migraines when sleeping on the left side

[kak80]

Hello,

For the last 2 months, I have found that often if I sleep on my left side that I develop severe pain behind my ear that then travels down my neck. If I get up then, it will turn into a migraine. If I turn over and go back to sleep on my right side I'm usually a-OK within a short period of time (~15 min?). Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing??

Thanks,
kak

PS: Sorry, now I've posted this in a few places...I never even knew there *was* a headache board!

[MichelleC]

Hi kak,

It sounds like it could be a muscular problem, perhaps a TMJ issue. You might experiment with taking ibuprofen or a muscle relaxor before bed. Going to a chiropractor might help. I would make sure to mention it to your doctor and dentist on your next appointment.

I don't have any experiences just like yours. When my head hurts, it actually feels better to have the side that hurts on the pillow (for me it's usually the right side).

HTH,
Michelle

[red river]

Hi kak. Yes, there really is a forum for folks w/bad h/a's! Wish we all didn't need it, but...

I'm w/Michelle about my head actually feels better when I lie on that side [left for me, too]. However, because this seems to occur when [while] you're sleeping, it would definitely be a good idea to check w/your doctor and consider Michelle's suggestions about the muscle relaxers. If you use a chiropractor, you'd definitely want to mention it to him/her. It could be a pinched nerve when you turn that direction in your sleep.

Good luck...and hope you can find an answer. :)

[kak80]

Thanks for the replies! I had some TMJ problems in the past (during and post-braces) and now my jaw doesn't really line up well. It hurts anytime I need to clench my mouth shut for any period of time. So maybe it IS related to TMJ, who knows. I get migraines at other times too, but this has been the new thing lately. I mentioned it to the ENT since I was having ear troubles and he blew it off. What type of doctor deals with TMJ anyway??


Thanks!
kak

[Debbie T]

It would be interesting to hear what a chiro would say. There are dentists that specialize in TMJ & since you've already had TMJ problems, there definitely could be a correlation. Good luck!

[Linda25]

I have a bite plate that works great against the headaches when I use it:rolleyes:

(I have bad TMJ on the right side)

have had the chiropractor work on my TMJ and she helped it a lot, also physical therapy helps (a little heat on the area is soothing)

good luck

Linda

[kak80]

Ha, I have one of those over-the-counter, make-it-yourself bite guards but I've never made it. I helped my boyfriend make is, found it difficult, and never bothered doing mine :) I guess it could be beneficial to try that out.


kak

[AJack]

Hi, when I first read your post your symptoms remind me of occipital neuralgia. If the way you sleep on your left side is compressing or irratiting your occipital nerve that would cause pain similiar to where you're describing. A lot of people have occipital neuralgia on only one side so that may explain why laying on the right side feels better. Compressed or irritated nerves can also trigger migraines. Medication can decrease the irritation of the nerve and your bodies response to the nerve but like everyone else said getting a good dental check up, physical therapy and alternative treatments may help.

On the bite plate topic, I just have gotten my third bite guard made this summer and this last one was the best. It was made by a nueromuscular dentist and it makes my jaw align correctly. My dentist says that my original molds he made of my teeth only had my teeth touching at one point. My bite feels wierd now but everything does mesh. My uncle was the dentist and he volunteered to do it so we didn't have to pay but it can be an expensive bite guard unless you can get a TMJ or other medical diagnosis that your insurance will cover.

My first bite guard was flexible plastic like the ones you can make yourself. That made it worse for me, but it protected my teeth from more grinding which was the current problem. My dentist at home (I had it made while I was away at school) said those often make grinding worse because of the flexibility of material, it makes it easier to clench.

My next night guard was one of the hard acrylic types that my dentist at the time said would protect my teeth from damage and stop the grinding. It protected my teeth, and lessened the clenching but 3 years later I was at the point where I needed a new guard because of the grinding.

My new guard, which my dentist calls an orthodic, has gotten rid of the clenching and grinding and also has reduced muscle tension in my head and shoulders and improved my posture. My dentist said that the reason you get all that muslce tension, grinding and clenching is that your body is trying to align your jaw but it can't with out some help. I had to wear the bite guard constantly for the first month or so but now I can take it out for most of the day.

[millgirl]

I also got a new night guard this summer. I went to a tmj dentist and the price was high (even with the large discount i begged for) but this is a guard i can finally wear. It looks just like a retainer that kids wear when they take their braces off. It could last more than 10 years.

[mechelearnold]

:rolleyes: What exactly is TMJ? I have been experiencing headaches at night on and off now for about 2 years. My Obgyn suggested that I see a neurologist. I've not done so yet. Is there a way I can tell if I'm just grinding my teeth at night? The headache pain is excruciating, but when I hit the floor in the mornings it usually subsides. I also have a tyroid with nodules which is functioning properly. Do you think it could possibly have something to do with the headaches? Also, does anyone know about herbal healings of a nodular thyroid?

[Linda25]

Do you feel tension in your jaws in the morning? are they tight/sore - do they feel better if you apply heat or massage?

grinding teeth can produce jaw pain as well as severe pain in the front of your face, down your neck and up to your temple. The fact that it gets better when you rise is telling.

Thyroid nodules can be serious, please see a endocrinologist, or a regular internal medicine doc or PCP for this asap. I have never heard of any herbal remedies for nodules.

good luck

Linda25

[CathyT]

I also wonder about your sinuses. Sometimes you can have problems on one side and not the other. I had infected cysts on one side. Sinus problems gave me major headaches.
Why don't you try a few days of something like sudafed/mucinex, etc., and drink lots of water, and see if it makes any difference.

[shirley]

Thanks for the replies! I had some TMJ problems in the past (during and post-braces) and now my jaw doesn't really line up well. It hurts anytime I need to clench my mouth shut for any period of time. So maybe it IS related to TMJ, who knows. I get migraines at other times too, but this has been the new thing lately. I mentioned it to the ENT since I was having ear troubles and he blew it off. What type of doctor deals with TMJ anyway??


Thanks!
kak

I would see a oral and maxifacial surgeon.

[amksh]

Hi Kak80, hi all,
I know something about sleeping in right side:
This sleep position which was adopted by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is a Sunnah and is scrupulously adopted by devout Muslims. He used to lie on his right-side with limbs slightly flexed, right hand below his cheek
This position is similar to the semi-foetal position, and, obviously in the light of the existing knowledge about sleep posture, is the position adopted by a highly balanced person psychologically. It is also the best posture for relaxation, both physical and psychological. Adherence to this sleep posture should therefore, contribute a lot to total body relaxation.

Left-side sleepers have more nightmares than right-side sleepers:

http://www.changingstates.co.uk/sleep.html


medical benifits of sleeping on right side:
http://www.yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=924&p=health&a=2

Hope for you all the best