klmarshall

Howdy All!
I have been dealing with TMJ for over 3 years...what feels like an eternity. I've seen 2 internists, 2 dentists (2 were maxillofacial "specialists") and my TMJ god I happened to find at IUPUI. He got me from 18mm to 33mm in a few weeks with only splint and medications. Sadly, that is as far as he could get me. Now I am going to see his associate, a professor, for a surgical consult. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.Oh yeah, I have a right displaced condyle without reduction. It has been reduced for 32 months
As for pain...it is Chronic and getting worse now - after a few months of being ok. I take Zoloft and Piroxicam in the AM (SSRI and anti-inflammitory) and Zanaflex and Amitriptylene at night to sleep. The last two are the ones I MUST take otherwise I cannot function. The zanaflex is a muscle relaxer and the amitryp is to put me in a deep sleep. Decreasing the amount to below 2 of each results in severe pain.
I grind my teeth...so much that I ground my way through one splint. Granted my Dr had been grinding it as well to make my bite more even, eventually there was a big hole when I woke up one morning. I occasionally have to stretch my right side and I am restricted on what I can eat. My suggestions for those also suffering is the night time drugs. They helped me the most.
By stretching the jaw, I place a q-tip between the molars of my 'tight' side and push my teeth together on the 'looser' side. It makes my jaw feel better, but be careful if you try it.
Must go cut up my dinner into little small pieces now..have a great day!
-Gabi