Re: PCOS, TMJ & Sleep Apnea
From: annie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 22 Jan 2001 12:33:36 -0600 (CST)
Hi Lori,
I do not have TMJ, but I have Ehlers Danlos type 3, a herditary disorder
of collagen structure. This causes many difficulties which are not
helped by PCOS - I scar easily so acne, (useless) electrolysis, and
constant ingrown hairs from PCOS probs. have caused much skin damage
etc. However, most painful from the influence of PCOS are the
fluctuating hormone levels which increase my joint laxity (due to the
collagen malformation) leading to increased pain and more joints moving
out of place...resulting in further joint destruction . . . blah,
blah. Some people with Ehlers Danlos type 3 have problems with the TMJ,
and when I have pointed out the hormonal influence on my joints no
physiotherapist nor rheumatoloist has been surprised!
--
Annie
At Mon, 22 Jan 2001, Lori wrote:
>
>About 6 months ago, I posted a message pondering whether TMJ could be
>hormonal and tied to PCOS. My thought was that during puberty, women
>with PCOS have abnormal hormone levels, thus causing their jaw joints to
>not form correctly (men and women have different jaw lines). Many
>people here disagreed...and that's okay. :)
>
>A few weeks ago, I went to the orthodonist for a consultation to have
>braces put on my teeth. I had listed TMJ on my forms and he immediately
>pointed out that TMJ is mainly a womens 'disease' and is caused by
>hormonal changes.
>
>Also, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in November. The orthodonist
>said that the same problem that causes TMJ could be causing my sleep
>apnea....my jaws are set too far back.
>
>Anyway, this is how I think it may all fit together based on bits and
>pieces of info gathered in the past year:
>
>Hormonal changes (such as excess testosterone) = Jaws form abnormally TMJ & Sleep Apnea
>
>TMJ = jaw pain, headaches, and ear pain (ouch!)
>
>Sleep Apnea = high blood pressure, insulin resistance, morning
>headaches, fatigue
>
>Fatigue = tired all of the time; too tired to exercise, which means
>possible weight gain
>
>Weight gain = blood pressure gets worse, insulin resistance gets worse
>
>Insulin Resistance = we all know this one...
>
>I know this seems like a ramble, but it just amazes me how much all of
>this stuff fits together.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Lori H.
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