Jaw pain -- **UPDATE** It's TMJ

[Desiree]

Hi guys.

For the last few days I've been experiencing jaw pain on the right side of my face. Along with it have come headaches too. My jaws usually pop all the time anyway but this just plain out and out hurts. I've got an appointment for the dentist today at 3:30. Has anyone ever had this happen before? And do you have any suggestions to get me through the next 4 hours? I've been putting ice on it but it still hurts and have taken some Tylenol too.

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Update... The dentist says it's definately TMJ, which is not really a big surprise. Gave me some motrin that's making me ill to my stomach. I guess it's a pretty high dosage. I can never eat chewy foods again. And he recommends I don't ever sleep on my stomach again. Hopefully the inflammation will go down and the pain will go away soon.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Sounds like you have TMJ (Tempromandibular Joint) problems. Your Dentist will probably make you a splint and this will help relieve your problem.

 

[Pop Daddy]

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[ElizK]

Ice actually makes mine worse. A heating pad helps me more. 4 Advil is a prescription dose. I take 3 or 4 if I'm having lots of pain.

One more thing: my insurance wouldn't cover TMJ under the dental plan. Only under the medical. See an Oral and Maxiofacial (or however the heck you spell that word) Surgeon. Medical covered the cost of the splint, but dental wouldn't.

The splint didn't help me at all, but I've heard of lots of people that it has helped.

 

[SetzKitten]

Yep, it happened to me. Horror story time, don't read if it will upset you. Last October I started getting lots of pain in my jaw, my ear was blocked, and I was miserable. I went to the dentist and he found nothing. In January it got so bad that I went to the emergency room. They treated me for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I was so sick from all the meds they gave me that I was out of work for 3 weeks. I went to my regular doctor and he told me I had an infection in my jaw and TMJ. He put me on antibiotics and when the swelling went down I had a root canal. The pain went away for about 2 weeks, then it was back. After a 2nd root canal, I can say that I'm at about 80%. I still have a blocked ear, only now there's a constant static sound, I still have pain when I floss near those teeth, and my jaw still aches, only not so severe. I ended up with about 14 different prescriptions by the time I got done, most of them were pain killers. I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear, but please, if your dentist says he doesn't see anything, fight him on it. There has to be something wrong or you wouldn't be in pain.

For the pain, I used to bite on a small piece of foam. It gave just enough tension, but relieved the pressure in my jaw. It sounds weird, but it worked for me.

I hope you feel better soon. I can feel your pain.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hoping for some relief, Des.

Dan

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Desiree
Update... The dentist says it's definately TMJ, which is not really a big surprise. Gave me some motrin that's making me ill to my stomach. I guess it's a pretty high dosage. I can never eat chewy foods again. And he recommends I don't ever sleep on my stomach again. Hopefully the inflammation will go down and the pain will go away soon.

have you had your wisdom teeth out? I haven't had any major TMJ problems since I got mine removed.

I see your wedding is coming up...yeah, stress won't help it.

definetely avoid bagels at all costs...I was eating a rather chewy one in HS...I pulled something in my jaw, couldn't fit my finger between my teeth my jaw was so locked up. Take care of yourself!

(pss - take the motrin with food...like a full meal...it's the only way I've stopped that stuff from bothering my stomach)

 

[Desiree]

Stinkerbelle,

Yes, my wisdom teeth have been removed about 13 years ago, if memory serves me correctly.

Good idea about the food. There were no warnings on the prescription bottle. I'll try anything at this point!