newbie on board, much needed help and support!

[m4ria88]

Hi there!, ive been suffering from tmj for nearly are year now. I'm 20 years old and find it very hard to cope with because it seems to be endless suffering which has taken away many pleasures of mine. I'm currently seeing a specialist who says that i have a displaced disk in the right side of my jaw. I've been wearing a mouth splint every night while I sleep for 5 months now. hoping that my muscles will relax and the disk goes back into place. I can't open wide, is very stiff and can only eat soft food. I would very much appeciate it, if anyone similar to my problem can help me by sharing their stories on their treatment, if any were helpful or did the complete oppisite and what you are going thru . I would love to hear success stories! When i started to have symptoms of pain, i started to stress badly fearing i wouldnt get better which lead me to have panic attacks, loss of weight and prevented me from doing any schooling this year. Therefore i would like to know of any strategies that help relax the mind and body while suffering from tmj. Today, i try to help myself by not thinking about it and to keep my mind occupied but it is always in the back of mind. My heart goes out to each of you, who are suffering from this disability daily and wish you all the best of luck in easing your pain and disfunction. Feel free to ask me any questions as well!

[Thelma-Louise]

Welcome! I didn't want your first post not to have no response so I thought I would post just to say hello and welcome you to the boards. I do not have a personal success story to share with you at this time but fully understand the pain and suffering you have endured and still experience. Hopefully you see your dr regularly and he is monitoring your progress so you can make a full recovery quickly. Unfortunately most members that do post are those that are struggling with their treatment or symptoms and pain in one way or another but there are members here who have seen improvement or have recovered that check the boards now and then - and maybe they will see your post and share their stories with you. I hope you continue to see improvement and are finally able to put this all behind you at some point and get on with your life.

[m4ria88]

thanks for your reply thelma louise just wondering how long have you been suffering from it? I don't see my specialist to often just every 2 months so far to check how im going.

[temera2]

hey there sweety!!

Welcome to the board.. i would of written to you AGES back but i dont have the net at home so i just came on after 2 weeks!!!

I am ALSO you're age!!What symptoms do you suffer??

My threads all indicate my pain of tmj and struggles of EARACHES! Have a read , i apologise if they are not too pretty i have had so many ups and downs!!! that is the only one which plagues me! How about you??

Hope to hear from you soon honey! I want to know your symptoms , we can both work on a health plan thing for you and hopefully we will both recover!! Also tell me your severity!!??

I immensely struggle to study it in fact inflates my earaches!! anyways ill write more when i hear from you! i want YOU to get better so much hey god i know how you feel !!

We are all here for you! im hoping to hear from you soon!!! BIG HUG

[m4ria88]

Hey there temera! thanks for reppplying...i have read your threads about your earached they sound so painful you poor thing! i only had an earache once from tmj unpleasent! I am praying for you and I to get well! my problem is pretty severe...i have a displaced disc in the right side of my jaw, before it happened my jaw use to click, now it has stopped clicking. therefore i cannot open my mouth at full range, feels stiff so i can only eat soft food, i eat so much pasta! Ive been wearing a splint just while i sleep for 5 months now, and my specialist has said i have improved abit. but to me it hasnt felt likee it...also while having this problem i accidently received a knock to which cause a muscle to tighten up and some days i get a bad pain under my top gum Come to think about it i guess i have improved a bit, i couldnt laugh or talk much but now i can do those 2 things im so grateful to have my laughter back! Are you currently seeing a specialist and do you have other symptoms besides your earaches? hope to hear from you sooonnn hun. take care xx