TMJ Support Group

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.

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Ears, Eyes & Mouth
/ TMJ Support Group

Dealing with the pain

AOKBC
AOKBC
I had a CT Scan to find out why my TMJ is so severe & the doctor told me I have early onset of degenerative arthritis in my TM joint. Im 21 yrs old. If I already have arthritis in my jaw.... im terrified whats in the years to come.
Im in so much pain all day everyday & on top of the pain in my jaw, neck, shoulders, head & ear, Now I also have pain in my face & cheek bones.

Its so much to deal with & as the days go by im feeling my mood going down little by little &the thought of all of this scares me more then i want to admit. My stress is right at the very edge & I find myself just starting to cry when I think about everything (like now) I just cant control that anymore.

Sorry for the rant, I guess what I want to know is... How do you mentally & emotiomnally deal with the pain? How do you not let it be the only thing on your mind all day every day. I just dont know what to do anymore & this has all come on so fast.

Does anyone have any advise?
deleted_user
deleted_user
You are very young to have this issue. I have had it since the age of 17, and have been dealing with it 24 years. Try to find a good doctor to manage. This will be a challenge, but keep pressing on. The pain is real. Find someone who listens. I'm doing splint therapy, but am having another surgery within the next month. I guess it's a chronic pain condition you have to learn to live with, and you will need support. Good luck to you.
AOKBC
AOKBC
Thank you for your reply. I guess im just worried because its already severe & it scares me to think that if its like this now... whats it going to be like in 10, 20, 25 years. I feel like every time I open my mouth the only thing coming out is how much pain im in or something about this.
i feel like im goingto drive everyone nuts with me talking about this & that they are going to get fed up.

does anyone else ever feel this way?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, I understand what you mean. Its all I ever think about day in and day out because its constant. I hate having to explain to everyone whats wrong with me. Its like no one really understands - I have been driving my husband crazy and I feel awful. Its starting to really affect our relationship. You are so young, I know its hard. I would suggest you seek counseling to help you deal with all the emotions and anxiety that come with this condition. A counselor will not judge you and will really listen and not get "fed up". You need all the support you can get. I understand your pain and I'm sorry that you are going through this
floridakris
floridakris
I had to go on depression/anxiety medication for 6 months and let me tell you it's the BEST thing I ever did for myself. After 6 months I was able to come off of them BUT I will never hesitate to go back on them if I need them. IT truly helped me and I would absolutely suggest this in your case. It's weird because I'm not a medication advocate but I got a big wake up call to the chronic pain community when my TMJ first started, it really was the best thing I could do for myself and my family. Try a therapist first but please keep an open mind on the idea of depression/anxiety meds until you feel you can better control this. You are going through A LOT and at a very young age.
I would also highly recommend starting to research some great TMJ docs and then maybe setting up appts. to get different opinions and different options. Their are things that can be done, you could do splint therapy(but it would have to be the right splint give your situation, which means you would need a true TMJ expert), their are injections like botox that I've heard others talk about, their is pain management clinics, I've heard many people say how amazing it was for them........their is of course surgery, but this should be used as a last resort, which I'm sure you know.
Please visit the website called TMJ HOPE, it has lots of info about ALL treatments of TMJ, they even have a facebook page. I wish you the very best of luck. Keep us posted on how you are doing.