TMJ

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I have had three TMJ surgeries over the past twenty

years. The first one was when I was 26. My jaw

locked up and I couldn't open it any further than

1/2 " . The pain had been there for several years but I

didn't do anything about it until then. The cause was

bone spurs and a displaced disc. The other two were

due to the type of pain that you have described. The

last surgery was to cartherize a few nerves so I

wouldn't feel the pain. I still have some pain and

crackling but it is much better. TMJ was the first

joints that I had damage in.

It sounds as though you are having classic TMJ

problems. I would suggest seeing an oral surgeon who

does TMJ surgery. They will take a panaram x-ray

first and then an MRI. They will try to treat it with

a splint to be worn at night to keep you from

clenching your jaws while asleep and muscle relaxants

at first. They will get a good idea about how to treat

you with the MRI.

I'm sorry that it is keeping you in so much pain and I

know that the headaches are the worst. It won't go

away by itself, so get some help! I am not sorry that

I had the surgery because it helped.

Iris

--- Sue Plaster2 <splaster@...> wrote:

> As Frost said, " Nothing gold can stay. " It

> looks as if my pain-free

> days are over for a while. I think I might have TMJ.

> I read that it can be

> caused by RA, and the correct way to treat it seems

> to be controversial.

>

> Anyway, my left jaw throbs, and the pain radiates

> out to my ear and eye and

> head. I have to chew on only the right side, and if

> I forget and chew on the

> left in a certain way, I get a very sharp pain. My

> ear feels as if it's full

> of water, and I've had a headache for days. It's

> tolerable during the

> daytime when I can focus on something else, but at

> night it's robbing me of

> my beauty sleep.

>

> For months now my ears have felt as if bugs might be

> crawling around in

> them, and I have been drooling in my sleep. I don't

> know if these are

> related or not.

>

> Has anyone on the list had TMJ? Does it sound as if

> I might have it? If I

> ignore it, will it go away? What do I do until I see

> my rheumy in about

> three weeks? Thanks for any help.

>

> Sue in NC

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I get occasional swelling in my TMJ joints. It feels like I've been chewing

really hard for many hours, or like I'm trying to keep my jaw clamped shut.

Just like the other joints, it comes and goes for me. I've never had mine

last for more than a couple of days.

Sorry you're going through this!

Love and hugs,

Carol

[ ] TMJ

As Frost said, " Nothing gold can stay. " It looks as if my pain-free

days are over for a while. I think I might have TMJ. I read that it can be

caused by RA, and the correct way to treat it seems to be controversial.

Anyway, my left jaw throbs, and the pain radiates out to my ear and eye and

head. I have to chew on only the right side, and if I forget and chew on the

left in a certain way, I get a very sharp pain. My ear feels as if it's full

of water, and I've had a headache for days. It's tolerable during the

daytime when I can focus on something else, but at night it's robbing me of

my beauty sleep.

For months now my ears have felt as if bugs might be crawling around in

them, and I have been drooling in my sleep. I don't know if these are

related or not.

Has anyone on the list had TMJ? Does it sound as if I might have it? If I

ignore it, will it go away? What do I do until I see my rheumy in about

three weeks? Thanks for any help.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

Sue I do. Before I found out, I use to go to Dentist thinking I had a

terrible tooth abcess or something, and he would say, NO.

So for last couple of years had bouts of this off and on. Probably every

month or so, at least once in that time period.

Well, the last time was in Sept., when I had some other problems and

ended up in hospital. After I got out, anouther round with the TMJ. But

still I thought, MAYBE it is a tooth ache? So my daughter said that just

in case it was a bad tooth, to get some RED CROSS (drug store...tiny

bottle with applicator cottons & tweesers), it is for tooth aches, until

I could get through Weekend and get to my Dentist.... I did. Well, pain

stopped completely (but returned and kept reapplying until over with). I

litierally rubbed it over ALL my jaw/gum area (BOTH sides, Ha! I nuked

it!) I was dying. I even thought my make believe " abcess " had abcessed

into ears and sinus! (as my ears always do what you describe when the

TMJ happens.)

It stopped the gnawing pain. BUT...again I went to Dentist...he said, NO

abcess or tooth problem. It was the TMJ, and I was just " lucky " the RED

CROSS *seemed* to quiet it until it passed.

I am lucky in one respect I guess...I can NOT *SMELL or TASTE* NOTHING,

and therefore, the awful taste my daughter described the RED CROSS as

having, just did not even phase me! It did however " burn " my lip area

when I accidently got some on it. So be careful of that, and follow

directions well, if you try this.

Mine is nerve related somehow to something else I believe, but don't

think to the RA. But not sure! It is a toss up between the 2 ills I

guess!

