littlebrace
03-25-2003, 06:44 PM
my mom says that this is just something i am going to have to learn to live with. but how are you just supposed to live with this and act happy when you are in soo much pain. i dont get it when people say that. what am i supposed to do??
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TiffanyAnn
03-25-2003, 09:35 PM
Hi littlebrace:
Your mothers response is the typical response for someone who does NOT have TMJ. Those who do not have TMJ have absolutely NO idea how much pain we are in and how much we suffer with that pain. I don't think there is any way to get those who don't suffer with TMJ to understand our pain. But I do know one thing for sure, we do NOT just have to live with this pain. The road to healing is a long hard road for us but for those who don't give up you will find answers. Finding those answers can often be frustrating and costly but I don't think anyone can put a price tag on sanity. Good luck to you.
Tiffany
Your mothers response is the typical response for someone who does NOT have TMJ. Those who do not have TMJ have absolutely NO idea how much pain we are in and how much we suffer with that pain. I don't think there is any way to get those who don't suffer with TMJ to understand our pain. But I do know one thing for sure, we do NOT just have to live with this pain. The road to healing is a long hard road for us but for those who don't give up you will find answers. Finding those answers can often be frustrating and costly but I don't think anyone can put a price tag on sanity. Good luck to you.
Tiffany
paintitbetter
03-25-2003, 10:16 PM
What doesn't kill you will make you stronger...cliché?...Take it one day at a time, my friend. You may have to learn how to live with it, for now. But don't give up hope, and keep working towards being pain free.
Maybe keep yourself busy with a hobby. I like to make wine, I know when I'm fiddling around in my wine cellar, I almost forget I have this affliction. The sampling helps too ;)
Mark
Maybe keep yourself busy with a hobby. I like to make wine, I know when I'm fiddling around in my wine cellar, I almost forget I have this affliction. The sampling helps too ;)
Mark
sunshine123
03-25-2003, 10:51 PM
I agree with Tiffany: You don't have to learn to live with it. As much as I hate going from one DDS to another for help, I haven't given up yet and I won't. I also decided to start getting a full-body massage once a week, even though it's expensive and I go for Acupuncture once a week. Those 2 things help me to relax and relieve some pain too. I'm also reading a book called, "The Relaxaton and Stress Reduction Workbook." It shows you had to meditate, breathe deeply for relaxation, progressive relaxation, etc. I'll take any help I can get. Like Tiffany said, no one can understand what we go through unless they have the same thing. Don't give up. We have to have hope that we'll find relief!!!!!! Good luck. Sue
Pedro
03-26-2003, 09:47 PM
Littlebrace,
Why don't you start a New Topic here to ask a question: how many people on this forum had Orthodontics when they were younger ??
I don't know what people will say, but itt could be educational for you to know that Ortho might have been a root cause of other people's TMJ. It might help you figure out what is, or what is not causing your problem - especially as your records are still fresh.
Read all the posts here, people have TMJ for years upon years. And the worse thing is they can't figure it out, it's for no reason at all that they seem to be singled out. You might have a better chance than them, come on, let's give it a try.
Why don't you start a New Topic here to ask a question: how many people on this forum had Orthodontics when they were younger ??
I don't know what people will say, but itt could be educational for you to know that Ortho might have been a root cause of other people's TMJ. It might help you figure out what is, or what is not causing your problem - especially as your records are still fresh.
Read all the posts here, people have TMJ for years upon years. And the worse thing is they can't figure it out, it's for no reason at all that they seem to be singled out. You might have a better chance than them, come on, let's give it a try.
littlebrace
03-26-2003, 10:42 PM
I am going to go to another oral suregon that my mom used to work for. however i dont know when i will be able to do that, there has been a lot going on at home right now. but i definatly dont think my braces had anything to do with this. they hardly did anything with my braces before i got tmj. so i dont care what you people say, but i know it is obviously not from my braces. trust me
Pedro
03-26-2003, 11:06 PM
OK good to see you are seeing someone else. Still think there are big changes once you put all that stuffin your mouth, affecting all sorts of contacts. You should explore every possibility, don't exclude anything.
