TMJ: Does Anyone Have It?

[Lostlover]

My dentist is making me a mouth guard, but wearing this piece 24/7 is not my idea of fun.

Does anyone else have any solution for this besides a mouth guard and analgesics?

Thanks!

[Coward92]

Nah, it will be hot. I like that sort of thing :P

[Hair Hunter]

Hey Lost, I had surgery a little over a year ago and developed TMJ. I also had a mouthpiece as well. Yes, you are to wear it 24/7 except when eating or brushing your teeth. It is just a lower piece that is supposed to hold your bottom jaw open more than it is when you have TMJ. I was told I would have to wear it for up to a year. I only needed it for about three months (which sounds like a long time before you have it) but it's not really that bad. The most annoying thing for me was the lisp and changed speech. But again, you get used to it. If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me.

Mike

[Lostlover]

Hey Lost, I had surgery a little over a year ago and developed TMJ. I also had a mouthpiece as well. Yes, you are to wear it 24/7 except when eating or brushing your teeth. It is just a lower piece that is supposed to hold your bottom jaw open more than it is when you have TMJ. I was told I would have to wear it for up to a year. I only needed it for about three months (which sounds like a long time before you have it) but it's not really that bad. The most annoying thing for me was the lisp and changed speech. But again, you get used to it. If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me.

Mike

What's funny (and sad) is that I started doing these mouth exercises and started hearing weird popping sounds on the join (skull-jaw joint). These sounds are an indicator of TMJ and I never heard these sounds before I started these exercises WebMD suggested.

[Georgiadude]

I've had surgery on my left TMJ twice. I haven't had much trouble after the surgery. I occasionally get a pop or click but it's not very often. I didn't have to wear a splint so I can't give you any advice about it. My TMJ issues were caused by a traumatic injury. I hope the splint helps you avoid surgery. It wasn't that bad but any surgery sucks.

Steven.

Steven.

[Lostlover]

I've had surgery on my left TMJ twice. I haven't had much trouble after the surgery. I occasionally get a pop or click but it's not very often. I didn't have to wear a splint so I can't give you any advice about it. My TMJ issues were caused by a traumatic injury. I hope the splint helps you avoid surgery. It wasn't that bad but any surgery sucks.

Steven.

Steven.

I'm trying my best to avoid the surgery. A couple of years ago I was seeing my dermatologist 3 times a week when he was managing my MRSA lesion. I probably was in a foul mood and I told him that my jaw was killing me and that I was diagnosed with TMJ. He offered to botox the TMJ muscle to kill the pain and spasms. I should have taken him up on his offer.

The drawback, he said, was that botox "leans" out your jawline so my jawlines would have been uneven and highly noticeable.

[EJMichaels]

Some people get good results from chiropractic treatment. Not all of the chiropractors are good at that sort of thing, but the ones that are can do amazing things. I've been saved from surgery more than once. I get jaw adjustments for a different problem, but I know they can treat TMJ.

I had related symptoms due to a misaligned bite and was much better after getting my teeth reshaped. That was before I met my chiropractor, but the subject came up when I had jaw tightness again.

Acupuncture might also help. I've had great results for other problems, so if you find one who says they can help, I'd believe it.

[Georgiadude]

Have you tried massage? I'm a massage therapist and I occasionally work on someone that has TMJ issues. Ive had some clients say it helps and I've had some say it didn't. You need to see someone trained in TMJ work but if it helps you avoid surgery it's worth it. Some insurance companies will pay for the massage if it's physician ordered. The treatment is a little uncomfortable in the beginning but after a couple of treatments it gets better.

Steven

[Lostlover]

Have you tried massage? I'm a massage therapist and I occasionally work on someone that has TMJ issues. Ive had some clients say it helps and I've had some say it didn't. You need to see someone trained in TMJ work but if it helps you avoid surgery it's worth it. Some insurance companies will pay for the massage if it's physician ordered. The treatment is a little uncomfortable in the beginning but after a couple of treatments it gets better.

Steven

I tried pressure points massage and learned how to do it. TMJ hits when my ibuprofen wears off. I can't stop driving to hit the pressure points unfortunately.

I have a chiropractor friend that works with TMJ. I'll see if I can contact him.

[evanrick]

i have TMJ and all sorts of other shit and im only 28 i think my dad will outlive me.

but im on a steady diet of advil.

[maxpowr9]

I talked about this on here before. My orthodontist fucked up my teeth when they attempted to realign my jaw and caused me to get TMJ. I won't go as far to say that braces are a scam but many orthodontists that particularly attempt to realign your jaw only harm you as it goes against your body's natural formation.

I do have a physical therapy friend I visit about once a month and she works on me. Mine is so bad that it will actually trigger migraines or worse case, insomnia when I don't get it massaged. The surgery would be quite expensive. I already have a slew of other medical problems that are much more pertinent than TMJ.

This is also why I sadly quip that I would be surprised if I live past 40.

[Lostlover]

I talked about this on here before. My orthodontist fucked up my teeth when they attempted to realign my jaw and caused me to get TMJ. I won't go as far to say that braces are a scam but many orthodontists that particularly attempt to realign your jaw only harm you as it goes against your body's natural formation.

I do have a physical therapy friend I visit about once a month and she works on me. Mine is so bad that it will actually trigger migraines or worse case, insomnia when I don't get it massaged. The surgery would be quite expensive. I already have a slew of other medical problems that are much more pertinent than TMJ.

