I talked briefly about my battle with migraines a few months ago. I was getting anywhere from two to four of them a week. I went to my doctor and we tried two different kinds of muscle relaxers and various prescription anti-inflammatory medications. And this was AFTER I went through 6 months of physical therapy last year. She finally referred me to a pain management specialist after my cervical MRI came back clear. The pain management doctor sent me to a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) specialist. To say I was skeptical is an understatement. I had just been to the dentist and he gave me the all clear. The TMJ specialist ordered another MRI, focusing on my jaw joints. Turns out, the cartilage in my joints had been completely crushed. This was causing the unexplainable neck pain that was causing the migraines, she said. So I was fit for a bite splint and a special kind of night guard to realign my bite so that the cartilage could heal. The bite splint is a piece of acrylic that fits over my bottom teeth, and I wear it all day. Then I switch to the night guard that covers my top teeth and doesn’t allow my back teeth to touch (or grind) while I’m sleeping. My only issue with the splints is that the one I wear during the day makes me lisp slightly. So I’ve been really self conscious about that.
BUT. Here’s the exciting part. I haven’t had a migraine in two weeks. NOT A SINGLE ONE. And since I’ve started treatment I’ve only had one. So even though I thought this TMJ stuff was bullshit, it appears to be working. I go in to see the specialist bi-weekly and the last time I went in she gave me a trigger point injection in a giant knot I had in my back since I was 16. It’s now miraculously gone. Well, maybe it’s not a miracle, but it feels pretty damn good.
I’m only about a month into treatment, and the average treatment is 3-6 months, so I’ve got a bit to go. But if you suffer from chronic migraines and neck pain, I would suggest getting checked out by a TMJ specialist in your area. I read some statistic that TMJ is often misdiagnosed as chronic migraine syndrome.
16 comments:
Yah, so happy you found something that is working! ...I thought I was getting my first migraine the other day, turns out i was probably dehydrated!
Awesome! I suffer from both so maybe I need to check out this kind of specialist next.
I'm so glad you are feeling better! Migraines are the DEVIL - I suffer from the, too. I lose my vision :( But I only get them about 10 times a year. I hope things keep getting better! :)
Well would you look at that. I feel like I remember saying the doctor who told you it was TMJ was going to work just because I hoped it would. Very glad that it seems to be miraculously healing you.
I had a slight lisp when I wore my retainer back in they day too. NOT oretty
Yay! Being migraine free is amazing. I'm sure your lisp is barely noticeable, my dear. You'll be muchssh happier when thish ish all over (Soorry, I HAD TO). Glad you're pain free!
Yay for answers!
That is AWESOME!! I'm so glad the TMJ stuff is working.
I've had TMJ since middle school (I got hit by a basketball in the jaw during PE and it caused my jaw to dislocated). My jaw "clicks" so stinkin' loud. And it gives me headaches from time to time. But if I wear my night guard, the headaches usually go away. So I am a HUGE fan of the night guard.
And you'll get used to the split so the lisp will go away.
Do you feel like a new woman? Like you've just received DAYS back to your life? I would.
So happy to hear it is working for you! I used to get migraines a couple times a month, but in recent years, they have slowed down (and seem to have very specific triggers). I can't imagine having 2-4 every week!
So happy to hear you are feeling better! I can't imagine having constant migraines... you must feel like a whole new person! Yay! :)
So happy that you are feeling better and migraine free for 2 weeks! :)
Yay for no migraines. I suffer from tension (stress) headaches and once it turned into a migraine which was the worst pain!! Glad you're feeling better!!
Glad you finally got some pain relief and answers!
This fantastic Bung! This has to be a big relief! This makes me so happy for you!
Does your health insurance cover this? Because I went to get the night guard thing and my insurance said anything to do with my mouth or around my mouth, is not covered. Assholes. :/
I'm so glad that you found something that works and you are pain free! :)
I am so glad you finally got this figured out! I cannot imagine having that many migraines. Hopefully you won't have to endure them anymore.
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