Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
        
(Message started by: SommelierCH on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 8:45am)

Title: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by SommelierCH on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 8:45am

It sure seemed like a Cluster. It woke me up the first time a week ago, medium intense pain, my Cluster side and pressure on my eye. Freaked me out, I knew I should have another 6 months till next cycle. Went to the O2 tank to head it off… didn’t touch it, but it didn’t get worse. Fully awake, I could tell it wasn’t a Cluster. The pressure on the right eye was from the side; between the temple, not behind the eye. The pain is not a stabbing point of singularity, it spread from my jaw to my scalp, on the outside not the inside. It hits every night during deep REM, just like a Cluster. So far, four 375mg aspirin seems to kill it (at least enough for this ClusterHead to go back to sleep, it’s no Kip-10) with a Maxalt MLT 10mg thrown in a couple of times, just in case.

The pain is so eerily similar, that there must be many TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) sufferers reading this board and wondering why O2 doesn’t work for them. At the same time there must be many ClusterHeads being given meds for TMJ that won’t touch the ClusterPain. Clusters are a vascular headache; TMJ’s are a muscle contraction (tension) headache. The pain is very similar, but the relief is very different.

TMJ & FACIAL PAIN CENTER
Wesley E. Shankland, II, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Director

“The pain of muscle contraction (tension) headache usually starts in the forehead, temples or back of the head and spreads over the neck and shoulders. Sleeping difficulties are common: waking without feeling rested, restlessness and trouble getting to sleep. Those who clench or grind their teeth also develop muscle contraction headaches, especially during times of stress or during the night. When asking a patient to describe their pain, I often hear such descriptions as, tightness, drawing, band-like, or vise-like. Muscle contraction pain may last for hours, days, weeks or even months.”

After experiencing both Cluster and TMJ headaches, I would say to you: if the pain is not BEHIND your eye and Oxygen does not give you any relief; you should re-evaluate. It fooled me.

Peace,
David J.

P.S. Any suggestions for faster or longer lasting or preventive TMJ pain relief would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by Woobie on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 9:19am

Well HEY David J -

how you been??

sorry bout yer head - ch - tmj - it's all pain.

tina

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by SommelierCH on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 10:05am

Well Hey, Tina,

I had to sit out for a while. A run of strange luck, ending with a spider bite that infected some deeper tissue with Staph, traveled to my lymph system, sent me to the hospital and knocked me out of work. I’m so far behind, I’d vote for an amendment to ensure every marathon runner was allowed 24hrs. to finish the course.

This is what is causing my TMJ, I presume…Stress. I think I’m clinching and grinding my jaw during REM. Just stressed to the max. Fuck, I don’t even have kids. My hat’s off to all of you who deal with much more than this. Believe me, I know that I sound like a baby.

I’ve never had a headache other than Clusters. Now I know what real people go through. My sympathies for the headache sufferers around the world, without being able to compare it to a CH Kip-10, it must be frightening.

I’m catching up on the bills, and got the DSL connected again.

Love you kids,
David J.

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by Renee on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 10:15am

David,

Do you have a TMJ splint that you wear while sleeping?

TMJ was my first diagnosis 7 years ago. While the diagnosis was correct, the kip 10's continued and finally about 6 months ago I got a correct diagnosis of ch and the meds are helping.

You can also place your tongue at the roof of your mouth just where your top teeth meet the roof of your mouth and PUSH hard with your tongue for about a minute. This will relax the muscles that spasm due to TMJ. If you don't have a splint, get one from a TMJ specialist, not just a regular dentist.

good luck
renee

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by TxBasslady on Feb 22^nd, 2004, 10:36pm

David J............

Damn, it's good to see ya, sweetie.

Sorry about your troubles. You sure have been missed around here!

Hope things get better for ya real quick! :-*

Love and pf vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by jonny on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 6:56pm

Hang in there, David dude!!!!

......................................jonny

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by Charlie on Feb 23^rd, 2004, 7:39pm

Great hearing from you but damn.......you've been through the mill.

Keep fighting David.

Vibes here

Charlie

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by SommelierCH on Feb 25^th, 2004, 7:18am

Thanks Gals and Guys,,

It’s amazing how a good word from y’all can lift a troubled spirit. Never stop, my friends, never stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Renee, that’s the stuff I was looking for. And to think, that my dad (a dentist) thought that sucking my thumb caused an over-bite. Clue me in on the splint thingie. Would it help with REM teeth grinding?

TxB….asslady, I see on the Message Board under your name that you are now a “Hell of a Farmer”! You go girl!! Fish, grits…who cares? As long as you gets your hands dirty.

…..jonny, you have been my inspiration from the git-go! No matter what I am going through, you are my reality check. I could never, thank you enough, for being here, day-in and day-out for all of us.

Charlie…Charlie…Charlie…You continue to amaze me. What is it, 14 years out of cycle? And still, you have the time to give me a good word and to send me your good vibes! I love you man. You are a beautiful person.

Now where did you hide my oar?…………………….…..jonny?

David J.

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by rob_d on Feb 25^th, 2004, 10:01am

That is the strangest thing...I have had the same things...been in cycle 1 month and starting 1 week ago getting what I thought were mild CH, but in fact they weren't- and 3 tylenol's helped so we know they certainly aren't CH...same as yours though...the same throbbing sensation as the real thing.

funny how it is good news when we get what normal people would take 3 days off work for!!

Title: Re: Cluster side TMJ headaches=Kip 4-6. Fooled me.
Post by Belle on Feb 25^th, 2004, 2:59pm

I am currently awaiting an appointment for an MRI because the docs believe that I have TMJ as well as the clusters. And you were right about the kid thing. I have 2 kis and run a home day care and it's not easy when in a cycle. Hope your pain goes away soon.

Belle
::)