This is also why I sadly quip that I would be surprised if I live past 40.

TMJ is a bitch. I could barely open my eyes today while driving because of the pain. And it radiates behind the ear, to the forehead and back to the joint. What a horrible quality of life. HORRIBLE.

I feel for you. That orthodontist should cover some of your expenses. That's malpractice IMHO.

[maxpowr9]

TMJ is a bitch. I could barely open my eyes today while driving because of the pain. And it radiates behind the ear, to the forehead and back to the joint. What a horrible quality of life. HORRIBLE.

I feel for you. That orthodontist should cover some of your expenses. That's malpractice IMHO.

My dad did sue them and I got my braces for free. Not exactly a consolation but better than nothing. You look up TMJ and braces and there is quite a correlation between the two. Mine is under my right ear usually. If it gets really bad, it will go to the top right above my right ear (I dunno the biological term) and that is when the migraines start happening.

[Lostlover]

My dad did sue them and I got my braces for free. Not exactly a consolation but better than nothing. You look up TMJ and braces and there is quite a correlation between the two. Mine is under my right ear usually. If it gets really bad, it will go to the top right above my right ear (I dunno the biological term) and that is when the migraines start happening.

That must have been awkward: the orthodontist you sued doing your braces.

It's my freakin' joint that bothers me and since I don't grind my teeth at night, dental insurance won't cover the mouth guard. So it's costing me several hundred dollars out of pocket because of this.

My original dentist, a jackass, said to me, "Don't chew on that side!" Fuck that. And he then said do these jaw exercises. I did and now I hear that popping sound people complain about with TMJ but I never had until I followed his orders.

[evanrick]

why cant they just replace the joint?

[Lostlover]

why cant they just replace the joint?

You would really want them to replace that joint? Can you imagine aligning that joint up with the other joint and hoping they open and close together, smoothly?

Also, it's a muscle issue with mine.

[RaKroma]

I distinctly remember a jubber who described his TMJ problem where his jaw popped out of place while giving blow jobs. Well hopefully your problem won't progress to needing expensive surgeries.

[EJMichaels]

There are huge differences between chiropractors. I've had conflicting, opposing suggestions from the few I've seen over the years for the same problem. The one I like has treated much more than neck and back issues and is well connected in the profession. She might be able to provide a name of someone good in your area if you want to PM me your location.

[Lostlover]

Check this one out:

Spoke to TMJ specialist's office today.

Just to see him and get diagnosed: $272

Each mouth guard is $1700 (or $3400 for the entire mouth).

But secretary says, "Don't worry. Blue Cross/Blue Shield has a $5,000 deductible." No lie.

The one saving grace is that this will go under medical insurance, not dental insurance. But I have to cross that $5,000 threshold first.

[looseliam]

^ that's why I hate PPOs.

I have mild TMJ on one side brought on by too much jaw clenching and grinding from cocaine years ago. It's painless and just makes noise... for now =|

[Georgiadude]

I had to have the disc that cushions the joint replaced. it was bone on bone so every time I opened my jaw it would grind or pop. When they did the surgery they took a skin graft from my upper thigh and made a new disc. The surgeon said they had just perfected the technique otherwise they would have had to replace the joint. He said joint replacement should only be a last resort as it isn't very effective and causes a lot of other problems.

I'm sorry your having such a hard time. I hope the splint will give you some relief.

Steven.

[Lostlover]

^ that's why I hate PPOs.

I have mild TMJ on one side brought on by too much jaw clenching and grinding from cocaine years ago. It's painless and just makes noise... for now =|

Pardon my ignorance: how did cocaine usage cause TMJ?

I had to have the disc that cushions the joint replaced. it was bone on bone so every time I opened my jaw it would grind or pop. When they did the surgery they took a skin graft from my upper thigh and made a new disc. The surgeon said they had just perfected the technique otherwise they would have had to replace the joint. He said joint replacement should only be a last resort as it isn't very effective and causes a lot of other problems.

I'm sorry your having such a hard time. I hope the splint will give you some relief.

Steven.

^^^ That makes me weak in the knees just reading it.

[looseliam]

Pardon my ignorance: how did cocaine usage cause TMJ?

The jaw clenching - I didn't grind my teeth so much as I clenched and rocked my jaw side causing the problem.

[Lostlover]

The pain is still there.

Doctors in my family say that ibuprofen can damage the kidneys.

What else is there out there to kill the pain?

[looseliam]

The pain is still there.

Doctors in my family say that ibuprofen can damage the kidneys.

What else is there out there to kill the pain?

Make an appointment with your primary care physician and discuss pain management options with him. I think that would be your best bet for long-term management vs your dentist.

[Georgiadude]

Ibuprofen can damage the kidneys but if you take it as directed and don't exceed the recommended dosage it's not likely. Medications like Advil (Ibuprofen) and Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) are all non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs NSAID's. They relieve pain by decreasing swelling. They're filtered through the kidneys. They also can cause some stomach upset and should be taken with food. You could try Tylenol which is filtered through the liver. The same advice as far as dosage and daily limit apply. Many over the counter and prescription pain medications have Tylenol (acetaminophen) in it. Read the labels very carefully so that your not doubling up on Tylenol. Any medication you take is either going to affect your kidneys, your liver or both.

Have you tried applying ice. Ice will help cut the inflammation and may help relieve some of your pain.

Steven.