TMJ? This Is My Letter to Anyone Who May Know About TMJ and Can Help

[Kayla L]

Hello,

My name is Kayla and I've been suffering from what I believe is "somatic tinnitus" for 2+ years. It comes and goes.

If I turn my neck a certain way or protrude my jaw forward I hear I high pitch static noise in my left ear. I was diagnosed with TMJ and given a mouth guard to wear but it seems when I wear the mouth guard I experience symptoms the next morning like a loud quick 1 second buzz noise in my ear when I chew. Sometimes the noise will last more than a few seconds but then diminish when I move my jaw slightly.

For the last several months I've been experiencing almost a throbbing/pulse noise in my ear that is NOT in sync with my heart beat. I sometimes wonder if it's a compressed nerve causing the noise. It is very erratic sometimes as if it's spasming. I do not feel anything, only hear it. I am going for acupuncture for the first time in a few days to see if there is anything that can be done. I also have an MRI/MRA coming up of my brain and neck.

I believe this noise is associated with TMJ/neck issues but I cannot seem to find a doctor that will listen to me or help me. I have seen ENTs, audiologists, neurologist, therapists, my PCP. I did see a TMJ specialist at Mass General but again the mouth guard doesn't seem to help me.

Are there any exercising I can be doing?

I live in MA and just feel helpless. I am reaching out in hopes that you are able to give me some advice.

Thank you for your time
Kayla

 

[jadebug]

Hey Kayla!
I can't exactly give you any real advice but I can offer you support I'm going through something really similar right now. I first got T back in 2011 and completely habituated to it but now it's wreaking havoc on my life and my mood. It all started when I started taking lexapro an AD but at the time I got a really awful cold and was very stressed out. My ears feel full almost constantly and are super hard to pop I also get this weird vibration in my left ear that I often wake up with and a high pitch static that likes to alternate in intensity. Some days it's pretty low and others it's awful.

After seeing an ENT he did the usual tests but when he touched my jaw to feel around and palpate the joint it hurt very badly. He said it was very inflamed and gave me a prescription for ibuprofen which I was to be on for a weeks time. I was terrified to take the pills because I'm sure you know by now that ibuprofen can be ototoxic and cause T and this especially scared me because taking an AD could be the reason for my ridiculous increase. However, the vibration in my ear completely went away for multiple days and the pressure issues got much better when I took it. Then when I stopped taking the ibuprofen it went back to the way things were. Obviously ibuprofen is not a long term solution and I certainly don't want to take anymore or rely on it but this leads me to believe my T increase is somehow related to my jaw inflammation. I was also told to do heat compresses three times a day which you can try although it hasn't helped me all that much.

I'm going back to the ENT in a few days and have an appointment with a TMJ dentist next week so I will let you know how it goes! I know how you feel I've been freaking out about this increase and whether or not I can have my life back. It seems so unfair since we've already had to battle T once but hopefully we will both find some answers and if not habituation can happen! Try and stay as positive as you can and do things to take your mind off of T! This has been ridiculously hard for me and I feel like I'm constantly thinking about it even if I can't hear it as much. So if you have any suggestions for me I'd really appreciate it! Good luck and if you ever need to talk send me a message! We both can get through this difficult time!

 

[just1morething]

I have some TMJ/neck issues as well. My left TMJ can be crunchy sometimes. Quite a bit of crepitus. I have a mouthpiece with bands on it. Going to see a different TMJ Dr. later this month and also have neck injections. My noise is very loud atm. I understand your frustrations. I will update later. Good luck @Kayla L, @jadebug.

 

[just1morething]

http://www.tmj.org/

 

[David G]

Actor Burt Reynolds had a severe case of this condition, after a prop accident on set. He was unable to eat solid foods, but he got through it! Still alive and kicking today.

 

[pebbles]

i have had a ct scan and it revealed my jaw is further forward on one side than the other could this make my tinnitus and hyperacusis worse

 

[pebbles]

forgot to say alot of left sided ear pain