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ann1013
ann1013

I saw my orofacial pain specialist for my TMJ and found out he's retiring with two weeks notice!  He adjusted my bite splint and told me to do "magnesium loading" and to take 80mg. lavender oil pills twice a day.  He said some TMJ patients respond well to this due to both helping with muscle issues.  

I saw my ENT (one of the first to do the balloon dilation in the midwest and trains other doctors on the procedure).  He said he's convinced my ETD is due to 3 things....  TMJ, allergies and anxiety causing muscle tightness.  In most cases TMJ is caused by tight muscles pulling on the joint.  

I saw my allergist yesterday and was re-tested.  I tested positive for 20 substances I tested negative for in March so I'm basically allergic to 80% of everything I tested for.  He said he has one other patient exactly like me...... allergic to everything with no allergy symptoms other than ears.  Plus they have TMJ with muscles issues.  He has me taking azelastine (antihistamine nasal spray), flonase and I just started singular yesterday

So I need to find a new TMJ specialist, start allergy shots next week (3 injections - 2 times per week), continue with physiotherapy therapy for TMJ and muscle therapy (to break up knots with fingers or needles) and take Klonopin to let the muscles relax. 

I am not back to normal but I feel like I am getting closer.  My ears are better since I started wearing the bite splint and receiving PT on my jaw with intraoral massage.  Hopefully the allergy shots will make them even better! 

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3 Replies

  • Faces
    Faces ann1013

    Posted

    Hello Anne,

    Wow! I think I deal with the same, my right jaw is in so much pain. I deal with anxiety. I went to ent last week she did a scope down my nose to look at tubes, back of throat, and nose. Everything was clear. I had a Ct of my sinuses on Tuesday. Haven't heard anything on it yet. Suppose to have allergies test at the end of the month.  The lavendar oil is suppose to relax muscles? Do you buy it at health food stores. Does it conflict with the klonopin?  I want your dr. It was good hearing from you.

  • ann1013
    ann1013

    Posted

    The lavender the doctor gave me is called Integrative Therapeutics Lavela WS 1265 and they have it on Amazon.  I saw another brand with the exact ingredients for Nature's Way Calm Aid for less than half the cost of the other.  I will try it when I run out of the Lavela.  Lavender oil is supposed to help with stress and anxiety which reduces muscle tension.  It's also supposed to help with allergies.  The magnesium is supposed to help with muscle issues too.  I had an appointment with my family doctor today to discuss the anxiety meds.  I've tried just about every one on the market and had side effects.  Klonopin doesn't have any side effects for me and it's not sedating for me.  I don't notice any instant calming like some people.  I just notice my muscles have let up and I can turn my head again!   I showed him the box of the lavela and told him the TMJ doctor recommended it.  He didn't say anything about there being a conflict but I didn't ask.  I did a quick google and it says to seek medical advice if combining with any meds used as sedatives so you might want to call your doctor.  Lavender oil can be applied externally too but that didn't work for me.  I had already tried that before he suggested the pills.  

    What are you doing for your jaw?  I don't have actual jaw pain.  The large masseter muscle on my right side pulls and spasms.  Sometimes it feels like my face is pulling.  If I put in my bite splint that sometimes helps.  Look up intraoral massage too.  You can try to work out any muscle knots you feel with your thumb on the inside of your cheek and your first finger on the outside.  I try to work out the knots and then massage.  Sometimes that makes the muscle release.  My physiotherapist does dry needling to release muscle knots too.  I get 8 different spots on my shoulders, upper  arms and on the back of my head needled.  I am going to ask her to do the masseter next.  I've read some success stories with TMJ and dry needling.  

  • ann32434
    ann32434 ann1013

    Posted

    Ann, I'm glad to read this and see that things are progressing in a positive way for you!! Hang in there it sounds like a solution is in the works.

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