Tinnitus, TMJ, Headaches, Neck Pain, Facial Pain, etc. — Possible Treatment

[rtwombly]

Recently something strange has been going on with me. I came off Ginko and ALA on the advice of my chiropractor, since they have an excitatory effect on the nervous system. After a few days I started to notice pain in my jaw. Soon after my tinnitus onset I had some incidences of waking up in the middle of the night with my jaw painfully clenched, but since this stopped happening, I moved in down the list of likely causes for my tinnitus.

Now that the pain has set in, I've started doing more TMJD research and realized several things. First, the tiredness in my cheeks and stiffness in my neck, also the weird muscle headaches I've been having lately are all signs of TMJD. Second, I don't really think my jaw pain is new, it's just that the antioxidants I had been taking plus the Ginko for circulation were pulling down the inflammation, so they were less noticeable. But they've been there, right enough, probably from way before my ear started ringing.

In my research I've discovered Dr. Nick Yiannios of Branson, Missouri. He's doing some Mission Impossible stuff for TMJ. His channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoIDjjCFzKZbvQnX3BYlJw. I've not found any other dentists performing these same techniques. Using the diagnostic tools, yes, but with the aim of devising bite splints, which I don't think I want. I'll do more research but from what I've seen a splint is meant to be worn every night for life. Dr. Yiannos corrects the bite so you don't need a splint and your jaw is happy 24x7.

I'm active on the retigabine and Autifony threads because I think I may need a pill to get rid of the maladaptive plasticity that is perpetuating my tinnitus. But I feel I need to look into the TMJD and get that fixed too, or I'll just as likely get my tinnitus right back if the pills do fix it! Anyway, I wish all well on this thread and if anybody decides to visit Dr. Yiannios, please let me know. I'd love to hear your experience.

 

[applewine]

@rtwombly Those are interesting videos. I've seen that bite sensor before in other videos where they have the same goal of adjusting the teeth by filing them with a drill, not moving them or creating a bite splint. It is one approach I have been familiar with.

I have mostly decided that these guys are wrong and that the problem is with trigger points below the jaw referring upward, but I think what these dentists say makes some sense. The only problem is that the bite being off so little and the little time we spend chewing should not do anything, or so my orofacial pain specialist DDS guy told me. He said we only spend 10 minutes a day chewing or something.

All of these dentist videos have them doing totally different things and showing videos of people being cured. That is the thing and also the treatments are permanent and likely not proven and not covered by medical services.

These TMJ dentists are highly questionable. A lot of what he is saying about the neurology is interesting though. I don't have sensitive teeth, except if I scrape my nail on some of the teeth at the top where my gums have receded some on the back teeth. I'm afraid of sensitive teeth though and found out that tooth brushes with hard bristles caused it when I was a kid and it won't grow back. the dentists don't tell you this until after it happens. That makes me angry. You can use an electric tooth brush with soft bristles though. I don't have sensitive teeth to cold I don't think, but I do have tinnitus and weird face numbness, muscle pain in the temples, neck, shoulders and even between shoulder blades and lower right back and leg. It was also right jaw. Then I started getting weird water sensations or burning sensations all over. The neurologists can not explain the strange water and burning sensations or the trigger points.

I'm planning on seeing a physical therapist that does myofascial release next. I had never been able to find any that did it, just dry needling until now.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

@Mr. Cartman I am very skeptical of back surgery. I've heard that it isn't actually proven to do anything in many cases and it can actually be a placebo since it doesn't fix the problem in many (most?) people. Normal deviations may be present in scans which are not pathological. I have doubts that you really have any problem there. Also, if there is a myofascial restriction those muscles may be pulling on the vertebrae causing the pinching or whatever anyway if it is, so cutting muscles or fusing this bone to that or whatever they do in surgery seems to make no sense. I've looked at the upper cervical muscles and how they attached to the atlas for example. You could see if any of the PT's in your area do myofascial release and ask who they were trained by and what level of training. The closet PT I could find near you is Amanda Oswald in the UK. http://www.paincareclinic.co.uk/ She is listed as advanced, but not expert.
There could be others who haven't paid to have themselves listed in the directory: https://www.myofascialrelease.com/

The problem for me was that none of the PT's I could find were doing myofascial release and the only ones who were experts in trigger points and practicing that were doing dry needling. I thought dry needling was the best for a while, but after trying it I think not. I had also been to a massage therapist who specialized in trigger points and she did not seem to help or think she could help. Perhaps the PT's who specialize in myofascial release will be better.

