Tmj Disorder

[she_who_is_not]

Does anyone else have this problem? I have TMJ disorder and usually the pain is manageable, but I've had a rough couple of weeks. I'm not sleeping and while it is a good opportunity to offer up prayers for the salvation of souls, I also have responsibilites and relationships to maintain. it is difficult to be present in my life when with the dizziness and the headaches and such. I'm in the middle of a job search and I really need to be at 100% right now. I've scheduled weekly massages for the next few months and I'm trying to be very aware and notice when I am clenching my jaw. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Saints whose intercession would be beneficial?

[IcePrincessKRS]

I am afraid I don't really have any advice, I'm sure you've tried many things to relieve the pain and discomfort. I will pray for you.

[size=4]A few saints that might be along the lines of patronage for your disorder: Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, and James the Greater--both patrons of those afflicted with arthritis. St. Werenfridus, patron against stiff joints. [/size] Aurelius, patron of "diseases of the head." And St. Blaise, who is, as I'm sure you're aware, patron of throat ailments. None of those is exactly your condition, but I figure none of them will mind interceding for you. And they were the closest matches I could find after I googled TMJ disorder.

ETA, I just re-read your post. St. Stephen and St. Teresa of Avila are both patrons against headaches.

[she_who_is_not]

Thanks Icey! I've been asking St. Appolonia because I thought teeth and mouth go together. I'm going to enlist these folk as my pain squad and we'll see what good things God can do. I'm also thinking this is God's way of reminding me to relax and trust. Having a flare-up lets me know that I'm stressing about something and am not aware of it. God is in control. I just to remember that.

[OnlySunshine]

I totally read the topic as "TMI disorder."

But, anyway, I guess you could say that I have a mild case of it. I am known to have bruxism (teeth grinding) at night which, at it's worst, gives me horrible headaches. It is the absolute worse when I am under moderate to severe stress. I've been noticing a difference in the intensity of it from my antidepressant, which really assists with the stress level. I also have jaw "clicking" when I eat. My mom and dad have it, too.

My old friend from when I was working in retail had a very awful case of TMJ. She had braces in her mid-30s and the way the teeth were moving, it caused horrible pain in her jaw and the orthodontist sent her to a specialist who recommended that she double up on the rubber bands to the point where she wasn't able to move her jaw as much. She attached them to the special posts on the braces (I've done that too). Apparently it worked because she never mentioned the pain again.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='she_who_is_not' timestamp='1322775993' post='2343316']
Thanks Icey! I've been asking St. Appolonia because I thought teeth and mouth go together. I'm going to enlist these folk as my pain squad and we'll see what good things God can do. I'm also thinking this is God's way of reminding me to relax and trust. Having a flare-up lets me know that I'm stressing about something and am not aware of it. God is in control. I just to remember that.
[/quote]

Here is a very interesting post on St. Apollonia which happens to be the patron of dental disorders, so she is perfect:

[url="http://www.thecatholicgiftshoponline.com/?p=44"]St. Apollonia[/url]

[she_who_is_not]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1322776359' post='2343322']
My mom and dad have it, too.

[/quote]

There is a genetic component. My Dad has it and I'm developing many of the same symptoms he has had. Most girls turn into their mothers, I'm turning into my Dad.

[missionseeker]

I have it, but I don't have any advice. sorry.

[Lilllabettt]

I have that problem occasionally. I have a brace - it looks like a retainer - I pop it in at night when I have a "flare up" and it sorts it alright. I got mine from the orthodontist, but I think they make cheaper ones and sell them at pharmacies.

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='Lilllabettt' timestamp='1322792105' post='2343480']
I have that problem occasionally. I have a brace - it looks like a retainer - I pop it in at night when I have a "flare up" and it sorts it alright. I got mine from the orthodontist, but I think they make cheaper ones and sell them at pharmacies.
[/quote]

Why am I suddenly reminded of the day we met?

[Totus Tuus]

I have it as well. It got better with age, but now I have a lot of bite problems (my upper and lower teeth don't fit together.. it's very annoying). I'm afraid I don't have any advice except to save your precious pennies and have it fixed. As far as the pain, that's not something you should have to be dealing with considering how many pain killers are out there. I am sure there is something that would help you, but you may have to get a prescription. Have you considered trying Unisom (OTC)? It's not a pain killer but it's a safe sleep aid that may help you, I'm not sure. Aleve strikes me as something that may help your pain.

