Thursday, September 11, 2008

"It's Not A Toom-uh" -- John Kimble, Kindergarten Cop

So my brain is fine. At least the MRI showed nothing. Of course I was relieved there was no tumor (I was almost certain they would fine one) but I wanted to cry. I thought for sure they would find something that would give me some kind of answer. Now I'm back at square one. This is the difference between my husband and me:

Me- "So it's normal. They didn't see anything."
Bill- "That's great!!"
Me- (fighting back tears) "Yeah. I just wish I knew what was causing these headaches." (Already picking out the color scheme for my pity party.)
Bill- "Well, that's one step closer to finding what's wrong. Now we just move onto the next step."

How did someone so optimistic wind up marrying Debbie Downer?

New theory: TMJ

19 comments:

dandee said...

So glad your brain is fine. What's TMJ?

Lisa Christine said...

I was also wondering what TMJ is?

Stacia said...

Glad it's not a toom-uh. I say that to Kelly all the time! But I know what it's like to NEED to know what is wrong!

I know you have probably gotten plenty of advice, but I thought I would share somethings that help me. Have you tried using an ice pack on your neck, earplugs and an eye mask? Blocking out all stimulation is the goal. I know Bill is gone a lot, just try it when the kids are in school. Also, headaches can be helped with keeping your feet and hands warm. I have been known to put on extra socks and gloves for a nap to get rid of a migraine. I have more ideas, so if you want to talk headaches, call me!

Alicia Leppert said...

TMJ: temporomandibular joint. Actually, everyone has one, it's the joint where your jaw hooks onto your skull. But everyone refers to the disorder as TMJ. It's what people get from chewing too much gum, or grinding or clenching their teeth. I know I have it. I've had it for years, the only question is if it's what's causing my headaches now.

Brenda said...

Maybe you are thinking too hard :)

Ms. Kristen said...

TMJ sounds like a good theroy! let's hope that is it! Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

do you ever watch "mystery diagnosis"? i watched one the other day where this lady kept having massive headaches in warm weather and when she moved to a colder climate they stopped! weird...not saying that's what you have, but you could definetly be on the show. marisa

Nicole said...

oohhhh - I totally had TMJ as a teenager - had to have jaw surgery to fix it. Hopefully that won't be your case. But, it would be a pretty good answer - it totally gave me massive headaches.

I really hope they figure it out!

Are they going to give you a device to wear or anything?

Would it be worth it to give up gum to get rid of these headaches?

You poor girl!

Do you like how my comment is exactly what I'm thinking like I was actually talking to you in person?

Unknown said...

i was just thinking today about your dr.s appointment and hoping that it'd rule something out. i guess your brain is ruled out. sorry there was no answer. glad it's not a tumor or blood clot or water on the brain or plaque build up in the arteries in your brain. glad your brain is safe. very glad. now i was also remembering wasn't it this time last year that you were dizzy with headaches-- i wonder if it could be the same thing since you never figured out what that was, huh? i feel terrible for you.

Alicia Leppert said...

Marisa- That is my friend's favorite show. She's always watching it and trying to diagnose all my ailments! I know I could totally be on it. Maybe I could make some money off my suffering!

Nicole- I don't see my dr. again til Monday, but I'm guaranteed to get a mouth guard for sleeping. My dentist told me that a long time ago. Yes, I will SO give up the gum (I'm sure I will have to) to get rid of these headaches. The good thing is, it's pointless to give it up right now because when I don't have it, I clench non-stop, which is just as bad for my head.

Noelle- Yes, it was a year ago, although this time last year I was just starting to (sort of) feel better. It was all last summer. Yeah, I've wondered too, if that's more than a coincidence, but I felt fine all summer long.

Shayla said...

REALLY glad to hear you don't have a tumor! Totally understand how it feels to not have any answers. Answers are like validation that what you're going through is really happening. Like you need any more validation other than the pounding going on upstairs in the brain. Here's hoping you find answers and most of all, cures!

I know, I know...another suggestion...but have you tried taking sudafed? Just in case it might be sinus-related? I know, that probably sounds really dumb, but my headaches come from sinus and allergy-related stuff more often than I'm aware until I actually take the medicine and realize that's what was wrong. And you have to get the sudafed from the pharmacist behind the counter, the stuff they sell on the shelves is crap. My two cents. Thinking 'bout ya!

AOlson said...

Love the title of your post! I am glad it is not a too-mah.

My husband has TMJ and so does one of my friends. Both of them GET massive headaches but they don't last for a month. Kevin has a "night guard" that his dentist had made for him. It seems to help. Also no gum chewing. They also said to try and be "stress free" (yeah right) because stress makes it worse.

P.S. I did WW for over a year and had GREAT results and really enjoyed it. Then I went on vacation last December on went way off track and never got back on and needless to say the weight all came back. I have been trying to get back on but am finding it more difficult the second time around.

aubrey said...

Glad is wasn't a tumor. I hope they can figure out what is going on.

::lindsay said...

Glad you don't have a tumor! Hopefully they can figure it out soon.

Anonymous said...

I too suffer from chronic headaches. They started 4 years ago on my mission. They also caused me to clench my jaw and in would ache and lock in place, causing headaches. One giant cycle I could not get rid of. I wore a small mouth guard at night for a month that fixed my jaw. I wear is very sporadically now. If I don't catch my headaches with meds or sleep, they turn into migraines. NOT FUN!! Most the time the only thing that will get rid of them is an allergy pill. When I moved to Vegas, they stopped...Until 2 weeks ago. So mine are caused from: 1. Stress 2. Hormones 3. Allergies I was reading about headaches a while back and found that 50% of all American suffer from chronic headaches. Most of them are women. So, while non of that probably helps, know that you are not alone, and I feel your pain. Litterally.

Anonymous said...

PS. I like to think of myself as a TMJ expert as it has been the only constatn companion I have know these past 4 years. As bad as you don't want to hear this, you HAVE TO give up gum. I know you don't chew it, just press it to the top of your mouth and suck on it, but you HAVE TO go cold turkey and get rid of it. Sorry. Call me if you want more info or would like to chat about it. Heather has my number.

Amy J. said...

I thought you were going to say TMJ stood for "Too much junkfood!" I am sooo just kidding.

Debie Spurgeon said...

I'm feeling such the brainiac knowing what TMJ is. If it is Alicia, then it's a simple fix right? A nighttime jaw guard is what I believe is the treatment.

blindblogger said...

Alicia, I'm too a headache sufferer. What I've noticed helps. Daily exercise, even if its just 10 minutes of running on the treadmill, eating tomatoes, getting enough sleep, no artificial sweetners including diet drinks and sugar free gum. I guess different things trigger headaches for different people. Pay attention to what you eat when you get the headahes. sodium and MSG are also biggies.