Yeah, surgery is not exactly at the top of my todo list.. But rather at the bottom..
Im going to see an osteopath this week though.. Kinda curious about the osteos take on this..
Im definitely going to continue physio, but first I will have some stuff checked out..

Did you have any sessions with your new PT yet?

Also, @rtwombly is providing some really interesting observations there.. I have had the exact same stuff happening to me many, many times.. I wake up with my jaw painfully clenched.. Im just curious to why this happens.. I do know that as long as I chew food etc., it seems like the muscle tension and all the weird stuff gradually improves.. And I have come to understand that chewing makes the neck muscles relax.

It could be that clenching the teeth is the bodys way of trying to compensate for something else that is not right, and I would think most likely the neck, as theres a direct connection between the muscles of mastication and a couple of the muscles in the neck, especially the SCM and trapezius.

If that is the case, it could make a neck problem look like a TMJ problem. Im VERY skeptical to the TMJD stuff myself though.. But on the other hand, too much clenching of the teeth at night would put some serious load on the muscles of mastication, especially temporalis which is a huge muscle and is located above the ear as well as in the temple area (pretty much the entire half of the head)..

Also, @applewine , the muscle pain in the temple area you are talking about sounds very familiar.. Ive had temporalis in the back of my head. The zygomaticotemporal nerve passes through temporalis. And the greater occipital nerve pierces through the semispinalis capitis muscle (for those that are interested).

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary (V2) branch of the trigeminal nerve and it also receives communication from the lacrimal nerve.
Close to where the maxillary nerve throws off the zygomatic nerve, it also throws off the supra and posterior alveolar nerve which gives sensation to the upper teeth. I would think that any excess firing of the alveolar nerves can cause tinnitus, ie. tinnitus and toothache..

After the zygomatic nerve and the supra and posterior alveolar nerve has been thrown off of the maxillary branch, the maxillary divides into the nasal branches (which provide sensory innervation to the skin of the lower half of the nose and the nasal septum), the palpebral branches (which ascend behind the orbicularis oculi and supply the skin and conjunctiva of the lower eyelid), and the labial branches (which are are distributed to the skin of the upper lip, the mucous membrane of the mouth, and labial glands).


That does make sense indeed, as I have tingling around and inside my nose, tingling of my lip, also some random toothache and temple pain.. Which for me would suggest that the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve is highly involved, and that any excess firing in those pathways might be able to keep the tinnitus sound alive. I also have some weird stuff going on around my eyes..

Im kinda tempted to finish that nerve map I was working on.. It should be comprehensive and give an idea where the nerves are located, where they pierces through muscles, possible sites of muscular nerve irritation and what symptoms one might expect, but its going to consume quite some time and research.. Also, sensory information from the facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus and trigeminal nerve eventually end up in the same nucleus (the spinal trigeminal nucleus), which for me suggests that the flaw could be located further down the chain, but I dont think (Im not 100% sure, as I havent read up on this) that the spinal trigeminal nucleus is responsible for any motoric innervation unless the brain responds that way because of the flawed stimulus received by the spinal trigeminal nucleus. A little like when you put your hand on a heater, the brain rapidly tells your muscles to act in order to prevent a burn. (not sure). But I do have a weird pain pattern that does not limit to one cranial nerve, even though it seems like one site is responsible of it all (as I have stated in previous posts).

@Sound Wave
Please keep us updated about your MRI
I have the same thing going on with my SCM as well, not so much anymore though, but I do get radiating pain on top of my head and at the site of the muscle upon palpation..

 

[Carlos1]

Yeah, surgery is not exactly at the top of my todo list.. But rather at the bottom..
Im going to see an osteopath this week though.. Kinda curious about the osteos take on this..
Im definitely going to continue physio, but first I will have some stuff checked out..

Did you have any sessions with your new PT yet?

Also, @rtwombly is providing some really interesting observations there.. I have had the exact same stuff happening to me many, many times.. I wake up with my jaw painfully clenched.. Im just curious to why this happens.. I do know that as long as I chew food etc., it seems like the muscle tension and all the weird stuff gradually improves.. And I have come to understand that chewing makes the neck muscles relax.

It could be that clenching the teeth is the bodys way of trying to compensate for something else that is not right, and I would think most likely the neck, as theres a direct connection between the muscles of mastication and a couple of the muscles in the neck, especially the SCM and trapezius.

