Jaw clenching (and shoulders too!): I can't find... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,244 members166,489 posts

Jaw clenching (and shoulders too!)

Ruthi profile image
12 Replies

I can't find any useful information on causes of this, but I am gradually getting worse, and now wake most mornings with my jaw locked. I have some exercises to release the muscles, but that only lasts as long as I don't do it again.

Anyone had any experience? Any ideas on causes? I am not particularly stressed at the moment. When I did my cortisol a couple of years ago it was elevated throughout the day, but I would think its dropped since then. Maybe time to do it again just to find out!

I'm on NDT - struggling at the moment to get the local NHS lab to do T3, and my T4 is at the bottom of the range. I think I will give in and go to Blue Horizon if I can get the surgery to take the blood for me - its unrealistic to do the fingerprick thing for me, too much of a blood wimp!

Written by
Ruthi profile image
Ruthi
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Ruthi,

Bruxism can cause head and neck tension.

google.co.uk/search?q=bruxi...

My dentist made me a mouth guard to wear at night to prevent me grinding my teeth. Completely eased the head and neck problems I was having cranial osteopathy to relieve.

Ruthi profile image
Ruthi in reply toClutter

I don't grind my teeth, just clench them, and tense up the muscles in my neck and shoulders especially. Dentist does not think a mouth guard will help because I don't grind, just clench, and would just clamp down on the guard!

Rennixon profile image
Rennixon in reply toRuthi

Ruthi you have my sympathy, years ago I had this problem the pain was unbearable, just lifting my head of the pillow in the morning sent stabbing pains through my head, ears & neck. I didn't grind my teeth either.

I used relaxation techniques before sleeping, to relax my muscles & also adjust the position of the jaw(ie sleeping with your mouth slightly open) I had a guard made & this helped too.

It went away for years, then with the stress of ill health came back. This time I bought a sports guard ( ones you heat up and then it moulds around your teeth) & did the relaxation again, & it worked. I think you have to retrain your muscles to relax & be in a different position when you go to sleep. So relaxation & then putting in the guard may help.

To relax the muscles clench teeth together tightening muscles & relax & let go - keep doing it until your muscles are really relaxed. Hope this helps & good luck.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Tetany. Could be calcium or magnesium deficiency. Calcium is easily checked by your GP with a blood test. Magesium can't be checked by a blood test, best way is to supplement and see if it works. I'd suggest you supplement with calcium / magnesium citrate and see if it gets better. Ask you GP to check your calcium levels if it hasn't been done in the lasst few years.

Ruthi profile image
Ruthi

i already supplement with magnesium. Serum calcium was last checked in 2010 when it was mid range. I have had hair and urine tests since and it was fine on those too. I eat loads of eggs and cheese - and green veg.

Tetany is a good word though, off to google!

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply toRuthi

It was a good idea while it lasted!

BadHare profile image
BadHare

Hi,

TMJ problems & bruxism are caused by stress, & some medication.

Have you tried doing relaxation exercises?

I have a silicon brace from my dentist, which helps my jaw.

A long soak in an epsom salt bath with aromatherapy oil helps me relax at bedtime, & increases magnesium, too.

M*

fibrolinda profile image
fibrolinda

I still have this but no where near as much as before I started NDT. It came day or night and took huge effort to relax the muscles. relaxation, meditation help but don't stop it. wish I could be of help:( It sucks I know but there is hope as thinking about it don't think its happened for a few weeks. Maybe when you get optimum on NDT it will ease or stop . Fingers painfully crossed for you. It is very common in fibromyalgia apparently,

regards linda

thyr01d profile image
thyr01d

According to Earl Mindell the following may help teeth grinding, though I appreciate that's not what you are doing, perhaps the same could help? Nsp, vitamin B complex am + pm and bonemeal tablets before sleep.

Ruthi profile image
Ruthi

What is NSP?

I don't think its magnesium, but other reading suggests that potassium can also cause problems to I will give the Adrenal Cocktail another go.

Overall everyone seems to agree its tension, despite my lack of stress in life. I am at a bit of a loss as to how much more relaxation I can go in for. I meditate twice daily most days!

Yesterday my melatonin arrived. I took .75mg last night, and that did make a real difference. Which does rather tie in with the cortisol theory. I think I need another cortisol spit test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

My dentist explained - You can get a mouth guard specifically for clenching (as opposed to one for grinding). About £100 for either

If money is no object you can apparently get one that does both - about £400 I think

I have just got one for grinding. I was extremely sceptical and thought I would find it too weird to wear and that it might make sleeping difficult. Much to my surprise and delight I find it really comfortable and it helps enormously. I no longer wake with aching jaw 😃

My husband also loves it and finds it great relief ......as he said before I got this, it was like sleeping next to a constant cement mixer!

Ruthi profile image
Ruthi

Thought I would report back on this. I came across a suggestion that parasites might be the cause of baptism, and was pointed towards Humaworm. Unfortunately it has to come from Canada, and I worked out that I would be mid treatment when I arrive in the bush on holiday. So I looked around for a UK equivalent, and bought Elle Belle Eliminateur.

Ten days in my symptoms have lessened considerably. No obvious effect so far on my gut, but something may be changing!

How odd is that? And how powerful the net!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Jaw clenching + Levothyroxine

Hi all, Apologies for the long post. I'd like some advice please regarding jaw clenching when on...
Beeper1 profile image

Joint issues (jaw and shoulders): Hashi's related?

I'm hypo/Hashi's on treatment, pretty well treated on t3 and t4 but I think I've been having...

Shoulders

Hello lovely people..Me again with a question: Do shoulders tend to get tensed because of thyroid...
Assiya profile image

T3....Too little or too much? Odd cardiac goings on and the jitters...2 questions!

Hello again! Now on 38 mgs t3 (split into 2 doses) and 50mcg t4 on waking since Feb. Feeling...

Jaw and Shoulder Pain

Did anyone have jaw and/or shoulder pain that was eventually relieved once they found their...

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.