HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Is Baclofen The Right Medicine For Severe Ear And Jaw Pain?

Posted on Fri, 20 May 2016

Question: Am taking BACLOFEN [10 mg 3x] for severe TMJD ~ ear/jaw pain, tightness,etc. ~ dislocated R condyle in MVA 1992, 6 yrs. @ Craniomandibular Ctr. in XXXXXXX .. multiple treatments incl. extensive dental ... ultimately, underwent hospitalization for overprescription of Valium which, however, WORKED. ... Recently accomplished goal of ending several other drugs [nortryptiline, depakote etc.] .......... present sypmtoms returned w/ a vengeance. BACLOFEN [[3rd day]] is NOT touching them, ... experiencing only impaired balance, waking during night, constipation ALREADY! ......... Am unsure how to proceed or what to expect. ... Is ACCUMULATED TIME on this drug a factor? Do side effects lessen/disappear w/ use? Any documentation of effectiveness for long term effects of jaw dislocation?? ......Am beside myself. [ Have MAJOR ANXIETY DISORDER, FIBROMYALGIA, Etc., as well.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be severe side effects of Baclofen..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain I am really sorry for the discomfort that you are facing..
As you have recently started taking Baclofen and it is causing you serious side effects like Impaired balance, walking during night, Constipation, therefore you need to consult your treating physician and immediately get evaluated..

The side effects might not lessen with time, rather may become more severe, therefore it should be stopped taking and replaced with other drugs..

As the jaw disorder is of long back, the medicine that will be given needs to be taken for long duration and although Baclofen might have helped but side effects can increase your problem rather than reducing it..

So my sincere suggestion is to consult with your treating physician and get evaluated and he can change the drug with other drugs to relieve the symptoms..

I would like to ask you a few questions so that I can guide you further..
1.Did you even tried pain reliever like NSAID namely Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc.
2.Have you tried warm or cool compresses?
3.Do you have teeth grinding or clenching habit?

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (2 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
I'm guessing that my reply did not get to you as I just now noticed the bar on the bottom for a follow up.

Thank you for your response. I was looking for specific recommendations for alternative treatments and pharmaceuticals BEFORE calling my treating physician which I fully intended to do before I sought help from HealthcareMagic.

To answer your questions, NSaids and the like have done nothing for me, warm compresses provide mild and temporary relief, and yes, I have had bruxism for years and have had innumerable guards made for me.

I am able to manage pain quite well, yet the level of ear and jaw pain at present is unbearable; I am at such a loss as to what to which is why I had hoped to receive in-depth information and advice.

I hope you can help me in that regard.
Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Opoid painkillers can help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX .

Thanks for the reply..

I understood your question very well, but before I should advise you any further treatment or medication, it is my sincere duty to first ask you about any medical details while can have an important impact in advising you anything further..
For this reason only I asked you more questions before advising you further..

Now as per your reply, as NSAID's has also not relieved your pain and also you have severe pain, you might get relieved from Opioid painkillers like Oxycodone, fentanyl etc..
You can also be advised Carbamazipine, Gabapantin if nerve pain is also involved..
More chances of relief can be through Opioid painkillers..

So my suggestion will be to consult your physician and get evaluated and discuss about the above indicated medications, so that he can evaluate you and advise you according to the requirement..
It is needed to be taken care before taking as they can also lead to addiction, therefore calculated doses for short durations can be helpful..

You should also continue doing warm compresses, reduce anxiety by doing meditation and breathing exercises..
Take a nutritious diet, involve in activities of your choice and take sufficient rest..

Any further queries are most welcome..
I will be happy to help..

Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar