Question:

so I inject it as slowly as I can (given that my hands are shaking because I am so sick) and that seems to help a lot.

Yeah, you have to run it in slow or you have a massive bruise on your leg, it tends to bleed a lot, and some of the medicine backs out, too! Yick…. Lorri

Response:

In my experience, don’t even fool with that damn auto injector–it’s almost impossible to load when you DON’T have a headache, never mind if you do…. It also doesn’t inject the full dose of Imitrex. Just swab the top of your thigh, tauten the skin a little, and pop the needle in, then inject. When your head hurts that bed, a little sting in the leg is nothing… Lorri

I agree, I threw away the autoinjector a long time ago. I find that sticking the needle in is nothing when I hurt that much, but it hurts when the medication is going in, so I inject it as slowly as I can (given that my hands are shaking because I am so sick) and that seems to help a lot.

Response:

I know this thread relates to TMJ and migraine, BUT I have a sure fire of history of TM joint problems and chronic daily headaches.  I do get migraines occasionally, but my major problem is the daily headaches ( I have not been without one in 2-1/2 years).  I suffer pain in the joints, and have had two minor surgeries about a year ago to correct the joint problems ( the joints were loaded with cartilidge).   I read about all of these medications, DHE, Midrin, Stadol, etc. and wonder if they have potential for this type of headache.  As I mentioned in another thread, I take Vicodin daily for the pain.  Do any of these medications have the potential for me to NOT have a headache instead of just making the pain go away. I am sure I need to resolve my again flaring up TM joint problems, to get rid of these headaches.  I am seeing a "new" doctor, a DDS that specializes in "Orofacial Pain", but after spending so much time reading about these medications relative to migrain, just needed to ask. Thanks,  - Shelly

Response:

In my experience, don’t even fool with that damn auto injector–it’s almost impossible to load when you DON’T have a headache, never mind if you do…. It also doesn’t inject the full dose of Imitrex. Just swab the top of your thigh, tauten the skin a little, and pop the needle in, then inject. When your head hurts that bed, a little sting in the leg is nothing… Lorri

Response:

I get DHE-45 prescribed for self-injection.  I inject with a little teenie weenie 26 gauge tuberculin syringe subcutaneously (just under the skin) on the thigh.  There is a spot there in the middle that seems to have fewer nerve endings.  Place your little finger on your kneecap and spread your hand open fully.  Where your thumb lands on top of the thigh is a good place to inject.  This same place works well for Imitrex injections.  The imitrex injection is also a subcutaneous injection.  For those of you who have to pay for your Rx in full could just order the syringes without the auto-injector and inject yourself.  You could also get it prescribed in a vial and load your own syringes (again the little 26 gauge tuberculin syringe) and save even more.   Pretend you are an orange and plunge the syringe in fast. When my kids were 2 and 4, they always wanted the pediatrician who gave fast shots over the one that wasn’t as fast.  Alternate which thigh you use from one injection to the next. For the squeamish — don’t feel bad if this is something you know you could never do.  I have been told by several doctors (one of them my own sister-in-law) and that they could never give themselves a shot.  

Response:

How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint

I have classical migraines, TMJ, and ADD.  I think all three are related. Perhaps as a consequence of ADD, I have an intense, stress-retaining personality that is prone to stress disorders like migraines and TMJ.   I don’t seem to have any food-related triggers, although caffeine definitely acts as a vasoconstrictor for me, and alcohol and B-vitamin (niacin) rich foods act as vasodilators.  If I moderate my intake of these yo-yo chemicals, I do much better.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day.   This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). When I take Imitrex for a migraine triggered by jaw pain, the pain goes away for 6-7 hours but it always comes back.  I guess the underlying inflammation of the jaw joint retriggers a migraine.  Lately I’ve been getting injections of DHE-45 which really work well – the pain goes away and stays away.  But DHE-45 is an intra-muscular injection.  I can’t do it myself.  My husband just learned how and that will help a lot, I’m sure. Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter

Joan- How can you tell if you are suffering from TMJ?   I have been wondering if that was a trigger for me.  My jaw pops a lot and often my h/a make my jaw ache.  Thanks for any info. Keri

Response:

: … : if you don’t have physical problems or limitations : with the tm joint itself, be careful of being diagnosed : into the tmj bucket. actually, any aliment with the : term "syndrome" appended to it is often nothing more : than a way to remove money from a patient. Fascinating.  I do have clicks in my jaw when I open my mouth…

these are physical symptoms, so perhaps your tm joint is suspect. … I have had x-rays which show that the end of the top of my jaw (the condi-something) is deformed and may have bone spurs in it.  And that little disk that is supposed to be between the joints is deformed and out-of-place. Whatdayathink?  TMJ?

