Does anyone here have TMJ??? what to do???!
Question: i was diagnosed with TMJ about 5- 6 years ago....
it was really bad back then - my jaw would clench up and i couldnt open my mouth -- like sometimes i couldnt even yawn...
well over the years i havent had another case of it flairing up
sometimes a lil pain here and there or a lil soreness - but nothing major
well since last night it has come back and it HURTS my jaw is so clenched up and its so sore and OWWW OWWW OWWW im in pain ---
i am on vacation because of the holidays so i am not near my doc so seeing my doc is not an option
also i have taken tylenol and that didnt really help
PLEASE HELP!!!!
thank you !!!!
Answers: i was diagnosed with TMJ about 5- 6 years ago....
it was really bad back then - my jaw would clench up and i couldnt open my mouth -- like sometimes i couldnt even yawn...
well over the years i havent had another case of it flairing up
sometimes a lil pain here and there or a lil soreness - but nothing major
well since last night it has come back and it HURTS my jaw is so clenched up and its so sore and OWWW OWWW OWWW im in pain ---
i am on vacation because of the holidays so i am not near my doc so seeing my doc is not an option
also i have taken tylenol and that didnt really help
PLEASE HELP!!!!
thank you !!!!
moist heat, 10 mintues on.... 10 off
take ibuprofen for pain and inflammation.... 400 - 800 mgs every 4 - 6 hrs...
try Advil or Motrin- better than Tylenol for the pain & inflammation. Also, no chewing of gum & eat soft foods that don't require a lot of chewing. Ice or heat may help to (applied to outside of jawline). Less talking the better too.
That sucks you are not close to your doctor because it is so painful, but all you really can do is keep taking tylenol or ibprofin and as soon as you can see your doctor get him to fit you with a mouth guard that you can wear at night that will keep the pain manageable.
I used to have bad flare-ups some years ago, but it's been a while. I started having problems when I was 23 and it went away for a while and came back when I was 25. I'm now 29 and haven't had a problem in three years.
I've heard part of the problem comes from grinding teeth at night, stress, tension, etc. Did it happen overnight? I never had it lock up on me while I was awake...it always happened after sleeping. It would than take some moving my jaw around to unlock it...or waiting it out. The longest it was ever locked up was four hours. More often than not, I could work it out in just a few minutes.
Try relaxing and not worrying about it. Massage the area with a warm washcloth and/or your hand and if it works for you, slowly move your jaw back and forth (that always helped me unlock it).
I'm sorry you are having to go through this...it's pure misery.
I recently had surgery to fix both sleep apnea and TMJ so I feel your pain.
During recovery, I wanted some warmth on my face to ease the pain. The dental assistant came up with the following great tip -
Take a sock and overstuff it with long grained rice. Sew it closed to be the size you want it. The one I made is about an inch in diameter and 5 inches long (to go across the bridge of my nose) and it takes about a minute in the microwave to get to the proper heat. Larger heating packs will take longer of course.
i have this same problem, my dentist said to take the max dosage of meds, like 3 -- 500 mg of tylenol and place a warm compress on your pain
I tried this for a while and then she had to fit me for a night guard finally and that's helped, of course that thing was $500
good luck I feel your pain .. literally!
I've had TMJ for about 10 years and my Mom had it so bad that she's had surgery to repair the ball and socket in her jaw. First of all, you need to see a pain managment specialist. You do need something to relax the muscles in your jaws/head/face. Second, you need to learn to relax. Also, no chewing hard or extremely chewy foods. You must learn to eat smaller pieces. Perhaps your bite is off, so you need to have the dentist or orthodontist check that out. Alternate cold packs and hot packs on the face every half hour. Since you are not close to a doctor, find something over the counter that will help you sleep and relax your face. Hope you feel better.
yes first i make sure i learn how not to open my mouth too wide and learn how to have it popped back once if it locks in the open position a dentist can help you discuss alternate treatment surgery to correct bite and or shots to deaden the nerves that cause the pain but always discuss the pros and cons with any treatment with your dentist