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TMJ problems...need advice

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Posted Today 3:54 PM (GMT -5)
One of the symptoms that I've noticed in the past 6 months has been TMJ. When I opened my mouth to chew there was a big clunking on the left side of my jaw/mandible/head. It wasn't constant, and it wasn't painful, but it happened mostly when I ate.
The clunking has gone away, and now I have pain in the opposite (right) side of my face (mandible, zygomatic process, sphenoid bone) http://i.stack.imgur.com/FQHCt.jpg

I can't chew food any more...I realize that I used to chew on the right side mostly. I'm unable to close the right side of my mouth without tremendous pain. I'm only able to gum my food; sometimes I have to use my front teeth to chew food enough to swallow.
When this started happening I chalked it up to Lyme, and thought it would probably go away (like migrating joint pain eventually does), but this is persisting..it's been about 5-6 days now.

Has this happened to anyone else? Should I see a dentist? My doctor? Accupuncture?

I believe that these problems will resolve when I start recovering from Lyme, but I haven't started treatment yet...I'm still getting the herbs etc together to start Buhners Protocol.

I'd love some suggestions/ideas about how to deal with this.

Thanks,
Kathie
Posted Today 5:04 PM (GMT -5)
It sounds like mostly you are just having issues with facial nerves, which can be fairly common for a lot of Lyme & Bart patients. Here is a picture of the more major nerves in the face and you can see how, if inflamed, they could cause pain in those areas: img.tfd.com/MosbyMD/thumb/trigeminal_nerve.jpg

Are you targeting Neuro Lyme (opposed to 'regular' Lyme) & Bart with your treatments? Those are generally the biggest culprits for neuro issues.

You can try either heat or ice on those areas that hurt the most. Then be sure that you are using (or will be) things to lower your inflammation (like turmeric), and things to heal the nerves specificially (like Lion's mane - it's a mushroom).

Then detox, detox, detox to help lower the toxins which will lower the inflammation as well.
Posted Today 5:20 PM (GMT -5)
Not always hard to fix this:

If the end result is tight jaw muscles (they act more like tendons), you can release them faster by the means of trigger point release - a special 10-20 seconds of applied pressure by thumbs or fingers. I had to do this, and fended it off from getting worse. You tube probably has this.

A massage therapist who knows trigger point release can help, but you might be better off if you can find a chiropractor type of person (not all are qwakes, and not all crack you) who also does trigger point release. Its not rocket science, and it work, yet its so "foreign" to many people, and many are afraid to try it.

Active release technique www.activerelease.com/ could also help you release your jaw in only several visits.

Massaging your jaw with deep pressure is just as important as stretching other muscles. Just opening your jaw does not stretch the muscles there.

Obviously you need to stop what is causing this, which might take a long time, anything lyme related takes a long time IMO. The info provided above could reverse this in a couple visits. After that, you do it yourself as needed.

The medical community knows nothing about this, since its not a drug.
Posted Today 11:09 PM (GMT -5)
Once I started Japanese Knotweed this symptom lessened tremendously. But the slightest amount of stress and it was back.

Traveler's advice on the anti-inflammatory foods is a super tip. And with all inflammation, ice is your best friend. Just don't do it directly on your skin. Wrap it in a small towel.
Posted Today 11:36 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, I had the same problem. I had my chiropractor adjust my jaw and it did help some. Maybe you could try that. She said she could tell one side was overcompensating for the other side. I had clicking and sometimes I found it hard to open my mouth.
Posted 2/8/2016 4:02 PM (GMT -5)
THANK YOU ALL! I'm so glad I can pop on here, ask a question, and get an answer so quickly. The support I receive here is priceless.

Today, I'm able to chew a little and the pain has lessened. This is how it has been going with my Lyme symptoms...I experience severe pain/swelling in a joint which usually lasts for a few days and then it slowly goes away.

My diet is already antiinflammatory. I take turmeric daily (have for years) and cook with it often.
I hadn't even considered the nerve possibility... thanks Traveler...will have to read more about neuro lyme and bart...putting it on the top of the list...so much to learn!
I will also consider the chiro or massage tx. I used to get regular massage but stopped those...finances are limited and I have to buy those expensive herbs! The active release technique looks really interesting, Astroman...there are chiropractors practicing active release in nearby Saratoga Springs. If this recurs, I will definitely see one of them.

I haven't started any treatment yet but I'm getting ready...Japanese Knotweed and Cat's Claw arrived in the mail today.
I have an appt with a LLMD next month. (He's the only one I could find locally who accepts insurance)
I've been working with a DO/functional medicine MD who wants to continue to help me work through this...she ordered a CD57 and complement C4a. We're both reading Buhner's book. She's thinking about working with Lyme patients in the future. (she's studying functional medicine now...already has a lot on her plate) I like and trust her and I feel lucky to have found her. We're kindred spirits philosophically.
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