TMJ / TMD Sufferers

[mjaclyn]

Hi everyone,
I was hoping to find someone on the boards who has dealt with TMD before. I've had issues with my jaw for years, but it's never bothered me as much as it has the past few weeks. I have a lot of pain on and off in my jaw, which gives me really terrible headaches, ear pain, neck, and shoulder pain. I made an appointment to see a TMJ specialist this week, so I'm really hoping to find out some options besides just taking pain meds every day. What have you done for yours? Has it worked?

 

[Kailani6]

Short story: Try 400 mg of B2 (Riboflavin) a day

Long story:I've had horrible TMJ pain for years. I tried chiropractors, massage, medication etc. I finally got a night guard (that I paid $400 out of pocket for) that helped a little bit but then it broke. I then paid $1800 from a so called specialist and it was horrible. I ended up going back to the guy who made my cheaper one and he said a colleague was doing a study on the positive effects B2 had on TMJ. I figured I had nothing to lose. He adjusted my old night guard and sent me on my way. Combining the night guard and 400mg of B2 a day I don't have issues anymore.

 

[Kailani6]

There are also studies on the positive effect of B2 on migraine sufferers as well

 

[belleatdisney]

Ultrasound at the chiropractor helped me a lot.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have it. It has gotten better with better care of my teeth and working with a dentist who is a TMD/TMJ specialist. He checked my bite and found out some work I got earlier had caused my jaw to shift. That shifting led to the TMD/TMJ. Once all my work is final I'll get a night guard to help keep my jaw in the optimum position at night which will help the muscles learn to keep it there during the day. On top of that when ever I get any work done he does a massage to help relieve the TMJ/TMD pain after.

With all that said the 1st advice I got was to not jump straight to surgery. My dentist was clear that surgery doesn't usually fix TMD/TMJ and once you do it there is not going back and that it is better to try and help relieve the pain in other ways before going to surgery. My jaw still pops here and there which causes pain but now that I know what I'm dealing with it is much easier to prevent it.

 

[wilkeliza]

Short story: Try 400 mg of B2 (Riboflavin) a day

Long story:I've had horrible TMJ pain for years. I tried chiropractors, massage, medication etc. I finally got a night guard (that I paid $400 out of pocket for) that helped a little bit but then it broke. I then paid $1800 from a so called specialist and it was horrible. I ended up going back to the guy who made my cheaper one and he said a colleague was doing a study on the positive effects B2 had on TMJ. I figured I had nothing to lose. He adjusted my old night guard and sent me on my way. Combining the night guard and 400mg of B2 a day I don't have issues anymore.

Oh I'll have to discuss the B2 with my doctor and dentist. Do you take the shots or a pill?

 

[Kailani6]

Oh I'll have to discuss the B2 with my doctor and dentist. Do you take the shots or a pill?

I take the pills. I was taking two 100mg pills in the morning and two at night and just switched to one 400mg pill. I get them inexpensively on Amazon. If I run out, I notice a difference. My jaw pain and horrible headaches come back with a vengence.

I grind my teeth at night, which is why i wear the night guard but that alone doesn't make the pain go away.

 

[sonnyjane]

What have you done for yours? Has it worked?

Honestly? After going to the doctor and being recommended a pricey fitted tray and pain meds, I quit the job that was causing the stress that led to my TMJ. It went away within a week.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Prayers for you Mjaclyn and all who deal with TMD—not fun at all By God's Amazing Grace I am so Blessed to be where I am now health and TMJ wise. My trials with TMD began in 2009 following a root canal and crown. Until that time I had never heard of the condition, let alone knew I already had symptoms (speech mostly) indicative of TMD.
My story is long, so feel free to PM me for specifics, including routine dentist tips, I will try to keep this concise yet I pray helpful What truly alleviated my own horrible, daily pain was trusting in the Lord and going to see yet another TMJ specialist. The first few I saw were neither positive nor helpful an experience for me. I also share this as reminder to all of you to not be shy about speaking up if you don’t feel comfortable with a doctor or feel he/she is not listening to you or simply views you as yet another TMD patient.

