Unsure whether my symptoms are actually due to TMJ

Discussion

When I was 16 I remember my jaw would always click. This went away but sometimes when I move my head I hear more of like a cracking sound, I don’t know how to explain it. Every month or two I would get a headache where the pain would be on my forehead, jaw, and neck. When these started a few years ago I assumed TMJ. However, over the past year I developed a new symptom; whenever I drink alcohol I feel a shooting pain on both sides of my jaw and sometimes like right before the chin. I also get a warm sensation under my left eye. I’ve had a normal eye exam, brain mri (it did show sinuses), and a CBCT scan.

My next step was going to be mri for my TMJ. However, I have full range of my jaw and it never gets locked. It used to get tight and make a loud crunch which was painful I guess that could have been considered semi-locked. But that hasn’t come back since I’ve been wearing my customized splint. Anyways, now I’m thinking it could be related to my salivary glands or Hodgkins Lymphoma. Or even something else. I actually kind of hope it’s not TMJ because if it is then I feel pretty hopeless it’s getting worse. I guess I’m just posting here to see if anyone has any insight from having these symptoms yourself.

Posted Apr 1, 2023, 6:53 PM UTC

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