Jaw pain

[cefnonn1]

Diagnosed with TMJ today. Wondered how many of you have this and how you cope with it. Thank you your always brill with your replys 👍

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi,

Yes, I suffer from this quite a lot. I find a heat pad against the side of my face (which ever side happens to be the worst at the time) does give a little bit of relief, along with something like paracetamol.

[cefnonn1 in reply to M0AL61]

Thank you. They told me at the hospital to try heat treatment so I'll give it ago.x

[skit]

I have TMJ. The hospital Max fac diagnosed it. I now have a mouth guard to wear at night to stop me grinding my teeth. In the short time I have used it there is a difference. The specialist advised to stop eating crunchy food like apples or taking large bits of food like maybe cake for up to 3 months. I eat softened breakfast cereal or porridge,lots of homemade soup and cut up bananas into rings to consume. Unfortunately it is on my left side more pain and sleeping is impossible on my right due to other pain.

[cefnonn1 in reply to skit]

Like you i also have it on my left side so can't sleep that way. Because i have fibro sleeping on the right is also a nightmare. Last night i felt as if i was awake all night tossing from one side to the other 😣😣😣

[FibroGirlUK]

Obviously I am not a doctor, but you might want to try this.

If you feel from you jaw down to your collar bone you will find the right tendons that trigger this. They are tight as bow strings.

Don’t pinch, but exert pressure from the collarbone upwards equally on both sides of the tendon. Keep going until you get to the jaw.

After you have done that feel the space between the back of your jaw bone and skull. It’s probably very sore. Circular motions into your jaw.

As with everything that causes pain, with ever pressure/motion breathe in deeply and exhale slowly as you work through it.

Move your hands the the base of your skull and push your thumbs into the dips between skull and spine. Repeat the circular movement. Then go to the brain/skull cradle and repeat.

[cefnonn1 in reply to FibroGirlUK]

Wow i'm going to try this. Do you know each time i have seen my gp and also at the hospital yesterday i mentioned the pain in those tendons and they said nothing. Can this cause throat pain i am waiting for an ent appt., as i have had continual throat pain since January.

[kimey007]

Hi i was reffered to neuroligist for pain down the left side of my face and she diagnosed occipital neuralgia .the flare ups are awful lasting between anything from 8hrs to 4 days, the consultant explained there are a bunch of nerves around the ear which get inflamed triggered by draught or athritis pain in neck etc. Dont know if this is relevant to you but just thought i would explain another reason for face pain. I dont know about you but i may get flare ups for a few weeks of and on,and then maybe nothing for a few weeks. For pain releif i take tramadol,ibuprofen and nortripyline and i find heat very good which eventually does the trick with the pain. Hope this helps take care kim x

[cefnonn1 in reply to kimey007]

Thank you for your reply. This all started last year with tooth, ear and jaw pain and went on for months. The consultant i saw yesterday was very good and knew exactly where to press for my pain. I will be trying heat treatment. I take regular paracetamol but can't take ibprofen as it upsets my tum. Always good advice on here thank you

[skit in reply to kimey007]

Thanks for your info on jaw pain. It makes 100% sense to me. I have arthritis in my neck and it went into muscular spasm last year resulting in 9 days in hospital. I have since developed TNJ pain but that might be a catch all . I cannot take Tramadol or ibuprofen. I have mouth guard to stop night grinding and that is slowly easing my jaw pain without pharmacology involvement.

[Roselil]

So sorry that you have TMJ I also have had this for years. It is no joke! Just had some dental treatment a month ago and my jaw is still hurting very much from it! I also have an exposed nerve, so that has been rather unbearable at times. You will need to eat soft foods and not bite into anything hard. You can manage it. I use aloe vera gel to rub in the jaw and help to keep it mobile. I find the cooling helps. Not so much heat. take care.

[cefnonn1 in reply to Roselil]

Thank you. Do you find your neck and jaw aches if you have been talking. My mum has an aloe vera plant so i will take a leaf of it and try the gel inside it.

[Roselil in reply to cefnonn1]

Yes, my neck and jaw gives pain/aches most of the time. Due to chronic illnesses, my muscles are too weak to operate my vocal chords anyway. Yes, do use the aloe vera gel, It is the best thing I know, but keep on with it. It takes a while to work.

[cefnonn1 in reply to Roselil]

Thank you mind I don't like the smell 😁😁😁

[caico]

I have had tmj for years since I had a infected saliva gland - that's when my fibro kicked in; as well as a work related breakdown.. My pain goes into my shoulder and then up into my eye and base of my skull when really bad. I have worn a mouthguard at night for several years and it REALLY helps. Have had physio in the past who gave me an exercise to stretch my jaw muscles when tight. A heat pad works to ease the pain and lots of gentle massage with your fingers. Try not to get too stressed out - deep breathing helps......and eating heathily helps my fibro - I don't eat gluten, dairy and drink plenty (not alcohol!). Dont chew gum. Take care.

[cefnonn1]

They did mention that this is a common complaint for those with fibro. I suppose as fibro effects all our nerve endings which heightens pain it's not surprising. Thank you and take care.

[PurpleDragonMistress]

I was wondering whom diagnosed you x just so I know the right route to go please x

[cefnonn1]

Hi I was referred by my GP to a Maskell Facial Surgeon. Because I have pain everywhere from Fibromyalgia I didn't realise how tender my jaw was until he started my examination. Hope that helps x