the problem is this: if you x-ray 1000 people, some per cent of the 995 of them who have no pain will also show deformations. if you spend enough time and money and doctors looking for a problem, a problem will always be found — weather it’s the cause of your pain or not! however, it sounds like you have two or more indications that point to the tm joint. if these indications come from different doctors of differing disciplines, then i would begin to agree with the findings. if they all come from one doctor, i’d beware. I know TMJ is a racket and a money-maker for some practitioners.  I, too, have had my wallet lightened.  But the splint does seem to work for me at night.  Can’t wait to see if the day-time one helps.

well, life insurance is also a racket, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t helpful and warranted in certain cases. conservative dental treatments at least do no physical harm, which is not true of many drug or surgical "fixes." i wish you well.                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MDT = GMT – 6)     /    / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    /             11413 Chinden Blvd                             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

Response:

: i spent many years and many thousands of dollars : thinking that my jaw joint was the source of my : headaches. then i blamed my neck. the pain seems : to come from that area, after all, since a branch : of the trigeminal nerve runs near the mandible. : finally, a trip to the university of buffalo dentistry : school ruled out the tm joint for me. the tm joint is : below and in front of the ear hole, above (not behind) : the lower mandible. : if you don’t have physical problems or limitations : with the tm joint itself, be careful of being diagnosed : into the tmj bucket. actually, any aliment with the : term "syndrome" appended to it is often nothing more : than a way to remove money from a patient. Fascinating.  I do have clicks in my jaw when I open my mouth to chew and get pain in my ear (as well as a sense of pressure) at times.  I have   had x-rays which show that the end of the top of my jaw (the condi-something) is deformed and may have bone spurs in it.  And that little disk that is supposed to be between the joints is deformed and out-of-place.   Whatdayathink?  TMJ? I know TMJ is a racket and a money-maker for some practitioners.  I, too, have had my wallet lightened.  But the splint does seem to work for me at night.  Can’t wait to see if the day-time one helps. Joan Fechter

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day. This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). When I take Imitrex for a migraine triggered by jaw pain, the pain goes away for 6-7 hours but it always comes back.  I guess the underlying inflammation of the jaw joint retriggers a migraine.  Lately I’ve been getting injections of DHE-45 which really work well – the pain goes away and stays away.  But DHE-45 is an intra-muscular injection.  I can’t do it myself.  My husband just learned how and that will help a lot, I’m sure. Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter       Joan,Hello…    Have you tried DHE-45 in a nasal spray? I first had the injections and finally was prescribed the nasal spray.It’s been a God send for me. You have to get the spray at a pharmacy that does compounding of it’s own.     Good Luck    Caroline

Yes, I have tried the nasal spray with mixed results – sometimes it worked (but not as well as the shot) and sometimes it was a complete failure.  This was especially disappointing because you had to wait another day out before you could try Imitrex, etc.   I’m glad it works for you, Caroline.  It’s amazing how differently we all react to things. Joan Fechter

Response:

: i am not saying these conditions don’t exist, but i : will say beware, because there are millions of dollars : being made and too few success stories to warrant : the size of the industry of supposed help. : :                                                        __ : john quill taylor                                     / / : writer at large                                      / /   : Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / : Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ : Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MDT = GMT – 6)     /    / : Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    / :             11413 Chinden Blvd                 :             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/ :             Mailstop 852                            _/ :                                                   _/ :       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   : : haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list, :              where is our schindler? : — Well, I tend to grind my teeth at night, and I don’t get *BAD* headaches from it, but wasn’t sleeping well…so I went to the nearest Oshmans Super Sports and bought a football mouthgard thing for $1.99…..It was that or $600.00 for the splint.  Oh and the $1.99 mouthgard works just fine.  Just have to keep it clean and it lasts me a good 6 months.   Jill J. Minneapolis, MN Cinnamon and sugar, and softly spoken lies. You never know just how you look, through other peoples eyes.                 Butthole Surfers                 "Pepper"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day. This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). When I take Imitrex for a migraine triggered by jaw pain, the pain goes away for 6-7 hours but it always comes back.  I guess the underlying inflammation of the jaw joint retriggers a migraine.  Lately I’ve been getting injections of DHE-45 which really work well – the pain goes away and stays away.  But DHE-45 is an intra-muscular injection.  I can’t do it myself.  My husband just learned how and that will help a lot, I’m sure. Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter      

Joan,Hello…    Have you tried DHE-45 in a nasal spray? I first had the injections and finally was prescribed the nasal spray.It’s been a God send for me. You have to get the spray at a pharmacy that does compounding of it’s own.     Good Luck    Caroline

Response:

