Tmj

My TMJ has decided to flare up.

Anyone have any remedies? I have a muscle relaxer for it, but cannot take it with my sleep meds. I will try just about anything at this point.

[Thirteen]

Krystal, I have TMJ too. I finally had to cave last year and get fitted for a mouth guard - it has worked wonders. Do you presently have one?

[ladymoreta]

I don't actually have TMJ, but I also have a mouth guard because I grind my teeth really bad at night. It makes my jaw feel a million times better. My insurance didn't cover it, but it's been worth every penny. I'm about to have to replace it though - going to chew through it before too long.

[medpedspouse]

A massage therapist once showed me how to relieve some of the pain by providing some accu-pressure to the area.

BUT - I am not sure if I can describe this well. I will try. Here goes...

She told me to stick my thumb all the way to the back of my jaw and put as much pressure as I could stand (rt thumb to left area & lft thumb to rt area), hold it for 10 seconds and release.

I have to tell you that I immediately felt that area relax and felt some relief.

Hope this makes some sense. So sorry that you are in pain.

ETA - I second or third on the mouth guard....has made a huuuge difference.

Krystal, I have TMJ too. I finally had to cave last year and get fitted for a mouth guard - it has worked wonders. Do you presently have one?

I did years ago.... I have since lost it because I was not able to use it as much as I would like. I have a SEVERELY deviated septum and have great difficulty breathing out of my nose and the mouth guard made me feel like I couldn't breath.

UGH. I guess I should go to the ENT to get the nose fixed and then get another mouth guard or take ambien and a muscle relaxer. HA

[L.Jane]

I don't have TMJ, but I grind and chew my cheeks when I am stressed. I have bought a Dentek mouth guard from CVS that has really helped me stop tearing apart my mouth. I don't know if it would help you, but I thought I'd mention it.

[radwife]

Ouchie! Sorry you are in pain. I have tmj too and wear a retainer/nightguard on my top teeth. It's super thick and has held up really well, but in the meantime I still have managed to grind through two bottom retainers.

[GrayMatterWife]

I have really debilitating TMJ. It's so awful. My dad has it, too. I have a bite plane, which helps, maybe, sometimes. I really, really wish I had advice.

Sometimes, having a beer before I go to bed can help. A little. I'm so sorry. I know what you're going through.

I have really debilitating TMJ. It's so awful. My dad has it, too. I have a bite plane, which helps, maybe, sometimes. I really, really wish I had advice.

Sometimes, having a beer before I go to bed can help. A little. I'm so sorry. I know what you're going through.

Ambien makes me a nut case. I do the craziest things before bed. Plus the pain meds I am still on. AND A BEER? WAHOAHAHA I would be CRAZY-- entertainment for the masses.

That being said. I am going to find one of those bite guards at CVS tomorrow, even if it is a temporary fix.

[seaside*bliss]

I also have TMJ and I make sure to not chew gum (I like to chomp it when I am stressed) I also found that applying moist heat works wonders! I have one of those rice heating pads that I use. I also have a night guard that I use if I feel it flaring up (usually notice by my jaw popping)

[DCJenn]

I used to get flare ups and my remedy was to heat up a mug with water and just hold it against the jaw joint and let the moist heat do its thing. It's not pretty, but it works.

jenn

I used to get flare ups and my remedy was to heat up a mug with water and just hold it against the jaw joint and let the moist heat do its thing. It's not pretty, but it works.

jenn

I am going to go try this right now. The pain is really starting to get out of control.
I have noticed that I am clenching my jaw, which I know is only adding to the problem. STRESS SUCKS! Someone want to drive over here and knock me out?