What is TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD or TMD), or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The ...
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Hi my name is Lacey and I'm 23, I've had Tmj since I was 14 but recently it seems to have gotten progressively worse. I'm not even quite sure what to do anymore, my jaw on both sides pops and locks regularly - I have almost daily headaches, my jaw and ears hurt all the time and as of about a month ago I have a constant ringing in my left ear. I can't sleep, I mighht get 4 hours a night. I got so fed up yesterday that I went to me local clinic for advice, because my regular doctor was booked up. I felt like I was dismissed by the doctor, who attributed the ringing to my daily dose of advice for headaches. She completely dismissed tmj as a cause of the ringing, and didn't give any advice on how to cope with the increased pain in my ear and jaw. She said and I quote "It was just something I was going to have to live with."
I left the office in tears. I'm not sure where I'm suppose to go from here but I know the pain is not something I want to learn to live with. I've become increasingly irritable with my family and friends over the past few months - I really don't feel like myself anymore. Please if you have any advice, I'd be very grateful. Lacey Posted on 11/03/09, 03:11 pm |
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check out the NTI appliance. I used to do the waking up all night as well, and now sleep soundly and have much less pain and no popping and headaches etc. www.headacheprevention.com 
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also, don't be alarmed by your doctors response. That is very much typical for the medical community, almost as if your jaw isn't part of your anatomy or something-really needs to change quick. I had probably been to 10 well respected neurologists until i went to this headache clinic in San diego where the inventor of the NTI, a TMJer himself, was working at.
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Jeremy is right in saying not to be alarmed at the Dr.'s response. Unfortunately, that happens all too often with TMJD. You should find a Dr. who specializes in TMJ disorders. This may take some leg work and phone calls as the Dr. may be listed as an oral surgeon, an orthodontist, a maxiofacial surgeon, a neuromuscular dentist or other. You should ask what percentage of their patients suffer with TMJD. You want someone who sees lots of TMJ disorders.
Also, don't be alarmed if you need to try different treatments (splint, NTI, massage, acupuncture, tens, etc.) before you find something that helps you. TMJD may be joint related, muscle related (any of several muscles) or a combination. So, what works for some doesn't work for others. Good luck, sam
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Thanks. In hind sight I realize i shouldn't have been so upset. It's the ringing that's really getting to me and that is causing lack of sleep. Then I have trouble concentrating at work and then stress bc my supervisor is on me about qaulity and stats. It's a cicle I can't seem to break.
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i can sympathize for sure. It does seem to be a vicious circle of stress, pain, and then more stress and pain. you can also find a provider at http://www.aacfp.org , just look to the left where it says "referral area"
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HI---Please call Dr. Brock Rondeau's office and get a consult. He is the one to see in canada. I hope you are near him. If not, call and ask the assistant if they can give you a referral to someone who treats tmjd like Dr. Rondeau, and has the same credentials. See if any specialist you choose will bill under MPD, mayofacial pain disorder, this is covered under your medical ins. usually, and you might be able to get the splints covered at least under medical equipment, etc. I know many people who's doctors have worked with them using these diagnostic codes to get this crap covered. Good luck!!!!!
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