TMJ

After today's consultation with the dentist I starting to wear my TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) orthopaedic appliance (see attached picture) and I am kind of excited about that, because in some MD cases there are connections with the TMJ and from the childhood I had problems with my lower jaw position. The dentist fixed jaw position, but my lower jaw joints ware always causing me problems. I can't open my mouth wide open, because my lower jaw joint could misaligned, this due to my received treatment in the childhood and I am also grinding the teeth and have bad bite.

After the conversation with the dentist she said that probably of my TMJ I have problems with the ears and this TMJ appliance should fix all my problems! I need to wear this every night and plus 2 hours per day for 2 months and then she would reexamine me and will decide what to do next. She made several photos to better track my progress.

I want to know, does anyone had similar experience?

 

Update from my other post:

Today only the third day, when I am wearing TMJ appliance, but so far so good. Now I can listen to the music in my car when I am driving and it’s wonderful after these several months of sound distortions and Hyperacusis (sensitivity to sounds)! I definitely will post how it will go.

Besides, you will be surprised how close lower jaw joints to our inner ears are! Put your fingers deep as you can in your ears and try to chew and you will feel it. I was surprised!

 

So why you don't go to TMJ specialist? What are you waiting for?!

 

TMJ specialist are dentist-orthopedist or jaw surgeon, but not ENT (otolaryngologists). ENT could only gues that your ears problems cuold be TMJ related and send you to check this posability.

Did you try to wear orthopedic TMJ appliance similar to my attached picture?

 

So I want to update on my TMJ treatment progress. Today is eleventh day when I am wearing my TMJ appliance and for now everything is quite promising. There were only 2 days and only with minor hearing fluctuations, but it could have happened because of my freediving at the weekend and had almost no distortions. I still everyday enjoy listening to the music in my car and especially hearing the BASS is like MIRACLE for me and Boy, I so missed that BASS so much!!!

There were no dizzy days also, but the ear pressure is still present, but not as strong as it was.

Wish me good luck!

 

I want to share some connections what I did found in case of jaw misalignment and inner ear problems:

The little-known field of neurological dentistry recognizes that even micro misalignments in the jaw can cause the trigeminal nerve to send a threat message to your autonomic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response. If your teeth on one side touch before those on the other or your front teeth hit before the back teeth when you bite down, you may be constantly triggering a fight-or-flight response without even realizing it.

State of fight or flight is literally a physiological state of stress. It also causes your body to consistently release cortisol, the stress hormone, which is highly inflammatory.

Stress hormone release could lead also to this:

Effect of stress-related hormones on inner ear fluid homeostasis and function

As far as I remember myself, I was constantly clenching my jaw and experiencing occasional tension. Maybe years of constantly "stimulating" my trigeminal nerve by clenching the jaw and the stress was the main reason to get MD.

 

I don't know, but I think there is only one sure way to find out

Besides, yesterday I read one very interesting excerpt in the book about TMJ, jaw misalignment and bad bite and how that could influence even the health overall, not to mention ear problems. What is most interesting, two different TMJ specialists offered me the same solutions, how to fix my jaw and bite problems, which was described exactly the same in that book. After visiting these TMJ specialists I was somehow suspicious, but now it is changing my mind.

I don't know if I can post all this excerpt from that book here in the forum, due to copyright issues, but if you want, I can send it to you privately.

Besides, in this forum there is not much info about MD and TMJ, but in the Facebook there is one group dedicated to MD and TMJ named:
Meniere's Vertigo Tinnitus TMJ : Meniere's no more chat and support group

 

This study could be the answer to my assumption

Symptom relief after treatment of temporomandibular and cervical spine disorders in patients with Meniere's disease: a three-year follow-up - PubMed

The results showed that a coordinated treatment of TMD (temporomandibular disorders) and CSD (cervical spine disorders) in patients with Meniere's disease is an effective therapy for symptoms of this disease.