If that is the case, it could make a neck problem look like a TMJ problem. Im VERY skeptical to the TMJD stuff myself though.. But on the other hand, too much clenching of the teeth at night would put some serious load on the muscles of mastication, especially temporalis which is a huge muscle and is located above the ear as well as in the temple area (pretty much the entire half of the head)..

Also, @applewine , the muscle pain in the temple area you are talking about sounds very familiar.. Ive had temporalis in the back of my head. The zygomaticotemporal nerve passes through temporalis. And the greater occipital nerve pierces through the semispinalis capitis muscle (for those that are interested).

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary (V2) branch of the trigeminal nerve and it also receives communication from the lacrimal nerve.
Close to where the maxillary nerve throws off the zygomatic nerve, it also throws off the supra and posterior alveolar nerve which gives sensation to the upper teeth. I would think that any excess firing of the alveolar nerves can cause tinnitus, ie. tinnitus and toothache..

After the zygomatic nerve and the supra and posterior alveolar nerve has been thrown off of the maxillary branch, the maxillary divides into the nasal branches (which provide sensory innervation to the skin of the lower half of the nose and the nasal septum), the palpebral branches (which ascend behind the orbicularis oculi and supply the skin and conjunctiva of the lower eyelid), and the labial branches (which are are distributed to the skin of the upper lip, the mucous membrane of the mouth, and labial glands).


That does make sense indeed, as I have tingling around and inside my nose, tingling of my lip, also some random toothache and temple pain.. Which for me would suggest that the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve is highly involved, and that any excess firing in those pathways might be able to keep the tinnitus sound alive. I also have some weird stuff going on around my eyes..

Im kinda tempted to finish that nerve map I was working on.. It should be comprehensive and give an idea where the nerves are located, where they pierces through muscles, possible sites of muscular nerve irritation and what symptoms one might expect, but its going to consume quite some time and research.. Also, sensory information from the facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus and trigeminal nerve eventually end up in the same nucleus (the spinal trigeminal nucleus), which for me suggests that the flaw could be located further down the chain, but I dont think (Im not 100% sure, as I havent read up on this) that the spinal trigeminal nucleus is responsible for any motoric innervation unless the brain responds that way because of the flawed stimulus received by the spinal trigeminal nucleus. A little like when you put your hand on a heater, the brain rapidly tells your muscles to act in order to prevent a burn. (not sure). But I do have a weird pain pattern that does not limit to one cranial nerve, even though it seems like one site is responsible of it all (as I have stated in previous posts).

@Sound Wave
Please keep us updated about your MRI
I have the same thing going on with my SCM as well, not so much anymore though, but I do get radiating pain on top of my head and at the site of the muscle upon palpation..

Hello Mr Cartman like to ask you a question do you think the new trials of 00063 if successful could also cure or reduce muscle or nerve related T ?

 

[Mr. Cartman]

Hello Mr Cartman like to ask you a question do you think the new trials of 00063 if successful could also cure or reduce muscle or nerve related T ?

Hey

I really dont know.. I would guess that if the potassium channels aut00063 targets are the only pathways for a sound to reach our perception, then maybe.. Im kinda curious if the same abnormal potassium channel activity would appear in non-tinnitus subjects if a tinnitus sound was played in their ears.

I think @benryu would be the guy to ask regarding potassium channels as he seems to have read up a lot regarding the potassium chemistry

A while ago I read that they are exploring potassium channels for nerve pain as well.. Maybe they are onto something.. I guess time will tell

 

[Codaz]

In my research I've discovered Dr. Nick Yiannios of Branson, Missouri. He's doing some Mission Impossible stuff for TMJ. His channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoIDjjCFzKZbvQnX3BYlJw. I've not found any other dentists performing these same techniques. Using the diagnostic tools, yes, but with the aim of devising bite splints, which I don't think I want. I'll do more research but from what I've seen a splint is meant to be worn every night for life. Dr. Yiannos corrects the bite so you don't need a splint and your jaw is happy 24x7.

I wear a splint for my TMJ. And yes it works, although a very slow process. My T is down from 8/10 to 2 or 1/10 (depends on the time of the day). It's a 4 month TMJ treatment process of which 2 months wearing the splint and that did the most, it confirmed the TMJ clenching / grinding as there are bite and grinding marks on the splint. Better the splint scratched than your teeth worn!!
So my advice is, take the splint. You get used to it within a week.

