Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group TMJ problems for the 1st time

Hi Jeanna,

Sorry, but I have to agree that it sounds like TMJ to me too. I've had it since my 'teens, but only found out what it was a few years ago. All I knew was that it was too embarrassing to go out to a quiet restaurant for a meal, 'cos my jaw makes such a loud clonking noise every time I chew!!! Thankfully, it's been more of an embarrassment than a painful experience, but it does flare up from time to time, especially if I've been to the dentist. It locks-up then sometimes too, and makes it hard work for both of us! If ever I have to have any long procedures done (ie root canal work), I have twilight sedation, as it's much less painful, and less stressful, than trying to keep my mpouth open like that when I'm already white-knickled in the chair!!!.

I find that NSAIDs do help, as well as heat.

Good luck.

Hugs,
Sue

Grinding your teeth at night causes inflammation of the TMJ. There are things that can be done for TMJD. Check out www.tmj.org

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Kristin

TMJ?? What is it please?

Kat

Oh, also wanted to add that grinding the teeth is not always stress related. Sometimes the teeth don't "hit" together right. This began after I had my wisdom teeth removed, in my case, when my teeth shifted. In my sleep (and during the day too!), I unknowingly grind my teeth, trying to adjust them.

Have had very painful TMJD for 4-5 years now. Ice helps, heat helps, muscle relaxers help. Sometimes nothing helps. Eat small bites of food and try to stifle your yawns! There are 3 levels of TMJD:
Stage 1) Popping and Grinding sounds
Stage 2) Jaw "locking"
Stage 3) Osteoarthritis

After letting this go for a long time and just dealing with the pain, I was finally evaluated by a DDS who specializes in TMJD. Turns out I have Stage 2 TMJD (my jaw locks often!) and a dislocated disc!!! There is treatment for TMJD, but there's no standard of care or even very good stats about one method working over the other.

I have heard of people buying a mouthguard at the grocery store and wearing it at night. My DDS said this can make the problem much worse!! My problems got markedly worse after a cheap splint...

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Kristin

TMJ = Temporomandibular joint. What you think of as your "jaw joint". TMJD = Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

TMJD is just a name like Knee Joint Dysfunction There's all sorts of dysfunctions that can befall a TMJ!

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Kristin

Well, well, Jeanna, sorry I cannot help you with the TMJ, but I want to say GET BETTER PDQ! So get out the meds so you'll be able to ........ 16 days and counting girl! You won't be able to while your here, and there will be a lot of of beverages and food. So I do hope you are better real soon!

Doug

Buster & Alisha taking a break

I can hardly open my mouth (rude comments to a minimum please)

That is soooo begging for a comment But I'll leave that for someone else



Okay, couldn't resist Silence is golden.

I'm trying to rule out other reasons for the jaw pain - so easy to blame it on the AS when it could be something that I can actually fix. Does anyone recommend going to a dentist to see if I've suddenly started grinding my teeth at night, or if my wisdom teeth have suddenly popped up? Do those things feel the same?

I would go see the



if I were you. But if I was me, I wouldn't, coz I'm a



Ian



Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. --Benjamin Franklin

Unfortunate - I cant see the first picture in that series. Maybe that's a good thing . I've made an appt for the dentist for tomorrow - we'll get to the root of this!!!

Jeanna

MADE IN CANADA

Hey Doug!

All that markup will make a girl feel pretty good PDQ! Thanks buddy.

Hey - if you and your incision can tough it out, then so can me and my jaw - no worries.

Jeanna

MADE IN CANADA

Thanks K: for all this advice and more. I'm headed to the dentist tomorrow at 2 pm - hope that we can do something about it. It's come straight out of the blue - is painful, does respond to NSAIDs and gets better as the day goes on. Hmmm ... that doesnt narrow it down at all does it? Ah well, I'm sure my new dentist will have some tricks up his sleeve.

Hugs -
Jeanna

MADE IN CANADA