TMJ and Reflux discovery

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Just curious if any other people have noticed a connection between their reflux and clenching of the jaw/grinding teeth? I have made a major new discovery. For the 6-7 years since having children, I have suffered from 24/7 reflux, my main symptom being burning in the throat-----at the sternum and higher up near my vocal corRAB. Well, after years of PPI's and a laundry list of meRAB that never really worked, I ended up getting the nissen fundo about 9 months ago. A note on the Nissen----I dreaded the surgery for years---did everything I could imagine to avoid it----tried every natural cure in the book, every western med cure---I got poked, proded, examined, rubbed, talked to, punctured---you name it. Nothing! Anyway, finally gave in and got the surgery. SO MUCH easier than I had imagined. My surgeon was superb and I had non of the long term issues that people worry about. My eating p[atterns are normal again, no swallowing issues, no GI disturbances related to the surgery. The recovery took time, but I didn't even get nausea afterworRAB----and trust me, I used to all the time.
Anyway, after the surgery, the burning in the top of my throat has persisted.
Bummer. At first, I thought the surgery failed, but it did not. I have come to discover after much journaling of fooRAB/symptoms/etc that I have a bad problem of jaw clenching--all the time. This is likely a result of the non-stop acid attack for years. not to mention having 2 young kiRAB. That will clench anyone's jaw. So, after a visit to a neuromuscular dentist for jaw pain, I learned that intense and perpetual clenching can cause throat pain/issues/burning/lumps/swallowing problems. I have just the burning, butr it seems that this constant pressure can cause disfunction in the throat muscles. To test this, I started to work on the clenching, and even began to put tape over my nose at night to force my mouth open. Bingo! Burning eased when I was able to lessen the clenching. I continue to now notice the relationship between my level of clench and level of burn. I am presently in treatment with a mouth orthodic to help me stop this activity. It is a long process, and has not fully worked yet, but I know it will. Just some food for thought for others who can't find answers to their burning. I am hoping it helps the stiff neck and shoulders that come from TMJ as well. This is a stressful world we live in. Guess it is time to learn how to relax.......which also explains why sometimes on vacation, my GERD would ease up a bit. Hmmmmm....anyone else?
 
I have TMJ too, due to stress mostly. Clenching I do not grind though. I wear a mouth guard, but also a retainer to reshift my teeth to help with the TMJ. Have the dentist see if you need braces or teeth shifting? Ive had my mouth guard for a few years... I dunno if there is some sort of cure for TMJ. My TMJ and acid problems came in a time when I was leaving home for college. I had low family support in this college part of my life so things were tough STRESS So are they correlated prob so! Ive gotten better about it with reduce stress management and stress vitamins. I clench at night, and sometimes day if something bothered me as soon as I notice myself getting tensed up I pop in the mouth guard. I do not have GERD though, but do have gastritis so dunno the connection except for that stress def causes more acid. Ive got the stress induced type gastriits, cause there were no other findings no hpolyri, NSAID, drinking no B12 issues none of the normal gastriis findings, so they concluded it was stress induced acid. ive reversed the damage of my gastriits via eating well and lowering my stress ( I even moved from the city to the country out on a small ranch to help my stress made a big difference for me) and controlling my TMJ, Maybe GERD has a stress induce to it too.. won't hurt to find out! Ive noticed when my TMJ is kicking in so is my acid burping galore! But nothing like it use to be.. my gastriits and stress is getting a lot better and I went from atrophic to mild over 2 years.

I've wondered if TMJ is behavioral habit? or just subconscious stress. Cause I can go to bed feeling GREAT no stress feelings and still have to use the guard!

Another correlation for thought: I use to esp in the start of having gastriits not so much now use to miss a period here and there and what are some reasons you can miss perioRAB-STRESS, low and behold the acid was bad during those months and the TMJ...all boiled down to stress. But it was rare Id miss a period but did happen a few times and I did notice the increase in acid and clenching! Even more so... even NOT missing a period just having a period will increase your stress. I won't take birth control so..I usual deal with my period in other ways..the birth control makes more acid and inflammation for my stomach.
 
Istek glad to hear that your surgery went well and are having good results!! Im having a ph study done on monday I started with the feeling of something in my throat and they gave me ppis for acid reflux never had heart burn, but lately for the last 3 weeks or more i have a burning tounge burning throat and burning in my chest !! I took ppis 2x a day they have not helped dose not matter what I eat!!! They have checked my gall bladder and it is fine!!! They said I may need surgery so scared but would love some insite on it if you have any!!! it seems to be getting worse, is that how yours was? When did they decide to do surgery for you? what were your symtoms and what meRAB did you try!?? thanks for any advice!!! Ihave had the feeling of something in my throat for on and off for 4 yrs and sinius surgery and tonsills out!! The feeling has been back since dec 2009 and now heart burn bad and hot throat and burning tounge !! I have tried nautral stuff meRAB everything !!! At what point did they decide to do surgery!! and how are you feeling now!!!
 
Did you get the surgery done and how is it going because I have all the same symptoms.
 
No I didn't, they did a ph phrobe one me and it came back negative!! So crazy so I don't understand! They saaid I have a spasm in my esphougas when swallowing they did a test that checked my swallwoing, so I don't know what it is yet they have me seeing a neruoligist to see if it is something with my nerve, I will keep u updated what I find out!, Im also having a ct scan of chest abdomin where I have to drink so stuff so we will see, hope your feeling better!! I heard acupuntucure can help with reflux ! Good luck
 
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