What I have seen in the Yiannos video is pretty sci-fi stuff. You cannot find that in the Netherlands I think. But maybe I can find a gnatologist that has more insight in this. My dental surgeon is a really nice guy. He suggested carbamazepine for TMJ muscle pain (facial pain) but I saw that it can introduce hyperacusis in the manual, so I'm hesistant. First I need to see a specialist on T next week about that.

For now, I'm back to the TMJ treatment every week at a TMJ specialist. He does jaw massages, TENS on the sore jaw spots. I'm already 4 months in and nobody knows when this will be over, but I see improvement every week (keep a diary). Every week there's 2-3% improvement.

He works a lot on my neck muscles too. Still a mess though, hurts a lot.

Botox was discussed as well. But I refused, as I read a lot of horror stories on that.

My dental surgeon says TMJ clenching / grinding is a behavior, because of stress. You need to unlearn it yourself, talk to a psychologist he said.

I also started acupuncture last week. And yes it did something. Tomorrow is my 2nd treatment. It's much more expensive than the TMJ specialist, but it might work.

 

[applewine]

@Codaz What kind of splint did he give you? I went to a dentist that specializes in TMJ and orofacial pain and he said I have no problem with my jaw. He said it is caused by trigger points below that that are causing the pain referral. He said there is nothing with my bite that is wrong. I also found other dentists who are far off the path by doing internet searches and they said I had a bad joint and disc problem and needed extreme total repositioning of all my teeth to bring my jaw forward. I didn't do that. The only splint I did try was the NTI type. It didn't do anything. I guess I could have worn it longer, but who knows.

 

[applewine]

So I just got back from the physical therapist my orofacial pain specialist dentist refered me to. I would say it was a big waste of time and it cost $250 out of pocket. The only way to know if they are any good is to try one at a time and pay out $250 a pop. If there are dozens you have to see just to find a good PT then that is a lot of money and wasted time.

She basically did nothing treatment wise. She did a lot of muscle strength testing, but I highly doubt she will be doing much hands on stuff as far as treatment. The reason I suspect this is because she was stressing me treating myself with a thera cane. I already knew about that and if I wanted to treat myself I wouldn't be paying somebody to help me. She told me to do breathing exercises and other stuff. She mentioned homeopathy, some kind of weird applied kensiology (http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html) thing where you hold a material you may be allergic to in a sealed glass vial and then they test you muscle strength. It was clearly nonsense and she doesn't do it, but she advocated I get it tested. That and homeopathy are total nonsense to any logical thinker. She also does craniosacral therapy, which I think is also nonsense, though may indirectly do some things depending on what you actually do with you hands in the name of "craniosacral" therapy.

It sort of reminded me of another PT I saw once he spend the entire time talking to me and doing a few muscle tests and it cost a boat load too. He was asking me about how much I liked my job and if I was in a romantic relationship and suggesting those things could be the cause and stuff like that. We got to the end and he said he didn't do manual stuff and I should have called and told him before that that is what I wanted. I went to him because his website said he was certified to do it! I wasted half a day off of work to drive to that guy in another state and the same with this woman.

I think I'll go to the source and try the guy that supposedly trains everybody who is in Pennsylvania. I'll try to take a Friday off of work or something and drive over the night before. I'm not even going to waste time going to people who are ranked "expert". This woman I went to was clearly not an expert level either.

I've also been going to the NUCCA upper cervical chiropractor. He basically just tells me to do stretches 3 times a day, so I don't see any reason to go to him. I can do that myself. His "adjustments" of my neck consist of him placing as much force as taking my pulse and placing it on my neck. I kept going just so I could see what all this fuss was about and so I could for once not jump the boat right away and give something a try, but I think I'd rather go to another PT now.

 

[applewine]

Can you guys do a test? When I make my tongue stiff and swing it back and forth batting it against the sides of my teeth on the top or bottom of my mouth I get tingling sensations all over my face. Do you guys get this. I noticed this years ago and I'm wondering if this is normal for everyone, but have never asked anyone.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

So I just got back from the physical therapist my orofacial pain specialist dentist refered me to. I would say it was a big waste of time and it cost $250 out of pocket. The only way to know if they are any good is to try one at a time and pay out $250 a pop. If there are dozens you have to see just to find a good PT then that is a lot of money and wasted time.

