Tmj--do You Have Headaches, Too?

TMJ can cause excruciating headaches.

If the doc didn't see the bump then it wouldn't hurt to call back. Try getting a mouthguard made.

Not sure why a CT was discouraged. Too many CT's is not good because of exposure to radiation, but they don't hurt.

Is the TMJ being treated? Mine was cured 10 years ago. There is really no need for this to be a chronic condition. I had headaches that would hit anywhere from the crown of my head to my neck vertically and from my nose and eye socket to behind my ear. Basically everywhere, but usually radiating from the TM joint.

In my experience, the best TMJ doctors are oral surgeons. Mine was able to see everything he initially needed from a panoramic x-ray, which clearly showed that the joints were out of alignment and that the space where the cartilage that protects the joint and allows it to move smoothly and painlessly was not the size and shape it needed to be.

My initial treatment included a mouthguard at night, physical therapy with electrode stimulation, and stretching exercises to do at home, including biting down on a stack of popsicle sticks, trying increase by one over certain periods of time. These did not work. I later had an MRI that really showed the damage to the bones and cartilage. The next step was that the doctor performed a procedure in his office called arthrocentesis. Under light sedation, he basically inserted a needle into the joint and irrigated it. Because of the sedation, he was able to use quite a bit of pressure to manually move my jaw into the correct position and guide the cartilage back into the right place. He finished by injecting cortisone into the joint. He did this on both sides. The process took about an hour and I was a little sore afterwards but had no other issues. I have had no TMJ symptoms since having this procedure done.

If your TMJ isn't being treated, or if the goal isn't a cure, ask about whether or not this procedure will help you. My health insurance covered it and it was really a life changer for me.

My chiropractor has been a god send in dealing with my TMJ.
Every other doctor just "treated" it. Pain meds, etc...
My chiro actually treats the cause of the condition, in adjusting and relaxing the muscles around my neck and jaw.

The bump could very well be a tensed muscle or knot.

my ex's mom had brain surgery because it was so bad she says it was the best thing she ever did

I have TMJ and I've had it for years. It varies as to how bad it is. Lately,,, it's hell.

I do wear a nightguard ( can't sleep without it) I've broken 2 guards and cracked 4 teeth over the years.

The headaches are awful and occur very morning and at times I can't move my head from side to side. The pain goes from above ears to shoulders .

I do not have any lumps though.

I hate to take any Prescription RX and I just take aspirin almost every morning. I keep a water bottle by my bed and when I wake during the night I drink water and open/close and try to relax my jaw area during the night.

My Dr has never mentioned a scan, probably because I don't have any lumps. He does however have me wear the nightguard during the day as well, especially if I'm going through a bad streak. I catch myself during the day clenching as well.

I hope you find relief. TMJ is painful

I don't recall having a bump relating to TMJ. The pain and headaches though I do remember. Mine would slip out of place and lock my jaw. I had surgery to reshape the cartiledge and joint 17 years ago and haven't had the issues since.

I saw an oral surgeon who was also a plastic surgeon and you can't even see my scar. It was an outpatient procedure.