As you may know, I have had STA_MCA bypasses on both sides in 2001. I have not had any problems since, but recently had a bit of trouble with my ears. Originally had a middle ear infection that developed into glue ear, had grommets put in - they didn't work, am getting them taken out on Thursday, but my ENT and Neurologist are both suggesting Temperomandibilar joint disfunction. The Neuro has suggested that having the surgeries can compromise the temperomandibilar joints as these are what is tapped into with the surgery. I have fuzzy hearing and am wandering if anyone else has experienced this. (I am sorry if I might have posted this in the wrong place ie daily jibber jabber, but it is related to MM as far as I am thinking)
Any input would be greatfully received as my loss of clear hearing is driving me insane!! I have had a recent MRI/MRA and everything is showing up good - I am getting good blood supply to both sides from the STA-MCA's and there are no new developments since my last MRI. I have also had 2 audiograms and I have normal hearing. My jaw does click when I open my mouth and chew and this is since my surgeries so I am thinking that the opinion does bear some weight relating to TMJ's
Thanks for input
MOIRA

Moira,

I'm not sure about the connection to the hearing loss, because Tyler has hearing loss also, but it could be genetics, since I have it and don't have MM.

I do know Tyler has had TMJ since his surgeries. He cannot open his mouth very far and dentist visits are hard on him. He also has to smash all sandwiches in order to fit them in his mouth.

It seems like there r so many different things that are affected by the MM and the surgery that everyone can have different things to deal with.

I will keep you in my prayers, Rena

Hi Rena,
Thanks for replying.
Does Tyler have a splint or anything to help with the TMJ.
I am seeing a TMJ specialist next month and was told I would probably have to have a mouth splint to fix the problem.
I would be interested to know what else you do for his TMJ
Kind regards Moira

Hi Moira -

I had TMJ - I had 2 surgeries in my senior year of high school.  The difference is that my TMJ happened before my MM surgeries, not after.  Dr. Scott had to do a different type of surgery for my MM on my left side where I had the TMJ surgery - the temporal artery wasn't there to use!  I think what I'm trying to say is that it is VERY important that your Neuro-Surgeon and your Oral surgeon have a very important conversation!
It is important that you have your TMJ corrected - as it could get a lot worse.  I had clicking in my jaw as well, and was scheduled for surgery when my jaw stuck!! (OUCH!! [smiley=ohjez.gif]).  Just my  [smiley=twocents.gif],

By the way - yes, I did have a splint to wear at night.  It fit around my upper teeth to prevent grinding at night.  It didn't work for me.

-Shari

Hi Shari
Thanks for responding. Do you still suffer from TMJ now or has it resolved itself? I am in the process of waiting to see an oral surgeon about it as I haven't been officially diagnosed with TMJ yet. My ENT suggested I had it when I was having grommets put in and told me after I had this done that the grommets wouldn't work because he thought it was TMJ and I saw my neurologist who said he also suspected it. I ahev talked to my neurosurgeon over the phone and he said that sometimes the temporal joints can get affected during surgery for the STA MCA's.  So I am still waiting!!!
I am having the grommets removed tomorrow so I only have one problem to deal with!! Is there anything that you would suggest that I tell the oral surgeon to liase with my neurosurgeon?
Glad to see you had a great time in Vegas - I would love the opportunity to go along to a get together but have to be content to keep in touch with you all through this page as Australia isn't exactly within driving distance!!
Thanks again for your input and I would appreciate any other info you think needs to be passed on to specialists
Regards Moira

Hi Moira -

My TMJ was basically fixed after two surgeries.  1 was arthroscopic.   When that didn't work the actually did a more invasive surgery.  My splint was more of a mouth-guard that I wore at night.

I think that as long as your oral surgeon and your neursurgeon have a chance to talk they'll know what to discuss.   [smiley=twocents.gif]

Good luck!

this is interesting! jsut been scrolling down through posts to see if i find any other answers....

i got diagnosed with TMJ disfunction in about 2000 after having severe ear/jaw pains since 1998.. i dunno how bad it was as i was never referred to do anything about it.. apart from stopping clicking my jaw!! i must admit the last year or so it hasn't bothered me as much...

anyway... interesting.....

Hi Everyone,
as a follow up to my original post, I was referred to a TMJ specialist who told me that I don't have TMJ after all, but I may need a splint to sleep with at night as there is evidence that I do grind my teeth. I have opted not to go for this as I have got rid of the stress I was experiencing at the time (my dad being pedantic!!) and got my grommets taken out. My hearing is now back to normal so once again life is good!!

Thanks all for your input
Moira

That's great news! ;;D I also have TMJ and it annoys the hell out of me. Although mine has never affected my hearing. My insurance doesn't cover dental so I can't go to a TMJ specailist, but the doc told me that probably my only option was surgery. Seeing that I can't have surgery on my face for a while, I guess that is not an option :-/. Any way, glad to hear that everything is back to normal for ya ;)

I too have TMJ.  A year before I was diagnosed with moya moya, I was diagnosed and my dentist said I didn't require surgery but I was given a teeth guard as I grind my teeth at night as well and the clicking got worse with the grinding.  

However, since my surgeries, I have had less problems.  I don't know if it was related, but it did clear up. I have clicking less often, although I do feel it once in a while.  
Things that make you go hmmmmm... :)

Just some thoughts out loud...

Trina

I'm not sure if this has something to do with what you're talking about.  I recently went to the doctor because of headaches.  My pcp started asking me questions about my headaches and started feeling around on my head.  He told me that the muscles around my jaw were really tight and if I grind my teeth or clench my jaw a lot.  I told him I don't think so....then I had to eat my words.  I start to think every time that I start getting angry or start getting stressed, I start to bite down and clench my teeth.  The clenching was causing my headaches to become worse.  Well, I know that I don't grind my teeth at night, but I sure saw down a lot of forests  [smiley=snore.gif] [smiley=snore.gif].  I know that when i start sawing my boyfriend pinches my nose and turns my head away from him [smiley=crackup.gif] [smiley=crackup.gif].

Jan