Nervous Habits Due to Drinking
 

I have been having severe jaw and ear pain for the last year. When I went to an ear/nose/throat specialist, I was diagnosed with TMJ. I have been grinding my teeth in my sleep for the last couple of years. I know this was a result of my drinking as I never had these issues before. I think I read somewhere that alcohol increases TMJ symptoms. Since I have stopped drinking, my symptoms have subsided quite a bit. Anyone else experience odd behaviours/symptoms due to drinking?

Other than jaundiced skin, haphazard hygiene, constant fatigue, weight gain, and neurotic paranoia? Nope, nothing else ;-)

But seriously, I found that I experienced pain in any body surface that supported weight for more than a few minutes. My rump hurt when I sat, my side hurt when I lay in bed, and my feet hurt whenever I wore shoes. This all stopped when I got sober. I'm guessing it had something to do with poor circulation.

I've had more serious symptoms; I used to have constant pain in my upper right side in my ribcage but that has finally went away. I also had constant lower back pain.....probably kidneys I guess. I know teeth grinding seems trivial but I was just curious if other people has different kinds of odd symptoms due to drinking? It's just bizarre how despite all the trouble it causes, drinking has such a hold on people.

Hi Shantra.

What is TMJ?

And the only thing i have from all my abuse is forgetfulness. Heh some friends of mine like to remind me of things by stating what year we're in! 'Ok? so its not this wednesday but next yeah 2011'. Meant kindly tho heh.

I had TMJ really badly too.

I wasn't even aware how much I was grinding my teeth during my 'sleep' when I was drinking. I had jaw pain all the time and headaches, too. It all disappeared when I stopped drinking.

Forgetfulness...well, I'm blaming that on old age! :react

I used to bite my nails really bad...now they are long and beautiful!! :) also I had a twitching in my right eye for along time, and it's gone... :) another reason I am grateful for 13 months sober!! thank-you for reminding me!! :)

temporomandular joint disorder?

chronic inflammation.

I think that alcohol exacerbates inflammation which for me causes a lot of headaches too.

I use an NTI for grinding my teeth at night and it's been really helpful, it's also tiny enough that I can even feel comfortable using it if I have a guest -- not one of those gargantuan mouth guards. They're not cheap but I've had mine for several years: NTI-TSS.com - The most effective FDA-approved method of migraine prevention - Home

GG

I notice I often get a flush (red skin, feels like a huge rush of blood flow coming through my head) every so often, like I have just taken a mega dose of Niacin..Scared me to death at 1st but now I realize it must be another lovely gift alcohol is bringing to my table.

My boyfriend once said "when you are drunk, you do that weird thing with your jaw" - I dunno exactly what, he couldnt explain...I know I grind my teeth when I am awake and sober, so who know how much worse it was before?

I was wondering if my TMJ had anything to do with my drinking? I sand 4 nights a week four hours per show, and when I was nervous I would clench my jaws. One night I woke up to a familiar sound.. That terrible grinding sound I used to hear coming from my mother's room.. She eventually wore a mouth guard. Alas.. I fear my problem will not be solved by my sobriety but every other damn thing will.. Stomach/gastric problems, anxiety from hangovers, headaches and tiredness from hangovers, excessive weight gain..trouble concentrating.. GUILT! The list could go one forever!:a043:

I would get the same thing when I was sobering up!!! It felt like pressure filling up my head and releasing:scared:!!!

HA!! I too had the twitching! Drove me crazy! Was that alcohol?

Wow I used to grind my teeth in my sleep. Never thought it could be attributed to drinking though.

Working in the Medical Field for quite a while-TMJ is a VERY common ailment for many people (of course not just for addicts) but I would not discount the stress if drinking is a very real possibility of certain individual problems for some.

Hopefully you're right! It could be just that!