TMJ Help!
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advice. I've had problems with my jaw joints since I was eleven (now 21) I was referred to a surgeon at the hospital four years ago and since then I've had anthrocentisis done on both sides and more recently an athroplasty on both sides. I've also been put on all kinds of medications- I've had nortriptyline, amitryptiline, dihydrocoedine, diclofex and diazepam to name a few- but without much success.
Since the most recent surgery, the right side of my jaw has been fine but the left side has continued to click and lock and is causing me a lot of pain. I've had two splints made, one to wear during the day and one at night.
I've been going back to the hospital every three weeks for months and never see the same doctor twice, each person I see gives me a prescription for something else and I'm getting so frustrated as I don't seem to be getting anywhere.
On the odd ocassion I've actually managed to see the consultant who did my surgery I've felt almost as though he doesn't believe me, and he's just told me to come back in a months time without even really asking me any questions or looking at my jaw.
Has anyone else had similar problems or got any suggestions? I'm getting so frustrated!
0 likes, 5 replies
anthony1986 rebecca24345
Posted
Hi Rebecca,
I've had TMJ issues since I was around 5 years old (i'm 30 now). At a younger age I was grinding my teeth, but in the last 10-15 years I have been clenching instead.
Mine seems to have been getting worse a lot recently, mainly due to dental trauma (caused by complications with dental surgery, non TMJ related). But also because I have braces (Invisalign) which has caused it to flare up more often.
Right now my right TMJ pops and clicks. In the morning I have to 'shift my jaw forward' to get it to pop otherwise it is very tight.
I'm also trying to break the cycle of clenching so i'd be interested to see what you would suggest also.
My next step would be to have my TMJ's imaged to see what the damage is, I have a feeling my disc has slipped on my right hand side.
Anthony.
rebecca24345 anthony1986
Posted
Hi Anthony,
I don't actually grind or clench my teeth, I only started to do that once they gave me a night guard to wear.
I have had several MRI and CT scans which have shown the disk on my left side is forward and out of position. They had seen in back during the surgery but they seem to suggest that it has now come forward again although I've not had any imagining done to see if this is the case.
I have found the diazepam very useful in relaxing my muscles which have been very tense up until this point, but I'm not sure if this would help with your clenching as it's not something I have experienced?
Rebecca 😊
amkoffee rebecca24345
Posted
Are you in the US? If so you should not be going to the hospital for treatment. You need to see a specialist Dr on a regular basis instead of always going to the hospital. On the other hand if you are in the UK or elsewhere that has free medical care I understand that that is how your care works and it can be rather frustrating. It is a shame that you can't get the same doctor each time. I hope things work out for you.
rebecca24345 amkoffee
Posted
I am based in the U.K. so unfortunately that is how it works. The consultant that is technically in charge of my care covers four hospitals so is very rarely there. Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover it!
amkoffee rebecca24345
Posted
I don't know which is worse or better free medical care and having to deal with your problems or having to pay for medical care and having to deal with our problems. Que Sera Sera