TMJ Anyone?

[Lizbaby4]

I have had this throbbing in my left ear for the past 2 weeks, and it is driving me crazy. My OB/Gyn passes it off as hormones, but I was about to lose my mind. I finally made an appt with my PCP, who diagnosed TMJ.

Anyone else ever get this during your pg? Aside from Tylenol, and a warm compress to the side of my face, is there anything else I can do? The pulsating pounding is making me NUTS!

I appreciate all your suggestions.

[Queenie]

I used to go to a Holistic practitioner who gave me this exercise. You pull your lower jaw out a bit and put your top front teeth and your bottom front teeth together, so that just the edges of them are touching. Then hold that position for 5 minutes at a time. That sounds easy, but I felt nauseated doing it for only a few seconds at first. When I complained, he said, "That shows that it's working, keep it up!" Well, it took awhile before it was a comfortable exercise, and every now and again I have to do it a few more times, but it was the first time I have had relief from the TMJ. (It was about 7-8 years ago.) This after years of attempts from conventional doctors and dentists (mainly prescribing Valium and filing my teeth, both dubious and unhelpful treatments).
Of course, you should check with your doctor to see if that's okay. (Not that I did, since all he ever did was write another Valium prescription.) :D
I hope this helps you. If it doesn't, maybe something else might be wrong. It's a tricky diagnosis.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

[Lizbaby4]

Thanks for the suggestion, I am trying it now!

All the doctor has suggested is Tylenol and a warm compress to the side of my face until I deliver. That is, if I don't go completely insane first!

[Queenie]

I hope you feel better *very* soon.