But the Red Cross, does tend to " releive " it to point I can function.

Mine is so bad I can not function. I have to " hang down my head LIKE Tom

Dooley... " when mine hits me!

Susie (Elf)

Sue Plaster2 wrote:

> As Frost said, " Nothing gold can stay. " It looks as if my

> pain-free

> days are over for a while. I think I might have TMJ. I read that it

> can be

> caused by RA, and the correct way to treat it seems to be

> controversial.

>

> Anyway, my left jaw throbs, and the pain radiates out to my ear and

> eye and

> head. I have to chew on only the right side, and if I forget and chew

> on the

> left in a certain way, I get a very sharp pain. My ear feels as if

> it's full

> of water, and I've had a headache for days. It's tolerable during the

> daytime when I can focus on something else, but at night it's robbing

> me of

> my beauty sleep.

>

> For months now my ears have felt as if bugs might be crawling around

> in

> them, and I have been drooling in my sleep. I don't know if these are

> related or not.

>

> Has anyone on the list had TMJ? Does it sound as if I might have it?

> If I

> ignore it, will it go away? What do I do until I see my rheumy in

> about

> three weeks? Thanks for any help.

>

> Sue in NC

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

on 11/5/02 6:46 AM, Elf at sheadley@... wrote:

> But the Red Cross, does tend to " releive " it to point I can function.

> Mine is so bad I can not function. I have to " hang down my head LIKE Tom

> Dooley... " when mine hits me!

Thanks, Susie, for the tip about Red Cross. I'll certainly get some if (or

perhaps I should say when) the pain comes back.

I seem to be a lot better than I was over the weekend. I just try to

remember not to chew on my left side.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

a,

I am a lot better now than I was over the weekend. The headache and other

pain are gone, thank goodness. I just have to remember not to chew on my

left side. Other than that, I have no trouble eating most anything.

I'm assuming my TMJ is a result of my RA, so I'm going to ask my rheumy

about it when I see him in a couple of weeks. It seems that the RA

medications would help if it indeed is a result of RA. And I had skipped a

few doses of my Bextra to see if I could get along with just the mtx and

Arava. I won't be doing that again for a while.

I hope you get relief soon. Headaches are no fun. I know because I used to

have migraines.

Sue in NC

on 11/6/02 8:15 AM, a at paula54@... wrote:

>>

>> Hi Sue.

>>

>> I¹ve recently been diagnosed with TMJ but it¹s the result of

>> a car accident where I was rear ended. I¹m getting headaches

>> that range in severity from a nuisance to the verge of a migraine.

>> I¹ve been told to eat a soft diet and was prescribed flexeril.

>> Some days are better than others and I¹m really hoping this calms

>> down soon. It¹s awful. I¹m sorry you¹re suffering with it. My dentist

>> wants to make me a brace if it doesn't get better soon.

>> Have you talked to your dentist?

>> a

[Guest guest]

Sue,

So glad you¹re feeling better and your headache is gone. I¹ve read that Ra

can affect the jaw just like any other joint. I¹ve skipped doses of my meds

to try to take as little as possible, and usually wind up regretting it too.

a

> a,

>

> I am a lot better now than I was over the weekend. The headache and other

> pain are gone, thank goodness. I just have to remember not to chew on my

> left side. Other than that, I have no trouble eating most anything.

>

> I'm assuming my TMJ is a result of my RA, so I'm going to ask my rheumy

> about it when I see him in a couple of weeks. It seems that the RA

> medications would help if it indeed is a result of RA. And I had skipped a

> few doses of my Bextra to see if I could get along with just the mtx and

> Arava. I won't be doing that again for a while.

>

> I hope you get relief soon. Headaches are no fun. I know because I used to

> have migraines.

>

> Sue in NC

>

[Guest guest]

Bummer a,

I guess I missed your original post, when were you in an accident? I've

heard TMJ can be very painful. Seems to be a rash of it in the group

lately. Enough already! Here's hoping for relief soon for all of you. What

about seeing a pain management specialist? One of my companies employees

was diagnosed with TMJ as a result of a work-related car accident. I don't

remember all the details anymore, but I know he was treated by a pain

management specialist and I think it resolved. Not sure if he had to had a

dentist involved also.

Suzanne

Re: [ ] TMJ

>

> Hi Sue.

>

> I¹ve recently been diagnosed with TMJ but it¹s the result of

> a car accident where I was rear ended. I¹m getting headaches

> that range in severity from a nuisance to the verge of a migraine.

> I¹ve been told to eat a soft diet and was prescribed flexeril.

