Posted by jazzdog on November 17, 2001, at 17:56:38
In reply to Re: jaw tension, tension headaches, posted by JohnX2 on November 17, 2001, at 7:00:31
Hi John -
I've suffered from jaw pain and bruxism for years, even before I started on zoloft nearly ten years ago. I believe the term is tempero-mandibular joint syndrome, or tmj. It's amazingly common. Certainly anything that damps down the nervous systems, like benzos or antihistamines, can help temporarily, but I prefer to spare my seratonin receptors and opt for a more mundane approach. Essentially, I sleep with a mouthguard, custom-made through my dentist, that keeps me from doing any damage when I grind my teeth. There are other techniques I've tried, including cranio-sacral massage, tmj exercises, and stress management. In Europe, dentists fit patients with splints to reallign their jaws - it's invasive, but some people swear by it.
The bite guard is a bit of a drag, but it sure beats crippling jaw pain and headaches. I know what you're going through witht his. Good luck.
- Jane
poster:jazzdog
thread:84482
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84536.html