I posted earlier but nobody answered so I'll try again. At 3:00 this
afternoon, I started getting a pain an inch in front of my ear. I am
under severe stress this week and I sometimes get this but after 3
advils and 2 tylenols, it went away but came back much worse at 7:00.

I used moist heat alternating with ice, massaged it and it just got
worse. No signs of abscess and recent periapical x-rays were fine. I
took a Vicodin and 2 hours later, it's working. If this comes back, I'll
see my dentist tomorrow but are there cases where it's this severe and
gets better the next day? I know I need a night guard and will seek help
but in the meantime I would like to know if these episodes of this
severity can come when you're under stress and just be transient. What's
the best thing to use, heat or ice? What med works the best? Any muscle
relaxant you can recommend, would that help?

I would swear I responded to this question this morning already.

--
/

Amatus

/
"Frank L" <> wrote in message news:15082-463025B6-...
I posted earlier but nobody answered so I'll try again. At 3:00 this
afternoon, I started getting a pain an inch in front of my ear. I am
under severe stress this week and I sometimes get this but after 3
advils and 2 tylenols, it went away but came back much worse at 7:00.

I used moist heat alternating with ice, massaged it and it just got
worse. No signs of abscess and recent periapical x-rays were fine. I
took a Vicodin and 2 hours later, it's working. If this comes back, I'll
see my dentist tomorrow but are there cases where it's this severe and
gets better the next day? I know I need a night guard and will seek help
but in the meantime I would like to know if these episodes of this
severity can come when you're under stress and just be transient. What's
the best thing to use, heat or ice? What med works the best? Any muscle
relaxant you can recommend, would that help?




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You did but it showed up just now. Thank you. I would like to know what
to do in the meantime until I get the night guard. The pain is gone now
but if it comes back, is the best thing ice or heat? Also, if I don't
clench during the day by being very aware to keep my mouth slightly
open, can it start up again just by being nervous (even f I didn't
clench at night)? Have you seen really severe pain like I describe from
TMJ?

You did.

I'd say the person is doing everything possible, with the exception
of trying to relax! All of the clenching and stress has injured the
joint.

Sounds like a job for an NTI.

D

Amatus Cremona wrote:

> I would swear I responded to this question this morning already.
>

I could be wrong, and I don't mind if I am [please do not take offense], but you seem very "uptight". You need to learn how to relax more. I would guess that an NTI would help as well as some exercise, regular rest, and a hobby. Please do not take offense, this is not meant that way. :-)

--
/

Amatus

/
"Frank L" <> wrote in message news:21981-4630A387-...
You did but it showed up just now. Thank you. I would like to know what
to do in the meantime until I get the night guard. The pain is gone now
but if it comes back, is the best thing ice or heat? Also, if I don't
clench during the day by being very aware to keep my mouth slightly
open, can it start up again just by being nervous (even f I didn't
clench at night)? Have you seen really severe pain like I describe from
TMJ?




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amatus, I am uptight! I am going through something awful now in my life
and it's reflecting on my jaw. I just went to my dentist and he did an
x-ray, tapped and sees no abscess at all. I brought along all of my
previous recent x-rays for comparison. He referred me to the head of the
oral surgery department here for further evaluation and treatment.

The pain has now moved to the other jaw so at least I know it's not a
tooth thing but he said a panorex would confirm it. I get loads of
exercise and have lots of hobbies...I just need to distract, you're
right because my situation has begun to take a toll on my physical
health. Thanks so much. Can you just tell me though about the heat or
ice and any muscle relaxer that may help? One of my friends is a D.O and
he said flexiril is useless...any opinions on that?

I use the NTI device for patients such as you describe yourself. Try a cold pack, but not for more than 30 minutes at a time.

--
/

Amatus

/
"Frank L" <> wrote in message news:17279-4630D556-...
Amatus, I am uptight! I am going through something awful now in my life
and it's reflecting on my jaw. I just went to my dentist and he did an
x-ray, tapped and sees no abscess at all. I brought along all of my
previous recent x-rays for comparison. He referred me to the head of the
oral surgery department here for further evaluation and treatment.

The pain has now moved to the other jaw so at least I know it's not a
tooth thing but he said a panorex would confirm it. I get loads of
exercise and have lots of hobbies...I just need to distract, you're
right because my situation has begun to take a toll on my physical
health. Thanks so much. Can you just tell me though about the heat or
ice and any muscle relaxer that may help? One of my friends is a D.O and
he said flexiril is useless...any opinions on that?




------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank L wrote:
He referred me to the head of the

> oral surgery department here for further evaluation and treatment.

I'd try an NTI as the first line of defense. If it works like usual,
you won't need expensive, invasive, dangerous treatment.

D