Tmj

[mlzippy7]

Does anyone here have TMJ? If so have you had surgery to fix the problem? I just don't know about having surgery on my jaw?! I would love to chat with anyone that is dealing with this or has in the past.
Thank you!

[ICNDonna]

I had surgery eight years ago after it was determined that I had a cartilage problem with bone rubbing on bone. The surgery wasn't fun, but it was well worth it to me.

Donna

[Goldfinch]

Have you tried physical therapy on your jaw? I always thought TMJ was a broad-spectrum diagnosis and can run the gamut from periodic discomfort to chronic pain. I do tend to grind my teeth or clench at night and a night-guard helps, although I don't use it all the time. When I had a really bad episode after getting a crown put it and my jaw completely froze (I could barely open my mouth) my dentist was determined to label me with TMJ. My dentist and I believe that the use of a wedge to keep your mouth open during dental work was the culprit; it doesn't allow you to know when your jaw needs to rest. I had several months of PT on my jaw and slowly the problem went away, but it took longer than I would have thought. My jaw still gets very tired when my teeth are cleaned but I am careful to "rest" it every few minutes when at the dentist. I still can't open my mouth as wide as I used to be able to, but it isn't a problem. One thing I was told never to do again in my life was chew gum, a warning I took to heart.

[Madi's Granny]

I had surgery to try to correct my TMJ about 10 years ago. They went in and clean the jaws joints out. My incisions were just tiny ones in front of my ear. It really didn't seem to help. My jaw would not open very wide right after the surgery but with PT they finally became normal again. The worse thing is that the insurance would not pay for the surgery. They said this was a condition the usually came back. I still have TMJ. I tried a mouth guard but because of my gag reflex being so so intense. That failed too. I now try to keep my jaws relaxed.

[ICNDonna]

I still wear a plastic splint at night. The one I have fits over my lower teeth so it doesn't kick off a gag reflex. I had an ultrasound before my surgery that confirmed that the cartilage had slipped in front of the joint so there was no cushioning there at all.

Donna

[dg2901]

I've had TMJ for 21 years....and its no fun. Fortunately I dont have any wear and tear on the jaw bone or cartilage so surgery has never been mentioned to me. I grind my teeth at night and also tend to clench my jaw during the day--I have to constantly remind myself to relax those muscles. At night I sleep with my pinky between my teeth (as crazy as that sounds, it was suggested to me by my periodontist when first diagnosed because my insurance wouldnt cover a mouth guard--$600)--when i start to clench it wakes me up and I can regroup. I cant open as wide as most people which seems to be normal for TMJ sufferes; and occasionally my jaw will pop out of alignment.

Hope you start feeling better soon!
Diana

[Sara18]

I have had TMJ ever since I was little. Right before i get a migraine (which is often) my jaw will begin to hurt. I also grind my teeth really bad (to the point where I wake myself up from it, and I have also dislocated it twice while sleeping and woke up in excruciating pain, once it didn't pop back into place and I had to try and maneuver it back into position, not fun!) Then I got this fantastic night guard that my dentist had to order in from Arizona (I'm from Jersey). The brand is NTI and it just goes on your four front bottom teeth, I would definately ask your dentist about it before you go around to getting surgery. I asked about it and they said it's not worth it and sometimes it makes it worse and is a very long process and recovery. I would try the night guard and if you have pain during the day, it could be from grinding at night, so this may solve the whole problem!!!

[ICNDonna]

My splint was less than $250. I got my latest one from my dentist.

Donna

[stef000]

yup i have TMJ too....
i haven't had surgery but i try and sorta stretch out the jaw n stuff and also take advil every so often....
i should get a splint for the night time since i do grind my teeth....
thats my story with the TMJ....
it is a bugger when it flares up i must say....sometimes i can't eat when its all spasmy.....its not fun.....
i hope you get some relief soon...
:pray::pray:
take care
:grouphug::grouphug:

[peebee]

I was diagnosed with it before my IC started - about 10 1/2 years ago now. It flares up now and again but is nowhere near as bad as it was then. It seemed that as my TMJ got better the bladder problems started. Has anyone else found this.

[krisillis]

I have TMJ. Did you know that 40% of IC patients have TMJ? I got that statistic from my urologist. Anyway I haven't had surgery or physio but I have had massage therapy and it has helped. Just make sure that you have a therapist that specializes in facial massage because some of the massages that are necessary are very complex especially around the neck and you can be hurt if the person doesn't know what they are doing. Made a big difference for me. I stopped waking up with my jaw locked open.

Christine

[ICNDonna]

My TMJ started when my permanent teeth came in. I know now that I should have had orthodontics, but my teeth looked straight so nobody thought about a possible bite problem. My older brother had the same problem.

Donna

[Tracie]

A couple of years ago I told the dentist about my jaw poping and being painful. He said it was TMJ. It sucks when you go to take a bite out a sandwich and your mouth can't open all the way! I do not have IC, but I do have pelvic issues. Its interesting that you bring TMJ up, and a lot of us have it.

[dking2]

This is an intersting post . I had a really bad flare up with the TMJ this summer. I went to physical therepy, which did help.
Right after I got to TMJ pain to an acceptable level. The bladder problems started, and I was diagnosed with IC.

[peebee]

My TMJ has been bothering me a bit again just recently. Not badly but it is there. I am hoping that perhaps my IC will get better now!!!