Apparently I’ve been grinding my teeth due to stress and have given myself a case of TMJ. Now I haven’t been doing it over the last few days and the pain is receding, yet I still feel a bit weird/off when I try to bite down hard. My question is this: How long does it take usually for the cramping and pain to fully recede in general? It’s been a few days now. Also, other than the usual tylenol, does anyone have something that might help the recovery along? I’ve noticed that if I use the painful side exclusively to chew my food, the pain recedes, but starts up again after a long rest period. Gum?
disclaimer: I am not asking for medical advice, no one is a doctor etc, etc. I will see a doctor if necessary, though all my research indicates that they won’t do anything for it but prescribe me an expensive mouthgaurd that I no longer need since the stress is gone.
I had TMJ on and off through the years, usually requiring a couple weeks to recover, once 6 months, but I haven’t been able to fully open my jaw since Thanksgiving 2005 after pushing my jaw on one too many protein bars. You do get used to the pain and the locking, but don’t push it.
Just plain don’t push it, even if it feels A-OK.
Edit: point being, it can heal tomorrow, or never heal. I expect mine will never heal, but at this point, even if it did, I wouldn’t know what to do with it. My eating / speaking / yawning habits are completely adapted around it.
I don’t think you can “give yourself a case of TMJ” just like you give yourself heartburn or a hangover…it’s an actual serious medical condition that requires lifelong treatment in many cases - but every person’s experience varies.*
But, anyway, if you’re feeling pain in your jaw you probably have inflamation in your jaw and need an anti-inflamatory like ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve). For me, Aleve, ice and rest do the trick. Plus you need to chill out and not clench, not chew hard or chewy stuff, and make sure your jaw is comfortable and relaxed when sitting or lying down.
*I’m not trying to bitch you out but I actually suffer from and am treated for and hate having TMJD and it’s grating to hear someone pass it off so lightly. Sorry you’re in pain but maybe be more sensitive about other people’s pain when asking for help.
I’m not trivializing other’s experiences, but I’ve not had any issues with this in my 28 years of life so far. I should think that if I was chronic it would have manifested itself at least once before. A further call to my uncle who is a doctor confirmed that other than prescribing me a muscle relaxer, or a mouthguard, there really isn’t anything much to do but rest it up and treat it like any other sprain. This morning it is improved again. I can now fully close up and my teeth feel as if they meet up properly. The pain is still there.
Meh. Two funerals in one weekend, cleaning out two houses, and having to comfort Nashiitashii, while being there for my own family was a bit much for me. That’s added on top of the usual stresses ( no full-time job, bills etc). Now that we have tackled the major stuff, I’m sleeping normally again. Thanks for the concern.
