Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

TMJ?

lovebaby8
lovebaby8
I think my RA has started causing me to develop TMJ and its quite painful I was talking to my RA doctor about this on wednesday and he wasn't sure. I just know that both sides of my jaw is causing some extreme pain and its goes up to my ears at times. My birthday was last tuesday and my mom made my favorite food and it hurt so much I couldn't get the fork in my mouth very well. I lost 9 pounds last month due to having problems with getting my mouth open wide enough. I thought that dentists deals with this type of thing but when I talk to people about it i find this is incorrect and there is a specialist for this. Any ideas who I go to see about this I just know that its really painful and making it difficult for me to eat. So far the only relief I have found is sleeping with an ice pack on my jaw. But thats been about it. Any advice would be nice :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ok, hopefully somebody WAY more qualified than me speaks up BUT! I dated a girl with TMJ... She ended up going to an ear nose and throat doc if i remember correctly... hope this helps!
irocket
irocket
I would go to the ear, nose and throat doctor for sure. My mom has had to have surgery for her tmj. I would also go to a dentist. They can take x-rays and also make sure that you don't have any cavities or infections which would need to be fixed first.
I developed tmj problems in my late teens from an infected wisdom tooth and have had problems since. So go see the dentist first and make sure that you get copies of your x-rays and files. See if you feel better in a couple of weeks if not you have what you need to see the e.n. and t. specialist. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
neuromuscular dentistry
honor435
honor435
they have tmj specialists, i go to one, you have to get a mouthguard made, ask your ins first, it is considered medical, not dental, dont know why? try warm moist heat, then ice, see what feels better, the tmj docs make a god mouthguard, dont buy a store one, worthless, some dentists make them, but make sure they didnt just take a 6 wk class. I can SO relate, are you grinding or clenching, sometimes your partner can hear if you are. there is a group for tmj, may want to go on there?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yup, I agree with Honor, go see a Dentist that specializes on TMJ, that should solve the issue.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i have tmj. your regular dentist might be able to make a partial or full diagnosis, depending on his/her training. check your area for a dentist that specializes in TMJ. they can do the proper x-rays, tests, and then make the correct appliances you may need, if indeed you do have tmj. pain wouldn't be the only symptom, i don't think. you can go to the tmj support group here on DS, and there is a lot of good info there. take care! :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I broke my jaw in 1982 and that led to TMJ. Not much can be done other than Rx opioids and muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories. Mouth guards can be made. Injections of steroids and local anesthetic may help as well. There is a TMJ group on DS.