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TMJ Mystery Pain Won't Go Away! Help!
All of this started about 2 years ago when my jaw got tight once and it popped, explosively. It did that 2 or 3 more times during the course of a week before I realized the jaw "clicked" out of place permenatly whenever I opened wide. I later found out this disc displacement with reduction.
About 8 months ago, I was really wondering what it was and how to fix it. When I found out it was perminate, I got so terrified (because my pet peeve is "broken things"), that I started to press on the joint to try and see if I could find out what exactly was making the noise. Big mistake. The joint was immflamed for about a week. By the time it started to die down, the OTHER joint popped and became inflammed, and stayed that way for a week. From there, I started to get better, but I began noticing crackling in my jaw joints that I didn't remember noticing before.
I realized I could "flex" my jaw in a certain way that caused this crackling, and for a split second felt like a relief of tension, so I continued to do it. I did it so long that my jaw started to hurt again. From then on all hell broke loose -- the joints inflammed and popped left and right, some times one side would hurt and then the other .... it went on like this for 3 months and I became terrified that it would never quit. After a while, I began to realize that the "flexing" I was doing the muscles in the side of my neck that was causing the crackling noise that felt like tension release might have actually been causing the problems, so I made a concious effort to stop it. My symptoms improved dramatically, but they didn't stop. So at that point I made a concious effort to refrain from unnecessary SWALLOWING, and this time, it seemed to do the trick. I wasn't 100% healed, but it felt like 95%.
My dentist, during the first week I started having these pains, acted so confident that my problems would go away in about a week that he essentially handed me a sheet of paper about TMJ management and said see ya later. Well obviously that didn't work out. However, I had gone previously for tooth aches, and he deduced that I was grinding my teeth at night and perscribed me a mouth guard. So when my jaw finally settled down after 3 months, I came back to get the mouthguard, told him everything was fine.... though it took forever .... and we went on our merry way.
Then, when i took up a stressful job, I felt the tension going to my neck. I "flexed" my neck in the same way that hurt my jaw a few times, to relieve the tension, and it flared back up again.... and has been flared up sense.
I don't understand what's causing this! The side that's hurting is NOT that side that has the displaced disc! And if the disc was displaced without reduction, I'd have some limit in jaw opening, but I don't! I DO have Myofascial Pain Syndrome, I'm sure of it, but what does this have to do with my flexing? Did I overstretch a ligament or something? How does this heal? CAN it heal?
when I swallow, I hear a TON of crepitus in that side of my ear. Moreso than the other side. And when the crepitus happens, it sometimes feels like its been pushed on from the inside out. Like an air bubble has pressed outward or something. I don't know, its a terrible feeling because sometimes I imagine like ... cartilage has deteriorated away and been replaced by pockets of air or something. Can you tell my horror has gone to my head?
I understand there's people in far worse TMJ problems than I have, but it doesn't mean my suffering is any less detrimental to my productivity. Nor are my fears any less frightening. After 8 months of nearly constant pain, what's wrong? What am I supposed to do? I'm desperate.
About 8 months ago, I was really wondering what it was and how to fix it. When I found out it was perminate, I got so terrified (because my pet peeve is "broken things"), that I started to press on the joint to try and see if I could find out what exactly was making the noise. Big mistake. The joint was immflamed for about a week. By the time it started to die down, the OTHER joint popped and became inflammed, and stayed that way for a week. From there, I started to get better, but I began noticing crackling in my jaw joints that I didn't remember noticing before.
I realized I could "flex" my jaw in a certain way that caused this crackling, and for a split second felt like a relief of tension, so I continued to do it. I did it so long that my jaw started to hurt again. From then on all hell broke loose -- the joints inflammed and popped left and right, some times one side would hurt and then the other .... it went on like this for 3 months and I became terrified that it would never quit. After a while, I began to realize that the "flexing" I was doing the muscles in the side of my neck that was causing the crackling noise that felt like tension release might have actually been causing the problems, so I made a concious effort to stop it. My symptoms improved dramatically, but they didn't stop. So at that point I made a concious effort to refrain from unnecessary SWALLOWING, and this time, it seemed to do the trick. I wasn't 100% healed, but it felt like 95%.
