Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Memphis, TN
New Here...long Time Tmj, New Symptons? Posted: 08-27-07 16:36pm
Hi,
I was diagnosed with TMJ at age 12; I'm
now 28 so have dealth with headaches for a
very long time. I've never sought
treatment b/c I assumed the only treatment
was surgery. I wasn't interested in this
route.
The latest is that I had an ear infection
about 4 weeks ago. When I visited the ENT
I was also having a TMJ headache that had
lasted about a week. Dr. gave me
antibiotics, but the pain never went away.
I had fluid in my ear, the top of my outer
ear hurt, and the muscle behind the top of
my ear hurt/feel very tight. I was
convinced the infection did not clear up
from the infection b/c this pain is still
there. In addition, my cheek on and off
feels numb and tight, though it's not
painful like the ear. Ear also feels full
on and off.
The dr. says that this pain is from TMJ,
but I said that in my 16 years I've never
had this type of pain; it's always been
just the headache/aching deep in ear.
Because I don't know what else to do, I'm
going to an oral surgeon for TMJ treatment
(I do NOT want surgery, but it's the only
type of dr. my insurance will cover.
Office says they do not always perform
surgery but can treat in other ways).
Long story to get to my question...does it
sound possible that the ear symptoms which
have developed after the ear infection
could be TMJ?
PS - typical tmj headaches have gone away
but ear pain/tightness rarely has. This
has been going on about 3-5 weeks.
Thanks,
Mindy
|
twinkl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Memphis, TN
Additio to Above Post Posted: 08-27-07 16:43pm
I should clarify that I've visited 2 ENTs
who've both told me there is no more sign
of ear infection; one said that the pain
behind my ear/outer ear and face is from
inflammed nerves. At times, it feels like
the entire side of my face hurts. I've
used heat, ice and taken inflammatories
and seen no sustained change.
The other ENT says the pain is from TMJ.
Again, the ear symptoms are completely new
and have come up after/around the ear
infection. I also had a cat scan b/c of
the ear infection and the face numbness;
it was clear.
Just ironic that these new symptoms have
come up so close to the infection, and the
dr. says its TMJ.
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4349 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 93
Thanked:63
Hey Posted: 08-27-07 17:12pm
i have some of those same symptoms. what
else have you done for tmj?
the reason you havent had trouble is that
the body is adaptable to a point. when its
had enough you begin to feel it.
I have a suggestion for you---if
interested let me know pm me and we will
talk about it.
|
twinkl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Memphis, TN
Dyan Posted: 08-27-07 18:56pm
I would love to talk about it. How do we
communicate here?
I have not done anything for TMJ until
within the past 2 wks or so. I've
repositioned the way I hold my mouth
(teeth apart, tounge to roof of mouth).
And I've stopped chewing gum, done
exercises from "Taking Control of TMJ" a
few times but not consistently.
Thanks for the response,
Mindy
|
catswold
Supporter
Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 404 Location: Flint, Michigan
Posted: 08-27-07 19:44pm
Hi Mindy,
The pain that you are describing is very
typical TMJ pains. I used to go to
doctors at the beginning of all this mess
because I was sure I had an ear infection.
My one ear was always a little red but
nothing else. Your ear infection might
not even have been ear infection. TMJ can
change over the years. You may have more
stress in your life right now and could be
grinding or clenching your teeth while you
sleep. You may have yawned too widely one
time or eaten something too hard, etc.
TMJ is crazy like that.
The OS you are seeing should be able to
make a bite splint. If that doesn't help
there are other "specialists" you should
try even if the money comes out of your
pocket unfortunately.
I hope you get the pain relief and help
you need soon.
God bless...
Carol
|
twinkl
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Memphis, TN
to Catsworld... Posted: 08-27-07 20:30pm
Thanks for the response. A couple of
comments...
1. Funny that you should mention the
additional stress right now b/c that is
DEFINETLY the case. I'm under much more
stress than normal.
2. Interesting point about possibly not
even being an ear infection, but I really
think it was b/c I had a swollen lymph
node and the dr. did see fluid in my ear
at one point. Just still feels weird.
Thanks,
Mindy
|
Tmddyan
Moderator
Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4349 Location: post falls, id usa
Thanks: 93
Thanked:63
Hey Posted: 08-28-07 12:29pm
pm(private message) is the best for
here---which you figured out --way to go.
Ive pmd you and given you my email. we
will take it from there. ok?
|
grassy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 116 Location: northeast
Funny That Happened to Me Posted: 08-29-07 14:23pm
Hey thats funny, When i first got sick, i
went to my doctor, and he told me i had
fluid on my inner ear. Anyway to make a
long story short, i dont know if i ever
DID have fluid on my inner ear. One
physical therapist told me the MD was
looking in my ear and seeing a displaced
jaw bone, and thought it was fluid.so i
did end up with tmj..... but tmj can do
the weirdest things to ears. i also went
to 3 ent's who all said my ears were fine.
just a weird story. cindy
