jaw pain with headaches

[shorty770]

Hi, can you please help? I have severe jaw pain that turns into a really severe headache. I feel it in my face and neck and jaw. It starts usually on the left side of jaw and goes everywhere from there. Even when I bend over I feel pain in the head. I've been to the doctor, neurosugeon, chiropractor and seeing a dentist.  Nothing is helping. I dont have popping or grinding. I tried to wear a mouth gaurd and only seems to make things worse. Im getting ready to get a loose filling fixed but whats the problem thats causing all this? Plus I have a couple of deep fillings but it doesnt seem like the dentist thinks its that. Its been goin on for a year and a half now. Its hard to do daily activites so I need to get this under control. I know I have ringing in the ears sometimes also.But Ive had that for several years with no headaches then. Please help and thank you for your time.

[scottma]

Dear shorty770 and star757:
Both of you may be suffering from temporomandibular disorder which is very common among general population. Occlusal appliance( night guard, occlusal splint) is generally very effective to relieve tmd associated pain.However, you need to find a highly competent practitioner to do the job in order to achieve optimally therapeutic effect. Almost all tmd sufferers tend to clench their teeth unconsciously during day and night time. If you can not afford the treatment fee, for the time being, you can place a cotton roll or something similar between your front teeth. The purpose of this maneuver is to disengage the posterior teeth contact which is a potent trigger of masticatory muscle contraction.Good luck

[star757]

hi,please help! I am a 28 years old and I recently started getting sever head aches,at least I think that is what it is. I get a constent severe pain in both sides of my temples that runs from the temples to the sides of my cheeks to the bottom of my jaw. It's very painful that I can even think straight. I haven't gotten to any doctor because of my financial status. I at least want to have a clue of what it is that I might have.Any ideas??????

[Killerpain]

I can't believe non of those professionals have been able to help you.  It sounds like it may be something that I struggle with called Trigeminal Neuralgia.  The nerves that run from the temple area and branch in to the face.  It tends to stay on one side and radiate through the jaw, sometimes down the neck up towards the nose or eye.  The pain is severe and Advil & Tylenol don't always help.  

It can be triggered by hot, cold, talking, winsing, cold wind, tension, a dental procedure, etc.

The interent has information on it. I will tell you that for relief you can apply moist heat, but you should see the medical doctor for a prescription as even Tylenol 3 probably won't work.  I alternated Tylenol  & Advil until I was put on Lyrica.  Some are prescribed Tegretol.  Problem is these are expensive and have side effects.  Mine were drowsiness and depression & feeling groggy.  I went on for only a month and tapered off and it seems to be much better and now manageabale with Tylenol.  If it is this problem it is permanent but can go into remission and better if you avoid triggers.

I will be seeing a neurologist soon.

Were you examined to see if you need a root canal?