Ear Pain and Tinnitus.

Ear Pain from Nowhere.

I have developed another TMJ symptom. It started as a maddening tingle around or in my left ear and progressed to a painful discomfort that appears at odd times.  I have experienced Tinnitus before but with this new symptom of mine the Tinnitus has been...well different and not pleasant. Knowing what I know about TMJ or TMD and various symptoms I figured this new and unexpected set of conditions was stress related due to several issues in my personal life.  But even knowing that doesn't make it any easier to deal with.  Deal with....just what does that mean to TMJ sufferers.  We all have to deal with our symptoms in whatever way we can but the onset of new symptoms in my case has been like a entirely new disorder that I must now cope with and find new ways to eleviate.  How frustrating and annoying it has been for me to realize I have "new" TMJ symptoms when I was doing so well.  I tried increasing my exercise but to no avail.  I tried destress technques but honestly I still felt stressed.  I guess I just hang on to my issues to hard and dont want to let go.

I visited my dentist and explained my symptoms and he suggested a mouth guard to wear at night to stop grinding of teeth.  Due to all the reading of information of sufferers and mouth guards I opted not to go this route. I did tell my dentist that I have often felt like my teeth are not as high as they used to be when I had all my "natural" teeth and that I feel this causes me to greater discomfort if I grind or clench my teeth as the TM joints are more stressed than would be if I didnt have my now many capped teeth. 
Dealing with the Tinnitus that comes with ear pain has been somewhat of a dilemma.  I try different jaw positions to see if the ringing in my ears will stop.  Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not.  But I can tell my readers that  as I usually forego any medical solution or procedure after a while I find the symptoms lessen.  Am I just deluded and have become used to them?  My answer is No.  They have subsided but not gone away.  I continued to exercise and  try relaxation techniques and told myself this too will pass.

Now  for my friends and fellow sufferers who are reading this I will say that I believeTMJ can be cured.  The human body is an amazing thing and if we have the right information and tools to keep us aligned and healthy then we can overcome practically anything.  There is a saying, " So long as we have life, we have hope!".  I believe that and nothing will convince me otherwise.  So to my fellow TMJ sufferers I say, "Do the most you can do on your best day and do the least you can do on your worst day and you will have always done your best.  And that is all anyone can ask of you".

The Best Relief for Ear Pain and Tinnitus.
For me, the best relief has come from consciously relaxing my jaw and letting it go slack as often as possible, to the point where my teeth are parted but my lips are still together.  This is hard to do but well worth the effort.  The more I do it the more it becomes natural. Of course I often find myself doing a task that requires concentration and realize that I am clenching my jaw.  This is a habit I have been working diligently to overcome and the payoff has been less ear pain and less Tinnitus. Try it.  What have you got to lose?

 A Shout Out to  Fellow  TMJ Sufferers.

We each have our own TMJ cross to bear but I want each of you to know that you have it within yourselves to control your symtoms and not let your symptoms control you.  Reach out to others and learn as much as you can about your specific TMJ condition and never do any procedure you do not feel is right for you. If you choose a path of treatment , be consistant and dont skip a step.  Be persistant and it will pay off in the long run.  TMJ has no quick fix and only the determined will get relief as they presevere along the treatment path.  Good Luck and Good Health.

Lucy Thomas