I have suffered with TMJ for a number of years, are there any long term solutions?

Q.
Dear Dr Justin,

I have suffered with TMJ for over 4 jears now. I get terrible tension headaches that just won’t go away, neck pains, ear ache, stiff hands. I’ve gone through 1 wash out of the joint surgery, volarol painkillers which caused my stomach to bleed and caused an infection, valium which I’ve refused to take after it changed my personality, 3 botox injections (after two my smile got paralysed). Now I’m taking 150mg – 175 mg of Nortryptyline and also undergoing accupuncture which doesn’t seem to help much. I would love to find a longterm solution for my problem as I really can’t stand taking so many drugs for the rest of my life and my headaches are back and whole face feel tense. I am looking for help that will cure my problems once and for all. Can you help? Have you had many succesful stories of people with the same problem? I just don’t want to undergo another surgery and find out that it doesn’t really help to cure my pain.

Regards, 

A.
Hi Maybe you should go and see a dentist that specialises in the treatment of TMJ joint problems as there are often solutions usuing specially made bite appliances to help reduce your discomfort. Ask around or do a search on the internet for someone suitable in your area.
Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

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