Stress & Worry

I just started a new job about 3 weeks ago and its TOUGH! I cant sleep and when I do I dream about messing everything up in the system that I work with and I grind my teeth like MAD. I wake up with a really sore jaw and my teeth just killing me.

What might you suggest? I was thinking about going to the doctor to get some muscle relaxers or something? I really dont know what to do.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to Add:

I also got engaged 2 weeks ago and there is somewhat of a little stress added there. But I dont think I am so stressed about that as I am the new job.

i have also been waking up with a sore jaw from grinding my teeth. I also wake up about 4am and can't get back to sleep until 6 - half an hour before alarm goes off.

Its been somewhat better since my sisters wedding is over, but I think that I just have to live with it until football is over, its the 2 hour practices 3x a week (plus games on weekends) that is my main stressor and taking all my time and keeping me from going to the gym in the mornings (we eat dinner at 930 now. sucks.)

add to that, the garage and basement have to be completely cleared out, bleached down, and not sure how much sheetrock/studs have to be replaced. So even though the wedding is over, there is always SOMETHING.

my point is.. I don't know the answer. I'm watching this thread hoping someone else has something. Some days it feels like I'm hanging on by my pinkie and slipping.

I suggest starting with a few pep talks to yourself.

Your company hired you for a reason.  You have the skill and knowledge that they need.  You don't need to worry about what you don't have.  Focus on what you do have and the reason you were hired.  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

If you have a really tough problem that is outside of your knowledge, seek mentorship from your boss.  They will not think less of you, they will value your care in making sure that you are doing the best you can do.

Relax before bed too.  Warm baths, chamomile tea and a good book really do help.  If need be, take an over the counter pain med before bed.  If you body is achy all night you are more likely to be ridgid and inducce stress grinding of your teeth.

Well, this all applied to me when I was in your situation.  I am still here 3 years later, just got a raise and I often hear how they can't do without me.  But at one time I was almost fired because I was so afraid of making mistakes.

They make a mouth piece for people who grind their teeth. I'm not sure if you have to get it from the dentist. I suggest googling grinding teeth and see what happens.

I used to clench my teeth when I was stressed and this would cause a terrible jaw ache, headache and tight shoulders. I even cracked a molar from the pressure and had to get a root canal and a crown. Not pleasant.

I actually did get a mouth guard back in the day for the exact same reason from the dentist and it did seem to help.

I was thinking more along the part of the not sleeping. Im stressing so much that I cant sleep very well at all. Do you think there are meds that might help me calm down/sleep as well as keep me from clenching my jaw?

My husband grinds his teeth in his sleep, and because of it, his jaw dislocates very easily, which always requires a hospital visit. We go at least twice a year, it's not fun :(

Try an over the counter sleep aid first, and if that doesn't work, the doctor can prescribe something stronger. If the teeth grinding doesn't stop, definitely see a doctor!

I hate pharma.

Thats why, if I have several nights of not sleeping well, I take valerian root + hops + skullcap OR Tryptophan, and that helps. I've heard that melotonin is helpful but I've never taken it.

But those are really more for falling asleep, not necessarily staying asleep. They help, but aren't really ideal for long term use. And when you wake up at 3-4am, its too late to take a pill.

Another thing that helps is just moving to a different room. Sometimes if I go in the living room or guest room, I can get right back to sleep. But sometimes I just end up watching 2 hours of TV before I get ready for work.

Personally, I think marijuana should be legal for insomnia. You could use it when you wake up at 4am. You could still get your last hour or two in, but still be able to get up in the morning, and not have to take medication UNNECESSARILY before bed, cause you never know what night you'll sleep and what night you won't. *shrug* worked in college.

I have an appliance for my TMJ and grinding teeth.  Most of it is covered by my dental plan and it looks like a retainer. 
Go and see your dentist and ask about one.  It might seem like a bit of money if you have to pay for the whole thing out of pocket, but your jaw will love you for it.  And it beats hair line fractures in your jaw joints.  It will drive you nuts for the first week that you try to sleep with it in, but you get use to it.

I have trouble sleeping at night (getting to sleep and staying to sleep.)  I asked my doctor for Ambien but he said he prefers to give his patients Benedryl first. I take two about two hours before bed and then another one hour before bed. Lastly, I take one at bed time. So far, it's worked pretty well. You may not need as much, may start with one two hours before, a half an hour before and then the last half at bed time.