> Some days are better than others and I¹m really hoping this calms

> down soon. It¹s awful. I¹m sorry you¹re suffering with it. My dentist

> wants to make me a brace if it doesn't get better soon.

> Have you talked to your dentist?

> a

>

>

> --- Sue Plaster2 <splaster@...> wrote:

>> > As Frost said, " Nothing gold can stay. " It

>> > looks as if my pain-free

>> > days are over for a while. I think I might have TMJ.

>> > I read that it can be

>> > caused by RA, and the correct way to treat it seems

>> > to be controversial.

>> >

>> > Anyway, my left jaw throbs, and the pain radiates

>> > out to my ear and eye and

>> > head. I have to chew on only the right side, and if

>> > I forget and chew on the

>> > left in a certain way, I get a very sharp pain. My

>> > ear feels as if it's full

>> > of water, and I've had a headache for days. It's

>> > tolerable during the

>> > daytime when I can focus on something else, but at

>> > night it's robbing me of

>> > my beauty sleep.

>> >

>> > For months now my ears have felt as if bugs might be

>> > crawling around in

>> > them, and I have been drooling in my sleep. I don't

>> > know if these are

>> > related or not.

>> >

>> > Has anyone on the list had TMJ? Does it sound as if

>> > I might have it? If I

>> > ignore it, will it go away? What do I do until I see

>> > my rheumy in about

>> > three weeks? Thanks for any help.

>> >

>> > Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

Yes it seems like there is a lot of jaw problems here. These rheumatic

diseases can affect any joint in the body. The jaw has to be the worse. I

can sit down when my ankles or knees bother me, but do I stop eating when

my jaw hurts? I don¹t know if we realize how active the jaw joints are

until they hurt! I¹m glad your employee¹s TMJ resolved. I hoping the jaw

splint will help me avoid taking any more meds, but if it doesn¹t maybe my

doc will recommend a pain management specialist.

a

> Bummer a,

>

> I guess I missed your original post, when were you in an accident? I've

> heard TMJ can be very painful. Seems to be a rash of it in the group

> lately. Enough already! Here's hoping for relief soon for all of you. What

> about seeing a pain management specialist? One of my companies employees

> was diagnosed with TMJ as a result of a work-related car accident. I don't

> remember all the details anymore, but I know he was treated by a pain

> management specialist and I think it resolved. Not sure if he had to had a

> dentist involved also.

>

> Suzanne

>

> Re: [ ] TMJ

>

>

>> >

>> > Hi Sue.

>> >

>> > I¹ve recently been diagnosed with TMJ but it¹s the result of

>> > a car accident where I was rear ended. I¹m getting headaches

>> > that range in severity from a nuisance to the verge of a migraine.

>> > I¹ve been told to eat a soft diet and was prescribed flexeril.

>> > Some days are better than others and I¹m really hoping this calms

>> > down soon. It¹s awful. I¹m sorry you¹re suffering with it. My dentist

>> > wants to make me a brace if it doesn't get better soon.

>> > Have you talked to your dentist?

>> > a

>> >

>> >

>> > --- Sue Plaster2 <splaster@...> wrote:

>>>> >> > As Frost said, " Nothing gold can stay. " It

>>>> >> > looks as if my pain-free

>>>> >> > days are over for a while. I think I might have TMJ.

>>>> >> > I read that it can be

>>>> >> > caused by RA, and the correct way to treat it seems

>>>> >> > to be controversial.

>>>> >> >

>>>> >> > Anyway, my left jaw throbs, and the pain radiates

>>>> >> > out to my ear and eye and

>>>> >> > head. I have to chew on only the right side, and if

>>>> >> > I forget and chew on the

>>>> >> > left in a certain way, I get a very sharp pain. My

>>>> >> > ear feels as if it's full

>>>> >> > of water, and I've had a headache for days. It's

>>>> >> > tolerable during the

>>>> >> > daytime when I can focus on something else, but at

>>>> >> > night it's robbing me of

>>>> >> > my beauty sleep.

>>>> >> >

>>>> >> > For months now my ears have felt as if bugs might be

>>>> >> > crawling around in

>>>> >> > them, and I have been drooling in my sleep. I don't

>>>> >> > know if these are

>>>> >> > related or not.

>>>> >> >

>>>> >> > Has anyone on the list had TMJ? Does it sound as if

>>>> >> > I might have it? If I

>>>> >> > ignore it, will it go away? What do I do until I see

>>>> >> > my rheumy in about

>>>> >> > three weeks? Thanks for any help.

>>>> >> >

>>>> >> > Sue in NC

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Have you thought about chiropractic care? As I understand it TMJ is a

misalignment of the jawbone, and chiropractors are very good at putting

things back into place.

