Anyone else suffering from TJD (TMJ) while pregnant??

[PrincessMommy]

So I have had Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder issues since I was younger (around 10). The last 2ish years I have been suffering from it almost non-stop It drives me insane!! During my pregnancies it has gotten worse and I saw a few things online about it possibly making things worse because of increased blood flow? Any ladies having to deal with TMJ symptoms during prenancy? What did you do to relieve them? (if you found anything that worked)

 

[calm81]

I have that, mine is lock jaw. Whenever I yawn too wide it will lock up while it's still open causing me to force it shut.

I've been dealing with this since the age of 13 (when I got my braces), and so far during this pregnancy it hasn't gotten bad. I sometimes can go a couple months without an incident. I'm not sure what kind you're suffering from ex. stiffness, joint grading, popping, and clicking to the jaw or the jaw remains closed.

If you have the same as me, I just try to refrain from yawning too wide. One time when I was 18 and had a customer service job that had me working until midnight, i could not stop yawning I was sooooo sleepy, while helping customers I yawned and it got stuck for a good 10 minutes. I was standing there drooling (because mouth was wide open) and I started crying because A. It hurt B. I was scared it would NEVER close C. I was embarrassed.

Nobody knew what was going on and I had to write it down for co-workers so they could take over my customers as I run to the bathroom trying to force shut.

 

[PrincessMommy]

Aw you poor thing!! That sounds just awful! Mine did that when I was younger, but now I have all the other symptoms. Popping in my throat, jaw, and ears, clicking, neck stiffness, and my ears also don't adjust to pressure changes well so they will randomly pop or get clogged (because of the tube in my inner ear). It's a constant symphony of clicks, pops, and cracks. I'm goin crazy here lol!!

 

[calm81]

The joys of pregnancy, known issues are intensified thanks to hormones. My normally manageable panic/anxiety attacks have increased since becoming pregnant and this is when I refuse to take medicine. I want only prenatal vitamins in my system.

 

[PrincessMommy]

Oh my goodness, same! That and this pregnancy I have had horrible anxiety about my health. The increase of tmj symptoms plus an infection in my mouth has me freaking out (of course, I think I am dying or something -.-) I have to go to the doctor cuz I may have some spinal problems that are causing it because I don't have any pain from infection, just a horrible cold.... Friggen hormones!!! I wish the anxiety would just go away

 

[mmMlm]

I have also had TMJ since getting braces as a teenager. It has gradually gotten better over the years and I don't think it has been worse during pregnancy.
There are home remedies like applying hot & cold, relaxing etc.
The newest product to treat it goes in the ear:
https://tmjnextgen.com/product_information/the_better_solution
I think it sounds like it would help if you are in pain!

 

[PrincessMommy]

Thanks!!! I'll definitely look in to that

 

[mmMlm]

Thanks!!! I'll definitely look in to that

Let us know how it goes, if my symptoms flare up I will consider it as well

 

[PrincessMommy]

I shall!! I just want these darn symptoms to go away!! Especially the throat/ear clicking. It drives me nuts!

 

[mmMlm]

I know, I hate the clicking!!! So annoying and uncomfortable.

 

[PrincessMommy]

Thank goodness there are women out there who feel my pain it's nice to know I'm not going nutty!! ;P

 

[mmMlm]

LOL definitely not. It used to drive my DH nutty! I think he is finally used to it now though.

 

[calm81]

Drives my hubby nutty to hear me grind my teeth at night, Also, as a funny joke, if I call him and he hears no speaking but breathing he knows that my jaw is locked up. One way to make light of the situation. Not funny to me, though.

 

[PrincessMommy]

Aw my hubby sleeps too soundly to hear my teeth grinding however, when I get pissy I clench my teeth really hard. Sometimes he gets a good laugh out of it. I think most people would go insane being in our shoes. I have to say tmj has to be the single most annoying disorder ever -_- I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies.

 

[cookette]

How many of you sleep in a night guard?

Most common syptoms of TMD (TMJ is the joint, TMD the condition) can be alleviated by a night guard to sleep in that doesnt allow the teeth to the grind and protects the joint. Nearly all of my patients after braces are reccomended to have one due to shifts in their bite.

 

[PrincessMommy]

I do not!! I know that is supposed to be a good way to help relieve symptoms. I am going to a specialist soon to see about one.

Will that relieve any of the ear/throat problems as well?

 

[cookette]

I do not!! I know that is supposed to be a good way to help relieve symptoms. I am going to a specialist soon to see about one.

Will that relieve any of the ear/throat problems as well?

It depends on the source of your ear/throat issues. Sometimes it can be an aggravation caused by inflammation within the TMJ itself, or sometimes its an unrelated issue altogether. I do notice a lot more symptoms on myself when I neglect to wear it for a night and sleep much better with it in. I had surgery on my TMJ to clean out the scar tissue and did have better mobility afterwards, but still have a slight click and grind (crepitis).

Be sure to avoid chewing gum if you dont already Good luck with the specialist!

 

[PrincessMommy]

I do for the most part, but clench my teeth when I get upset :/ when I was younger I used to click my jaw obsessively (idk why, cuz it felt good??) for yeaaaars. I also would grind my teeth at night. Since I was 10ish.. It has done nothing but get worse. Plus my extreme anxiety which is directly related to the teeth clenching o_o I'm a mess

Thanks for the luck

 

[calm81]

I've tried a night guard but I have permanent retainers (wire cemented) and find the night guards uncomfortable. Then again, which is more uncomfortable? Hmmm, may venture out and try the night guard again. Thx.

 

[cookette]

I've tried a night guard but I have permanent retainers (wire cemented) and find the night guards uncomfortable. Then again, which is more uncomfortable? Hmmm, may venture out and try the night guard again. Thx.

I also have a fixed lower lingual retainer. Do you have a professional NG made by a dentist or one of the cheap ones bought from the store? There really is a difference between them