I have issues with my jaw due to having a hypermobility disorder, meaning my jaw partially dislocates when I open my mouth. It does cause pain and discomfort and tends to make the muscles in my face and ear really tense, so I do understand to some level. I've not had any surgery or anything, but it did make having dental surgery interesting (though I was undiagnosed at the time so the dentist wasn't expecting my jaw to do weird things!)
Could you talk to your doctor/surgeon about what happens next? Sorry I can't be of any more use re: information, but I do have some understandings and I'm sorry you go through so much discomfort.
There is a 'Chronic Illness Support Thread' that you are very welcome to post on if you'd like some further support, there's a few regular members who understand the impact of being in pain. It's there if you'd like to pop in at any time :)
Marie
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Now I'll play your ghost as my ace, whenever I'm led astray.
But I am actually good, can't help it if we're tilted.
I'm in my right place, don't be a downer.
I've got mild TMJ. Luckily it only causes problems at the dentist when I have to open really wide, but it's soooo painful when I do. So I couldn't imagine having to need surgery for it. Can you let them know it's still hurting you? Maybe they have some physical therapy you could do?
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- me
I have TMJ. I was told by an oral surgeon that surgery could make it worse because of scar tissue. He gave me a painkiller prescription and we talked about other pain management techniques. I was told to eat soft foods on days when it's really bad like yogurt, jello and pudding so the jaw doesn't have to work as much. Don't chew gum at all. Use hot and cold compresses. Sleep with a mouth guard like you would get for playing sports. And my favorite suggestion was to avoid stress.
I would definitely try talking to your surgeon again and see what they say.
I hate when people want to go out for burgers and I have to find something else to eat because that would cause me a lot of pain, and I know what it feels like for no one to understand.
i too have TMJ, my dentist made like a retainer to help relax the muscles around my jaw at night, mine isn't painful as i've just got used to it but i hope you get some relief soon
I was 5 years free, but life changed and i slipped
Sorry i've not replied sooner, i've had issues with my internet at home.
I've had the main treatments; very strong painkillers, mouth guards, physiotherapy, eating soft foods, applying hot and cold things to my face and nothing has made a difference, its made it more painful if anything.
I had surgery because it was the last chance i had really, it wasnt major open jaw surgery, and I've heard that surgery can make it worse SamiJo but it just hurt so much and my surgeon recommended it, and so far it has made the pain a little worse haha. My surgeon said it has a 70% success rate, but i know different surgeons say different things as Ive read that many people advise against surgery like you said.
Rodolphus has anything helped with the tension in your muscles as mines so bad, my surgeon said that if its still bad when i next see him he might put me forward to get botox in my muscles in my jaw to relax them, have you or anyone ever heard of this?
My surgeons very very busy and i normally only see him every 4-6 months, i have to wait until the middle of march to see him next. I was debating getting a second opinion but as far as i can find out there is nothing that will help this. I was hoping by asking on here someone might have some miracle cure no ones heard of haha, or any different treatments than the normal ones. I just don't think i could cope with this pain for the rest of my life.
Let me know if you ever find that miracle cure. I have heard of some TMJ specialists in the cities. I don't know if maybe you could find something like that. I was told that when there are so many options for treatment it's a good indicator that none of them really work. I try not to take anything for the pain most days so that on the days when it is really severe I can take something to help. Still nothing ever seems to help at all. I've thought about trying some sort of topical muscle relaxer, but I'm not sure it would do any good or if it's safe to use them on the face. I hope you find some relief.
I've had jaw problems for about 10 years now. It started as TMJ (diagnosed when I was 15). Then by the time I was 17, it was diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the jaw joints. It can be really painful at times - I take ibuprofen when it's sore and avoid eating anything that would require me to open my mouth too wide, or crunchy stuff, etc. when it's really bad.
My dentist at first told me to rub ibuprofen gel on my jaw which was actually helped, I did think about some kind of muscle relaxer as well but my doctor looked at me like i was stupid and i didnt mention it again, but im sure its used as a sort of treatment.
Im seeing a rheumatologist next week and im dreading them saying i have arthritis, but i guess it might give me some relief if they have treatment other than painkillers.
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