coping with tmj - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

cally22 · 01-16-2004, 09:22 AM

Maybe it is just because i am so young, but does anyone else have a hard time coping with this problem? I don't mean to, but sometimes I get aggrivated and upset at the people who love me, because i am having a bad day with my tmj. They try to understand what is going on, but they just don't, and some of these people who love me, don't really believe that I could be in this much pain... They think I should go on with my life normally and act as if I am not in pain, and not complain, or tell anyone about what I am going through or when i am hurting. I feel as if they don't believe me, or that they are ashamed of my tmj.

Well let me tell you ; its not as if what pain I am dealing with is hard enough, or that i have to watch much of my life fade on by without me being the active person I want to be, or that I have deal with other problems that are linked to my tmj (I just found out that I have ulsers in my esophagus, and stomach, that the doctor believes was caused from me not being able to chew food for the past 4 years; and since i can't chew i swallow food whole), but I also have to deal with unbelief, and people being ashamed? That is hard to swallow for an almost 18 year old. It's not as if i asked for these problems....

Sorry I just needed to get some things out. Lately I just have been in a standstill, and my frusteration I guess got the best of me... Thanks to all who are out there that listen and try to help out...

Cally22

SarahF · 01-16-2004, 09:32 AM

You came to the right place. I understand COMPLETELY how you feel about how people relate to you.

My favorite? "Oh you have a headache? I get headaches too."

Uh-huh.... I'll switch with them anyday..

cally22 · 01-16-2004, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahF

You came to the right place. I understand COMPLETELY how you feel about how people relate to you.

My favorite? "Oh you have a headache? I get headaches too."

Uh-huh.... I'll switch with them anyday..

I can relate, and I love the, "how are you feeling... Oh well keep your head up, things can't really be all that bad." " just think you could have.........."

I wish people would just realize....
Cally22

sunshine123 · 01-16-2004, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cally22

I can relate, and I love the, "how are you feeling... Oh well keep your head up, things can't really be all that bad." " just think you could have.........."

I wish people would just realize....
Cally22

Whenever I tell my husband that I have a terrible headache, he tells me he has a headache too. No one "gets it" unless they've walked in our shoes!!

saaraah · 01-16-2004, 09:55 AM

oh, man.. can i ever relate. for the most part, my friends have been great at least the ones who understand the extent of my problems. for others, they dont get it -- "what do you mean, you have *another* headache? you always get headaches".

once when i was asked to go out somewhere, i told the person i wasnt feeling well, and they replied, "so what". comments like that really hurt and make me feel like i must not be hurting *that* much, you know? i hate that people dont understand why i dont go out much and interact with people.

it's hard for us young people because we're not *supposed* to be ill.. we're supposed to be young and agile and full of energy. therefore, people dont get it.

- saaraah.