She basically did nothing treatment wise. She did a lot of muscle strength testing, but I highly doubt she will be doing much hands on stuff as far as treatment. The reason I suspect this is because she was stressing me treating myself with a thera cane. I already knew about that and if I wanted to treat myself I wouldn't be paying somebody to help me. She told me to do breathing exercises and other stuff. She mentioned homeopathy, some kind of weird applied kensiology (http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html) thing where you hold a material you may be allergic to in a sealed glass vial and then they test you muscle strength. It was clearly nonsense and she doesn't do it, but she advocated I get it tested. That and homeopathy are total nonsense to any logical thinker. She also does craniosacral therapy, which I think is also nonsense, though may indirectly do some things depending on what you actually do with you hands in the name of "craniosacral" therapy.

It sort of reminded me of another PT I saw once he spend the entire time talking to me and doing a few muscle tests and it cost a boat load too. He was asking me about how much I liked my job and if I was in a romantic relationship and suggesting those things could be the cause and stuff like that. We got to the end and he said he didn't do manual stuff and I should have called and told him before that that is what I wanted. I went to him because his website said he was certified to do it! I wasted half a day off of work to drive to that guy in another state and the same with this woman.

I think I'll go to the source and try the guy that supposedly trains everybody who is in Pennsylvania. I'll try to take a Friday off of work or something and drive over the night before. I'm not even going to waste time going to people who are ranked "expert". This woman I went to was clearly not an expert level either.

I've also been going to the NUCCA upper cervical chiropractor. He basically just tells me to do stretches 3 times a day, so I don't see any reason to go to him. I can do that myself. His "adjustments" of my neck consist of him placing as much force as taking my pulse and placing it on my neck. I kept going just so I could see what all this fuss was about and so I could for once not jump the boat right away and give something a try, but I think I'd rather go to another PT now.

Thanks for the update..

I dont believe in craniosacral therapy and homeopathy though (Im not saying that it doesnt work or anything, its just my personal openion).

Did you ever try chiropractic neck adjustments where they kind of "crack" your neck? Those were the only treatments that had a direct impact on the stuff Im experiencing.. Both positive (first time) and very negative (second time).. Just curious if you have had the same stuff happening.. Or if you have had it done..

Regarding the tongue stuff, I dont get the tingling, but I do get some pain right below my ear which seems to be located at the site of the SCM..

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman I know. I don't believe in homeopathy, craniosacral therapy or this third thing where they put something you could be allergic to in a sealed glass vial and tell you to hold it and test your strength. That is nonsense ! They actually think the body knows somehow through some invisible communication that it is allergic. She didn't do any of these things on me, but she talked about all three and suggested them. They are all placebos and won't work on me because I'm too logical to be fooled by it. She did basically no bodywork in about two hours of time.

The other thing that annoys me is that she didn't submit a claim form for the service or even fill one out for me so I could. So now I have to find claim forms and figure out how to fill it out using the codes she gave me. For $250 that isn't very good service. That is a hassle and I've found the worse a person is and the more nonsense they are pushing the less likely they will be to send or even give you a claim form. The bad TMJ dentist guy I saw wouldn't fill out claim forms and they have staff there and I'm sure a computer could do it. I've also noticed that people who practice out of their house, like this lady did, tend not to be very good. (I take that back, the new guy I'm going to see is supposed to be very good and practices on his residence property). I didn't know she practiced out of her house until I scheduled, but I still went because the orofacial pain doctor who I think is legit refers to her for people like me who have no oral or TMJ damage he can detect and thinks its trigger points in the neck and rest of body.

I also got a bill for $300 because my old neurologist's office didn't check with the insurance company before ordering my evoked potentials test. Now the doctor's office wants me to pay. You sign something that says you will pay if the insurance company won't. However, I don't think it is fair because that test was scheduled months in advance and they didn't even check with the insurance company. The office said this test doesn't normally require that. They also wanted me to get two of those tests and I only got one, so I would have been paying $600 or more if I did what they wanted. I'm willing to pay money if it fixes my health but giving me tests the insurance company said I don't need and not checking and then making me pay is frustrating.

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman Yes, I've been to a chiropractor that really adjusts the neck with big adjustments. I did that quite a few years ago. It didn't really help any more than the rest of the adjustments which felt good for a while. I'm not getting any more of those upper cervical adjusts ( the real kind) because I don't want to risk any damage. My new neurologist also said not to get any of those upper cervical adjustments as they can cause damage even though the chiropractors say they don't.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

@applewine

Sounds like you have been through a lot of hassle lately.. I think a skilled PT that does bodywork would be a good thing to try out indeed.. The neurologists Ive seen as well adviced against neck adjustments because of potentially serious injury, even though I do believe they are rare. Im very skeptical of it as well.