I was never diagnosed with TMJ, but after my chiropractor worked on my neck

and jaw I sure felt a whole lot better.

Judith Alta

-----Original Message-----

I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments for TMJ

(other than surgery).

A long time employee of mine has been diagnosed with TMJ ( to the extent

that it can be diagnosed) and is being told that surgery is the only option.

She does not want to go there for all the obvious reasons, not least of

which that our crappie dental plan specifically excludes TMJ.

A google search did not offer up much in the way of non invasive, more

natural alternatives though.

She is also a diabetic but is keeping that under control for the most part

by following NT/WP eating philosophies.

So if anyone has any experience here, thoughts or places they could direct

me to, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Alison

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:39:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jaltak@... writes:

> Have you thought about chiropractic care? As I understand it TMJ is a

> misalignment of the jawbone, and chiropractors are very

> good at putting

> things back into place.

## Hi Judith,

Someone just suggested that as well as massage. Both good thoughts. And of

course things that her doctors have not suggested at all.

Alison

[Guest guest]

Does not surprise me at all that her doctors would not suggest it. One, they

are probably not trained do it, and , two, there is much more profit in

surgery.

Allopathic medicine = PCB (Poison, Cut and Burn).

Judith Alta

-----Original Message-----

In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:39:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jaltak@... writes:

> Have you thought about chiropractic care? As I understand it TMJ is a

> misalignment of the jawbone, and chiropractors are very

> good at putting

> things back into place.

## Hi Judith,

Someone just suggested that as well as massage. Both good thoughts. And of

course things that her doctors have not suggested at all.

Alison

[Guest guest]

I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments for TMJ (other

than surgery).

*********************************

I don't have TMJ, but craniosacral therapy (a very gentle kind of massage

therapy) is supposed to be great.

Link:

http://www.upledger.com/home.htm

I've had it done, and it is quite pleasant, totally non-invasive.

HTH,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:58:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jaltak@... writes:

> Allopathic medicine = PCB (Poison, Cut and Burn).

### Yup!

Her doctor will also not accept that she has been able to drop insulin and

control her diabetes through NT diet. He just won't believe it.

Alison

[Guest guest]

He probably doesn't want to believe it because the thought of diabetes

being controlled by diet is very dangerous to his bottom line.

Judith Alta

-----Original Message-----

In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:58:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jaltak@... writes:

> Allopathic medicine = PCB (Poison, Cut and Burn).

### Yup!

Her doctor will also not accept that she has been able to drop insulin and

control her diabetes through NT diet. He just won't believe it.

Alison

[Guest guest]

I had TMJ about 40 years ago. A dentist fitted me with a brace that I

wore at night only for a year and did a lot of equibrating. It solved

the problem!

Del

> I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments

for TMJ (other than surgery).

>

> A long time employee of mine has been diagnosed with TMJ ( to the

extent that it can be diagnosed) and is being told that surgery is

the only option.

>

> She does not want to go there for all the obvious reasons, not

least of which that our crappie dental plan specifically excludes

TMJ.

>

> A google search did not offer up much in the way of non invasive,

more natural alternatives though.

>

> She is also a diabetic but is keeping that under control for the

most part by following NT/WP eating philosophies.

>

> So if anyone has any experience here, thoughts or places they could

direct me to, I would appreciate it.

>

> Thanks,

> Alison

[Guest guest]

judith this is very true. I have a good friend of mine who has been off his

insulin for a period of 18 days sometimes ( and only reason that had stopped

cause he was broke or stuck at work and had to have some crappy food )

he had been eating a diet very similar to NT which was written by a polish

guy which states a 3:1 fat ratio ( using pig fat, butter, egg yolk ect ect )

he went to his doctor all excited ect ect ( and even hi UNI class which was

learning about diabetes )

and they all just baulked at him.

this really pissed him off as he saw directly 1st hand that they just dotn

want to know.

They are more interested in controlling it partially and " trying to find a

cure "

basically i think society is mroe about having that sugar laden hydrogenated

low fat cake and eating it to.

rather than any preventions

_____

From: Judith Alta [mailto:jaltak@...]

Sent: Friday, 12 December 2003 2:30 AM

Subject: RE: TMJ

He probably doesn't want to believe it because the thought of diabetes

being controlled by diet is very dangerous to his bottom line.

Judith Alta

-----Original Message-----

In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:58:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jaltak@... writes:

> Allopathic medicine = PCB (Poison, Cut and Burn).

### Yup!

Her doctor will also not accept that she has been able to drop insulin and

control her diabetes through NT diet. He just won't believe it.

