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Posted 5/7/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Aside from all my joints hurting, I have arthritis in my knees and tmj joint and boy, the jaw is really bad. Both sides. Ibuprofen isnt' doing the job. Any suggestions? I could sit and cry.
Posted 5/8/2009 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Are you doing anything that could be aggravating the TMJ? Could you be grinding your teeth at night? Could you be clenching your jaw during a stressful time of the day? All of these can make TMJ issues worse. I know that my TMJ pain has lessened considerably since I got guards for my teeth that I wear at night. What has you dentist suggested?
Posted 5/8/2009 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I found a dentist that will help but the cost it $6,500. I do not have dental insurance, so that is out of the question. I do clench my teeth but I think the arthritis is the biggest part of the problem lately. It's gone to my cheeks, ears, temples, neck, etc. I used ibprofen all day yesterday and had no luck, even war compresses. So I will not be taking any more ibprifin, why mess with something if it doesn't give you relief?

Thanks for helping.
Posted 5/8/2009 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried gently massaging theTMJ? My daughter's cheek swells because she clenches her teeth do hard. She found that gently massaging the TMJ several times a day brought about faster recovery. She also placed sticky-notes around her work area to remind herself not to clench.
Posted 5/14/2009 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I have TMJ Disorder, but not arthritis. A soft foods diet helps. Also, don't eat anything you have to bite into, such as a whole apple, corn on the cob, pizza or sandwiches. Cut things up.

Massage helps a lot. Have a massage therapist give you a scalp and neck massage. Drinking warm beverages helps me, too.

I'm so much better now that I'm seeing a true TMJ Disorder specialist. Not sure where you live, but check out Dr. Bender. He's minimally invasive. He might be able to give you a referral to someone closer to you if he's too far away. http://www.benderdds.com/practicephilosophy.html

Hope you feel better!

Young Wife
www.youngwifestale.com/blog
Posted 5/14/2009 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Enough,
I saw this post and wanted to offer my help. I have TMJ and my dentist got me a bite plane (fitted clear bite device that was custom made for me) for around $265.00. You need to find another dentist preferably one with a conscience.
Posted 5/14/2009 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your support. I will look into all of these suggestions and try to find something. All the dentists in my area seem to be very pricey. Without insurance it's rough. The massage therapy sounds good, and enjoyable as well. I hope you all feel well.
Posted 5/14/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I too have TMJ and it can make you miserable. I use a moist heating pad, muscle relaxers, stick with soft foods. Grinding my teeth was terrible. I had mouth guards made but this was when I had dental insurance too. You can get mouth guards at the drug stores, WalMart and places like that and they are very inexpensive. They will cut down on the teeth grinding....Susie
Posted 5/14/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Should I get a script for a muscle relaxer to use at night? Is flexeril the one you all usually use?
Posted 5/14/2009 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Enough, no I cannot tolerate Flexeril. If you have it I would take it at bedtime. Do you grind your teeth or clench your jaws? If so, get the mouth guards at the drug stores, will save alot of wear & tear on your teeth....Susie

PS: Moist heat is much better than dry heat too.
Posted 5/15/2009 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
So, what do you take if not flexeril? Do I call my dentist or my doctor? I know that sounds dumb, but I really dont' know.

YOu can use the drug store guards? They all say not ot if you have tmj so i was afraid to try them.
Posted 5/15/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Enough-no question is ever dumb. I take Zanaflex, however, it is rxd to me for another condition. Who has treated your TMJ pain before, PCP or dentist? I would say which ever one you think it will be the easiest to get an rx from. If you have Flexeril handy that should help. Yes, I know about the warnings, but I am currently using the drug store brand and not having a bit of trouble, in fact they are helping. I am not grinding and clenching. I also had severe neck pain and headaches from TMJ and alot of shoulder pain too. Mine was because of an auto accident. I no longer have dental insurance and my appliances that were made for me were worn out so I did the next best thing and got the store boughts, they do tend after some time to conform ok to my mouth, give them a try. Its real aggravating in the beginning if you have not worn them before but you will get use to them. When I first had to start wearing them it was 24/7 and a pain in the butt trying to talk and have people understand what you were saying lol. Try alternating heat/ice.........Susie
Posted 9/8/2009 3:52 PM (GMT 0)

enough said...
Aside from all my joints hurting, I have arthritis in my knees and tmj joint and boy, the jaw is really bad. Both sides. Ibuprofen isnt' doing the job. Any suggestions? I could sit and cry.


Hi enough,

You should check out in getting a night guard. I am in no way suggesting that this will be an absolute cure if you suffer from "TMJ" (Still see a doctor), but this will be a short-term solution to alleviating your TMJ joint and protecting a possibility of grinding/clecnhing your teeth. Check out http://www.totalgard.com for affordable night guards .. good luck!

- Peter
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