Facial tics, jaw, tongue muscle tension and pain, bruxism, teeth clenching, TMJ

[ShiningLight]

The drugs can cause weird paresthesia things but I think it's wise to get a medical rule out.

[rilexapro]

10 hours ago, ShiningLight said:

The drugs can cause weird paresthesia things but I think it's wise to get a medical rule out.

Other than an MRI/CT scan, what other tests could I get?

[ShiningLight]

Not sure, I'm not a doctor. If you have already run it by them, great. I hope it gets better.

[BfromNJ]

So you had an mri? Did they do it with contrast?  I'm going for one soon for something similar.   My doctor also noted on the order "with trimengal cuts".   There is the trimengal nerve in that area.   Or it sounds like maybe your tmj joint. 

[Altostrata]

@rilexapro have you ever heard of bruxism or TMJ pain? Please read this topic from the beginning.

 

Please use search before starting a new topic in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum, and add to existing discussions. We have discussed just about everything you can think of.

[rilexapro]

17 hours ago, BfromNJ said:

So you had an mri? Did they do it with contrast?  I'm going for one soon for something similar.   My doctor also noted on the order "with trimengal cuts".   There is the trimengal nerve in that area.   Or it sounds like maybe your tmj joint. 

 

Yes, with contrast. I had a CT of my chest with contrast too. Nothing showed up in terms of visual damage to my brain or anything else, it seems. It could be a thyroid issue, or nerve issue, like you said.

 

16 hours ago, Altostrata said:

@rilexapro have you ever heard of bruxism or TMJ pain? Please read this topic from the beginning.

 

Please use search before starting a new topic in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum, and add to existing discussions. We have discussed just about everything you can think of.

 

I have heard about TMJ pain, but not bruxism very much. Sorry about creating a new topic. I am very new to this forum.

[Altostrata]

Most likely, your symptoms are caused by clenching your jaw and maybe your neck muscles -- withdrawal tension very commonly causes this symptom. You are feeling it in an odd way because of withdrawal hypersensitivity, also very common.

 

This probably is not an exotic neurological condition requiring a head scan, but you may wish to talk to a dentist or otolaryngologist about it.

 

Many of our members have found a bite guard will reduce this pain. Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, osteopathic manipulation, and stretching exercises can also help.

[rilexapro]

5 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Most likely, your symptoms are caused by clenching your jaw and maybe your neck muscles -- withdrawal tension very commonly causes this symptom. You are feeling it in an odd way because of withdrawal hypersensitivity, also very common.

 

This probably is not an exotic neurological condition requiring a head scan, but you may wish to talk to a dentist or otolaryngologist about it.

 

Many of our members have found a bite guard will reduce this pain. Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, osteopathic manipulation, and stretching exercises can also help.

 

It's possible, but the constant face/neck tingling/weird feeling issues only happened after going back on 10mg of Lexapro after going off 30mg about 3 months before cold turkey. My jaw used to stiffen during the day subconsciously and I'd have to stop it from doing that. It went away, but the other problems haven't. Almost every day, the left side of my face has a weird "warm" feeling to it.

[Altostrata]

Just now, rilexapro said:

 

It's possible, but the constant face/neck tingling/weird feeling issues only happened after going back on 10mg of Lexapro after going off 30mg about 3 months before cold turkey. My jaw used to stiffen during the day subconsciously and I'd have to stop it from doing that. It went away, but the other problems haven't. Almost every day, the left side of my face has a weird "warm" feeling to it.

 

Bruxism is also a common adverse effect of antidepressants. Again, your being sensitized by drug mishaps has caused the odd manifestation of symptoms.

 

That you had a pre-existing habit is further confirmation this probably is your problem.

 

We have seen this hundreds, if not thousands, of times in this community -- as we have many of the dozens of potential drug adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms. 

[rilexapro]

Just now, Altostrata said:

 

Bruxism is also a common adverse effect of antidepressants. Again, your being sensitized by drug mishaps has caused the odd manifestation of symptoms.