My dentist, during the first week I started having these pains, acted so confident that my problems would go away in about a week that he essentially handed me a sheet of paper about TMJ management and said see ya later. Well obviously that didn't work out. However, I had gone previously for tooth aches, and he deduced that I was grinding my teeth at night and perscribed me a mouth guard. So when my jaw finally settled down after 3 months, I came back to get the mouthguard, told him everything was fine.... though it took forever .... and we went on our merry way.
Then, when i took up a stressful job, I felt the tension going to my neck. I "flexed" my neck in the same way that hurt my jaw a few times, to relieve the tension, and it flared back up again.... and has been flared up sense.
I don't understand what's causing this! The side that's hurting is NOT that side that has the displaced disc! And if the disc was displaced without reduction, I'd have some limit in jaw opening, but I don't! I DO have Myofascial Pain Syndrome, I'm sure of it, but what does this have to do with my flexing? Did I overstretch a ligament or something? How does this heal? CAN it heal?
when I swallow, I hear a TON of crepitus in that side of my ear. Moreso than the other side. And when the crepitus happens, it sometimes feels like its been pushed on from the inside out. Like an air bubble has pressed outward or something. I don't know, its a terrible feeling because sometimes I imagine like ... cartilage has deteriorated away and been replaced by pockets of air or something. Can you tell my horror has gone to my head?
I understand there's people in far worse TMJ problems than I have, but it doesn't mean my suffering is any less detrimental to my productivity. Nor are my fears any less frightening. After 8 months of nearly constant pain, what's wrong? What am I supposed to do? I'm desperate.
Why is my body red and swelling my legs and hands have a red rash all over them .I have heart problems alreally what do you think it is ??? Please reply I have been doing this for about 2 months now!!!!
i suffer from TMJ went to urgent care and they gave me a pain shot that didnt do anything. the T/W codeine helped and 800 mb pain meds. still in pain after work my Jaw is so stiff and my face hurts terrible pain. Doctor did say it is stress. I went to the dentist just to make sure i have no dental issue. Nothing is wrong with my teeth. So tried going on the 4th week i do not want to depend on all these pain meds.
*bite guard! I know this has not been going on for anywhere near as long as y'all but I am finding it hard to cope with the constant intensity.
Please help. Any advice welcome. I have had constant pain for 6 months now, I have only had one or two days respite from the constant fiery nausea inducing agony :( I'm at the point that I cannot cope anymore. I have tried a vote guard and exercises but feel like I'm losing the battle. My dr says there's nothing he can do at present to help, I just have to 'ride it out'. I'm at the point of begging for relief!!!
Magnesium deficiency can cause TMJ. Stress depletes magnesium and magnesium is needed to handle stress.
Hi Havraha,
Take Dana's advice as she knows what she's talking about :)
I have disc displacement on both sides but it is the side less affected that hurts more and the muscles have also built up more on that side because I was subconsciously avoiding using the other side for a while.
I have also tried physio' and a mouth guard (aren't they horrid things by the way?!) and it also made things worse.
I have a history of whiplash, falls from horses, wear and tear and spinal problems which I'm sure contributed to the TMD, as well as a collapse over a year ago.
I won't repeat what Dana said but read all her points, especially the stress relief and yoga.
I hope you manage to find some relief soon,
Blessings,
Acoya
Take Dana's advice as she knows what she's talking about :)
I have disc displacement on both sides but it is the side less affected that hurts more and the muscles have also built up more on that side because I was subconsciously avoiding using the other side for a while.
I have also tried physio' and a mouth guard (aren't they horrid things by the way?!) and it also made things worse.
I have a history of whiplash, falls from horses, wear and tear and spinal problems which I'm sure contributed to the TMD, as well as a collapse over a year ago.
I won't repeat what Dana said but read all her points, especially the stress relief and yoga.
I hope you manage to find some relief soon,
Blessings,
Acoya
I sure hope you're not suffering right now, but if you have TMD/myofacial pain like the lot of us-- you likely are (sorry to be pessimistic).
