Reply #21: Had the same thing

[LibertyLover]

about 20 years ago. I woke up one morning in such pain that I couldn't go to work. I went to the dentist thinking it was an infected tooth - nothing. So I called the doctor who thought it might be a sinus infection and ordered antibiotics. That didn't work. I was taking lots of over the counter pain medication, which dulled it slightly. After about 2 weeks the MD and the DDS conferred and determined that it was TMJ. The DDS fitted me with a bite guard to keep me from clamping the jaw during the night, the MD ordered Valium for a month taken going to bed and also did a course of acupuncture (he had just gotten his certification and thought it might be helpful). The TMJ went away and has pretty much stayed away since. I only wear the bite plate now when I get twinges. If possible, see if the dentist will prescribe a low dose of valium for you to take going to bed for a few weeks. It really helped break the cycle of teeth clenching for me. Once you get the bite plate, you should start to see a difference fairly quickly. Good luck.