I was told by Dr. Nicholas (I have given him a fictitious name) upon our first meeting that he thought I would need total jaw reconstruction surgery at worst or a custom night guard at best, with arthrocentis as an extra option in between! Eek! None of those drastic options were guaranteed to do anything other than inflict tremendous extra pain upon me :/

On my second visit to Dr. Nicholas, God intervened yet again, and had him try Gebauer's Ethyl Chloride Medium Stream Spray. I instantly felt relief! This Rx only product is most often used as a topical anesthetic before routine shots or bloodwork, something I wish I had known much earlier! Its other main use is for myofascial pain--TMD. You spray it in a technique and gently stretch your jaw muscles. The cold spray, allows muscles to more naturally relax and over time, the built up pressure that causes so much pain, diminishes. I now use a related product called Gebauer's Pain Ease also Medium Stream (this is important because both products come as a fine mist which for TMJ purposes does not work, you need a steady stream of spray)because the Ethyl Chloride canister several years back changed and for me the other (Pain Ease) was easier to use. ***I want to be very clear that this spray did not magically alleviate all my jaw joint pain overnight. What it did do was offer me a new hope, non-invasive alternative treatment that made a tremendous difference to me.

I will always have TMJ issues, it truly does affect so much of health and not just jaw stuff. I am well aware of what my triggers are and do my best to take care. As I said to begin with, thanks to Jesus, my life today is daily TMJ pain free. I have some limits (food and activity-wise, for example) I go for dental cleanings more often than most (to keep them shorter)I also have my life back. Oh and for me, a devout Christian, the greatest Gift that came from my TMJ ordeal was truly finding my way back to God. I often say that due to my TMJ I may at times sound a little slow or stiff, but voice--I pray uplift the Lord with --- I have

Hugs and God Bless all of you. Feel better!

 

[mjaclyn]

Thanks everyone
I've had it for a long time and usually it comes and goes, so it hasn't really interfered with my daily life. For some reason it's been unbearable for the past couple of weeks so I made an appointment with a specialist on Friday. I'll definitely ask about the recommendations you all have talked about. I have a night guard that I wear, but it isn't super helpful and I don't want to live on pain meds. I definitely don't want surgery!!

 

[Lalabubbles]

Our daughter has it and we just went to see the specialist for a follow up after her sent to to physical therapy. She is doing much better and the PT helped a lot, she still has to do her exercises and will have to for some time. They also fit her to get a mouth guard, she will wear it at night and at times during the day. We are hoping our insurance will cover it , its $560! She is pretty young, 10, and still has teeth to lose but the guard will be able to grow with her. Hers has a lot to do with her posture and when she is stressed. She is more aware of her posture now so that helps with her pain and the locking of her jaw. I am really glad we went to the specialist though, her dentist was treating her with a soft rubbery mouth guard and per the specialist he said that could make it worse as you are more prone to chew on it.

 

[mjaclyn]

Update: I went to the TMJ Specialist who is actually a Neuromuscular dentist. During a 4 hour appointment they did several tests including TENS therapy which uses electricity to relax the muscles (it was awful.) They also used some other machine to measure the force that is used when I bite down. My jaw muscles are definitely working overtime because my teeth are not aligned properly. After taking impressions of my teeth and waiting two weeks I went back yesterday to get my dental appliance. I'm including a picture of it. It's clear, hard plastic that covers my molars and shifts my jaw into the "correct" position. I'm supposed to wear this 24/7 for a week, get it adjusted, then adjusted again after 2 weeks to a month later, and then one month after that as well. When they finish all the adjustments it will tell them exactly where my bite needs to be for optimal comfort. Then we go on to phase 2 which could be anything from crowns to braces - whatever will permanently fix the bite I have to match the one they made for me with the dental appliance. Sounds simple, right?

Well, it's only been 24 hours and I don't see how I can wear this thing for 3 months. I can barely chew anything with it and I'm starving!! It also makes me sound ridiculous when I talk. And it hurts. The dentist told me I'll be more comfortable after the first adjustment, but I've barely gotten through one day. I really don't know what to do. I would have thrown this thing out and said forget it already but Phase 1 ALONE is costing $6000. I am having serious anxiety about how I'm going to afford Phase 2. I've heard crowns are extremely expensive - as are braces. If I can't afford $20k+ in dental work then why am I doing this to myself? I should have thought about this before, but after 3 weeks of migraines I was willing to try anything. Now I'm wondering if I should just try physical therapy. I really don't know what to do.