The results also suggested that Meniere's disease has a clear association with TMD and CSD and that these three ailments appeared to be caused by the same stress, nervousness, and muscular tension.

 

Maybe this refers to your case:

Meniere's disease may be caused by common intraosseous dental pathology--Diagnosis using the comparative compression sign - PubMed

Removal of the suspected dental pathology resulted in rapid and permanent cure.

Vertigo of dental origin: case reports - PubMed

 

Proceeding on jaw muscular tension Serrapeptase could also help in this regard:

In dentistry, Serrapeptase has been used following minor surgical procedures — such as tooth removal — to reduce pain, lockjaw (spasming of the jaw muscles, causing the mouth to remain tightly closed), and facial swelling.

Five studies were included for final review. Serratiopeptidase improved trismus better than corticosteroids.

Trismus, commonly called lockjaw, is reduced opening of the jaws (limited jaw range of motion). It may be caused by spasm of the muscles of mastication or a variety of other causes. Temporary trismus occurs much more frequently than permanent trismus.
Reference:
Role of Serratiopeptidase After Surgical Removal of Impacted Molar: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - PubMed

More about Serrapeptase benefits you can read here:
Serrapeptase

 

Decided to share this interesting story. Have a good reading!

My Experiences with Meniere’s

Gina Nomellini July, 2020

I started to have episodes of hearing loss and tinnitus plus feeling of fullness in my left ear in 2009 when I was 36 years old. I was living in Australia at the time and the doctors there gave me a dose of oral steroids which resolved the first couple of episodes. In early 2010, I relocated back to the U.S. and visited a series of ENTs in Denver to address what were now episodes of hearing loss and tinnitus that were occurring every couple of months. At this point, I had not experienced any vertigo. I had appointments with half a dozen ENTs during this period and received my diagnosis after exclusionary testing. The ENTs were all dismissive and I remember the first one telling me I’d eventually lose all my hearing. I started crying and he handed me a brochure on Meniere’s, told me I needed to learn to live with it and walked out. By 2011, I found a local ENT that I could work with and started on diuretics, which helped a bit. I was initially on triamterene and then switched to spironolactone. I also had sinus surgery to address chronic sinus issues. I was able to reduce the episodes to a couple a year and at that point I could resolve them with a dose of steroids. I wasn’t happy with the medications but didn’t want to lose my hearing. I continued to research for doctors and options including scheduling a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Derebery at the House Clinic in LA. She confirmed my diagnosis and treatment plan and strongly discouraged against surgery except if the condition became bilateral or as a last resort. She suggested a hearing aid for my left ear if the hearing degraded further. In 2013, I relocated to Austin. I had lived there before and the allergies I suffered from returned with a vengeance, exacerbating the Meniere’s issues. I restarted allergy medication and went back to allergy shots that I’m still on today. As a result of the shots and a follow up sinus surgery, I no longer need daily allergy medication. Also, in 2013, the oral steroids stopped working for Meniere’s episodes. I went back to my ENT in Denver for a series of intratympanic steroid injections that were painful and did not do much. I located a new ENT in Austin and tried the injections again without success. We increased my dosage of diuretics and started considering surgical options. At this time, I also started a supplement regimen called John