TMD pain

[SilverSavvy]

Anybody got any advice on TMD? I have now had two bouts of this awful jaw pain and I'm wondering if it has anything to do with being over/undermedicated. The first time I got it, I had recently gone up from 50 to 75mg levo and this time it follows a recent increase to 100mg.

I've had to come off my vitamins for a week in order to get bloods tested. Last time I had them done my Vit D was 'insufficient' but I've been dosing myself with BetterYou D3/K2 for the past three months. Obviously none of any vits for the last week. But the pain had started before that anyway.

Could it be the increase in meds? Is it a sign that I'm overmedicated?

Test results to follow in a few days. Any advice from fellow sufferers much appreciated.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

The only vitamins you need to stop 4-7 days before a thyroid blood test are those that contain biotin such as a B complex. Others like vit D you can continue right up until the day before the test. On the day of the test take them after it is done.

TMD is not a sign of hyperthyroidism that I know of. It is more often reported by people who have hypermobile joints due to lax tissues and ligaments.

There is a lot of change that happens when you increase your dose so likely caused by that and hopefully once the dose settles the TMD will also settle down.

Information on TMJ: tmj.org/living-with-tmj/tre...

[HeartWoman in reply to GlowCoach]

I have that too. I have been on 75mcg T4 and 5mcg T3 for 5 weeks and it is starting to let up. When I increase my dose, I get bit and then it settles down after a while. I understand how uncomfortable it is, but should get better in time.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Common issue with thyroid disease….discuss with your dentist getting mouth guard to wear at night ……

Cost about £300

[Hedgeree]

Hi SilverSavvy,

Do you feel under any stress? I have this condition too. When my anxiety is high I end up grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw mostly at night. This makes my TMD more uncomfortable and I end up with cramp and a painful jaw.

The mouth guard does help. It feels strange at first and makes me drool but does alleviate the discomfort.

[SilverSavvy]

Thanks everyone. I will take your advice plus speak to a dentist when I can get to see one. It is a comfort to know that other folks get it in the same circs. (And yes, Hedgeree, it had been a particularly stressful week before it started. ) AND I had been getting grief from both Achilles tendons too, so maybe it has been affecting more ligaments than I realised. Be interesting to see what this week's bloods say...maybe my Vit D levels are still not all they might be.

I think I read somewhere that Levo can deplete Vit D so perhaps it makes sense that an increase in meds might have that effect. It did indeed settle after a few weeks last time. Cheers, all.

[helvella]

I suggest you consider taking vitamin B12.

I feel that it help with my jaw/facial pain. At one point, I was taking B12 like paracetamol. As soon as I felt something, I'd take one.

Always difficult to be certain what really helped, and what just gave me the feeling of doing something.

Ideally, you'd know your B12 and folate levels. Then you'd have more of an idea whether to supplement folate/folic acid as well.

I just used very common 1000 microgram methylcobalamin which tasted really nice!

[SilverSavvy in reply to helvella]

Yes, I'm waiting on results now...my B12 was decent last time (and it's always been a big family issue so I check that first) but my folate was pretty low and the D was 'insufficient'.

I only know this because of private testing. I asked at GP's last week if they could do my vits as well as T3 and T4 but when I got there, request was (as usual) completely ignored. Only TSH requested by doc. Good job I did some more with Medichecks. I'm definitely going to go that route all the time once I feel I've titrated up to the correct dose. Alas, in the meantime, I have to prove to docs that I need it and they want to have that on their own records

[Summerlove]

Hi SilverSavvy

Yes I can relate to the jaw pain. My self diagnosed TMJ pain. Also the random pain in teeth not toothache just every tooth in my head has pain. It comes on suddenly and goes but it’s very painful. I think it’s a type of trigeminal neuralgia associated with the TMJ. Do you also get pain over your eyes and eyebrows? My bottom jaw is often tender in the mornings. I’m guessing I have bruxism too. I did try the mouth guard but did nothing other than affecting my bank balance. Interesting I too have developed Achilles tendinitis. I’m guessing all related to being hypothyroid. I also developed tinnitus and that’s also dreadful. My folate is often low but B12 in range. But as you know B12 results are not reliable. So alternate days I take folic acid and B12 cut in half. If I take full doses I feel wired and just generally yuk. Currently having cramp in calves especially at night. All connected I’m certain. Anyway I take ibuprofen but not too much for jaw pain and wheat bag warmed in microwave. Alternate with a cool block wrapped in a tea towel. If really bad a small amount of voltarol gel rubbed around area avoiding eyes. I hope you have found some relief it can be distressing at times.

[SilverSavvy in reply to Summerlove]

Hello Summerlove and thanks for this.

No, I don't get any other kind of facial pain. And tbf, the TMD is not a huge issue all the time...though it flares badly now and then. But I am also developing Achilles tendinitis and I've had tinnitus since this I started on all this about three years ago. I can't take folic acid as it causes me problems but I do take Methylfolate and Methylcobalamin which help a lot. I am currently trying to optimise my vitamins as per advice from the clever folk on this forum. And I'm looking to try and add T3 into my meds if I can get it.

Calf cramps can be indicative of other health issues I think - have you mentioned them to your doc? I think I would.

Good luck with your journey...hoping you can feel better soon.