Chronic Pain

I am a new TMJ sufferer and was searching the web and came across TMJ friends. Registered there only to be redirected to here!!

I am on a quest for information. I do not know anyone with this condition and boy does it hurt.

My story quickly. When I was 4 or 5, I was hit by a baseball bat in the jaw (I was a little too close and they threw it a little too far). I just remember crying. When I was 12, my jaw locked up for hours. I was so scared but didn't tell my parents at the time. I have no idea why? Maybe they wouldn't believe me?

I'm 40 now and have always had a jaw that clicked on my left side and I clench my teeth at night apparantely. My dentist gave me a mouth guard just last fall and he noticed my teeth looked like I grind them.

Well, just this past Monday I woke up in terrible pain. I have had a dull earache for a month now and now realize it is connected to TMJ. I wasn't sure if I should go to my dr or dentist. I opted for dentist and he adjusted my mouth splint/guard and massaged the inside of my cheek where the ligament joins the jaw. It was clicking. He advised me to see a chiropractor, I see one tomorrow and to come back to him in 2 weeks to see how I am doing. My dentist is very proactive with TMJ. He also mentioned ? tens? or little muscle pads? Any of you use this?

I am here to find out how you manage, what all you suffer from specifically and what you take for pain. I have a constant, every 30 sec to a minute, sharp nerve like pain right under my ear that goes down my jaw? Is this normal - what do I take?

I'm a busy mom of 4 kids and have my own home based business - thank god - because this week has been rough and going out to work everyday would have been brutal.

Look forward to chatting with you all. I hope I have found a home here.

Karen

Hi Karen,
I'm izzie. I'm so sorry you have to go through so much pain. I have TMJ to. I have had a failed back surgery. It leaves me in so much pain. I got my TMJ from being in so much pain. I clench my teeth together and I have TMJ from back pain. I'm wearing a mouth guard. It helps some what. I hope to hear from you. I hope you feel better soon.
izzie

Hi Karen,
I'm so sorry to hear that you are going thru so much pain. Yes, TMJ can be hard. When my jaw first locked it also dislocated and shifted. I also had what felt like earaches running down my neck, and toothaches. I've tried the splints which, didn't work for me personally, but work for alot of folks. I also use a tens unit on my joint when the pain gets bad. I've also seen an Oral Maxilo Facial Surgeon (OMFS), a Neurologist, chiro, Physical therapy (PT) and now a Pain Management Clinic (PMC). We found out that my migraines and aches were coming from damaged nerves and I'm on meds for that. Lyrica, and Keppra. I hope that your trip to the chiro helps, and that this is a one time thing for you. Not all TMJ patients end up being chronic. Some of the ladies here suggest putting moist heat on the joint to help loosen it up and also you can go to a soft food diet.
Best Wishes,