Alison

[Guest guest]

i have a problem with my jaw misaligned atm. ( it also clicks somedays and

hurts a little )

however i also feel that 1 of my wisdom teeth blocks the jaw from moving

back into correct position ( and also now in its current place some of the

other teeth have moved/been pushed ) into an accomodating position

_____

From: [mailto:jc137@...]

Sent: Friday, 12 December 2003 2:04 AM

Subject: Re: TMJ

I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments for TMJ

(other than surgery).

*********************************

I don't have TMJ, but craniosacral therapy (a very gentle kind of massage

therapy) is supposed to be great.

Link:

http://www.upledger.com/home.htm

I've had it done, and it is quite pleasant, totally non-invasive.

HTH,

[Guest guest]

>

> I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments

> for TMJ (other than surgery).

The best information that I've been able to find on

T.M.J. is the book " TMJ Syndrome - The Overlooked

Diagnosis " by A. Goldman, D.D.S. His site

is at http://www.headandneck.com/ and when I went

to relocate the address for an earlier message on

this topic, I was surprised to find that he's put

his whole book online. In it he describes his own

drugless, nonsurgical treatment for T.M.J. It's at

http://www.headandneck.com/book/TOC.htm .

[Guest guest]

> I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments

> for TMJ (other than surgery).

The best information that I've been able to find on

T.M.J. is the book " TMJ Syndrome - The Overlooked

Diagnosis " by A. Goldman, D.D.S. His site

is at http://www.headandneck.com/ and when I went

to relocate the address for an earlier message on

this topic, I was surprised to find that he's put

his whole book online. In it he describes his own

drugless, nonsurgical treatment for T.M.J. It's at

http://www.headandneck.com/book/TOC.htm .

[Guest guest]

When I tell people I have been diagnosed diabetic(type II), but don't see a

doctor, they look at me with their mouths hanging open. I have a glucose

monitor, and did a number of experiments with myself, so I know what causes

high blood sugar and what doesn't. It's pretty simple. The doctors would be

out of business if everyone was healthy, so they make sure not to " cure "

anyone. It's all very sad. People tell me I am paranoid, but the truth is,

medicine is a business, period.

take care,

Michele

>From: " Byron " <anthony.byron@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: RE: TMJ

>Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 07:11:38 +1000

>

>judith this is very true. I have a good friend of mine who has been off his

>insulin for a period of 18 days sometimes ( and only reason that had

>stopped

>cause he was broke or stuck at work and had to have some crappy food )

>

>he had been eating a diet very similar to NT which was written by a polish

>guy which states a 3:1 fat ratio ( using pig fat, butter, egg yolk ect ect

>)

>

>he went to his doctor all excited ect ect ( and even hi UNI class which was

>learning about diabetes )

>and they all just baulked at him.

>

>this really pissed him off as he saw directly 1st hand that they just dotn

>want to know.

>They are more interested in controlling it partially and " trying to find a

>cure "

>

>basically i think society is mroe about having that sugar laden

>hydrogenated

>low fat cake and eating it to.

>

>rather than any preventions

>

>

> _____

>

>From: Judith Alta [mailto:jaltak@...]

>Sent: Friday, 12 December 2003 2:30 AM

>

>Subject: RE: TMJ

>

>

>He probably doesn't want to believe it because the thought of diabetes

>being controlled by diet is very dangerous to his bottom line.

>

>Judith Alta

>

>-----Original Message-----

>In a message dated 12/11/2003 10:58:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>jaltak@... writes:

>

> > Allopathic medicine = PCB (Poison, Cut and Burn).

>

>### Yup!

>

>Her doctor will also not accept that she has been able to drop insulin and

>control her diabetes through NT diet. He just won't believe it.

>

>Alison

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A friend of mine just went to a dentist for that. And the dentist is giving

her a night guard to realign her mouth. We have our chiropractor adjust the

jaw when we have problems. I also do trigger point therapy when my tmj acts

up.

Re: TMJ

I wonder if anyone has any information on alternative treatments for TMJ

(other than surgery).

*********************************

I don't have TMJ, but craniosacral therapy (a very gentle kind of massage

therapy) is supposed to be great.

Link:

http://www.upledger.com/home.htm

I've had it done, and it is quite pleasant, totally non-invasive.

HTH,

[Guest guest]

Try acupuncture. It worked for my son and I.

Arnold

[Guest guest]

Me! I got tmj symptoms along with the onset of a virus a year ago. I could only

open my mouth to 1 and half finger width for months. No amount of osteo, chiro,

massag, cranial sacral therapy, yoga helped permanently as it would always lock

back up again. Its still very tight and i have general muscle tension, but not

as bad as it was.