I suffer from TMJ

Good for you for studying about TMJ and trying to apply some of the tips you've learned.  Here's an article with more tips you may file helpful:  Self-care for TMJ Disorder

Good luck to you.

Hi Racheal,

My name is Joseph.  I have suffered from chronic pain from TMJD for many years--though I am now in a healing stage.  The cause of my disorder was an injury to my right jaw when I was only eight years old.  I know "exactly" what kind of pain you are experiencing.  I am 44 years old and I have been in pain of some sort--due to TMJD--for all of my adult life.  Over the years I visited many different dentists who claimed they knew how to treat TMJ problems and received treatment from them.  Sadly, however, I beleive their inadequate attempts to treat me only led to a worsening of my condition.  And anytime I mentioned TMJD to any of my many medical doctors they refused to even discuss it.  Time and time again, all I heard was--"see a dentist"--and, as I previously stated, that route also produced lousy results.

Around the age of thirty, I finally found a doctor who knew what he was doing.  I owe him my life--he definitely saved me from extreme desperation.  In my case the treatment was, at times, more painful than what I had previously known; but I trusted him and he proved himself right in the long run.  Thank God!

As far as sleeping goes... I slept on a couch for many, many years. The reason I started doing this was because I had found that if I could get myself to be able to sleep without rolling over in my sleep then I would, mostly likely, not wake up in pain.  (Sad, huh?). Anyway, I wedged pillows on both sides of my head in order to keep my head from moving too much.  Sometimes it worked and sometimes I was up all night with tears rolling out of my eyes and doing everything I could to not move a single muscle in my face.  Those were some really tough years.

The key to recovery is to be extremely discriminate with your doctors.  Most of them know "nothing" about this problem.

I have two doctors who are solving my problem: Dr. D. Gary wolford and Dr. James Hilton. 

Good Luck to you. And...

Hang in there!

Joseph Neuville

My doc tried to fob me off with long term painkillers.  Fortunately I have  a very modern dentist who had recently been at a conference re TMJ.  He fitted a splint, which I wore at night, and recommended that I avoid hard/chewy food.  I didnt believe it would work, but persevered for 6 weeks faithfully every night and IT HAS GONE!! Cant believe it.  Although it may return it is still a medicine free cure.  Thanks goodness I dont have that pain any more.  Dont think I will ever be able to open my jaw fully... but no pain! 

My symptoms are just like Rachel's and I feel the same way about doctors.  Also, I do not have insurance which makes me more hesitant.  I have been experiencing pain in my Jaw since Jan. 18 when I was eating something (turkey wrap) and the jaw joint seemed to give.  It was very painful at the time and knocked when I opened my mouth wide.  I asked 3 dentists and an ENT about it and they best advice was to take 3 motrin 3 times/day, apply moist heat for 3 min. 3 time/ day, sleep on my back or at least not on the bad side.  This has all seemed to help but there is still pain at times, when I open my mouth suddenly, moved it from side to side or yawn too wide.  It also seems to affect my bite.  I finally went to my doctor about it and she referred me to an oral surgeon.  However, they do not think that there is cause for surgery.  I hope that it will eventually correct itself.  The ENT said to continue taking the Motrim.

 Mary

i have real bad pain in my right ear and jaw how do they test for THJ i am worried and in alot of pain what can i do?