Pain in Wrists, Arms, and Jaw

[DJMonopoli]

Almost a year ago I started having TMJ pain and after a few weeks I went to the orthodontist and he gave me a splint. The splint didn't seem to work and seemed to have made things worse after 4-5 months of readjustments so I stopped using it. I started seeing a chiropractor in at the beginning of this year and after a few months, that didn't seemed to take care of my off and on TMJ pain. Suddenly after a couple months going to the chiropractor, my wrist and arm area started to hurt also. I assumed it was either tendonitis or carpal tunnel and laid off my wrist for a few weeks and wore a wrist brace mostly at night or when using my wrist. I stopped going to the chiro and started acupuncture therapy. I have gone 3 times so far. That hasn't worked though because now the pain extends to my shoulder and left arm. The acupuncturist suspects that there is something wrong with my kidney because I have a blue tint to my finger and toe nails, and darkness around my eyes. I also started having a weird electric type pulling nerve-like pain in the back of my ankle when I move a certain way. I got blood tests for a lot of things and all that stuck out was high cholesterol which about 20 over. I was taking clonazepam for anxiety and shallow breathing problems that I've been having on and off and stopped taking that due to the chiropractor's orders. I seemed to have withdrawals from it for a while and my TMJ got really bad. It has since eased off but is still there. The TMJ seems to get bad when I use my jaw, such as singing or even sometimes eating certain things. My arms hurt when I use them including using the computer or playing guitar which is how I make a living. I've been cracking my neck and fingers for a good portion of my life and recently have been attempting to stop because the chiro and acupuncturist told me to. It is difficult because I get tension in those areas which needs to be relieved by cracking. Also, I started taking Claritin reditabs daily due to my allergies around the time my arm pain started. I recently noticed how close the timing was and saw a study on Claritin and joint pain so I decided to stop a few days ago. The pain has not subsided but gotten worse, I have horrible allergies and I feel overall like I'm falling apart. A couple more things I've tried; massage, heat, cold, NSAI's, changing my diet (have a lot of food allergies), exercise, stretches, and more. I felt that I needed to be as detailed as possible with this, I've been dealing with this for way too long and want to get to the bottom of it.  

[kumquatmay]

Hi DJ, I an going to reach out to you ... because I know how jaw pain can grow into a big issue that effects your whole life (I also have many health issues that mixed me up and kept me from enjoying life). I have helped others tackle their health issues ... and the first thing I would say is: Slow Down and Take Stock, figure out where to start. I would not necessarily start with your cholesterol, 20 points over is not significant (get to it later). I would back track to where your problem started -  TMJ and allergies. There may be a connection, because your sinus cavity rests on your jaw. Claritin is okay for short term but you need something that changes the game. I assume your allergies are sinus or respiratory - so I would look at my home surroundings and get an air-purification machine (I like the ones at Target with replaceable filters). Make sure you have allergy-free bedding. Consider taking natural supplements that nutritionally support the respiratory system. I take ALJ-w\Horseradish root & Mullein from 'Nature's Sunshine' - on web. It may reduce or eliminate the need for Phed-meds. TMJ is exacerbated by stress, so it is important to come up with a controlled way to reduce stress. Check out stress reduction exercises at www.theacpa.org/ - Spend a little bit of time each day on their techniques (which are free) and you'll spend less money on meds. Don't give up on the concept of a splint, even if the Ortho's did not work for you. Find a way to put your jaw in a relaxed state. I sometimes hold a straw in my mouth, as if I was carrying a pencil. Also, I will hold a cork in my front teeth, gently while I relax. Keeping the jaw still and relaxed, I take an OTC pain med and speak to my jaw and body to relax it and de-stress.  Chiropractos who use cracking and adjusting are not helpful with TMJ - it is too much. Try a Chiro that uses an Agitator which is designed to deliver consistent low-force treatment. Start with them to loosen up your shoulders and upper back. I cannot recommend acupuncture because it stimulates nerve endings, which can make things more inflamed (not good).  Your goal would be for you to be able to put your upper body, including arms into a relaxed state at will, then mentally giving your body permission to relax and get well. This sounds a bit new-age, but the acpa website can explain better than me how this works. PBS did a good segment on the Agitator method: www.pbs.org/saf/1210/mail.htm‎. Your joint pain can be allergy related or it could be tension. Learning how to release it is vital. When you play your guitar, try to notice if you are tensing up, then give yourself permission to relax. Change up the way you hold and 'play' or strum your instrument during a session - meaning don't keep your fingers arms in the same position, and limit repetitive movements that are the same. Try to insert some loose movements with tighter ones. Also, don't hold your head over your instrument in the same position - look up! The Mayo Clinic has a good page on TMJ on their website. Good Luck!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
When scalene muscle is the cause of pain, the pain is referred from neck to (either all or a combination of) chest, inner lining of scapula (shoulder bone), shoulder, posterior and lateral sides of the arm right up to the thumb and index finger. When this muscle shortens, this can press on brachial plexus (bundle of nerves and blood vessels in the armpit) and the subclavian artery and can compress or irritate these structures and cause symptoms such as abnormal sensation, cold extremity, spasms of pain, and lymphedema (swelling of lymph channels causing swelling of arm or leg) in the involved extremity. Treatment is by physiotherapy that involves indentifying the trigger points, and massaging them, and other exercises to relieve the muscle tension. Other than this it can be inflammation of veins or phlebitis, inflammation of lymph channels or lymphangitis, deep vein thrombosis or compartment syndrome.
You could also be suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, severe anemia, hypothyroidism, any autoimmune disorder. These need to be investigated for (wonder if they were included in the tests you underwent). Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.