TMJ

a few extra pounds · Tue Sep 21, 2004 8:40 pm

I have TMJ for the first time, which is a disorder of the jaw and mine is caused from stress. It causes extreme pain when talking, yawning and chewing. Therefore I am having a difficult time finding something to eat. The pain started on Saturday and has gotten worse each day. This morning I could not hardly stand to eat a bowl of oatmeal. (I am in P2 finally). Anyway I am looking for any suggestions. I would like to continue being SB friendly. But right now I can only eat soft foods.

colliegirl · Wed Sep 22, 2004 9:29 pm

Can you eat beans cooked really soft and maybe grate some LF cheese onto the hot beans so it gets soft?

Maybe try cooking some veggie soup and when it cools down, puree it in the blender so you can drink it?

Egg salad might work for you too if you can use celery salt and onion powder instead of the crunchy green stuff.

Cottage cheese and fruit can be pureed and then nuked a bit to take the chill off.

Nuts and fruit can be processed in milk to make a "shake".

Good luck to you and hope you are better soon.

samr5749 · Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:36 am

Here are a couple of things that you should consider with your TMJ. Think about your caffiene intake. That means coffee, colas, orange pop, and the dreaded Mountain dew. Diet or regular, Mountain Dew is sky high with caffiene. Also, if you haven't done so already, cut your food in smaller pieces before you eat it so you don't have to chew as much. If you are able to, take ibuprophen. That helps the inflammation of the joint. If you haven't done so, have the TMJ checked by your dentist. He or she may be able to refer you to a specialist. I've been in the dental profession for 20 some years, and these are simple things that are usually recommended to people. Hope this helps, and I hope you feel better soon! :) It hurts :!: :x

klutzyazhel · Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:17 am

I have been dealing with TMJ about 10 years now, i wish you luck in treatment: as nothing as of yet has helped me..I have been through all treatments possible except the surgery , which I need but can't afford..Insurance will not cover the costs of this , why I don't know because it has nothing to do with the dental part, it is a joint..I need new jaw joints but have to suffer because insurance companies are ignorant.
Night gaurds may be of some help to you.. Also, eat what you can, nothing chewy or sticky though..Sometimes you may have days you can eat well.
Does your jaw lock up at all yet? I hope not..I have had my jaw lock, and as i chew mine comes out of joint, I have had to learn with it.
It can be very frustrating. I wish you luck. :)

a few extra pounds · Sat Sep 25, 2004 1:35 am

Thank You for all of your replys. I do not drink any caffeine. I have given up all soda about a year ago, I really love regular coke. Anyway I have had a couple of days of nothing but v8 juice, soup and oatmeal, and my jaw feels better. Hopefully I will be able to jump right back into SB. I couldn't eat much for a few days and went through withdrawl, of the three meals and two snacks, but I just couldn't eat. Thank you for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

peacefulpath · Sat Sep 25, 2004 4:53 pm

Few.....I've had TMJ since I was pregnant with my DS, 24 years ago. It got so bad that I went to an oral surgeon, who molded a special mouth guard. It didn't help, and we couldn't afford the alternatives. I finally looked into "alternative" alternatives. Ice packs help with flair ups, along with limited use of NSAIDS. But, the most helpful has been having CranioSacral Therapy done on it. After a treatment, I have no popping whatsoever, nor does it lock up. It has been a tremendous help.

Burdle · Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:32 pm

I have a TMJ problem, too, altho not as severe as yours. I wear a mouth guard at night, just got a new one last week after being without one for months. It keeps me from clenching my teeth at night. I've already lost 3 teeth to clenching, too much pressure and the teeth get infected...not fun.
The mouth guard is also called bruxism appliance, bite plane and a few other names. My dentist's office told me that regular dental insurance usually doesn't pay for one, but major medical coverage might. My previous one was partially (about half) paid for by my major medical insurance, but they pay for one only once in many years, so this last one I got, I had to pay for. They cost around $300 around here, and that includes 2 years of n/c adjustments on it, a pretty good deal as I average 6 adjustments a year. I clench so hard I go thru one about every 2 years, I actually crack them!!!
I agree with the other posts, spinal adjustments can help, along with massage. I once saw a massage therapist when I was first diagnosed with TMJ who only worked on the shoulders and neck...it helped a little.
Good Luck, and RELAX!
Hugs (those help, too)
Burdle The Bean Queen
172/126.8/120 started 1/5/04

StacePA · Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:02 am

It is hard to eat meat that is overcooked- steaks that are Med-well to well are too much. I've had to learn to eat steaks MRare to Med.
Chicken, I use a meat thermometer to cook it to just the right temp. so that is is juicier and easier to chew.
Eggs scrambled.
Beans and Bean soups.

Stay away from nuts, gum, and anything else you have to chew on like hard candies/mints.

I have suffered with TMJ since I was 17 yo. and I'm now 33 yo. I have had many stages from extreme pain/headaches to my jaw locking up. My jaw sat crooked so that my teeth did not align. I suffered for many years, surgery was my only option. Or so I thought! I mentioned it one day to my chiropractor and he began a 2 week treatment (6visits) where he not only adjust my neck and back but would massage the muscles inside my mouth then ultrasound treatment to stimulate blood circulation to promote healing. The results were immediate and I have been pain free, for the most part, for 2 years now. (2 more treatments - 2 visits, were needed while extremely stressed) My teeth are also back in alignment.
Ibuprofen helps with inflammation. Also, heat for 10 mins. every hour. (Increases blood circulation) during extreme times of pain. Also, massage jaw muscles by rotating fingers clockwise 10 times then counterclockwise 10 times. Try to relieve the stress. (Easier said then done I know!)

booboo · Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:48 pm

Hi everyone: This is my first post on the board. I also have TMJ and have had headaches for 30+ yrs. I've been through splint therapy 4 times. I'm now in braces to close up my bite. I'm finally doing better and more than 2 teeth are touching so I can chew. The only thing good about having braces is that I'm not eating as much b/c I don't want to have to brush my teeth so many times a day. I can't chew anything tough or sticky either. I've lost some weight on this diet and can now get into my jeans again. YEAH.

I can't eat any overcooked meat or chicken either. Also, overcooked veges don't work for me. I haven't chewed gum in a couple of yrs.

Hope you guys find some pain relief. Moist heat helps me the most.

KathyG · Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:50 pm

I've had TMJ for as long as I remember. My jaw would lock every night (either open or closed) for years. Right now I'm having an acute attack and my jaw goes off to one side and doesn't open all the way. Ibuprofin helped. Moist heat helped. For long term, my oral surgeon recommends either Celebrex (a pill every day) or Physical Therapy which may include ultrasound. Celebrex sounds to be a fortune, even with a copay. But I'm willing to try it. Insurance is evil and doesn't like to pay for anything TMJ so the PT may not be in the realm of possibilities. Depends on how my Dr. words the referral. Healthcare in this country is gross. Viagra is covered so men can retain an erection for 3 hours, but pain medication is optional?
I wish all of us luck and easy chewing.

Kathy

booboo · Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:12 pm

Hi Kathy: There's a TMJ board at www.healthboards.com. I've gotten loads of info from there. I had PT last summer and then our wonderful insur. co. decided that my therapist wasn't in-network anymore. He still is according to his billing dept., so we've been going back and forth for all this time. I take Bextra for arthritis, but it doesn't help my TMJ. I just started taking Cosamin DS which is supposedly the brand that Drs. recommend. I wish it would help b/c the Bextra costs a fortune.

Hope things improve for all of us!!


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