TMJ update

[XanaDUer2]

About five days ago, I was eating cereal and I hard a loud crack in my left jaw. I've been told I have TMJ. ANYWAy, it's been clicking and popping ever since. I've taken muscle relaxants, NSAIDS, I have a mouthguard, heat, ice, etc.

Yesterday, I decided I have to see a dentist who specializes in TMJ. my insurance doesn't cover it. $175 for consultation, $850 for diagnosis. I'm disabled.

I'm scared I'll be in pain bad, or my jaw will lock. This has gotten me terribly down.

[Walleye]

1. That sounds terrible, I hope you can resolve it

[XanaDUer2]

4. TY

[2naSalit]

2. I went to...

A massage therapist and she was able to relax my jaw and neck muscles and that helped a lot. Only cost $80.

[XanaDUer2]

3. Thank you

I'll try the specialist to see what he says, but I'm open to anything. I just hope it's not going to bankrupt me

[2naSalit]

7. Sounds like tight muscles...

A massage therapist, a good one can help you with that for a much lower price. But if you feel more comfortable with dental specialists, you should do that.

Hope you find an easy solution that isn't costly.

[XanaDUer2]

9. I clenched my jaw

I'm letting stress get the best of me.

[2naSalit]

10. I have a...

Chronic case of it, I just try to do whatever I can to relax and stop it when I find that I am doing it. I'm better at that now than I have been ever before even though my stress is always present.

[hedda_foil]

6. Long, long, long time TMJ sufferer here.

I'm sorry you have this condition, XanaDUer2. My jaw cracked loudly when I was 11. I've had TMJ ever since. It took nearly 40 years for my jaw to stick for more than a minute or so. Up until then, it frequently cracked rather loudly and occasionally stuck briefly. After all that time, my jaw got stuck so I couldn't fully open it and it began to create intense pain to the point that I was on disability for a couple of years. I could always chew and talk. Neither dentists, nor PT, nor chiropractic, nor medication had any effect. Finally, I visited the University of Illinois School of Dentistry clinic and saw the head of maxillofacial surgery (along with several students). He cut a small notch in the ligament that was preventing my jaw from fully opening. I still have TMJ but it doesn't get stuck or hurt.

Now that you've read my story, here are my questions for you, because it's hard to tell from your posts.

1. You haven't had TMJ for very long, it seems. Is it very painful?

2. Can you open and close your mouth, even if it sticks sometimes.

3. Is the major issue that it clicks and pops?

If so, it's a pretty minor issue and there's no need to worry about it at this point, much less to spend nearly $1000 out of pocket.

3. If it's very painful and sticks frequently or for more than an hour at a time, it's worth checking out further. But I'd find out why the diagnosis from the dentist you're considering is so expensive. That's ridiculous unless it covers an MRI or CAT scan as well.

If you're mostly worried about this eventually becoming painful or locking up your jaw. That's pretty remote. Try to limit your stress level about the TMJ, and focus gently on relaxing your jaw.

Best of luck, dear.

Hedda

[XanaDUer2]

8. Ty

I'm keeping my jar relaxed. I'm under stress and anxiety, must have been clenching my jaw. My doctor said it would hurt me, and it did.

My ear feels stuffy. Not really painful. Crepitus sounds in my ear. I was told years ago I had it. But it never seemed to be an issue. Lucky I guess.

It pops when I open it too far. So far, I can open it with just the popping clicking sound.

I had brief tinnitus for a few seconds last night

Thank you!

[2naSalit]

11. +1

[XanaDUer2]

12. Youre kind

[1WorldHope]

13. If you are on Medicare it would not pay for general dentist,

but, it may pay for a professional medical provider. Massage and chiropractic are reasonable cost. Medicare may pay for chiropractor 1 x a month.

[XanaDUer2]

14. Thanks!

Not looking forward to this medical journey. I'm just getting used to my disability

[in2herbs]

15. One trip to a chiropractor can fix it. When you call to make an appt ask if the chiro has an

activator--the tool used to reset jaw alignment. Afterwards get a neck/back adjustment. If the chiro also does acupuncture get that treatment as well. Stay on soft foods for a few days to help bring down the inflammation. Most insurance policies pay for chiro therapy.

[XanaDUer2]

16. Thank you

I'm considering ALL possibilities.

[XanaDUer2]

17. Kick nt