I've said this before but I truly love my NUCCA doctor. Unlike medical doctors who seem quick to get you in and out and write a script I feel as though she's genuinely concerned about my health and what is causing my issues. In addition to her NUCCA practice she is a professor at the Palmer Chiropractic College. Each visit she spends at least 30-45 minutes with me going over all symptoms and possible triggers. Although she has been able to resolve several of my symptoms (fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo) I have at times slight dizziness. In reviewing my symptoms she noticed that my dizziness increases with stress. At my last appointment she asked if I had any issues with TMJ. I stated that I have never had any popping or locking of my jaw, nor do I grind my teeth but I do clench my jaw when under stress. I had no clue that several TMJ symptoms are similar to MM http://www.midwestheadaches.com/symptoms.vertigo.asp She asked me to open my mouth. When I did that she stated my lower jaw moves slightly to the right (my affected ear is the right ear) I had lots of dental work done (braces) in adolescensce which may be the cause of the jaw being off alignment. Of course my husband is a skeptic but I told him when I recently went to a new dentist and at my first exam he also stated my jaw opens to the right. When looking in the mirror is is very obvious that my lower jaw moves to the right when opening my mouth. During my NUCCA visit the doctor massaged the outside of my jaw area and while she pushed on the joint asked me to open my mouth. I was in tears from the pain and could barely open my mouth as she was applying pressure but have never previously had jaw pain in my life. She massaged the facial muscles on the outside then massaged the muscle on the inside of my cheek. After she was done I had such a relaxed feeling. Due to my improvements overall related to the MM I only see her once every three weeks as opposed to my previous 2 visits/week. She will now focus on realigning the jaw. I'm still taking my JOH supplements daily, doing a low sodium diet and cut out all processed foods. Just wanted to post an update.
A interesting quote from the link I posted in my original post "What is striking is that every one of the symptoms of Meniere's disease are commonly found with TMD: Tinnitus, pain or pressure in the ears and dizziness. The neurologic explanations for these symptoms being caused by TMD is given here earlier. Yet when all three of them occur together, then the label from 1861 is given to the condition with no hope of a cure that returns the patient to normal health. There have been several cases of Meniere's that have been completely resolved through neuromuscular treatment to align the jaw properly. This led to the relief of stress on the socket of the TM Joint which in turn allowed the balance organs which are extremely close to the socket to go back to normal as well."
Very interesting, thank you for posting about this. I had read about how TMJ disorder has similar symptoms before, but then I forgot about it when me otoneurologist quickly dismissed it. I know I have TMJ disorder. My left side of my jaw pops every time I open it wide, like when I am yawning. It also gets inflamed so bad occasionally that I can't close my jaw correctly for days and it HURTS. Like you, that is all the same side as my symptomatic ear, the left side. I am interested in NUCCA but it doesn't look like there are any doctors anywhere near me that practice NUCCA. Not even within a couple hours of my area.
I take that back, I do see now that there are some that practice in my area when I did a basic Google search. When I was using the "find a doctor" feature at http://www.nucca.org/ there were no results for my state.
My stuffed ear feeling from MM is definitely aggravated when I have a tight jaw muscle (always on the left, which is the affected side for me). My dentist once explained to me that a tight shoulder muscle can make the jaw muscle on the opposite side tight. Often if I can't clear my left ear I massage my right shoulder muscles and my ear will clear again.
I will add my 2 cents as well.I have done Nucca and while it did not cure me it helped a lot.This past year I have had 2 botox injections for TMJ. It has helped everything immensely.When I went to my dentist for a cleaning she told me that there was going to be a course for dentists on using Botox for TMJ and that when she found out more about it she would let me know.She called 2 weeks later and asked if I wanted to be the model for the dentists-3 people who had scheduled this canceled at the last minute.I figured I will try anything and ran down to the hotel.To my great relief it was my neurologist who was giving the workshop.I know him and he knows me. It feels like my hearing is better, haven't had a test in a while and I am feeling pretty well otherwise. The great feeling of relaxation that you mention I had too,it's wonderful.I am going back at the end of the month for another. it lasts for about 3 months.
Wow, very interesting James, thanks for sharing. That sounds promising. I did not know you could get injections for TMJ. How bad did the injection hurt? (not that it matters that much, I wouldn't care how bad it hurt if it improved my symptoms)
I have been seeing a Phsycal Therapist for TMJ. My medical provider encouraged me to get the 31 shot botox treatment for migraines which I did. There were shots on the jaw. It might have helped my headaches, but I wouldn't do it again because I hate the way my forehead felt like a brick and its been almost 90 days since and headaches not too bad. Pop a couple of Imitrix once a week or so when the TMJ, ear and headaches cycle and stop the show. That breaks the cycle. Why do we have TMJ? Some is purely mechanical but much is emotional…rage, fear, stubbornness. I can feel my emotional landscape plays alot into the TMJ and probably does the migraines and MM too.
I only had 4 injections and it was a slight pin prick feeling, the treatment was over in about 30 seconds. injections in the head above the ear on each side, and then 2 in the lower jaw. 4 total. There are also several threads in the old site if you want to read more on tmj and mm.
I just got a mouthguard/night guard because the dentist said I grind my teeth and have tmj. I feel like a running back for the Dolphins with it in.