Edited December 2, 2011 by Totus Tuus

[she_who_is_not]

I've thought about asking for a low dose of anti-anxiety medication, like ativan, just to help me relax at night. I have taken unisom and unfortunately it hasn't really helped. Benadryl is somewhat helpful. I used to have imitrex for migraines but I don't really get migraines anymore just bad headaches. I've been taking advil for the pain but I'm starting to get concerned that I'm damaging my liver by taking advil everyday. Which is probably paranoia and a sign I should treat the underlying anxiety issues. I also afraid of becoming addicted to pills and then engaging in felonious behavior due my pill addiction. My hope is to alleviate my symptoms through lifestyle change and alternative medicine. I have a mouth guard that I somehow manage to take out in my sleep so it's only moderately helpful. I really appreciate your advice. I hate doctors and I really hate dentists/orthodontists but I realize I'm going to have to smell of elderberries it up and actually see someone eventually.

I tend to think I can treat myself via google but I also realize what I would say to someone seeking legal advice via google. I don't always practice what I preach. My father's condition became so bad he had trouble eating and speaking before he saw an orthodontist. I don't want it to progress to that extent, but I also don't feel like it is a big deal. I'm a huge home remedies gal. Love home remedies. I feel like I'm sticking it to the medical profession every time I can fix something on my own. Mostly I just end up spending too much money at the hippie grocery store. However, this is a good excuse to use up my pre-paid massages which I bought to handle law school stress but was always too busy to use. This is the first time since I was 14 when I haven't been compulsively busy and ironically it is stressing me out beyond belief. I am a hard worker. It's who I am. Without a insane schedule I am a jaw clenching, headachy, sleep deprived nutcase. I think wine is the answer. Wine and tacos.

[incarnatewordsister]

My TMJ is horrible. I have limited opening of my mouth. My doctor prescribed muscle relaxers but somehow I managed to dislocate my jaw anyway. On Monday he's putting it back in place and giving me some sort of splinter because the mouth guard made it much worse.

I'm gonna have to be on a liquid diet for a long time....sooooo....my advice is go fix it now if you can because if you wait it will be much worse, more expensive, ad much more painful. Don't go to an orthodontist, go to a TMJ specialist if you can afford it.

[she_who_is_not]

Thanks Sister! There is an highly recommended TMJ specialist about 3 hours from where I live. I'm going to pray about this and talk to my parents over Christmas.

[Sarah147]

I've read from people that said magnesium taurate, at the right dose for them, took away their tmj. Magnesium affects the muscles and movement, so it makes sense. You could safely try around 800mg. They sell it on amazon.com

Edited December 4, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='she_who_is_not' timestamp='1322798136' post='2343541']
I've thought about asking for a low dose of anti-anxiety medication, like ativan, just to help me relax at night. I have taken unisom and unfortunately it hasn't really helped. Benadryl is somewhat helpful. I used to have imitrex for migraines but I don't really get migraines anymore just bad headaches. I've been taking advil for the pain but I'm starting to get concerned that I'm damaging my liver by taking advil everyday. Which is probably paranoia and a sign I should treat the underlying anxiety issues. I also afraid of becoming addicted to pills and then engaging in felonious behavior due my pill addiction. My hope is to alleviate my symptoms through lifestyle change and alternative medicine. I have a mouth guard that I somehow manage to take out in my sleep so it's only moderately helpful. I really appreciate your advice. I hate doctors and I really hate dentists/orthodontists but I realize I'm going to have to smell of elderberries it up and actually see someone eventually.

I tend to think I can treat myself via google but I also realize what I would say to someone seeking legal advice via google. I don't always practice what I preach. My father's condition became so bad he had trouble eating and speaking before he saw an orthodontist. I don't want it to progress to that extent, but I also don't feel like it is a big deal. I'm a huge home remedies gal. Love home remedies. I feel like I'm sticking it to the medical profession every time I can fix something on my own. Mostly I just end up spending too much money at the hippie grocery store. However, this is a good excuse to use up my pre-paid massages which I bought to handle law school stress but was always too busy to use. This is the first time since I was 14 when I haven't been compulsively busy and ironically it is stressing me out beyond belief. I am a hard worker. It's who I am. Without a insane schedule I am a jaw clenching, headachy, sleep deprived nutcase. I think wine is the answer. Wine and tacos.
[/quote]

I know different doctors will probably say different things about taking pain killers frequently. I have chronic migraines and used to take Excedrin or Immitrex every single day. I talked to my doctor about my concern of ruining my liver with all the meds, and he told me that it really was not something to be concerned about. I trust him, but I was still uncomfortable taking them so much. I had to, though, because having a migraine every day I could not function with life. However, praise God, the migraines let up little by little and now I only get them every week or so. I think that your pain is probably temporary, if you're planning to see a specialist, so while I'm no doctor, I think my doc would tell you not to worry about taking the pain meds so frequently.