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TMJ - severe dizziness

Posted , 5 users are following.

aga2020
aga2020

My TMJ problems started few years after having lots of dental work done in 2014 (crowns, bridges etc). At first I had headaches right above my eye and behind it. In April 2018 my jaw locked open approx 10 minutes during dental procedure. I was able to unlock it but my dentist did not mention to me that I have TMJ issue and should have this checked out ASAP. In June I started getting severe dizziness and had pressure on the back of my head. Other symptoms were clogged ears, ear ringing, very stiff neck, fuzzy vision, numbness in right hand. I did not connect dots that the dizziness could have been caused by TMJ. Therefore, I went to ER 8 times, was admitted to the hospital, had multiple MRIs and CT scans of brain, neck and jaw. All type of blood work done. I was checked by ENT, control disease doctor and neurologist. There was nothing wrong with my neck C1 or C2. My third levels were good. All tests were negative and none of the doctors could figure out why I felt so dizzy and lightheaded. None of them mentioned jaw. 

At this point I decided that maybe this has to do something with my jaw and went to TMJ dentist specialist. CT scan of my jaw showed that my bite was off and my lower jaw was pushed backwards pressing on ears, veins and nerves. I agreed to splint therapy $5000 that I have to wear 24/7. Now I’m 2 weeks into the treatment and dizziness is still severe. I also started therapy with chiropractor on my neck. But nothing is helping. I never was much in pain so this is not an issue but the dizziness in ruining my life. I feel constantly dizzy or about to faint. I am unable to drive since June and not able to work almost 4 months. Did anyone have gone through similar situation? Did the splint therapy works for dizziness and how long does it take?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • DizzyLizzy68
    DizzyLizzy68 aga2020

    Posted

    I had a similar condition, but I do have big problems in my neck. But I did get relief from TMJ treatment a few yrs ago. It wasn't the splint that helped, but rather a physical therapist who specializes in TMJ treatment. Also, a lot of your symptoms sound like MAV or atypical migraine. I've also been diagnosed with that. I had a personal history of regular migraines, but very infrequent. Then they changed to the dizzy type, almost daily. Your symptoms sound a lot like migraine- even the numbness in hand. A neurologist is the best Dr to diagnose this.

  • hmoosey
    hmoosey aga2020

    Posted

    I had numbness in my right hand fogginess, dizziness, ear ringing/buzzing.  This was all day everyday for months.  Look up vestibular migraines.  These are all symptoms.  Especially the numbness in hand.  That shocked me.  When I started Norotriptiline-most of the symptoms went away.  The numbness in my right hand which had been constant for months -gone in a couple of days.  Brain fog-gone almost immediately.  I still have the buzzing in my ears and sometimes trip over self.  But only dizzy with certain specific things now. I had to ask for this treatment.  Ask your doctor.  There is only an upside to this.  Had I just let the doctors keep telling me I would get better with time-I know I would still be unable to care for myself.  
  • aga2020
    aga2020

    Posted

    Thank you for bringing MAV up. I was not aware of the fact that so many illnesses can have the same symptoms. My neurologist did mentioned about this type of migraine but I absolutely did not think this could be it. Thought he was crazy and trying to push more pills down my throat. I never had any headaches except of the ones associated with TMJ in my temples. I am going to look this up and find a specialist near me to asses it. I know that caffeine and alcohol makes is worst that’s why I did not have any of these in months.

    Lizzy- how long did you do therapy and splint for before dizziness subside? I feel like the days I have therapy (3/4 times a week) I feel much better so I know therapy is helping here. My problem is that my neck muscles get so tense and stiff and right away I get dizzy and out of it the only thing that helps is muscle relaxant.

  • DizzyLizzy68
    DizzyLizzy68 aga2020

    Posted

    My relief from physical therapy was pretty immediate and lasted for about a year or so. Then I went back again, but my wonderful therapist had moved away. I was put with another who did not help at all. Now I am going to try again with 3rd therapist starting next week. I have neck issues that will be worked on as well as my jaw. I do not wear the splint anymore because it needed to be adjusted very frequently, and I could not afford to keep paying for those visits on top of all my other health costs! I personally didn't find the splint as helpful as the therapy.

    My Neuro was the one who referred me to the first therapist. Neuro said to be very careful who you let work on your jaw. So it seems very important to get the right therapist.

  • aga2020
    aga2020

    Posted

    Hi, I wanted to give you an update on my situation. I am on week 9 of wearing splint and the symptoms improved but are still disabling me from normal living like driving car or working (dizziness, brain fog and neck muscle tension). I have seen today another TMJ specialist at University of Maryland dental school and was prescribed Norotriptiline since he thinks my nerves in face, neck and head are on fire. Like I developed some over sensitivity. This could have started because of the jaw issue but it’s a separate illness. Also he referred me to otolaryngologist at John Hopkins hospital which I am going to see next week. I will you give an update next week in case I find out something. Hope you all are doing well.

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