 

That you had a pre-existing habit is further confirmation this probably is your problem.

 

We have seen this hundreds, if not thousands, of times in this community -- as we have many of the dozens of potential drug adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms. 

 

Do you think any permanent damage/life altering damage has been done here? I probably did clench in my sleep before this, but the facial warmness is very new, and only after going back on Lexapro. Same with the brain fog, memory loss, numb mood, etc.

 

I am seeing my primary care doctor early next month, is there anything I should ask them? Already had both a CT/MRI scan. Are there any other tests that could be done?

[Altostrata]

Please read this topic from the beginning. Many of our members have recovered from the jaw pain and clenching. I have myself, with use of a bite guard and the usual normal neurological stabilization process.

[Phoenixmama]

@rilexapro hi I’m curious about the mri you had with contrast , did you effect your wd 

[rilexapro]

On 8/25/2021 at 7:50 PM, Phoenixmama said:

@rilexapro hi I’m curious about the mri you had with contrast , did you effect your wd 

What does wd mean?

[BfromNJ]

On 6/20/2011 at 8:04 PM, Altostrata said:

I had bad jaw tension, causing me to clench my teeth while sleeping. In early withdrawal, destroyed a couple of fillings this way. Jaw tension can cause a lot of problems outside of the jaw. There is a condition called Temporal Mandibular Joint Syndrome.

 

From https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Temporomandibular_joint_disorder

 

Two things helped me: 1) a rubbery night guard to wear in my mouth and cushion clenching; 2) acupuncture. The Wikipedia article -- link above -- has other suggestions for treatment.

Alto-  i know this is an older post.  But im in the process of getting a guard.   Did you get yours from the dentist or just over the counter?  The dentist is making me a custom one that will be hard but angled in front to keep my teeth apart.  But I almost feel like I really need something to actually keep me from moving it at all.  

[Altostrata]

I got mine from a dentist, but I believe others have gotten the less expensive ones over-the-counter.

[BfromNJ]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

I got mine from a dentist, but I believe others have gotten the less expensive ones over-the-counter.

I just went to dentist and was fitted for the hard one.  He didn't even mention the soft ones.   Which makes more sense if you are going for no movement at all.   Kind of like the ones for sports 

[Altostrata]

Perhaps you should talk to your dentist.

[Callietallie]

It's been over a year since any activity on this thread, but through I'd post anyway for any advice or encouragement someone may have.  @LexAnger and @btdt You both seemed to have similar stories to mine.

I was on Lexapro for over 20 years and bruxism was one of my most distressing side effects. I ended up quitting basically CT in April 2021.

I see the best TMJ specialist in my area and I have worn a night guard faithfully for as long as I can remember. Nevertheless, last February, I entered the world of dental hell. I ended up needing 2 crowns, one of which was painful from the day of the procedure, ended up with a root canal, and was still in pain for months on end, eventually leading to the tooth being extracted in late September.

Because of all this my health anxiety spiraled to the point of breakdown. I could not get the possibility that the pain was from some lingering infection that would escalate to extreme pain and that I would contract covid and not be able to be seen. So I spent many weeks isolated from everyone, and eventually went on clonazepam 2x day to stabilize. I am still in the process of doing a slow taper off that, and the more I taper, the more my grinding and teeth sensitivity continue to worsen. Plus I had dental trauma as a child, so every dental procedure I have needed involves extreme anxiety. I felt great when the offending tooth was removed and I was on the clonazepam 2x a day. But that is not a sustainable solution.

I guess my question is did your bruxism and/or teeth sensitivity every resolve? I meditate, do yoga, walk. I have tried cranio sacral, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture. I am nearly 2 years off and so frustrated that I am still dealing with this. I can feel myself spiraling into that really bad, dark scary place.

Also, does anyone have any links to any studies I can show my dentist and family to "prove" I am not crazy and that the grinding and sensitivity are related?

 

Thanks.