i am 23 years old. mine is 3 years old now on both jaw. I feel the same or similr things you feel.
I can only suggesting that u try to take it easy on the month and mind, don't open ur mouth too wide to make a clicking sound.
I was total losing it when facing the TMJ for 3 year, but i think that everyone body will adjust to the change of it. (i believe it will heal it self more or less and eventhough may be not completely)
but i am sure one day you will find ur comfort zone and less pain or ur mouth.
everyone who have tmj is not exactly the same. I can only suggest you that try to avoid any kind of surgery because adding or remove dics, bone or whatever you will have doctor done on ur body, then if u not lucky ur body might not be able to bear or adapt with the change especially the change that come unnatural (surgery for example)
i been obssess about my jaw is pop and click for 3 year now
however, i now i realize i dont need to surgery nor to open my month that wide to talk or eat.
I feel less depress and less annoy when i stop worry and stop thinking and stop trying to make a pop-click of my jaw to remind me of mistake i made.
I found that finding something else to do and trying to be in a relationship help me a lot to take my mind, body, soul away from the tmj i have.
sorry, i may not answer ur question directly but i can suggest that you trying to avoid from all kind of surgery. i read so many tmj case in this form, and seem like most ppl who have 2-6 tmj operation and it only getting worse for most of them. so be carefully on whatever u want to with it.
but for me my TMJ problem is end today!
pete