The thing is YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION. I have a similar story to you. I'm a 26 year old female and a Registered Nurse. I worked in the ICU, thought life was merry until I had symtoms of nausea, ear fullness (I've always been able to click my jaw, and I have hypermobile joints--clicking is normal :) ) Anyway, stress stress stress---- that is THE KEY. TMD problems really happen from two major reasons: injury/trauma and stress. I've had no injury--depending on the situation of the popping, that may have been a sort of injury, but usually it means car accident (whiplash type) and that kind of thing. I've had two mouthgards and it only made it more painful. People stopped believing my pain. I didn't sleep, I was off work for a year with no help.. I felt like I was stuck in a loop. I went to physio, massage, acupuncture to name a few-- nothing helped except ONE THING: YOGA!!!! Why you might ask? Destressing with exercise.
I went to a TMD dysfunction clinic and they tell you, "yes, exercise and reduction of stress helps" but they don't a) focus specifically on those points b) they cant tell you HOW to decrease the stress in your life, because they can't c) if you're in pain and stressing about your health, you don't hear them!!! All you think about is your jaw and how it hurts, and you don't want to put two and two together.
Now I'll tell you what happened to me and see if it can help you. I still have pain, heck I'm having insomnia right now and pain and why I'm here, but i'm taking 3/4 less pain meds on a daily basis, I can work 75% of full time now (best in 3 years) and for the most part I can feel rested at least 50% of the time after a nights sleep (best in 3 years).
After I was off on disability, I was sent back to work, as my physiotherapist told my insurance providers that she didnt believe i had pain and was ablde to go back to full time 12 hr shift work (what a joke--still bitter about it). Boy did i suffer going back to the stressful hopsital environment too soon, being in pain, having insomnia and fatigue every day and dealing with my own stress forget others. I lasted just over a year.. and my fatigue got worse. I could sleep 14-18 hrs a day and feel like crap. I wasn't depressed but I couldnt go to the stores without feeling like I couldn't pick up my feet. I'm young and certainly not lazy, but it made me feel that way. December of 09 I cracked. My workplace was so bad I left work in the middle of my day and never returned. actually it was the day after Christmas, will never forget it. BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! Things were so bad I was forced to change, but that's exactly what I needed. Its so hard to make a life changing decision, especially when we need money to survive, especially in these hard times. But the reality of it is-- that stress is EXACTLY what aggrivated your issue-- you even said it yourself! I knew my job was stressful, but I would have NEVER bet money on it that it was causing my jaw pain so bad! Its still hard to believe. People don't want to change, we dont want to exercise when we know its good for us, we dont want to eat properly when we know its affecting our health, but we MUST to function.
You need to write down a list of things (seriously) as cheesy this is, but to lay it out for yourself what you gotta do.
1) foods: cut out hard and chewy things (caramel popcorn, nuts, granola bars) things like that.
2) get your sleep on. be regular about it. if you're tired, you cant deal with stress or pain and your body suffers.
3) exercise. the more regular this is too, the better you will feel and can cope with life.
4) ***most important*** really look at your job and why you are working at that stress level-- is there ways you can work around it, and is your health worth it to you (I think it is if you're here :))
5) go for a massage!!! head to toe. depending on how sore you are, the muscles can be quite tender in the head and neck, so beware. I'd make sure you have the day off the that day and the next day to ensure you don't feel crappy at work... I know sometimes it took me days to recover, but that was when it was really bad, I have a snooze after it now and i feel good after :)
honestly they sound simple enough but these were the most important factors for me. I'd seriously check out some yoga (it helps with your self awareness of your muscles/discomfort too--guys do it too!), and set time for yourself on a daily basis. I'm not sure if guys are into bubble baths with candles, but having a bath/shower every evening before bed got me into a good pattern for sleep (warm to cold does that trick) and relaxes the muscles.
message me if you wanna chat about it. I havent been on this site for a while, so forgive me if my reply takes a while :)
The thing is YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION. I have a similar story to you. I'm a 26 year old female and a Registered Nurse. I worked in the ICU, thought life was merry until I had symtoms of nausea, ear fullness (I've always been able to click my jaw, and I have hypermobile joints--clicking is normal :) ) Anyway, stress stress stress---- that is THE KEY. TMD problems really happen from two major reasons: injury/trauma and stress. I've had no injury--depending on the situation of the popping, that may have been a sort of injury, but usually it means car accident (whiplash type) and that kind of thing. I've had two mouthgards and it only made it more painful. People stopped believing my pain. I didn't sleep, I was off work for a year with no help.. I felt like I was stuck in a loop. I went to physio, massage, acupuncture to name a few-- nothing helped except ONE THING: YOGA!!!! Why you might ask? Destressing with exercise.