In the past few days I have noticed that I keep getting those painful stings at the side of my neck (left side).. Like between the SCM and trapezius (more close to trapezius) all the way from shoulder height to C1 level.. I suspect that they might be related.

Did any of your neurologists you have seen been able to provide any solid clues?

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman No, no neurologist I have ever seen, and I have seen maybe five, has been able to detect anything wrong. My last neurologist said he doesn't want to put me through a bunch of tests and said he doesn't know what it is. At least he is honest. He also said I could take Lyrica, but I declined saying the water and burning sensations I get aren't that painful and I'd rather not take another drug. I also told him at my first visit how once my feet went numb and burning a little for 4 weeks and then one day I woke up and it was gone. He said maybe I had some kind of inflammatory condition. But, I know all my tests for inflammation were negative and he didn't want to to test for more inflammation markets or suggest that.

He said whatever I have is probably something that hasn't been discovered yet. The brain and neck MRI's were negative. Well, actually the cervical MRI had minor disc things, but he didn't mention that on the visit, maybe he forgot. I brought the CD too and he should have had the report, but we didn't talk about it. I doubt the discs bulging were anything and/or he would have known what to do about it. We just said the brain MRI was negative. I told him I had seen many physical therapists and doctors and they all basically told me that using their hands was beneath them in effect.

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman I've decided I'm not going to go the the Pensylvania physical therapy center and I'll go to somebody trained from there who is closer and rated expert. I'm going to try this guy: http://mfrtherapists.com/listings/therapist/?ID=35 He is booked a few months in advance, but I'll see him in late November. I called the treatment center in Pennsylvania and they do a very intensive two week long treatment program though. They said I could also go for a single appointment just to try it out. They talked me into considering seeing Phil who is near me and they said he is good and teaches at the primary center. The people most skilled tend to be working at the primary east coast center in Pensylvania or mid-west center in Colorado. Those are the people who have the most years of practice with the John F. Barnes methodology.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

@applewine

Ive had inflammatory conditions in my mind as well though, but all the tests have been negative..
But theres one thing that boggles me though, Ive had this stuff temporarily in the past, but only while spending too much time in front of my computer or driving my car for a very long time.. It always went away within minutes to hours.. Until one day when my neck (and probably my nervous system as I found myself very stressed out at that time) took a beating and it just didnt stop.. I had been working around the clock for a very long time back then and stuff started to pile up..

Thats also why I suspect that something in the neck might play a part of all this..

Im very interested to hear what Phil thinks about this stuff.. And as you have stated previously, there is a chance its all muscle related.. Its a great thing he lives nearby though..

Do you have any idea if you were bit by a tick before it all started? I dont suspect Lyme, but just curious..

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman I read that originally and even in some recent reports people were saying that fibromyalgia was an inflammation of the fascia over the muscles. That was later proven false apparently. There are many other theories for fibromyalgia. I have often said I don't have fibromyalgia because I don't have many of the symptoms. I do however have strange burning and water sensations and people with fibromyalgia report that as well even though it is not listed as the common symptoms.

I don't think I've ever seen a tick bite me, not even as a child I don't remember having to remove one, but it is harder to remember back then.

When I was getting the stiff neck back in 2006 and my vision started shaking that is around the same time I was doing a few things. I was stepping up my lifting using weight machines, I was getting invisalign orthodontics and I was also recently starting allergy shots. At one point I've thought the allergy shots could have triggered it, years later I thought that. When I got the shots I only got it twice a week for less than a month when I got one of the worst upper respiratory infections I've ever had. It kept coming back too for like 2 months I think. I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed even though a childhood friend was visiting from Europe and I didn't want to go to see him. Also: I remember seeing a bruise that made me think of lyme disease rash about the same year as this, but I can't remember when / which year. That doesn't mean I got lyme disease though.

As I've mentioned one of my therapists refered me to a doctor once after she couldn't help me with the myofascial release. When I saw him somehow he tested me for lyme disease using an unproven test and said I had it. I must have been researching "chronic lyme disease" just before that or after that. Maybe some people told me on a forum somewhere I must have it or something. Either way that doctor was into testing for that for some reason. After that I thought there was a chance I had it. I found another doctor who treats only "chronic lyme disease" by going to lyme disease.org and he put me on some crazy number of antibiotics. 4 antibiotics all at once for up to 2-3 years he said. Minocycline, Azithromycin, Bactrim and Rifampin. I started to get weird water sensations a few weeks in and thought that proved I had the lyme disease I guess.

