Hi Becky50,
I developed DJD after many years of having TMJ. I also have the problem in other joints as well unfortunately. I personally believe you should be wearing a bite splint to keep the jaw joint itself "open." I don't know if I can explain what I mean well enough - I'll try - the jaw joint (where the condyle rests and moves from when eating, etc.) needs to have a certain amount of space. A bite splint can help stabilize the joint spacing. I hope I explained that well enough.
Physical Therapy is good to keep the joints functioning as they should. Call the places around your area and ask them questions about if any of their therapists are specially trained in TMJ, etc. Then get your doc to write the referral. They should teach you exercises, heat wrap around neck, ultrasound and/or TENS, massage, etc.
Help yourself at home too by eating a softer foods diet, less talking, exercises, ibuprofen for pain and swelling, lots of moist heat and ice interchangeably, and add Super Vitamin B Complex and Magnesium to your diet. Try and keep your stress level as low as possible and evaluate your posture especially while in front of a computer screen (check out nismat.org/ptcor/tmj for pics & info). You can try Glucosamine (it doesn't help me) and if the pain get too much, ask for a muscle relaxant to keep in the house for those bad flare-ups you might experience and something like Lodine or even Vicoprofen.
We just have to be careful with our mouth and jaw now that we have DJD and TMJ. I hope you find the perfect dentist (to make a bite splint) and a good PT.
God bless...
Carol
