JohnnyLamb
31-01-10, 17:18
Hello all.
I've had pretty bad TMJ on my left side since 1986. I'm no stranger to the associated jaw pain, clicking, and locking; ear ringing and stuffiness; head, face, neck, and arm pain; etc.
For the final three months of 2009, I had a VERY severe sinus infection, during which I was flying from NY to Chicago every week. This experience was murder on my jaws and face, as I was constantly opening and closing to unclog my ears. Additionally, my teeth and face tingled and hurt more than usual.
As you can imagine, I've been freaking out about the tingling and crawling sensations that have remained with me since the infection cleared with the aid of antibiotics and steriods.
Another symptom that I've experienced sporadically over the past few months, including last night, is an inability to easily open my left eye upon waking in the morning. I have no secretions, and my eyelid muscle appears fine. It's as if my eyelid gets stuck along the eye, and requires a minute or two to lube up prior to opening with ease. Once I blink a few times and generate some tears, my eye seems fine, if not for the slight dryness and burning.
Question: Would any of you folks familiar with or suffering from TMJ run to a doctor, whether a neurologist, ENT, oral surgeon, etc.? My lower left lip tingling and eye symptoms are almost certainly associated with TMJ. But, I have the nagging feeling that a tumor is pressing on my facial nerves someplace. The last thing I need is another CAT scan.
Thank you.
Regards,
John
I've had pretty bad TMJ on my left side since 1986. I'm no stranger to the associated jaw pain, clicking, and locking; ear ringing and stuffiness; head, face, neck, and arm pain; etc.
For the final three months of 2009, I had a VERY severe sinus infection, during which I was flying from NY to Chicago every week. This experience was murder on my jaws and face, as I was constantly opening and closing to unclog my ears. Additionally, my teeth and face tingled and hurt more than usual.
As you can imagine, I've been freaking out about the tingling and crawling sensations that have remained with me since the infection cleared with the aid of antibiotics and steriods.
Another symptom that I've experienced sporadically over the past few months, including last night, is an inability to easily open my left eye upon waking in the morning. I have no secretions, and my eyelid muscle appears fine. It's as if my eyelid gets stuck along the eye, and requires a minute or two to lube up prior to opening with ease. Once I blink a few times and generate some tears, my eye seems fine, if not for the slight dryness and burning.
Question: Would any of you folks familiar with or suffering from TMJ run to a doctor, whether a neurologist, ENT, oral surgeon, etc.? My lower left lip tingling and eye symptoms are almost certainly associated with TMJ. But, I have the nagging feeling that a tumor is pressing on my facial nerves someplace. The last thing I need is another CAT scan.
Thank you.
Regards,
John