fancynancy

Hi Webby, thanks for your reply. No one has mentioned my salivary glands as
a source of the problems...but I've wondered this myself actually. Because
it seems that anything touching my tongue causes the pain, not necessarily
the act of chewing or opening my mouth. I can keep my mouth almost closed,
only opening it enough to get in a small sliver of food in, and it still
causes a severe sharp pain on that side of my face/ear. But...what can cause
salivary gland problems? LOL Am I going back to the scary tumor thing again?
Geesh...I do have an appt with a GP on Wednesday, my first actual
appointment with a dr since this all started. I'm supposing that I can
expect xrays? Blood tests? I dunno....but thanks for all the comments and
advice etc. I appreciate it very much.
Nancy

no

They did a blood test on me and x-rays (jaws as well as teeth).

Please try to relax. The anxiety over this makes the pain even worse, and you
get caught in a cycle that way. Maybe you can call your GP and get in sooner,
let them know how unbearable it is for you.

the webby

Hello Nancy,

You're very welcome for any help "we" might be able to send your way.
That's why this newsgroup exists.

There are many possible reasons for your problems. Of course, the
important thing to keep in mind with all of this is that hanging one's
hat on the easiest answer is consistent with the diagnostic process and
most of the time, this is in the patient's best interest. If it looks
like a zebra and acts like a zebra, it probably is a zebra. Why go
looking for elephants?

But! With this term "TMJ", there is danger in applying the same process
of elimination to symptoms that end up being labeled with the catch all
diagnosis (waste basket) of "TMJ". "TMJ" is the acronym for
temporomandibular joint, the jaw joint. To assume that all of your
symptoms seem like "TMJ", therefore it is "TMJ", is to assume that there
is something wrong with the joint or joints and so why go looking for
elephants? Getting into the circle of all the possible diagnostics that
could be thrown at you to prove that you "have TMJ" is not something you
want to fall into. The way a dentist and a physician look at your
symptoms will likely be different because they are coming from different
perspectives. So what is a person to do? That is the important
question.

If you desire, share what you learn on Wednesday with the newsgroup's
readers. Because in between now and then, there probably isn't much that
will change what you're doing unless your condition worsens and you seek
care sooner, of course.

One word of caution: Don't let your imagination run away with you. It
happens easily and working yourself into a frenzied panic over the
unknown serves no purpose except to make your misery that much worse.
So try to relax, rest and get some nutrition in your system. If you
can't eat because of the pain, try drinking a room temperature
nutritional beverage such as Boost (there are many types to choose from
at the grocery store) and maybe try using a straw too. Don't forget to
drink plenty of water if you drink the Boost-type products. Again, room
temperature and with a straw may make it less painful for you regardless
of what is wrong. At this point, you're dealing with "how to manage"
until you get a definitive diagnosis (of which "TMJ" is not)!

Best wishes,
Webby

fancynancy

Thanks again Webby and all for the replies. I did some of my own research on
salivary gland problems and actually this really does sound what I am
having, although of course I'm not diagnosing myself! The thing is tho, I
went to the ER convinced I had an infection and needed antibiotics. What I'm
finding is that salivary gland infections are quite common and usually
treated quite efficiently with antibiotics! So, if he would have just given
them to me that first night I'd probably be feeling much better right now
LOL. Regardless, my anxiety is a little lower now, mainly because right now
I'm assuming that I have a salivary gland infection, not a tumor. The
websites that I visited said that salivary gland tumors, while possible, are
very rare and usually present with a PAINLESS lump. This is DEFINITELY not
painless lol.....and the way my twisted mind works, it can't be a tumor if
it hurts lol.

As for the nutrition part, I'm eating fine, after that initial shock of
about 3-4 minutes when its almost impossible to put anything into my mouth.
I found that starting with tiny bites of something, and letting it dissolve
in my mouth, that my taste buds get used to the feeling/taste, then I'm ok
after a few minutes and I can eat anything I want without a problem. After I
eat, I usually do get some pain, sometimes quite severe for a while, but
that generally goes away after 15-20 minutes too....and all of these
symptoms go along with a salivary gland infection. Soooo.....we'll see. If
it gets worse, I just may end up at the ER, begging to at least be given
some antibiotics. The website that I saw said that this infection doesn't
always show up in blood tests, and that an xray wouldn't help much either.
Its more based on history and feeling a swelling in front of the ear and
behind the ear (which I have).
Nancy

the webby

[cut]

Yes ... don't try to diagnose yourself. But in all fairness, people
often have a sort of intuitive street sense, for lack of a better
description, about what might be "wrong" with them when they present to
their doctors. When you see your doctor/s, the best thing you can do
for yourself is to think about how to best describe "what brings you"
there and hopefully you have doctors who will guide you back to good
health!

Your situation is very interesting and I do hope you'll keep us posted
as you resolve this problem.

Wishing you the best,
Webby

tim dixon

"I'm now becoming aware of the clenching i do throughout the day, i


I suspect your daytime clenching is the least of your problems but rather
your night-time clenching is the culprit.
Perhaps you should consider seeing a dentist who provides the NTI device.
For more information and a list of dentists who provide this treatment visit
http://www.headacheprevention.com

Good luck.

ann

Can you just be aware that this isn't an entirely American group? To
say that there is a list of dentists who provide this treatment is
misleading as it doesn't apply to me for one!

Ann

tim dixon

The NTI is available in almost every country in the world. If you look
close enough you will find listings for many other countries. So unless you
are at the north pole, im sure you can find someone in a major city in
almost any country, including the mysterious country you live in.

ann

I probably can but that wasn't the point... sigh.

Ann

tim dixon

Then what is your point?