I went to a TMD dysfunction clinic and they tell you, "yes, exercise and reduction of stress helps" but they don't a) focus specifically on those points b) they cant tell you HOW to decrease the stress in your life, because they can't c) if you're in pain and stressing about your health, you don't hear them!!! All you think about is your jaw and how it hurts, and you don't want to put two and two together.
Now I'll tell you what happened to me and see if it can help you. I still have pain, heck I'm having insomnia right now and pain and why I'm here, but i'm taking 3/4 less pain meds on a daily basis, I can work 75% of full time now (best in 3 years) and for the most part I can feel rested at least 50% of the time after a nights sleep (best in 3 years).
After I was off on disability, I was sent back to work, as my physiotherapist told my insurance providers that she didnt believe i had pain and was ablde to go back to full time 12 hr shift work (what a joke--still bitter about it). Boy did i suffer going back to the stressful hopsital environment too soon, being in pain, having insomnia and fatigue every day and dealing with my own stress forget others. I lasted just over a year.. and my fatigue got worse. I could sleep 14-18 hrs a day and feel like crap. I wasn't depressed but I couldnt go to the stores without feeling like I couldn't pick up my feet. I'm young and certainly not lazy, but it made me feel that way. December of 09 I cracked. My workplace was so bad I left work in the middle of my day and never returned. actually it was the day after Christmas, will never forget it. BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! Things were so bad I was forced to change, but that's exactly what I needed. Its so hard to make a life changing decision, especially when we need money to survive, especially in these hard times. But the reality of it is-- that stress is EXACTLY what aggrivated your issue-- you even said it yourself! I knew my job was stressful, but I would have NEVER bet money on it that it was causing my jaw pain so bad! Its still hard to believe. People don't want to change, we dont want to exercise when we know its good for us, we dont want to eat properly when we know its affecting our health, but we MUST to function.
You need to write down a list of things (seriously) as cheesy this is, but to lay it out for yourself what you gotta do.
1) foods: cut out hard and chewy things (caramel popcorn, nuts, granola bars) things like that.
2) get your sleep on. be regular about it. if you're tired, you cant deal with stress or pain and your body suffers.
3) exercise. the more regular this is too, the better you will feel and can cope with life.
4) ***most important*** really look at your job and why you are working at that stress level-- is there ways you can work around it, and is your health worth it to you (I think it is if you're here :))
5) go for a massage!!! head to toe. depending on how sore you are, the muscles can be quite tender in the head and neck, so beware. I'd make sure you have the day off the that day and the next day to ensure you don't feel crappy at work... I know sometimes it took me days to recover, but that was when it was really bad, I have a snooze after it now and i feel good after :)
honestly they sound simple enough but these were the most important factors for me. I'd seriously check out some yoga (it helps with your self awareness of your muscles/discomfort too--guys do it too!), and set time for yourself on a daily basis. I'm not sure if guys are into bubble baths with candles, but having a bath/shower every evening before bed got me into a good pattern for sleep (warm to cold does that trick) and relaxes the muscles.
message me if you wanna chat about it. I havent been on this site for a while, so forgive me if my reply takes a while :)
Thank you for the reply! Does anyone else know what might be going on in my jaw? Any similar issues?
Please try to hang-in, but it's hard to do someday's,& the horror will go to your head. I have TMJD for for 29 years now. The doctor & dentist will never tell you bad things are going to happen. You know from this you will probably get arthritis and that loves you, so it starts eating away. They you get neck pain to the shoulder pain to the fingers on what fun. You are probably thinking I am crazy. You have to know they were just doing the 1st surgeries then, that's why they do not like to do the whole joint replaces now. All I know I would love a doctor or dentist (which I do not go to anymore dentist) to give me a straight answer. I had one great dentist & he passed away. They told me years ago I need my right side replaced, I want to wait till they had to do booth. Why am I on me, sorry. You need to find away to relax,it's hard, the only thing I can do is to take deep deep breaths. I hope you have a wonderful family to listen, but they get tried to. This is why I'm single. Really you'll will make it.You are welcome to be my friend, if you want to talk to a crazy woman. missy126.
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