how do u just live with it?? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

littlebrace · 03-25-2003, 03:44 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??

TiffanyAnn · 03-25-2003, 06:35 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

paintitbetter · 03-25-2003, 07:16 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

sunshine123 · 03-25-2003, 07:51 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, 06:47 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.