Looooong time TMJ sufferer.

 This is my first entry, so bear with me while I get accustomed to this sharing part, okay?I have been suffering with TMJ since 1985.I have had two surgeries ( one to implant a disc, widen my upper jaw and pull my lower jaw forward.The second was 5 years later to remove the implant due to it's deterioration and replace my discs with part of my temple). The implants were the Vitek brand that have since been put on the recall list.I have some deterioration of my bones in my jaw from the implants that is definitely noticeable when you look close.My pain now is from the arthritis that I aquired after the surgeries and the discomfort in my temple area. I also have headaches, neck pain,limited opening of my mouth, ringing in my ears and some hearing loss in one ear. Soooooo, before you have ANY surgery done, be aware that after awhile arthritis will set in.If I had it all to do over again, I would choose no surgery. I WOULD recommend sleeping in a splint and trying to stick to a softer than usual diet.Sometimes the pain is worse than other times, like when the weather is humid and muggy.I rely on hot baths and lots of Advil.TMJ can truly make you think you are crazy.It is hard to explain to someone that you have a headache that feels like a tight "beanie" or that you have muscle spasms and twitching in your jaw. It wears on you physically as well as mentally.It is a very tiring condition. But, I do what I can and try to be upbeat in my life. I always see the glass half full.TMJ is horrible, but, things could be a lot worse.