Jaw pain usually accompanies my migraines. I don’t know if I have TMJ, but I had an extremely painful experience with my jaw in ‘92 a few days after a week of scuba diving (and gripping my regulator too hard with my teeth). I don’t know if it was TMJ, or if once you have TMJ you always have it or what. Also, when I notice that I have extreme neck and shoulder pain, I know that a migraine is going to hit. I’ve heard migraines can start because of neck and shoulder tension, and vice versa. -Shelly

One way you can tell if you have TMJ problems is to put your baby fingers into your ears, with the nails towards the back of your head.  Then press GENTLY forward, and open and close your mouth.  If you have TMJ problems you will feel some pain. TMJ problems are related to the way that the cushion of cartilage above the joint moves when the jaw moves.  My understanding is that once you have it, it’s yours for life.    Diane — employed by Nortel Technology                   Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who may or may not agree with my opinions

Response:

How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day.   This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). <clipped Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter

I used to get terrible headaches from my jaw.  I wore a splint at night for several months to relieve the pressure on the joint, then had orthodontics to correct the bad bite I had.  My orthodontist told me that I had a "Type II Malocclusion", which means that, when I closed my teeth, I had to shift the lower jaw back in order to make my molars mesh. Once I had the splint, my headaches reduced in number & severity. Unfortunately, I still get’em. I notice that when I overdo the jaw movements [chewy steak, excessive singing :( , laughing or  talking], my jaw hurts. But I don’t seem to get a migraine fromit {thank God!). I sometimes wonder about the neck aspect to migraines.  Sometimes (not always), my neck hurts with the migraine.  Mostly, the pain starts in my right temple, and later I will noticed the pain at the base of the skull. I have noticed that over the past few days, my neck has been bothering me and I have been having daily minor migraines.  I have been under some heavy stress (work and personal levels), and spending a lot of hours in front of the computer terminal, so there may be some correlation there.   Diane — employed by Nortel Technology                   Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who may or may not agree with my opinions

Response:

How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ …

i spent many years and many thousands of dollars thinking that my jaw joint was the source of my headaches. then i blamed my neck. the pain seems to come from that area, after all, since a branch of the trigeminal nerve runs near the mandible. finally, a trip to the university of buffalo dentistry school ruled out the tm joint for me. the tm joint is below and in front of the ear hole, above (not behind) the lower mandible. if you don’t have physical problems or limitations with the tm joint itself, be careful of being diagnosed into the tmj bucket. actually, any aliment with the term "syndrome" appended to it is often nothing more than a way to remove money from a patient. chewing and even talking are triggers for me, but i no longer wear splints and restrict my diet. no one would think of prescribing glasses or eye surgery for someone who complains of migraine aura; similarly, be careful of tmj and other dental-related fixes. i am not saying these conditions don’t exist, but i will say beware, because there are millions of dollars being made and too few success stories to warrant the size of the industry of supposed help.                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MDT = GMT – 6)     /    / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    /             11413 Chinden Blvd                             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day. This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). When I take Imitrex for a migraine triggered by jaw pain, the pain goes away for 6-7 hours but it always comes back.  I guess the underlying inflammation of the jaw joint retriggers a migraine.  Lately I’ve been getting injections of DHE-45 which really work well – the pain goes away and stays away.  But DHE-45 is an intra-muscular injection.  I can’t do it myself.  My husband just learned how and that will help a lot, I’m sure. Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter

Jaw pain usually accompanies my migraines. I don’t know if I have TMJ, but I had an extremely painful experience with my jaw in ‘92 a few days after a week of scuba diving (and gripping my regulator too hard with my teeth). I don’t know if it was TMJ, or if once you have TMJ you always have it or what. Also, when I notice that I have extreme neck and shoulder pain, I know that a migraine is going to hit. I’ve heard migraines can start because of neck and shoulder tension, and vice versa. -Shelly

Response:

How many people have migraines triggered by TMJ (temporalmandibular joint syndrome)?  My jaw joints are a mess.  I wear a splint (mouthguard) at night and am getting a new one made which I can wear during the day.   This one will be on my lower jaw so I can talk (the night-time one makes me lisp when I talk). When I take Imitrex for a migraine triggered by jaw pain, the pain goes away for 6-7 hours but it always comes back.  I guess the underlying inflammation of the jaw joint retriggers a migraine.  Lately I’ve been getting injections of DHE-45 which really work well – the pain goes away and stays away.  But DHE-45 is an intra-muscular injection.  I can’t do it myself.  My husband just learned how and that will help a lot, I’m sure. Just wondering if there are others out there like me.  I also have other migraine triggers (hormones, lack of food, alcohol, stress), but the jaw is a biggie. Joan Fechter

Response:

Related Questions