of Ohio that helped by relieving inflammation in the inner ear. I hit a low point in August of 2015. After almost a year without an episode, I decided to decrease and then stop my diuretics and then the John of Ohio regimen. I had been off everything for about three weeks and was traveling alone in SFO airport when I had my first serious vertigo episode. It was terrifying. I had several serious attacks in succession and went back on meds to get everything under control. My last episode of severe vertigo was in early 2016. In 2017, I started researching alternative treatments. I was a member of a Facebook Meniere’s group when a member introduced me to another Meniere’s FB group that dealt with Meniere’s symptoms that are related to or brought on by jaw alignment issues and TMJD. I was skeptical of this approach as I didn’t think I had jaw issues and was not experiencing pain. I decided I had nothing to lose and started to look for a specialist to evaluate me. The challenge was finding the right specialist who had the skills to address the issue. I went through three local dentist specialists before setting on Dr. Adler, one of the top specialists in the country, in Marlton, NJ. He evaluated my situation with 3D x-rays, found significant misalignment within my jaw joint that was compressing my endolymphatic sac and causing the issues with my left ear. He fitted me with an orthotic (retainer type device) that I wore to move my lower jaw down and forward. I visited him monthly for adjustments and the symptoms stopped. My hearing gradually returned to almost normal in the affected ear. (At its worst, I was extremely hearing impaired on that side). I still have mild tinnitus on rare occasions but nothing at all like the episodes I experienced. I felt good enough to stop taking the diuretics and have been off them for over two years with no impact. I am almost finished with the second phase of treatment which realigns the teeth to adjust the bite after the jaw is in the correct position. I am on my sixth set of aligners. I’ve had a couple of minor hearing fluctuations related to allergies but they pass quickly and I am still recovered. On another note, I also started working with an upper cervical chiropractor last year. I have had neck pain and issues periodically for many years and these had recently gotten worse. I am not sure between the jaw and the neck which was the cause vs. the effect. I found a NUCCA chiropractor locally and she helped with relieving my neck and back pain. My C1 was severely misaligned when I started. I don’t feel that she would have been able to solve the Meniere’s issues alone. I would like to find a PT to work with me on these issues but have yet to find one. After ten years of research, I’ve concluded that my Meniere’s symptoms were caused by a misaligned jaw which compressed the endolymphatic sac and this was made worse by my chronic allergies which caused inflammation. I don’t know if this course of treatment is right for everyone as it seems that what we call “Meniere’s” is really a set of symptoms that can be brought on by one or more conditions that impact this part of the body. However, I feel that exploring all options that are non-surgical is important before considering surgery that is risky and may take away your hearing more permanently. I am grateful to our Facebook TMJD group called Meniere's Vertigo Tinnitus TMJ : Meniere's no more chat and support group. The site is run by Susan Drago McDevitt. She was relieved of severely disabling Meniere’s symptoms after 22 years by Dr. Adler and has made it her mission to pay it forward by sharing as much information with others as possible. The files section contains stories from many members that have had some success with this approach as well as provider information. If you need more info or would like to discuss, please let me know.

