Tempero-Mandibular Joint Syndrome Archives

TMJ?

Dr Stoll,
I have read the many posts and articles concenring TMJ,however I have certain symptoms along with my TMJ that have't been able to find out about. Although I have been diagnosed with TMJ, I think I was misdiagnosed. I have suffering for the past ten years, here a brief sysnopsis of what has been happening:
Around the time I was 19, my left jaw started to lock up on and the only way to get it unlocked was to open my mouth wide until it would make a popping sound. This happen on and off for about a year but I wasn't in any pain (no headaches etc.) Then I noticed a slow tighting sensation around my left jaw area, I knew something wasn't right, but I couldn't describe what was happening, and still there was no signifigant pain. Another year went by with some locking of the jaw and more of the tighting sensation. One day I noticed my scalp was dry and flakey (I never no a problem with dandruff before) also I started having other symptoms, my whole head would heat up (sort of like fever) but would only last 10 mins at a time, also started getting alot of chills running through my body and my back broke out with severe acne. Well I ended going to many doctors and taking many mediactions, but nothing worked. At the time I was not putting all the symptoms together, neither were my doctors. A few more years went by, the symptoms got worse, to the point where I have a severe tighting sensation in my jaw (it felt like my jaw was in a vice), My inner ear feels like there is water in it,My jaw does not open a close correctly. Also noticed a lack of symptoms, primarialy no headaches. I haven't had a headache in over 5 years....That may sound like it would be nice, hwoever its not normal. I also noticed a drastic chnge in my emotions and feelings. I finally had some relief tow year ago when my doctor gave me Minocycline for the acne on my back. After taking this medication for about 6 months, I notced a drastic decrase in all my symptoms, which led me to belive that all this is caused by some infection. I have some relifef, howver I still suffer. If I forget to take my medicine, the sysmtoms come back stronger. It has even spread into my right jaw. My dotor has also given me amatriptiline to help my jaw at night. This also has helped the tightness in my jaw decrease, but no go away. Now my questiuon for you is do you think this is TMJ ot does it sould like I have an infection of some sort.
Should I continue with the Minocycline (i have been taking it for a year and half) or should I find some stronger antibotic or what?

Tanks for any advice

Follow Ups:

• Re: TMJ? (In spades.) Archive. Walt Stoll 08:04:18 2/07/01 (0)
• Re: TMJ? Daniel 12:08:44 2/05/01 (0)

In Reply to: TMJ? posted by Kevin on February 05, 2001 at 11:59:11:

Hi Kevin,

You certainly do seem to have TMJ. With being on antibiotics for a year and a half, you more likely than not have candida - this may be the cause of your other symptoms. Keep in mind LGS comes before the candida, so your approach will need to deal with them both. Perhaps you may want to do some research as to the harm of long-term antibiotics!!

• Candida

In Reply to: TMJ? posted by Kevin on February 05, 2001 at 11:59:11:

Kevin,

Your local symptoms are classical for far advanced damage to the joint due to long standing and untreated TMJ. Your cartilege pads are GONE and you will never be totally normal since there is so much damage.

Your other symptoms are due to the same bracing that is the basic cause of severe TMJ and that is almost always due to the stored stress-effect in the hypothalamus.
Take the time to read all the relevant archives about your conditions and you will begin to see how they are all connected. You really do not have any choice, you know. Look at your history: every year you are getting worse. Without YOU understanding what is going on, each year will continue to be worse.

THEN, if you still have questions, write again.

Walt