You know maybe the Moderator here could contact you to speak with your mother, she needs to know how serious this is. It is NOT something that you should learn to live with, unless you have totally run out of all options.
You know maybe the Moderator here could contact you to speak with your mother, she needs to know how serious this is. It is NOT something that you should learn to live with, unless you have totally run out of all options.
TiffanyAnn
03-26-2003, 11:13 PM
Hi littlebrace:
Oh yes, there is absolutely every chance that your braces caused your problem with TMJ. I'm not saying they did but there is a chance they did. My TMJ was caused by my braces. When I was younger I would never have believed it either but years later after much searching and learning I have learned that it was absolutely my braces that caused my TMJ. So, you shouldn't just eliminate your braces as the cause of your TMJ. Life is odd and throws us all kinds of curves. I hope you find help for your TMJ. I hope we all find help for our TMJ.
Tiffany
Oh yes, there is absolutely every chance that your braces caused your problem with TMJ. I'm not saying they did but there is a chance they did. My TMJ was caused by my braces. When I was younger I would never have believed it either but years later after much searching and learning I have learned that it was absolutely my braces that caused my TMJ. So, you shouldn't just eliminate your braces as the cause of your TMJ. Life is odd and throws us all kinds of curves. I hope you find help for your TMJ. I hope we all find help for our TMJ.
Tiffany
Marlene
03-27-2003, 09:26 PM
If your mom used to work for an oral surgeon (and as I recall from some of your old posts, doesn't she currently work for an orthodontist or some type of dentist?) I would think she would realize that TMJ is not "just something you have to learn to live with."
If your orthodontist says your braces don't have anything to do with your TMJ dysfunction - that doesn't necessarily mean it's so. I know from personal experience with TMJ and braces how much pain both can cause (try having them when you're 40!)
Most of us here are older and have more life experiences with many types of conditions/ailments, and we're only trying to help you if we can. Whether or not you choose to draw from our experience with TMJ is up to you ...
Marlene
If your orthodontist says your braces don't have anything to do with your TMJ dysfunction - that doesn't necessarily mean it's so. I know from personal experience with TMJ and braces how much pain both can cause (try having them when you're 40!)
Most of us here are older and have more life experiences with many types of conditions/ailments, and we're only trying to help you if we can. Whether or not you choose to draw from our experience with TMJ is up to you ...
Marlene
TiffanyAnn
03-27-2003, 09:31 PM
Hi Marlene:
Well said, you said what I was trying to say. I remember when I was a teenager and how I was sure I had all the answers. Then when I turned 25 I realized I didn't know anything at all. :) Thanks for your post.
Tiffany
Well said, you said what I was trying to say. I remember when I was a teenager and how I was sure I had all the answers. Then when I turned 25 I realized I didn't know anything at all. :) Thanks for your post.
Tiffany
Marlene
03-27-2003, 09:59 PM
Tiffany,
Hey, I'm 45 and I still don't know everything LOL!! Like that Rod Stewart song ... "I wish that I knew all I know now - when I was younger"!!
Marlene
Hey, I'm 45 and I still don't know everything LOL!! Like that Rod Stewart song ... "I wish that I knew all I know now - when I was younger"!!
Marlene
Pedro
03-27-2003, 10:52 PM
Tiffany, Marlene,
What did you think of my suggestion ? I don't know to take it further, maybe you do ?
What did you think of my suggestion ? I don't know to take it further, maybe you do ?
Marlene
03-27-2003, 11:33 PM
Pedro,
I know where you're coming from! All I can say is "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!"
Marlene
I know where you're coming from! All I can say is "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!"
Marlene
TiffanyAnn
03-27-2003, 11:37 PM
Pedro:
I agree with Marlene. I remember being led to water and not drinking myself.
Tiffany
[This message has been edited by TiffanyAnn (edited 03-27-2003).]
I agree with Marlene. I remember being led to water and not drinking myself.
Tiffany
[This message has been edited by TiffanyAnn (edited 03-27-2003).]