Someone help me, is there a way to toughen up - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

temera2 · 08-18-2008, 01:11 AM

I had written here last week - i got a bad earache flare up ( my one and REALLY painful symptom) .. anyways i woke up and although its not half as bad as it was last year it STILL HURTS REALLY bad, its not so much inside the ear.. more on the rims but still feels like inside the ear... some stabs feel inside and some dont.. my jaw is in constant ache!

A friend of mine saw me in a foul mood ( as i always am with tmj) and was like i have that pain but i just leave it, he was a guy and it made me think .. am i just not tough?? Is there anyway possible i can master this pain ??????( the earaches..) and just go on with life, without constantly holding it??? And flinching when it hurts..? i keep trying to everytime ..but i cant , i feel agiated and angry

Any suggestions..

I cant take this!!!

LOVE you ALL

temera2 · 08-18-2008, 01:12 AM

Another question is when it does hurt, i start opening and closing my jaws listening to the clicks on the sore side.. should i do that or just let it hurt...? i cant help play with it as in some way in eases the pain

MissHeadache · 08-18-2008, 01:58 AM

Hey Temera, I'm sorry that you're still struggling to cope. I know the despair that you feel, I was like that before my splint started working and I feel the same in the times I have flare ups. I don't have the earaches like you do so I can't imagine what you're going through in that respect, but I was told some things not to do while in splint therapy that might help you:
1. Don't take your splint out to see how your mouth works without it as this will undo all your improvements.
2. Don't constantly play with your jaw, open and close it, and don't click it as, again, this will overwork the already sore muscles and undo all the progress.
3. Do not take it out to eat as this is when your jaw works hardest and needs the most support.
4. Relaxataion is very important so try to find something that relaxes you. Something like massage, or a hot bath.
5. Excercise (this one is tough when you're in pain) keeps your body and mind strong so you can support yourself better physically and emotionally.

It seems to me from reading your posts that you need someone to talk to. If you can't get the support you need from your friends and family I would really try counselling, I think it will make the world of difference as a good frame of mind really helps physical symptoms of illness. The counsellor will be able to teach you strategies to deal with the things you are feeling and help you master your emotions, as well as giving you someone to vent your feelings to.

I read in some of your other posts that you are not happy with your dentist. Is there someone else you could see for a second opinion or switch to for treatment? Sometimes people need to try a few doctors before they find the right one for them. I know things are tough now but you will get through this. Good luck :-)

temera2 · 08-18-2008, 02:16 AM

Dearest MissHeadache,

Thanks for your quick response and helpful advice

Thanks for your support.. have you never suffered earaches??????????????????????????

Im worrying as many people dont... do you get migraines?

What were your main symptoms..? What symptom is bugging you currently?

i have faith that we can both overcome this obstacle *hugs... i am looking for counselling at this moment.. i have never gone to one and am quite nervous but i REALLY do need it!!

I will follow all the steps you wrote to me.. thanks so much ..

Thinking and praying for you.. i know you can do this!

drs · 08-18-2008, 04:47 AM

Tamera, I have TMJ but not a bad bad case of it. Clicking when opening the jaw, sinus and ear problems. I'm not sure if the ear problems are due to sinus or connected somehow to my thyroid medication, as this is when I started having major problems with hearing and earaches. The whole roof of my mouth is at a slant, if I didn't point it out you probably wouldn't notice if looking at me, as I kind smile with one side of my mouth more than the other.

I've been to a chiropractor that does massage in the muscles of the area of pain. He does do my jaw and bones around the ear, seems to help. Maybe if you could find someone in your area that is a chiro. plus does tissue massages this would help your anxiety and help you relax. Some insurances cover a few visits a year to the chiro.

I've been to counseling in the past, for a different reason than yours but I just want to say, taking that first step is huge and scary, after I the first couple of visits I was actually looking forward to going. It definitely makes you think of something that is actually helping you rather than dwelling on the same ole issues that occur with daily living. It makes you feel good that your doing something to really improve your thinking. The brain controls the rest of the body. It will help you improve all kinds of different aspects of your life that you'd never even thought of before.

I'm glad I went. It was almost 20yrs ago now and I've never regretted doing it, not only for myself but for the people that are close to me and were affected because of who I thought I would always be until I learned differently.

I don't post on this board but look in once in a while because I do have TMJ but not a really bad case. I do get the ear problems though they come and go.

Diana