I have also had the water sensations in just my legs way back a year after the muscle tension started in my neck, but it went away. That also happened with a sudden weight gain like nothing I've never had in my life.

The lyme disease thing the more I research it seems too mysterious or nonsensical to be true. If they develop a new test that can prove people have it that didn't before and a cure then I'll believe it, until then I refuse to believe it. I'm ok with research though. I gave treatment a try and may have developed multiple new conditions as a result.

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman I called the PT office back and they have somebody who probably the same as Phil and she is available for an opening on Monday, so I won't have to wait two months to give some of the treatment a try. She isn't listed expert because she hasn't done one of the classes, but she has been practicing since 2008 like Phil and is very busy so should have a lot of experience. They also said they don't give you a filled out claim form, so I'll have to do that too. I guess once you get used to it it will be ok, but I find it just one more thing to do.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

@applewine

Yeah, I dont suspect Lyme either..
Thats great though.. Maybe you'll be able to see her on Monday and hopefully she will do some bodywork as well..
Im going to have some bodywork done myself, especially in the neck and upper back as it feels sore and off..
Probably add some volume to my neck and back muscles as well, and try to release some of the tension going on in the trapezius, levator scapulae and scalenes area..

 

[applewine]

@Mr. Cartman I guess I suspect everything though, I just refuse to believe it is Lyme until they can prove it and cure it. Until somebody can prove to me what I have or fix it I think I suspect a lot of things in the back of my mind.

 

[Codaz]

@applewine

This is what I have been wearing since July 17th. After only a month I already saw the bite marks on the last 2 molars.
I did the 2nd acupuncture treatment yesterday and again, another decrease in T volume. But my H (present in the left ear) is worser now. My TMJ specialist is working on the neck now, very painful.

T is fluctuating between 1/10 and 2/10 now. 4 weeks ago it was 3/10 to 4/10 with a lot of residual inhibition (play a tone and the Tinnitus drops a lot, for hours).

The H worries me, you rather have T than H imho. Going to continue the acupuncture. I recommend everybody to at least try 3 sessions with a licensed acupuncturist.

But all said, progress!! Every week for the last 5 months since T started, and that + the support from my family keeps me going.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

@applewine
@chronicburn
@Sjtof

Hi!

I spoke to a friend of mine that I havent talked to for many years, and I told him about the stuff Im experiencing. He then mentioned another friend of his (an old friend of mine as well) that had been struggling with something pretty much similar for 2 years.

According to my friend, his condition were caused by narrow blood vessels in his neck, and he injected a few insulin shots prescribed by a specialist and he was healed pretty much instantly from what I understand. At least he is now 100% back to normal.

Just curious if anyone of you have read anything regarding narrow blood vessels in the neck and insulin, as I cant really find much information regarding the topic.

 

[applewine]

@applewine
@chronicburn
@Sjtof

Hi!

I spoke to a friend of mine that I havent talked to for many years, and I told him about the stuff Im experiencing. He then mentioned another friend of his (an old friend of mine as well) that had been struggling with something pretty much similar for 2 years.

According to my friend, his condition were caused by narrow blood vessels in his neck, and he injected a few insulin shots prescribed by a specialist and he was healed pretty much instantly from what I understand. At least he is now 100% back to normal.

Just curious if anyone of you have read anything regarding narrow blood vessels in the neck and insulin, as I cant really find much information regarding the topic.

I would suspect this was a different condition in the same location of the body. It couldn't hurt to learn more, but it seems like a long shot. Also I don't see how an insulin shot would have fixed the narrow blood vessels. Our stories may sound similar to other conditions for people who are not familiar.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

I would suspect this was a different condition in the same location of the body. It couldn't hurt to learn more, but it seems like a long shot. Also I don't see how an insulin shot would have fixed the narrow blood vessels. Our stories may sound similar to other conditions for people who are not familiar.

Indeed. I dont see the connection myself. The stuff he experienced sounded scary similar though.. It could be that he got something else than insulin as well..

I would probably have to call him and ask him directly. At least the guy I talked to was positive that it was caused by blood vessels in his neck.

 

[carlover]

Hi all, seen someone today ,probably one of the top TMJ dentists in the uk,

The MRI report shows that my lower jaw is too far back and pressing into the ear ,causing my ear symptoms.

