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Migraine Headache
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Posted 4/13/2006 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am getting these bad tension headaches which i think the main cause of it is from the muscle in my jaw joints. I got an nti device and have been wearing it for sometime. It has improved a bit but i am still clenching at nights which is therefore not solving my problem. Does anyone have any ideas for stopping me doing this?
Posted 4/13/2006 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I dont have any answers.

I too have the same problems as you.  I have tried many dental splints, but cannot get anyone to make me a NTI splint at the moment.

How does the NTI work?

I tend to use BIO=Freeze which is a roll on pain gel, which i put on my cheeks, jaw.  It helps a lot by numbin the pain.

Sorry I cant be as much help.

Sarah

Posted 4/14/2006 5:16 AM (GMT 0)

wive's tale- has been said that teeth grinding/ice cube eating may be a sign of low iron. are you anemic?

sounds dumb but some of these things really work! confused

Posted 4/14/2006 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem. I saw my chiropractor and it helps quite often. Usually my jaw has misaligned.

I've heard of the the low iron as well. But never for teeth grinding, but for ice eating. Interestingly enough I am anemic. Hmm...
Posted 4/14/2006 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
 

I too found my chiropractor a good help, he helped moved my jaw into a better position, i stopped seeing him though, as the dental hospital said that him doing movement on my jaw would cause my splint not fit.

I would not know if I am anemic or not, might be worth checking it out.

THanks for the idea.

Sarah smurf

Posted 4/14/2006 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly - I would recommend you take something for anxiety - as that is what usually causes teeth clenching at night. I take .5mg of klonopin every night, and not only does it help me sleep, but in combination with my teeth splint, it has made my once daily headaches disappear.

Ask your doctor - it might work for you too!!
Posted 4/14/2006 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I will check that medication out.

I currently take Adipene and Lofepramine and also now a drug for a suspected Ulcer.

I am sick of popping pills and getting no relief.

Glad this medication worked for you.

x

Posted 4/14/2006 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
the nti is a small hard plastic device that fits really tight on your 2 front teeth. It decreases the pressure on your jaw muscles when you clench by 66 %..thats what i read anyways. I find that it also helps me relax my jaw when i have it on. it is definately worth investing in one of those. Im not sure if i am deficient in iron but i will make it a point to check that out with my gp. Im on amitriptyline at the moment and  while on it i dont get anxious so often. iv also read that antidepressants increase your clenching when you sleep, does anyone know if this is true? because  if it is i might have to decrease my amitriptyline dose or take my meds in the morning instead of at night
Posted 4/14/2006 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I will look into getting an NTI i think.

I was taking amityrptyline for about 14 months, found it helped for the first 5 but after not really, just used to help me sleep.

There must be an easy way to this.

I am in England by the way, not sure if we have the same drugs.

x

Posted 4/14/2006 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
Amitriptyline only helps to an extent. I dont think there is an easy way but there are treatment options. from what i researched biofeedback, councelling or hypnotherapy all of which tackles the psychological issues are used too try to stop night clenching. i stay in glasgow so we aint too far apart. i want to try biofeedback but they dont have anywhere in scotland where they do it but they do in england
Posted 4/15/2006 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
I dont know anything about Biofeedback, I will have a look intothat when i get back.

Just going to pick my Dad up.

WIsh we could manage to cure ourselves.

Sarah

Posted 4/15/2006 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has just started to experience headaches like you are all describing. The doctor said he does not yet know what it is. He sent some blood work off and we are waiting for the results. His jaw is what is killing him and cauing this terrible pain right into his head. He has been out of work for days. Seems to be depressed - he already takes Zoloft. I don't know what to do other than wait. I took him to the Urgent Care, the Emergency Room, and his Primary Care Doc. He had an MRI and it was normal... He has to go back to work, we can't live off of nothing. Any suggestions on what to do next?
Posted 4/15/2006 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunsplashinwaves

Sorry to hear that your husband is suffering from headaches like this.

I havent had a MRI but have seen a neurologist.

I was told, they are caused by jaw aligniment and stress, tension.

A painkiller that has a muscle relaxant or an anxiety drug can help in some cases.

I have had 6 weeks off in the last year and work are being awkward about it now.

Hope he gets some relief and answers soon.

Sarah
Posted 4/16/2006 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
It is important to tackle the depression and anxiety and i think zoloft is used to treat  both. The first thing i think you should do is visit a dentist so he can determine if there is any wearing of the teeth due to grinding and if there is, an nti dental device (i find this way better) or night gurad can be made for him. it is important to try relax the jaw and i bet if he clenches and you feel his massetter muscles of his jaw they will feel inflamed or very tender. It is important to relax the jaw and be aware of any clenching during the day. at night it is more difficult because he probably is clenching/grinding during his sleep and thus anti-anxiety meds are used plus some relaxation therapy or messages to shoulders and neck would help. goodluck. hope your husband feels better soon
Posted 4/17/2006 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had the most awful experience with my jaw last night. I had been doing these exercises which are supposed to help tmj disorders and i think i might of overdone them a bit. The pain started increasing in my jaw muscles gradually through the night until it was unbearable as if the whole thing was spasming and tightening continuously. This was also making my head bad but i barely noticed it cause my jaw was much worse. i took a high dose of ant-inflammatories and it seemed to do nothing but made it worse. i managed to relieve some of the pressure using my nti and heat packs but after i did that all my shoulder and back muscles spasmed and it was like a cramp that wouldnt go and that lasted ages. i  took some strong muscle relaxants that i am so thankful to have now and some valium and jumped into a hot bath...this definately did the trick. i am usually one who has a high threshold for pain but this was so severe that i couldnt stop crying infront of my brothers girlfriend which was quite embarassing and awkward sad
Posted 4/17/2006 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I'm telling you - you should really check out a benzodiazepine like klonopin or something similar to it - it is the ultimate medication in combatting tension and is very powerful. It has worked wonders for me and I hate to see people suffering like this without at least giving these types of meds a shot!
Posted 4/18/2006 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
 I clentch too. My oral surgen said that splints can't keep you from clentching, but rather give you something to bite. He gave me a muscle relaxer (flexaril) and it helped. Mention that to your doc.
Posted 4/19/2006 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
When my headaches are the worst I notice that the weather is bad or I have the jaw/muscle tightness....

I can't stand to wear the appliances in my mouth...but if I take a muscle relaxer, something for anxiety (xanax) or even narcotic...where I can relax and let the pain wear off...I notice and significant reduction in pain!!!!

Those are some of the worst headaches I get I think because I am so uncomfortable and then notice how uncomfotable I am and then it spirals downhill?!?! I tense up, clench harder and make it worse!

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