 

[cinnamonpoptart]

Short story: Try 400 mg of B2 (Riboflavin) a day

Long story:I've had horrible TMJ pain for years. I tried chiropractors, massage, medication etc. I finally got a night guard (that I paid $400 out of pocket for) that helped a little bit but then it broke. I then paid $1800 from a so called specialist and it was horrible. I ended up going back to the guy who made my cheaper one and he said a colleague was doing a study on the positive effects B2 had on TMJ. I figured I had nothing to lose. He adjusted my old night guard and sent me on my way. Combining the night guard and 400mg of B2 a day I don't have issues anymore.

Can't seem to figure out a way to PM you so decided to resurrect this thread. How long does it take for B2 to begin working to help TMJ pain? Also, you wrote this a long time ago, so does this still work for you?

 

[Kailani6]

Can't seem to figure out a way to PM you so decided to resurrect this thread. How long does it take for B2 to begin working to help TMJ pain? Also, you wrote this a long time ago, so does this still work for you?

It does still work for me! I have been taking 400mg of B2 for many years. If I skip a couple days because I run out I can tell a difference. I would give it a couple weeks at least to see if it works. It's been so long I can't remember how long it took for me initially. I've also heard good things about magnesium and tmj/migraines.

I like to have magnesium oil spray on hand anyway (so good for random muscle aches/headaches) I would imagine that would be perfect for spraying on your jaw and massaging it and getting the magnesium right in there.

I do continue to stay away from gum and a lot of chewy candy as well. I have been wearing the last tray of my invisalign for over a year at night and it works as good as any nightguard I've had.

I hope this helps!

 

[cinnamonpoptart]

It does still work for me! I have been taking 400mg of B2 for many years. If I skip a couple days because I run out I can tell a difference. I would give it a couple weeks at least to see if it works. It's been so long I can't remember how long it took for me initially. I've also heard good things about magnesium and tmj/migraines.

I like to have magnesium oil spray on hand anyway (so good for random muscle aches/headaches) I would imagine that would be perfect for spraying on your jaw and massaging it and getting the magnesium right in there.

I do continue to stay away from gum and a lot of chewy candy as well. I have been wearing the last tray of my invisalign for over a year at night and it works as good as any nightguard I've had.

I hope this helps!

Yes, I bought a bottle yesterday after reading your post and started it. I'm going through a really bad flare that hasn't gotten better for weeks. I've already tried PT, massage, chiro, etc. I'm trying dry needling as well, though I've only had one session so far. I'm just really hoping the B2 (and the Magnesium) I'm taking will help. I feel like I've lost control of my life lately...

 

[mousefan73]

Bumping as I think I have this and currently miserable. Had my first episode back in March. Got upper teeth night guard. Honestly stopped wearing it and wow this week back. Can barely speak or eat. Same with you guys when it flares up. Calling dentist later today. Maybe Giving it another day. Will try B2.

Was it also worse in bed and in the morning? With ear pressure??

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Extra hug with much prayer and care to all with TMD issues. Reminder, to PM me if ever you'd like an extra listening ear. I care. God's Grace, I have come so very far since TMJD truly first became so very painfully known to me back in 2009. I had no idea of such a condition or that I was at risk for it all my life until I had a root canal. Or even that in some ways, I have always had it! All pain free now. I will always have the condition and know my triggers. I do want to share I pray there is always hope! What made a huge difference to me in addition to my faith first and foremost, was a kind doctor who told me about Pain Ease This is a topical anesthetic that absolutely for me made a HUGE difference. It alleviated over time set in jaw joint pain and allowed me to so much happier and healthier go through life. I also learned from it that it's more common use is as a topical for routine bloodwork or medical shots--how I wish I had known that all my life! Speaking of which, because this was new to me, too, there are topical numbing gels for dental injections too. with care and prayer to all! You are not alone!