Could this all be caused by TMJ?!

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a bit of my journey over the past few months and seek some advice and support from this community. It's been a tough road, and I'm hoping someone out there might have some insights or similar experiences to share.

A few months ago, I found myself caught in a severe health anxiety spiral. My anxiety levels skyrocketed, and as a result, I started experiencing intense nighttime clenching and grinding. The stress and anxiety were overwhelming, and it took a toll on both my physical and mental health.

After getting the all-clear from my GP and seeing a reduction in my anxiety levels, I thought things would start to improve. However, I then went through a depersonalization episode, which only added to my stress levels. Despite the decrease in anxiety, the nighttime clenching persisted, leading to a host of new symptoms and challenges.

Every morning, I wake up feeling like my head is buzzing, my teeth and jaw are sore, and my neck and back muscles ache. I constantly feel fatigued and slow during the day, with red, strained eyes and a feeling of fullness in my ears. My vision has become unstable, making it difficult to focus, especially in stimulating environments like driving or busy shopping centers.

These episodes have become so severe that I've had to put a pause on activities I once enjoyed, like going to the gym regularly. Desperate for answers, I revisited my GP and am currently undergoing various tests, including a brain MRI. While I'm hopeful for answers, I can't shake the feeling that they may come back inconclusive.

Recently, I picked up a fitted mouthguard from my dentist, hoping it would alleviate some of the symptoms. However, I've noticed that it seems to obstruct my breathing, particularly when my sinuses are inflamed. I'm unsure if continuing to use it is the right move, but I'm willing to explore any potential solutions.

I've been hesitant to reach out to a TMJ forum because I don't experience the typical popping or cracking jaw symptoms. Instead, my issue seems to be severe clenching at night. I've also been taking magnesium glycinate as suggested by my dentist, but I'm open to exploring other treatment options, including medication or muscle relaxers.

As I wait for test results and continue to search for answers, I can't help but feel overwhelmed and frustrated. I'm at my wit's end and just want to get back to living my life. So, I'm turning to this community for any insights, advice, or support you might have to offer. Am I in the right place? Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any suggestions or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I'm hopeful that together, we can find a way forward.