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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by prodgirl on November 3, 2004, at 0:46:16
Any one know if there is a link between being bipolar and TMJ - jaw clenching, grinding etc?
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2004, at 8:03:47
In reply to TMJ BiPolar?, posted by prodgirl on November 3, 2004, at 0:46:16
HI!
I don't know about that but SSRIs can certainly cause jaw clenching and teeth grinding.
Ed
Posted by sunny10 on November 3, 2004, at 8:18:45
In reply to Re: TMJ BiPolar?, posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2004, at 8:03:47
I went to the chiropractor because I lost all range of movement in my neck. My neck was sore from the base of my skull to midway down my back. Driving to work is difficult when you can't look from side to side !
The first question my chiropractor asked me was did I suffer from depression "because you have the symptons of TMJ" - he is CONVINCED that they are linked, though who knows whether it is bipolar, unipolar with co-morbid anxiety, but definitely some kind of "depression"!
I put that together with the fact that my dentist had told me that I needed to switch to an extra soft toothbrush because I was cracking the enamel on my teeth from the jaw clenching...I just came OFF of Efexxor XR because it was damaging the my relationship- I had been on it since this past April.
My dentist has been warning me about my enamel for longer than that, so I cannot say in my case that the jaw clenching was "caused" by the meds.
I CAN definitely say that I noticed doing it more during the day, and finding it hard to stop, so the meds may have exaserbated the TMJ.Anyway, that's my experience,
sunny10
Posted by linkadge on November 3, 2004, at 9:19:31
In reply to Re: TMJ BiPolar?, posted by sunny10 on November 3, 2004, at 8:18:45
ed_uk is right. He probably assumed that because of the excessive jaw clenching, that you were taking an SSRI medication. This is probably why he assumed you have depression.
Ie this is a more common incidence than previously thought and dentists etc are becoming aware of the connection.
Jaw clenching is certainly not linked to bipolar disorder (not that I know of)
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2004, at 9:24:42
In reply to Re: TMJ BiPolar?, posted by linkadge on November 3, 2004, at 9:19:31
Hi...
I don't know whether you're taking an SSRI or not but chances are you'll have taken one at some time or another!!! I think doctors love them more than patients. Ed
Posted by ants on November 3, 2004, at 12:46:19
In reply to TMJ BiPolar?, posted by prodgirl on November 3, 2004, at 0:46:16
I have had TMJ since middle school, at least. My dentist comments on it every time I go there because my jaw snaps when i try to open it wide. I also have had periods where I would clench my jaw in my sleep and when I am stressed, as noted by my voice coach-I have to massage my jaw to un-tense it before I can sing properly.
I have only been on Effexor (my first AD) for two months, but i think it has helped lessen the jaw clenching, especially at night-I sleep better now, so I don't clench.
Maybe TMJ is linked to depression- those who are depressed tend to be on SSRI's (or other meds), which might make you think it was due to the meds...
Posted by ed_uk on November 3, 2004, at 13:24:22
In reply to Re: TMJ BiPolar?, posted by ants on November 3, 2004, at 12:46:19
SSRIs are believed to cause bruxism, here is a case report involving paroxetine(Paxil/Seroxat)........
Possible paroxetine-induced bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding).
Romanelli F, Adler DA, Bungay KM.
University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a patient with possible paroxetine-induced bruxism that was effectively treated with buspirone. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old woman with no active medical conditions besides acne and no history of dental problems was seen in an outpatient psychiatry clinic for the evaluation of ongoing depression. The patient was prescribed paroxetine 10 mg every morning. After 5 days of therapy the patient reported no adverse effects, and the paroxetine dosage was increased to 20 mg every morning. Due to increased somnolence, the dosing schedule was subsequently changed to 20 mg hs. Two months later during a dental visit for a tooth extraction, the dentist noted that the patient's teeth appeared damaged in what he believed to be a pattern consistent with the grinding and clenching of teeth. Prior to this time, dental examinations had not revealed any tooth damage. The patient was thought to have paroxetine-induced bruxism and, based on earlier case reports, was treated with buspirone 5 mg hs. On day 4 of buspirone therapy the patient reported a significant reduction in the extent of gritting, tooth pain, and jaw tenderness. DISCUSSION: The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine and sertraline have been associated with bruxism in previous reports. This case suggests paroxetine-induced bruxism. The exact mechanism of SSRI-induced bruxism remains unclear. Many theories have been proposed, including sleep disturbance, serotonergic-mediated inhibition of dopamine manifesting as akathisia, and SSRI-induced anxiety. According to published reports, SSRI-induced bruxism may respond to therapy with buspirone. Consistent with these reports, this patient responded favorably to buspirone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that the potential for paroxetine-induced bruxism exists and that buspirone may be an appropriate therapeutic intervention.
Posted by jlbl2l on November 3, 2004, at 14:59:55
In reply to TMJ BiPolar?, posted by prodgirl on November 3, 2004, at 0:46:16
No but there is a link between TMJ and fibromyglia
Posted by redscarlet on November 3, 2004, at 23:05:18
In reply to TMJ BiPolar?, posted by prodgirl on November 3, 2004, at 0:46:16
Well, I'm bipolar and I have TMJ and I'm not on an SSRI. Don't know if that means anything ?
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