I have been having serious jaw pain and locking for nearly a month. I found your boards 2 weeks ago, and found some comfort in that I am probably right to think I have TMJ. Numerous searches on the internet having me checking yes to each symptom of TMJ. Unfortunately, since my Dental Insurance is still not set up all the way, I have not been able to go in. I'm praying next week will be the week when I can actually go in. The pain can be relieved or resolved if I take ibuprofen, anbesol to my inside of right cheek and around bottom of gum line above the jaw, hot and cold packs. When its been bad, I cannot imagine going through much more with this. It's just unbearable for me to handle.
My whole life has changed since I cannot control this. I cannot go places because I worry about it flickering to life. I don't talk that much because the jaw movements aggravate it. There must be people out there like me who feel completely shut out from life thanks to this!

My question for you all, after reading the boards it seems as though misdiagnosis could be the order of the day. I am pretty sure a dentist is a good way to go, but can someone who has the experience behind them tell me some helpful hints when I go in?
Also, I have noticed that my once perfect bite thanks to braces when I was younger has changed and now the lower jaw has slid to over. Most pain is found on my right side of the face, jaw and ear area. But I have pain found on the upper cheekbone, eye area and sides of neck on the left as well. What can be done to correct this bite change which might be the thing causing all this?