 

Susan’s Journey

25 years of a being diagnosed with "textbook" Meniere's Disease Susan's Story (updated)

1987 I collapsed in the bathroom at work. Total loss of equilibrium, roaring in my ears, severe migraine with severe light and sound sensitivity, vomiting and nausea. My husband was called. He picked me up and had to carry me to the car Continuous attacks left me lying on my bed holding on for fear I would fall off of it. The bed and the room spinning. Opening my eyes or any movement at all would induce violent vomiting. The pain and pressure in my head was so severe I was sure I had a brain tumor. My doctor refereed me to my ENT. After a series of tests including blood work MRI and various ENT testing everything came down to one diagnosis. Meniere’s Syndrome The attacks continued to come sometimes in clusters, sometimes months apart. My ENT explained to Bob ( my Newlywed husband) that while I look healthy laying on the bed and holding on tightly he told Bob ” Imagine the morning after your Bachelor party with the worst possible hangover and your buddies put you on an amusement park ride” Some of the treatments and lifestyle changes I was given over the years included Valium, diuretics, prednisone packs compazine steroid nasal sprays, low sodium diet (under 1000mg per day) eliminate artificial sweeteners,alcohol, caffeine and discontinue the birth control pill.

1990 7.5 months pregnant and off of all medication I experience an attack that lasts nearly 36 hours! My doctor informs Bob he has to calm me down as the stress of the attack could induce labor. A trip to the bathroom consisted of inching across the floor on my elbows and knees with dragging a bucket with me due to the vomiting. Fortunately I did not go into labor. My next attack occurred about 2 months later. My son Rob was 6 weeks old and I was nursing him while completely off all meds. The attacks started coming frequently and I was told to go “Cold Turkey on the Nursing and start the Valium and diuretics. I was devastated. I couldn’t be in the room when Bob was attempting to feed Robby a bottle as he would smell my presence in the room and refuse the to eat .The attacks continued with no particular pattern with about a 15 minute warning . My hearing in my left ear continued to diminish but I tried to be positive and learned to live with Meniere’s. My ENT began to give my phone number out to newly diagnosed Meniere’s patients to help them learn how to cope. My attacks have occurred … In Walt Disney World in EPCOT At work where I “slept them off” on the floor of the storage room. At our Swim Club In the Poconos at a Couples resort during a Formal Dinner. Bob had to carry me back to the”Couples Suite” and spend the evening holding my hair back as I vomited ( I forgot my hair bands) When I was finally able to look up I saw my reflection I realized the bathroom walls were mirrored! (you have to have a sense of humor) Years passed with special diets, meds and coping. I was feeling lucky because I actually went 10 years with out a full blown vertigo attack. The tinnitus continued and so did the fluctuating hearing loss.

2006 My hearing loss has now spread to my “Good Ear” I have what I came to call ” Good hearing days” and ” Bad Hearing days” My hear tests confirm that I had mild to moderate hearing loss in the right ear and Severe to Profound loss in my left ear.I had yet another MRI and Blood work I was going to a job interview and had to focus on body language and lip reading as well as keeping my right ear positioned so I would hear my prospective employer.

2008 Attacks continue occasionally. I contact My ENT and ask if barometric pressure could be effecting me. I have been compliant in all areas recommended. I am given Steroids. No relief during the steroids yet 5 days later the ringing is nearly gone. who know? ENT then tries Nasal steroids to try to reduce the pressure in my ears. My hearing loss continuous and fluctuates.

Nov. 2009 hearing is so bad now I am afraid I will have to go on disability. I am an optician and I cannot understand my customers unless they look directly at me speaking loud. I am blaming it on ear congestion, I know it is Meinere’s I can no longer hear my sons recite their lines in their school plays and using the phone is hit or miss on a daily basis. I start using speaker phone on my cell and holding it to my right ear. My ENT Refers me to an audiologist who informs me that it is time for digital Bilateral hearing aids. I breakdown in the office wondering if I will eventually be completely deaf. My hearing continues to fluctuate and my hopes are raised and then shot down. on bad days with my hearing aids in I have to set my TV volume on 69! My family usually has it around 15 to 20. I am avoiding group exercises classes, bowling alleys and crowded parties as the noise hurts yet I still cannot interpret what is being said. My husband sits by me and taps my leg when some one starts to speak to me. I daily say ” I’m sorry could you repeat yourself I am hearing impaired”

Dec. 2010 I have continued hearing fluctuation I am living with the good and bad days. Sadly with in the past year my brother was also diagnosed with Meinere’s syndrome. He is dealing with very frequent attacks. the ringing and vertigo is driving him crazy. He has been for second opinions with the same diagnosis. He is considering trying surgery. Our high school’s theater booster club is holding their banquet. I sit down at one of the cafeteria tables a friend who knows to sit on “my good side” and she says to me” How is your brother doing with his Meniere’s The parent sitting across form me says ” Excuse me but do you know some one who has Meniere’s?” I replied “Yes I have do as well as my brother” I had no idea that what he said next would change my life… ” I am a dentist and I have an oral appliance that can help you” I was dumb founded. He proceed to explain that he could see that I have a terrible cross bite and that my jaw could be causing my symptoms. after much more discussion. I call my brother because he was considering surgery that had no guarantees and some possible sever side effects. I told him this appliance is completely non evasive, why not go for a consultation. He was desperate. He made the appointment first. My brother’s results were nearly immediate. The vertigo, ringing and hearing loss gone! He had TMJ. I went so see Dr. Adler shortly afterwards. He explained that he had never treated a patient who has had Meniere’s as long as I did. He thought it may help but he couldn’t know to what degree. I decided to give it a try. I wore the appliance constantly. I felt things changing. It was difficult to describe. People said I look more relaxed, better rested. As my jaw shifted I had only two attacks over the year. They were different than in the past.

