TMJ sufferers

[dixeedeluxe]

I wonder if a muscle relaxer would help me. And, who can give it to me to try it out.

I have a severe case of TMJ. The pad, or whatever, in my jaw is missing. The dentist said he'd never seen anything like it. He said it's just not there and he has no idea what could've happened to it. So, it's been bone-on-bone for, like, forever. He said the option was surgery, but he didn't even know what they'd do. I don't want a surgery that'll require me to have my jaw wired shut. So, it's not an option.

It bothers me sometimes when my jaw gets locked open. I can't eat anything big like a sub or an apple. Forget about yawning. Oh my god, that'll set me back weeks. Morning sickness was really terrible for me. Vomitting with a jaw that's locked open.

But, none of that was enough for me to want surgery.

I'm a jaw clencher because of it. Dentist said I don't grind (I can't move my jaw that way, so duh). He said a mouthgaurd won't help because I'm a day clencher, not a night clencher. I get ridic headaches and right now, my face feels like it ran a marathon.

I've heard acupuncture might help, but I'd have to travel to go. So, not an option.

So, now I'm thinking muscle relaxers. Ugh, my poor face.

[katie]

Oh man, I know exactly how you are feeling. I have TMJ and clench but I clench at night for the most part. I kind of go through phases where it bothers me more than others. I have a night guard but I haven't worn it because this is the second one and it just doesn't fit right.

My dentist actually gave me a Rx for a muscle relaxer at one point. It was before I got my guard in. I would wake up with smashing headaches. The first guard I got REALLY helped.

From my understanding the surgery isn't even a guarenteed fix. I would NOT want my jaw broken. My mom had a similiar surgery for something else (can't remember why) but the pain she was in was horrible.

[petitepomme]

My mom participated in an experimental treatment program and was given Botox injections for TMJ. She found that it helped but being Botox, it was temporary. She has also done acupuncture and found that to help as well.

[dixeedeluxe]

I might have to make a dentist appt.