Has anyone explored the possibility of TMJ and a connection to your symptoms

Years ago, I was told by a neurotologist that TMJ could cause tinnitus and a feeling of pressure in the ear, but that it would not cause hearing loss and would not affect one's balance. I have never heard of TMJ being affected by weather, though. Do you have other signs/symptoms of TMJ? If so, it might be worth your while to look into that. I also find myself clenching my jaw due to stress and anxiety but whether this affects my symptoms--I don't know. I do think that the stress itself exacerbates my symptoms--and that in turn causes more stress and anxiety. My symptoms are definitely triggered or exacerbated by weather--specifically sudden changes in temperature or barometric pressure, and high humidity.

 

Hi Svines,
I went to a chiropractor for awhile because I am always having neck issues because I tense up during 7 to 10 hour vertigo attacks. This one chiropractor was sure my ear and vertigo issues were due to TMJ. I remember he inserted his gloved finger in my mouth and pressed on an area. After awhile he said "this isn't very painful to you?", " I replied " no" and he said " I was wrong , this is not from TMJ." I do not know if all chiropractors would know to test this way, he also was a licensed massage therapist and cranio specialist. He was thankfully covered under my insurance so I only had to pay $25 for the visit and diagnosis. Some dentists can test but I do not know how much they would charge or if covered under insurance.

Last week we had non stop humid hot weather and thunderstorms, I was debilitated all week. I am moderately better this week as it is cooler and no rain. It is scary how the weather seems to affect me. I follow the MAV diet and meniere's diet strictly plus I do not eat any gluten, dairy, sugar, ( except from fruit) caffeine, nightshades.... trying to control as many triggers as I can but no matter what I do the weather puts me over the edge.
If you should come across a cure for this weather thing, other than moving to Arizona, please share.
And also six months is a long time to endure pain with no answer to when it will end or how to get it to end. So no need to apologize or compare to other peoples journeys.The hope is always that in this community one person's post could be the answer and relief for another member. Here is to hoping to a long reprieve from humid and stormy days, but more hopefully... the post or reply that will make the best difference to your health.! Best to you. Bonnie

 

To Svines--For whatever reason your response to me didn't show up here. That's happened before, I don't know what the deal with that is. You asked me about how weather affects me. To answer your question: Sudden changes in weather or barometric pressure affects both the pressure and the tinnitus but mostly the pressure. This particularly happens when it's getting ready to rain. Once the rain starts, the pressure tends to get better.
As far as temperature changes causing problems, if the weather drastically goes from cool to hot in a very short period of time, that seems to cause more problems than if the weather goes from hot to cool. Even if I am not having any symptoms, wildly fluctuating temperatures over a number of days will often start the symptoms up.

 

Hi Bonnie!

I saw a dentist who specializes in tmj to see if my TMJ issues were plausible causation for my ear issues (constant disequilibrium, fullness and tinnitus, some very slight hearing loss in right ear.) He was absolutely convinced that my TMJ being misaligned was the cause of all my ear symptoms. He told me a story of one his his patients who was getting seizures because of a botched jaw surgery which left his jaw misaligned. Seizures! So, I do believe it is very possible for jaw misalignment to be the cause of Meniere's symptoms. I also have bad neck and shoulder tension that persists despite all efforts. But on the hand, my cynical side starts to question if these doctors are in it to help you or will they tell you anything you want to hear to make money? Also, when I massage my temples vigorously, my tinnitus goes away for a while. Makes me wonder about the jaw correlation.

 

Hi Megan,

I definitely agree that TMJ could be the reason for meniere symptoms for some people. There is even a dentist in my town who specializes in TMJ treatment. I was telling my chiropractor about it and he said he "could check right now to see if I had TMJ "and that is when he maneuvered his hand in my mouth and face and determined I did not have TMJ.

In the post you quoted I was just trying to tell Svines she does not have to first go to the expensive TMJ specialist, other people, like some chiropractors, can test you first. I am sorry if my post came across as if I were saying TMJ is not a possibility. It definitely is, just not for me.

I am willing to try what I can to become more functional. I have gone to homeopathic doctors, accupuncturists, cranio specialists, 3 neurologists, otoneurotologists, opthamologist, am now trying my third chiropractor. Some of the doctors were helpful but just really kind of clueless about the disorders, a couple were scammy.

For instance the closest upper cervical chiropractor near told me I would have to pay almost $ 3, 000 up front and sign a contract that I would go to a minimum of 10 sessions. As much as I wanted to see an upper cervical specialist, I felt that was just wrong and wouldn't. It kind of felt like the pressure you get when someone is trying to sell you a timeshare.

Do you have a chiropractor you go to? Maybe he can double check to confirm you have TMJ, if you think the dentist who first diagnosed is just out to make money.

Also have you had an x ray to check out your spine. You may have a subulaxation.... If your spine is out of whack it can exacerbate menieres, also can give you tinnitus and tmj. But not all chiropractors are equal, I had to go to a few before I found one that really helped.

Hope you can figure it out. Best to you.

 

I wanted to jump in here and throw in my two...or three cents. When one goes through what many, if not all of us, have gone through, it throws you for a loop. You don’t get straight answers for the medical community - mostly because they don’t have them and Meniere’s apparently isn’t a big priority. When I was first diagnosed by an ENT, he told me very matter of fact, you have Meniere’s. Nothing can be done, just go on a low salt diet and take these steroids, diuretics and meclizine... learn to live with it. ARE YOU FLIPPING SERIOUS!!!! What in the world does one do with that bit of news. I started talking with others and found out that there is a lot more dizzy people out there then one would think. Then I asked “what did you do to relieve symptoms?” With that I got all kinds of answers...one was a denist who specialized in TMJ related dizziness. It was a very well oiled machine as they guided me through all kinds of tests, including a sleep study and X-rays. It was all very calculated and I felt in the back of my mind that this was all a scam. At my last visit, sure enough, I didn’t have TMJ, but we can make you a mouth guard to prevent further grinding....please note that I already have a night guard I got from my orthodontist. For a mere $5,000, they could make me a really nice night guard. No thank you...this after dropping $700 at this place. Lesson learned. I have been seeing a functional medicine neurologist for the past three months. I have experienced great improvements in my balance, anxiety issues and as a bonus, my eye sight has improved. I think my point here is that there are a lot of charlatans out there that will take advantage of people who are desperate. One must be cautious when looking for answers to very personal and complicated issues.

 

Hey Joney,
I get that totally. I was definitely taken advantage of by a Naturopathic doctor. Looking back there were signs straight from the get go. My best advice is listen to your intuition! I ignored it and was out $600. I feel foolish and frankly dumb. Interview your doctors, bother the shit out of them if you have to. It's their job to help you. Don't settle.

 

To be completely honest, I feel like every doctor I've seen I out to make money with the exception of my functional neurologist and my TMJ doctor. I'm still slightly skeptical of my TMJ doctor. You come to a point where you don't know who to trust.