January 2012 There is pain and pressure building in my right ear. My hearing is getting worse as the pressure builds. I cannot hear the TV. I need the closed captioning again. It gets worse I cannot hear my husband unless I am sitting on his lap and he is shouting. He says you are just having an attack let’s get you to bed to sleep it off. I it seems that am loosing my hearing entirely. I take out my hearing aids which seem useless anyway fall asleep sleep frightened. The next morning I awake to the sound of a plane flying over our home! It is winter, the windows are shut! I heard a plane! My hearing is back and it is loud and clear! I put on my hearing aids and I have to pull the right one out. I don’t need it. It is way to loud. I run down stairs and close my eyes and lower the volume on The Action news weather report. I can understand all that he is saying! The volume is set on 8! at my worst with hearing aids I have been at 69!

June 2012 I continue to do the Accuweather hearing test! No fluctuations I have waited 6 months to see if it changes. Still no right hearing aid needed. I finally call my ENT . I see my audiologist performs a hearing test. I take off the head set and turn to look at her though the glass in the booth. She has tears in her eyes! She explains she has never seen someones hearing improve like this! In all of the frequencies that involve speech I am in the normal range!

January 2013 It has now been 1 year! I see my Dentist to have the appliance adjusted monthly.. I am still hearing aid free in my right ear. No vertigo, little to no ringing, the migraines and ear pain. I am weening myself off of 25 years of diuretics. I am half way there. I am no longer on any dietary restrictions and just eat a healthy well balanced diet. I thank the Lord every day for my friend Sherri bringing up Meinere’s in front of Dr, Adler. I feel blessed and know others are suffering from Meinere’s. It is my mission to to pay it forward and raise awareness of the ear related symptoms that can be triggerd by TMJ and so https://www.facebook.com/MenieresNoMore is created.

September 2014. I continue to feel normal without fluctuations. I go for adjustments of my appliance regularly. Since creating the community page I have chatted on line and in person with others looking to find solutions to their symptoms including tinnitus, vertigo, hearing difficulties, headache, hyperacusis, ear pressure, neck and or shoulder pain. I have been pleased to hear success stories and encourage others to share their stories to help to raise awareness. More and more people have learned that this is an option for them as well and are being kind enough to "pay it forward " and help raise awareness so others may learn if this is an option for them as well. This is not a cure for Meniere's however if like others and myself you have an undiagnosed TMJ disorder this could relieve your symptoms and give you your quality of life back.

January 2018

I celebrate 6 years this month of non fluctuating relief. No medication or special diets. I have traveled on vacations, rode on Disney’s Rockin Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. ( I figured after a few years of relief under my belt and wearing my orthotic, I would give it a go! ) Most importantly thought I have been able to truly live my life. That is the real rollercoaster now isn’t it? Being able to be an active and present participant in the joys and sorrows I have experienced with my loved ones. Not having the fear and stress of wondering how my symptoms may flare from day to day has made a huge impact on how I am able to be truly present in my life. The thought of anyone suffering needlessly as I did motivated me to create the Meniere’s no more page nearly 4 years ago. Then the closed Facebook chat group “Meniere’s Vertigo, Tinnitus TMJ Chat and Support” I urge everyone to remember Meniere's is often considered a a diagnosis of exclusion. Have you had an evaluation yet? Please see a dentist who has taken the additional education regarding occlusion, TMJ disorders and how they can cause symptoms including those listed above. I welcome everyone new thoe the group and I am happy to chat with you.

Please be your own advocate. Research other conditions that may have set your symptoms into motion. There is hope.