and hold it there. You will not clench your teeth then. Have you tried one of those
Bed Buddy Heat Packs across your back, neck and face? They really help.
Have you tried taking a hot shower in the morning to warm up your muscles and pain? Have you tried Voltaren Gel?
Have you thought about a massage for your neck and back muscles and if you could stand it, even your face?
I have noticed some trigeminal nerve from my forehead to my face due to migraines. It goes and comes. Have you been to a Neurologist?
How is your posture? I am finding the need to work on mine as I have aged I have leaned into the pain from having arthritis and fibromyalgia.
How's your pillow? Are you sleeping with your face into your pillow at night? Get a good pillow and TRY to sleep on your back if you can. Put one of those pillow rolls behind your neck.
Have you been to a Rheumatologist to see if some of this is arthritis? I know you are very young, but, arthritis can start at any age. I use a compounded prescription pain cream (no narcotics) that helps take the edge off.
Have they tried Gabapentin or a muscle relaxant with you? Our muscles get tight when we hurt and sometimes we can have spasms with them.
Praying you get some much needed relief. Keep me posted. I care. Blessings.....