Chronic Pain

I was just wondering how many of you with TMJD have also suffered from migraines due to this disease. I have had chronic classical migraines since Feb. 2004 due to my jaw dislocation. I'm looking forward to discussing what meds have been tried and what has seemed to work or not work. Or even alternative treatments that seem to help. I myself am partial to a frozen bag of peas, and a dark, quiet room. Looking forward to hearing from others.

Hi Chrissy!

Well... as you know, migraines/headaches are the biggest problem for me. I have tried all the headache preventives out there, and none have worked. They all however, have been proven to help many people. You should ask your doctor about maybe trying a preventive rather than having to deal with frequent, recurring migraines. You never know... it may work for you! Unfortunately, I have yet to find my miracle solution, but I haven't given up the battle yet. I am just starting an alternative treatment, I haven't seen a difference yet, but will let you know if it helps out.

Courage Chrissy!

Take care,
Jenn

Jenn,
Like you, I have tried too many preventatives to count! And as for meds to use whenever the migraines hit, i've been pretty much on all of them. My latest has been Imitrex shots and Stadol. My PMC has put me on Fentora for my breakthrough pain and migraines and I have to say it works. But, it's still very hard having daily headaches along with the migraines. But knock on wood the Lyrica has me down from 4 in the bed migraines per week down to about 2. I am seeing an improvement, but it's hard going to bed at nite knowing I'm just going to wake up the next day knowing I'm going to be hurting just the same as the day before.
Hun, I hope you find some kind of relief soon yourself!
Love,

Chrissy_

After the accident, the headaches so intense, I just wanted to die. It took a long time to figure out the layers of pain and treat them. A combination of trigger point injections, Imitrex (injected or nasal spray), neuropathic pain meds, opoids really seemed to help me.

It really took a lot of journaling and trail and error to figure it out. Stick with it… hopefully they will get you pain under control soon….

Breathe. The answers will come.
Please keep us posted…………….

Hugs,

I miss the "thanks" button!! hehe

Jenn: hope the new treatment is working good.
Lisa: hope you're hanging in there w/ your treatments and seeing signs of improvement...don't you forget to keep breathing yourself!

ps: Hopefully I'll be over this friggin flu before too long, and I go to the PMC tomorrow for a visit and to find out results of my hormonal evaluation.

Love,

HAHA Chrissy, I've been searching for the "Thanks" button all weekend ;-)

Yes... the good ole "Thanks" button... I've been looking for that one too!!! Just a reflex I guess

Thank you Chrissy, I also hope you get over all of this very soon! You don't need that on top of everything else!!!

Take care,
Jenn

Good luck Chrissy.

I have had a chronic headache since about two months after a car accident in 2003. I never really have figured out if it's migraines or the jaw/muscle pain causing the headaches. I have taken neurontin, topamax and paxil with axert as the rescue drug. Only paxil seemed to really help me, but I think it was b/c it slowed me down and helped produce some of the 'feel good' chemicals. Coming off has been no picnic. topamax was especially difficult to try and get used to taking - major fatigue. But I've heard for some people it's just great.

I have been curious how jaw/muscle pain can cause migraines. On the NTI appliance web site it talks about the irritation to the trigeminal nerve. Wonder if it has anything to do with that.

Topamax wasn't good for me either. I'm one of those really weird ppl that if it's supposed to make you sleepy, it can wire me up. That's what topamax did to me. I started it on a Friday and didn't sleep the whole weekend. My body was exhausted but my brain just wouldn't shut down. Called the Neuro on Mon and he took me off of it immediately. Then on to Depakote which was a wonder drug for awhile, but then the side effects became too much. Yellow blotches on my legs, so it was effecting my liver and plateletts the Neuro said, and my hair fell out, and I do mean out. Clumps and Clumps. Also started having cholitis probs at the same time as being on Depakote. I wish the Topamax would have worked for me cuz I have really heard great things from other ppl. Right now I'm on Keppra and Lyrica for the migraines. Shhhhh, I think I'm seeing an improvement but I don't want to jinx myself. Have you ever tried Migrainal for the migraines. They've put it back on the market after a few tweaks, and you can take it anytime during the migraine for it to work. Not just during the beginning. I know the worst for me is waking up full blown at 4 in the morning knowing that nothing is going to work b/c it's too late. I'm also on Imitrex shots...very good if you can stand needles. I've tried the maxalt, amerge, zomig, stadol, axert.......you name it. It's just a trial and error as to figuring out what works for one person. Unfortunately what works for one doesn't always work for the other. A wonder drug that worked for all would be wonderful.