RachelS

First of all Amy, thank you so much for finding out so much information. It truly is amazing to be able to talk to people going through the same thing, and I really appreciate it. Unfortunately my glands are even bigger today, so I'm going to go to my college health center and see what's going on. I'm also going to try and do something about that damn itch (which has also turned into this weird fluid feeling...an ear infection maybe?).

Anyways, I'll let you know what they said. Although last time I went to my school health center about my TMJ they sent in a gyno to see me because it was the only Dr. they had available, hehehe.

I am so sorry that you are in so much pain Amy. I know it's not much of a help, but know that there are people in the world who know how you feel and how horrible it is. Just try to stay positive, and I hope your muscles give you a break because it sounds like you certainly deserve one!

This is a little random, but I've been thinking about why jaw/facial pain is so much worse than other types of pain. I think it's because it's just so impossible to escape. With back pain or knee pain, it's seperate from your mind (physically), so it's easier to distance and deal with the pain. Whereas with TMJ pain it's so close to your brain, ears, mouth, it's impossible to ignore it in any way. It affects so many other parts of you .