TMJ suffering

[Bassem1979]

Hi

Newly diagnosed with TMJ and looking for some advice. But of background

14 weeks ago I went to the dentist and had my lower bottom back tooth removed, a few days later I developed dry socket which lead to a server infection. My whole neck swelled and I could not open my mouth due to the swelling. I was put on 2 lots of antibiotics, very slowly in all about 6 weeks the gum healed then out of the blue I had only what I can describe as a funny turn, omg it was awful I felt dizzy, vomiting my head was all fuzzy my arms and legs didn’t feel right and I went to the hospital where surprise surprise said ear issues but also anxiety. Yes I was anxious who wouldn’t but I knew I was not right. A few days later my own GP said I had an inner ear infection more antibiotics. I was told the feeling and symptoms could last 6 weeks or more. A few weeks later I experienced another attack again went to the hospital, again was told my ear and anxiety and to monitor.

last Friday I had enough and went back to the doctor saw a lovely doctor after he examined me and listened to my symptoms said I think you have TMJ well these are my symptoms

Jaw pain, ear pain, temple pain, headache, inner cheek and tongue discomfort, metallic taste and fuzzy/lightheaded headed

Taking for long periods and eating a big meal make it worse

My anxiety has gone through the roof am not my self, am not suicidal but am so fed up. I ve been told it can heal its self but am so frightened it won’t.

Any advice?? Sorry for long post thanks for reading x

[LoveforAll41]

Hi Bassem, I am so sorry that you have had to go through such trying things and I think anyone would be fed up at this point. I don't have experience with any of this other than the anxiety. How are things going?

[Agora1]

Bassem1979 many years ago when I was first diagnosed with GAD, I suffered from

TMJ as well. I never bore down and ground my teeth but I did use that motion when

stressed and stopping short of hitting the teeth together. After a while, the muscles

in the jaw, inner ear, temple back of neck suffered undue stress. Enough to cause my

bit to be off. Like you, talking too long or eating prompted these symptoms to get

tighter causing pain.

My dentist used soft tissue massage, grinding down upper and lower teeth as

well as a mouth guard to wear at night. You see when the muscles in the inner ear

canal are tense, it can throw off our equilibrium. You've been through so much,

please believe in your dentist and know that this will eventually correct itself.

My thoughts are with you xx