TMJ Pain

[ribearty 544]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone else suffers from TMJ. I have a mouth guard which I wear at night and wake up the next morning usually without any pain. By the end of my work day my jaw is killing me, ear pain and I have a major headache. I take 2 hydrocodone for the pain and it doesn't even touch it. The pain at times is so bad it hurts to chew. I am going to see an oral surgeon in early January. Does anyone have any suggestions, or if you suffer from it, what has helped you?

Thanks in advance.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I've had it in the past. Not as bad as you, but I had it and thought it was a wisdom tooth. So did the dentist and he pulled the wisdom tooth and swore that would put an end to my pain. 3 days later the pain came back and I know it wasn't the wisdom tooth.

I had a massage therapy friend massage it for several days in a row and that helped tremendously. Now whenever it gives me a little trouble I massage the joint for 10 minutes or so.

[ribearty 544]

Thanks Butter.

I am getting a massage on Monday and this will be one of many areas treated. This will be my first massage after surgery. I am now 8 weeks out.

[LilBoo007 491]

My dentist told me if mine acts up during the day and I'm home to use my guard

[ribearty 544]

Unfortunately, mine acts up when I am at work and can't wear my guard. I have put it in when I get home from work and wear it on the weekends. I'll see what the oral surgeon says.

[Birthsjourney 146]

<p>Hi, I am wondering if anyone else suffers from TMJ. I have a mouth guard which I wear at night and wake up the next morning usually without any pain. By the end of my work day my jaw is killing me, ear pain and I have a major headache. I take 2 hydrocodone for the pain and it doesn't even touch it. The pain at times is so bad it hurts to chew. I am going to see an oral surgeon in early January. Does anyone have any suggestions, or if you suffer from it, what has helped you?</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks in advance.</p>

I have that also... Moist heat applied to jaw and eat soft foods until you get improvement.. We found our patients did better on Advil or Aleve over a narcotic... ( no anti~immflamortory in pain meds )

Best of luck !

[LilBoo007 491]

I have that also... Moist heat applied to jaw and eat soft foods until you get improvement.. We found our patients did better on Advil or Aleve over a narcotic... ( no anti~immflamortory in pain meds )

Best of luck !

While that is true about the NSAIDs helping that is something post RNY patients cannot take unfortunately.

[Branmuffin 190]

I have it also and it gets worse if Im reading and prop my chin/cheek up on my hand. I read alot and in bed I prop my head on my hand while reading or watching tv. That's trigger for me.

[JeanZ_RN 378]

I had TMJ pain that was severe, years ago, and have since had surgery to alleviate it. My part of the "cure" has been to learn to change the behaviors that cause the pain or make it worse. The changes include (in no particular order):

>> In general, avoid chewing gum. When you occasionally do chew it, take half a stick only, and chew it for just a short time. To freshen your mouth try a breath mint instead, and don't chew it!

>> Don't chew ice or hard candy, or anything else of that nature. Let them melt in your mouth instead.

>> If you chew your nails, stop. I know, it's not easy. I did it, though, so I know it can be done!

>> Avoid nuts and other foods that require much pressure of jaws to chew. That's not to say never eat them - just make it rare at least until the pain is under control.

>> Learn not to clench your jaw. To do this, keep the lower teeth very slightly apart from the upper teeth. It's a difficult habit to change, but you can do it. Try keeping your tongue between the upper and lower teeth, so that if you start to clench your teeth you'll bite your tongue and thereby be reminded.

>> Several times a day, become aware of the level of tension in your jaw. When you realize the TMJ is tense, open and close your jaw slowly, massage the joint, thrust the lower jaw forward a bit - whatever it takes to relieve the tension in the TMJ.

>> I just read the post above by Branmuffin, and it reminded me -- change the habit of propping your chin on your hand or fist. When I need to prop my head, what I do now is prop my cheekbone(s). Here's what I mean: Spread your thumb apart from your index finger, and center the web part on your upper lip, just under your nose but leaving room to breathe through your nose. Use the thumb joint to support one cheekbone and your index finger to support the other. Or just prop your fist against your cheekbone instead of against your chin.

Those are the ones I can recall. I bet you can find more by Googling TMJ pain . Best wishes!

[ribearty 544]

Jean,

I don't chew gum, hard candy or ice. Don't bite my nails. I am not even aware I am clenching my teeth or jaw. I have bitten my tongue a few times not sure if it is related. I had a two hour massage and had this area worked on and when I yawn it still hurts. I am on vacation right now so I don't think it's stress or work related.

I also make sure to not prop my chin on my arms and I don't eat nuts not cleared for them yet.

Just driving me crazy.

[deaddemmama 474]

I had terrible TMJ..had four years of 24 hour splint therapy, band therapy, braces, and physical therapy. Bio feedback and really practicing exercises still help me. The problem I had was that TMJ wasn't covered by any insurance..crazy expensive, but worth it in the end.