AboutSusan Tannenbam Expertise I AM NOT A DENTIST!!!!!!!! PLEASE DON'T ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ANSWERED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL..but I have had TMJ so
I can answer questions on how I finally got my TMJ under control. I have several things I have done to treat myself, plus suggestions on what professionals to seek out, exercises, the best nightguard devices, etc..
Question Hi!
I have had TMJ flare-ups off and on over the past 15 yrs. I feel that my TMJ is not joint related as I rarely have popping or clicking. My TMJ is more muscle/nerve related. During flare-ups I get moderate to severe spasms of the muscles surrounding the joint. If I just go to get a tooth filled, I'm in pain for 1-4 months after. I have found some relief by taking magnesium supplements which act as a natural muscle relaxant. Here is my problem (finally- LOL) I think I need to get my impacted wisdom tooth out. I am 42 yrs old and the tooth is starting to grow into the molar next to it. I am absolutely petrified at the possible effect that such oral surgery will have on my TMJ. I don't want to be one of those people who has chronic pain for the rest of my life! I not yet spoken with an oral surgeon about this. Do you have any experience in this type of situation? Can you give me some advice regarding ways that you have treated your TMJ?
Thanks so much,
A very scared TMJ sufferer.
Answer I found the alpha-stim 100 very good for muscle pain. You need a RX to get it. It is expensive but worth it. I apply it directly to the painful area. See alpha-stim.com to learn about it. A "pain" doctor or Physical therapist would know about it.
If you take advil a LOT - no good! There was a study a couple of years ago that showed that too much Advil can make pain worse! I could not get rid of my pain for years until i STOPPED advil!
I wear a hard (soft isn't good) nightguard every night which helps also.
Klonopin is a prescription med that can be used once in awhile to break the pain cycle of TMJ by relaxing the muscles. There are other meds also like Flexerall (spelling?) that are muscle relaxants - very good also.
I find ultrasound given by a physical therapist to be extremely helpful. My "TMJ" dentist offers this also. It can really break the pain cycle.
As for oral surgery - I did recently have some pain after implants were done on me, but I used the alpha-stim 100, applied wet heat, and I was fine.
I hope some of this helps.
