Laurie,
Thanks for the reply. My jaw started clicking around the time I was in high school and I wasn't diagnosed with Fibro until much later. I got a bite splint made to sleep with and it has probably saved my teeth and jaw.
Glad to hear about your new teeth though. :)
Pama
HI Pam - I wore a bite splint faithfully - but I was still grinding my teeth during the day. It also came from stress, as well as not sleeping well at night due to the Fibro. My dentist told me long ago to try to be aware of it during the day - but I kept forgetting and also, it was a habit too. Laurie
Hi Laurie,
This is Evan (Pam’s husband) now, she’s taking a break. She doesn’t have trouble grinding so much in the daytime. Mostly at night. She takes a mixture of herbal supplements and prescription meds (very light) at night, so she sleeps pretty good most of the time. You are right though, when she is stressed, it can really affect her sleep. The bite splint has truly been a blessing. She says her teeth would have been gone long ago if it weren’t for that.
Hi Evan - you are very supportive of Pam. (Smile). I am so happy to see that her teeth are still good! Would you be able to tell me what herbal supplements that she takes? I would be very interested to know! Laurie
Please understand that herbal remedies contain substances that can interact with the meds you are taking, so you should always consult your doctor about this possibility, as well as the possibility of having the herbs cause a flare.
Any questions regarding these products can be asked via your email account here.
Take care and be cautious about what you take.
Petunia
Hi Laurie,
Wow, what a shame. I didn't realize that having TMJ could lead to losing all one your teeth! I find it shocking and horrifying. And yep, TMJ and fibro often go hand in hand. I have /tmj and could never chew gum as a kid. As an adult, I've already broken several teeth with little lead up (eating a french fry.)
I'm glad you got replacements. That is a HUGE deal! So congrats to you for getting them! And hopefully you won't lose this pair to TMJ.
Does your bite and jaw feel different with the new teeth? Just curious to know if the TMJ loosens up at all with different teeth.
HI Pet - thanks for your information. I will take it seriously! Love, Laurie
Petunia,
Thanks. Yes, one must be very cautious when mixing prescriptions and herbals. We are always careful. I do appreciate the concern.
Evan
Pam,
As a matter of fact I'm going to talk to my chiropractor about TMJ tomorrow. I had a short window of time in my 30's that TMJ was a problem. It went away on it's own. Stress related I'm sure. Now, I am noticing my teeth are clenched a lot of the time. Every time I think about it, in fact. I have chronic headaches, migraines, neck pain. I think it's all related. I'm hoping my Chiro can help me out with a mouth guard of some type for night time. I also have a pending dental appt and dr appt, so one way or another I'll get it covered.
I do notice that when the fibro flares and I have to start up the vicodin in order to get my day done I have much more tightness in my body...mouth...everywhere. Would be nice to be able to avoid the vicodin completely, but insurance doesn't cover enough chiropractic care. If it did I would go weekly. Insurance only covers enough for me to go once a month.
L
I don't think people realize sometimes that herbals and meds can interact. I know I tend to forget at times and it's just a good idea to chuck that into the conversation so people remember to check with their docs first.
My doc was cool with all vitamins. However she said other supplements were iffy, as you don't know what you're necessarily getting. Saw a show on this on 60 minutes, and sure enough, some supplements contain harmful ingredients that aren't listed. No bueno.
Petunia
HI Pet - When I first got the teeth - it did feel a little strange. It's an adjustment, but one I happily dealt with as it's much better then not having any teeth at all. The transformation when teeth are no longer there is really distressing. I looked so much older than I really am and there were wrinkles that I never had before. Once I had my new teeth - my whole face changed - for the better. I also smile more now. Everyone have always said I had a pretty smile and I am happy to get that compliment again! My TMJ problems are basically gone now. Since I don't wear the teeth at night time - there is no more grinding. During the day - a little bit - but I am getting real good now at being aware of it. The TMJ I had wore down all of them, front to back. It also eventually loosened the teeth and made me vulnerable to a couple of serious infections. It loosened the fillings I had in the back. It was a real mess. I waited a while to have them pulled because I couldn't bear the thought of walking around with no teeth. I have always sympathized with those that were toothless. Also, the choice of food without teeth isn't much. Anyway - I am feeling well now and happy to have been given the chance to have beautiful teeth again! Love, Laurie
Hi L- Kitty , yes I have weakness in my arms, as a matter of fact , that was the first symptom I noticed prior to my diagnosis… My arms hurt to wash hair, blow dry , fold towels…that turned into muscle weakness, both arms always feel like they are bruised and if I push on my muscle in my arms… Painful , I have the same prob with my legs, but more so in my arms.
I could carry groceries or even rake a small pile of leaves, but the pain in my arms that night or the next day will be much worse,( totally not worth it) so Iv learned to limit myself when it comes to using arm muscles.
Hugs & blessings
dee
Hi Pet - I have always been leery of supplements because a lot of them promise miracles. However, my doctor started me on Centrum vitamins and I take them faithfully every day. I also have to take a high dose of Vitamin D as well. But this is all I will do. Also, in reading about supplements and vitamins, it gets so confusing to me when it is mentioned that this particular vitamin won't work unless you take this other particular vitamin with it. So much info!! I had a very close friend of my Mother's who was a real vitamin and supplement freak. I just adored her though. Her husband was a health freak, I mean really over the top! He started her on all this when they were first married. She looked healthy, but one morning she got out of bed and apparently (the autopsy) a blood clot that was in her leg traveled to her lungs and she passed away. It goes to show that Vitamins and supplements don't always work - huh? Love, Laurie