I have bad bruxism so he has made me an NTI Bite ,he is hoping it will calm the symptoms down,
However the actual treatment would be over 3 years ,mostly using braces and cost £10,000

As I have spent around £16000 on my teeth allready ,,its impssible,Just hope the NTI plate helps ,he has done 500 of them and has never had some of the myths that are on the internet ,re causing open bite etc,

 

[rtwombly]

Hi all, seen someone today ,probably one of the top TMJ dentists in the uk,

The MRI report shows that my lower jaw is too far back and pressing into the ear ,causing my ear symptoms.

I have bad bruxism so he has made me an NTI Bite ,he is hoping it will calm the symptoms down,
However the actual treatment would be over 3 years ,mostly using braces and cost £10,000

As I have spent around £16000 on my teeth allready ,,its impssible,Just hope the NTI plate helps ,he has done 500 of them and has never hasd some of the myths that are on the internet ,re causing open bite etc,

Hope you get some relief! Been long enough. I'm emailing dental specialists in my area. There seem to be some good ones. There don't seem to be any cheap ones, though, and certainly no cheap good ones.

 

[Mr. Cartman]

Hi all, seen someone today ,probably one of the top TMJ dentists in the uk,

The MRI report shows that my lower jaw is too far back and pressing into the ear ,causing my ear symptoms.

I have bad bruxism so he has made me an NTI Bite ,he is hoping it will calm the symptoms down,
However the actual treatment would be over 3 years ,mostly using braces and cost £10,000

As I have spent around £16000 on my teeth allready ,,its impssible,Just hope the NTI plate helps ,he has done 500 of them and has never had some of the myths that are on the internet ,re causing open bite etc,

Hey mate!

I would have found it very uplifting that they found something!
Regarding the jaw, I think I would have had a second openion as well though before spending that amount of money on a treatment that might not do much.. Ive become slightly skeptical towards the TMJ business (just my personal openion).

I really hope that the NTI plate will work!

Hopefully I will have the MRI report of my jaw and throat tomorrow!

Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[Codaz]

Hi all, seen someone today ,probably one of the top TMJ dentists in the uk,

The MRI report shows that my lower jaw is too far back and pressing into the ear ,causing my ear symptoms.

I have bad bruxism so he has made me an NTI Bite ,he is hoping it will calm the symptoms down,
However the actual treatment would be over 3 years ,mostly using braces and cost £10,000

As I have spent around £16000 on my teeth allready ,,its impssible,Just hope the NTI plate helps ,he has done 500 of them and has never had some of the myths that are on the internet ,re causing open bite etc,

How did the MRI go? A lot of people say that it worsens their T or H.
And what is the difference between an NTI splint and the bite splint I have? I googled and it seems different on the images found.

 

[carlover]

codaz,mr hartman ,hi, i take your cynicism wholehartedly.Ill give you an example .Last year I saw this guy.

http://www.robingraytmd.co.uk/ read his bio,yet this guy was dismissed by the dentist I saw today Last year
Robin grey looked at my MRI and diagnosis by the radiologist and said he was wrong its not that bad and as an expert witness he has gone against the radiologist in court.

Yet the guy I saw today said the radiologist is one of the best in the world whose advice is sought from all over the world. The NTI covers the front two teeth so the back never touches ,he said the ordinary splints make bruxism worse and I realise that from experience,So the trigeminal nerve and muscles get a chance to relax,

The MRI didnt cause any ear issues just wear big plugs!!!


You spend your hundreds and thousands and all you are is piggy in the middle.That report says I have stage 4 wilkes , 5 being the worse,

 

[Mr. Cartman]

codaz,mr hartman ,hi, i take your cynicism wholehartedly.Ill give you an example .Last year I saw this guy.

http://www.robingraytmd.co.uk/ read his bio,yet this guy was dismissed by the dentist I saw today Last year
Robin grey looked at my MRI and diagnosis by the radiologist and said he was wrong its not that bad and as an expert witness he has gone against the radiologist in court.

Yet the guy I saw today said the radiologist is one of the best in the world whose advice is sought from all over the world. The NTI covers the front two teeth so the back never touches ,he said the ordinary splints make bruxism worse and I realise that from experience,So the trigeminal nerve and muscles get a chance to relax,

The MRI didnt cause any ear issues just wear big plugs!!!


You spend your hundreds and thousands and all you are is piggy in the middle.That report says I have stage 4 wilkes , 5 being the worse,

Yeah, Im not surprised..

Im crossing my fingers for your NTI plate though!

When I had MRI done of my neck, one of my earplugs fell out.. It didnt have any impact on my T though, but it was pretty darn loud (without the earplug)