TMJ in People With Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Overlapping Condition of the Week: TMJ
Does your jaw hurt and sometimes pop? Is it painful for you to open your mouth? You could have TMJ disorder, a condition that commonly overlaps with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS).
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is what connects your jaw to your head. It can cause a little discomfort or a lot of pain - and because of our heightend sensitivity to pain, you can imagine that it's usually pretty painful for those of us with FMS or ME/CFS.
TMJ is generally diagnosed and treated by dentists, so if you think you have it, that's who you should make an appointment with. You should also ask your regular doctor about other causes of face and jaw pain.
Learn more about TMJ, including its symptoms, how it's diagnosed, and what treatment options are available:
- Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & TMJ
Other Overlapping Conditions:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Costochondritis
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Photo © A.D.A.M.
Comments
I know this must be what is the cause of part of my pain I have in my face! But part of it was caused by my sinuses too! Everytime my sinuses gives me fits, My face and head hurts and my teeth just about kill me with the pain! Last night it was hurting so I took two Tylenol, then two hours later it was still hurting, but much worse, so I took a pain pill I had left from when I had a tooth cut out not long ago!
Just about everything I have going on, goes along with this Fibro!
I’ve suffered with TMJ long before the Fibro/Chronic Fatigue set in. I also have TERRIBLE face,head, teeth & jaw pain that can be unrelenting!! I’ve been to a dentist that specialized in TMJ…….and UNfortunately he wasn’t much help and to top it off it cost me $5000.00. My insurance doesn’t cover ANYTHING TMJ related.
First of all find out what materials are in your dental work if you have had dental work done in that area of the mouth. Might want then to try a food elimination diet to see what may upset them. Eg. Foods with high sulfa content (eggs) etc. Foods with Balsam Peru properties. Rotate through them. Also see if toluene has been used in your dental work (ethyltoluene sulfonamide) which might be a cause of sulfa allergy and breakdown of immune system (lymphatic).
I too, have Fibro and TMJ. The TMJ is terrible. I use a night guard. It helps.