TMJ dysfunction and headaches, questions?

[kerrieb]

Hi

I’ve been dealing with constant headaches for at least 6 months. Not migraine bad but enough to affect my sleep, concentration and I am getting very short tempered and very, very tired and absent minded. I finally went to my GP about it a month ago as even my sweet kids thought I was grumpy mum and forgetting stuff. Anyway as I have a history of sinus problems and had some symptoms my GP sent me back to the ENT I’d seen before.

CT scan and several hundred dollars later, ruled out all the nasty possibilities. No, its not sinus problems they are fine the last surgery fixed that. He said that what I’m suffering is referred headaches from TMJ dysfunction (basically arthritis in my jaw). Surprised me as the actual joint doesn’t hurt much unlike an acute flare up in my 20s when I couldn’t chew anything for 3 months.

Obviously he can’t do anything for me. At least he believed me that something was wrong and took me seriously. So after recommending a physio to see. He suggested that I can use NSAIDs as a short term only fix but doesn’t recommend them long term. He also suggested that I may want to see someone about getting a splint to wear at night.

My first question is has anyone out there tried one of these and what did you think of it? My second question is has anyone got any suggestions about dealing with arthritis generally as I’m only 41 and already have signs of it in most of my joints? The first acute flare up I had I was about 22.

I’ll be off to see that physio as soon as I can get an appointment.

[mountainmum]

I’d go to see a naturopath Kerrie, as diet can play a huge part in contributing to arthritis flare-ups. They may also be able to recommend other treatment options -I know when I studied massage we worked a lot on TMJ disorders as they are more common than people realise and can lead to lots of associated problems.

I’m sure the physio will be able to help initially- hope it goes well.

[John and Zoe]

kerrieb wrote:

My second question is has anyone got any suggestions about dealing with arthritis generally as I’m only 41 and already have signs of it in most of my joints? The first acute flare up I had I was about 22.

Try this mob kerrieb!

http://www.arthritisaustralia.com.au/index.php/arthritis-information/what-is-arthritis.html

Regards

John

[Judi B]

I get flare ups of TMJ, I have a splint that I can wear at night and it helps a great deal my jaw tends to pop out of place and so starts the headaches no real pain in the jaw as such but I get headaches I just need the splint to get my jaw back into the right position.

I need to get anothr one as I have lost some teeth and the splint I have doesn’t fit any more.

[marz]

kerrieb wrote:

My second question is has anyone got any suggestions about dealing with arthritis generally as I’m only 41 and already have signs of it in most of my joints? The first acute flare up I had I was about 22.

Try A.Affect – pm me.

[Ggang]

Try glucosamine for arthritus generally

For TMJ find a good Trigger Point therapist. I suffer on and off with TMJ and headaches and now know how to relieve it myself with TP. I have never used a brace and cannot take any sort of painkiller

Anne

[kerrieb]

Thanks everyone,

Mountainmum my diet is pretty sorted now and reasonably restricted anyway due to a range of allergies and intolerances. I reckon I’d spend most days in bed if not for it.

Most the flareups now are due to other triggers I don’t have much control over like moulds the I’m also allergic to. Or the kids stressing me out sometimes.

Judi B good to know the splints work how comfortable/uncomfortable is it to wear. i’ve always been put off imagining that they are really uncorfortable.

Anne stupid question but what does a trigger point therapist do, sounds interesting something that I can do myself sounds good. I must get back on the glucosamine tablets unfortunately I’m terrible at remembering to take things like that long term.

Thanks for the link John.

Kerrie

[Judi B]

Over the years I’ve had 3 different splints I find the one that fits my bottom jaw is better for me. I had one for the top jaw and because I make a lot of saliva I felt like I was drowning plus I kept DH awake and he’d tell me to drown so he could get some sleep.:lol:

[Leecy]

I had TMJ when I was younger (12 -13yo). Headaches constantly and all of that. I got braces on my teeth (which were crooked) and it also fixed my jaw and haven’t had a problem since. Pretty expensive cure tho 😆 Didn’t know it was an arthritis?? Thought it was more of a dislocation or alignment issue…

[kerrieb]

Hi Anon

I’m no doctor and I know it has something to do with alignment but I do know from the specialist I’ve seen in the past that arthritis is definately at play with my case. But quite possibly not for others.

[Anja]

I would definitely suggest a natropath too. My daughter has had headaches for about 6 months, although not from the same cause as you. The natropath has given her 2 different types of homeopathic pain killers and they both work when panadeine forte and nurofen didn’t.

[virgill]

Do you wake up with the headaches?

The reason why I ask this, is TMJ strain generally happens when you are asleep (caused by grinding your teeth – when you grind your cusps on your teeth can lock your upper & lower jaws together thus strain the TMJ and the surrounding muscles).

What a bite plate does is stop the jaws being locked together as your lower jaw will slide over the top instead of being locked in. It does not stop you from grinding so to speak. You will still need anti-inflam meds for about 2 -4 weeks post plate insertion as these structure will take time to heal.

Headaches are caused from a number of reasons. If you look at your teeth and slide your bottom jaw forward, if you see reasonable wear on the cusps (and they look like a perfect fit), then its possible it is TMJ, and a bite plate could help. I’d be looking at having a general checkup with your GP re blood pressure (having high blood pressure can cause headaches), as well as considering seeing a natropath.

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