Who the hell hit me with a 2 by 4?

[osodecanela]

I was perfectly fine. I had a lovely evening and was on my way home, when my jaw began to hurt. It crescendoed as I drove up, leaving me absolutely miserable. Nothing seemed to provoke this attack, at least nothing I can put my finger on.

I lost my last wisdom tooth this past summer and since them have had problems with TMJ on and off. Sometimes on the right, sometimes the left & on occasion both. When it's bad, I cannot close my mouth, which makes sleep impossible for someone using nasal CPAP for sleep apnea.

I took a couple of Tylenol #3 right when I got home and the throbbing is beginning to subside. I still can't close my mouth, but at least I'm not in constant pain, and perhaps in another half hour I'll be able to. Then perhaps, I'll be able to go to sleep.

Comments

[kc-risenphoenix.livejournal.com]

Well shit. Is there nothing to be done? And what is TMJ?

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

TMJ= tempero-mandibular joint dysfunction. Basically the joint where your lower jaw is articulated to your skull, right infront of each ear, is somewhat "wonky" and as a result rather irritable.

[blktalon.livejournal.com]

My jaw was never the same after I had my wisdom teeth out as well, there are time it hurts to jaw. What I've found up is to start chewing gum periodical. To keep the jaw moving and the muscle relaxed.

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

Gum isn't an option for me.

Thanks in large part to dental malpractice I have very shortened roots on my teeth. The least but of trouble with my oral hygiene and they get loose and start shifting a bit. I've lost all three molars on the lower right as a result and now have to wear a partial which gets pulled up if I chew gum.

I may at sone point bite the bullet & get implants done, but they're far from cheap.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

Hugs.

It was great seeing you last night.

I could say something flippant to make you smile ... like ... Was it something I said? ....

[broduke2000.livejournal.com]

I would think that IB would be a little better for TMJ, since it involves muscles?

*HUGS*

[osodecanela.livejournal.com]

Except that I can't take IB since it drops my platelet count.
*sigh*