Looking for TMJ suggestions...

Hi everyone. I'm not going to bore you all again with my list of everything I've gone through this summer. I'm just looking to see if anyone else has suggestions about TMJ pain when using a FF mask? I woke up this am with pain on one side and now have an excruciating headache. I noticed last night that the mask appeared to push my jaw back some and was wondering if others had the same experience and could offer suggestions.

Thanks for your time and help.
Sue

Hi Sue,
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I would talk to your dentist about the TMJ...did you have it before starting with CPAP? I wear the Activa Mask and haven't had the experiences you have. My only discomfort is that it sometimes hurts my face but I think that's because of the way I sleep with my face turned into the pillow.
Maybe your headgear is too tight. The Activa really latches onto my face and seals very well so I don't need to have my headgear tight at all. I also wear a mouth guard every night because I grind my teeth like crazy. I still grind them with the guard but now the guard keeps me from cracking my teeth (I've had at least 12 root canals mostly because of the grinding).
Another thought....I think my family is passing a virus around because we're all feeling a little "punky" tis week. One of our symptoms is a really bad headache that lasts a day or two. Even advil didn't help much. I hope that isn't the case for you though. Could the headache be related to your other health issues?
Try and lay down with your eyes closed for awhile (put on a DVD for the kids). An ice pack on your forehead could help alot too (my daughter gets really bad headaches and the coolness helps her).
Hope your day gets better!! Amy

I also suffer from TMJ. In fact it was my search to find a solution to it that led my internist to suggest a sleep study because bruxism is part of the OSA syndrome.

Anyway, I had to tighten the FF mask so much that it pulled my jaw backwards and was not good for my TMJ. I eventually had to get a Mandibular Advancement Device, which ties your lower and upper jaw together and pulls your lower jaw slightly forward to help open your airway which can eliminate your need for CPAP or lower the pressure needed. This also stabilized my lower jaw so the FF mask did not push it backwards.

I would recommed a good orthodontist rather than a dentist. They tend to know a lot more about these kinds of things and can advise you best.

My wife has gotten a lot of relief from TMJ from her chiropractor. I know - a lot of people don't believe in them, but I've seen major improvement in my wife.