Saw the TMD specialist today
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Saw the TMD specialist today
| Mon, 04-25-2005 - 11:54am |
Hi Ladies,
Just thought I would post a quick update.
I saw the TMD specialist today. The appointment was 2 hours long!! I didn't know it would take so long. She said I have TMD and that clenching my teeth doesn't help matters. They are going to make me a splint that has to be worn every day. Not real sure how I feel about that, but if it helps take away the pain, then so be it. My jaw is throbbing from being open so much. :(
I am having a real hard time lately. The RA has been having a field day. I am too close to leaving to start the paperwork to get Enbrel. I have been taking 10 mgs of prednisone a day. Maybe we need to increase it. I haven't been sleeping, even with the Ambien. I think I am just stressing out and that everything


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(((((((((( Cyn )))))))))), I'm sorry you're having such a rough time of it now.
Molly
I have a splint and I wear mine when I sleep. It takes a bit to get use to it, but then you don't know you have it in. It does help. Of course, some mornings I wake up and can't find the dang thing. I have tossed it out of my mouth in my sleep!! Sometimes, I have indentations in my back from sleeping ON it!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
It sounds like you are following the normal course for TMD. Hang in there.
Gentle Hugs,
Vicki
(((Cyn))). I'm so sorry that you've been in so much pain. Jaw pain is just the worst. I don't have TMD, but I've had RA related jaw pain in the past and it's no fun. I hope that you'll get use to the splint and it helps you. Why is it that RA decides to flare up when you have other problems to deal with? Hopefully you won't have to wait too long to get Enbrel once you get back to the States.
Please take care of yourself and let us know how the splint works out.
Take care! Barb
Hi Cyndi,
It’s Donna, Vicki’s Daughter....My mom has been telling me about what you are going through with your jaw. :(
I know how you feel — the pain and frustration! Did the specialist say if you had any disc displacement included with your TMD. TMD can be different person to person. I’ve heard of people with it who have a bad bite. Sometimes putting on braces, etc can fix the problem. For me, both discs are displaced and my jaw bones are deteriorating. Nothing to do to fix it, just to help it not get any worse.
The first flare up I had was back in 1995. At that time, all they did was send me to P.T. The splint will help. About three years ago I had another flare and first went to a specialist. They took tons of X-rays. I had to go to a special place that does these full head x-rays. They put me in physical therapy for a couple months and made me a splint and things got back to normal for a couple of years. In PT, they can put ultrasound on your jaw and manually work on it. For me, they always worked also on my neck because with the fibro, it seems to be very related to the jaw pain. At that time, I had a lot of pain, but could still get my mouth open fairly well.
Reducing your stress as much as possible is also a great help to the TMD! I know, easier said than done, especially when you are in so much darn pain! Eat soft foods, do what they say and give it a few months. It should get better. Like I said, I was pretty good for a couple of years. Then a trip to get my teeth cleaned set me off into another flare and instead of listening to my body (and the dentist who said to take two weeks off of work) I kept talking 10 hrs a day on the phone at work -- “it was our busy time and I couldn’t take any time off”. Well, you know the rest of the story from there. I wound up on disability! If they tell you not to talk, DON’T! As hard as it is, don’t do it! During that flare up, they again sent me to PT, but it didn’t help that time. I had an MRI and was sent to an oral surgeon to do a procedure to get my jaw more mobile, because at that time I could only open my mouth 10-15mm! But it sounds like you are still able to eat...obviously not a raw carrot or corn on the cob, but as long as you are able to eat, that is a good thing!
Going to the appointments will get it hurting worse. Try not to schedule anything else that day afterwards and let your body rest.
Feel free to email me back with any others questions. I’m happy to help! I know I sure wished there was someone I could talk to about it when I was going through it!
Donna
I thought I would post this in case there is anyone out there with jaw problems.
Vicki
Thank you Michele,
I am hoping once the stress of this move goes away it will help the RA, FMS, and jaw.
Until then I will buck up,and deal with it the best I can. How are you doing?
Hi Molly,
I only have to wear the splint almost all day I think. Except when I am eating. I will get more information when I go to the appointment to start the process of getting the splint made. I am to e-mail the specialist today, and let her know what day works best for me. We would have set it up yesterday, but she had to rush as she had another appointment. We are shooting for Friday. She wants to get started on it soon, so we have time to get everything done before I leave. I find myself clenching my teeth throughout the day. I stop as soon as I notice it, she said it will take a while before I stop,and she said that due to this PCS I will most likely have a hard time stopping.
No, I am not on a anti-anxiety med. I can take them, I just don't know which ones
Hi Vicki,
I just typed out this long reply to you, but for some reason it went poof. Now, I have to start all over.
I can see you tossing your splint out of your mouth. LOL
Hi Barb,
Thank you for the hugs,and the reply. I am hoping I can get into a local rheumy right away when we get to Georgia. We are going on leave before we get there. I am not sure how long, but it will be for 2 weeks at least. I am looking forward to the break. After all the moving stress is gone, it will be nice to hit the beach. LOL
How are you doing?
Take care.
Love and hugs,
I e-mailed her back. Thank you again Vicki.
Love you,
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