Hi tracy,
you are right in thinking that you might have tmj. I can understand why it sounds like you are having sinus problems and the doctors keep treating that. Sadly, you can have both and they will irritate each other whenever they want. I'm doubting that you only have sinus problems because it seems like it should have been cleared up by now, plus you are having some definite tmj symptoms (popping sounds, morning pain). And finally, you might only have tmj (no sinus infections). Tmj is notorious for making us and doctors think we are having ear infections, stuffed heads and noses, swollen glands and sore throats. It can be so irritating to go to a doctor and either have them say nothing is wrong with your ears, or have them treat you for sinus problems over and over and it doesn't help.
Now, don't panic. Tmj early on does have a good possibility to be "cured" or easily managed. If you ignore the symptoms, it might get worse and start causing joint damage and then it can become bad. But you aren't there yet I don't believe.
First thing - find a good tmj dentist in your area. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to find a good tmj "specialist," so you really need to do your homework. The dentist should spend a lot of time of his practice treating tmj patients. I'd also talk to some of his patients if you can for their opinions. Also, check out a couple of websites to see who is listed on them who might be in your area - aaop.Org and aacfp.Org/referral.Html. If those don't help, contact the nearest dental teaching college and see if they can give you any names. Use the internet also.
Before your actual visit to the tmj dentist, do all the research you can on tmj. There are some excellent websites, books and health boards with lots of information. Don't even think about braces, chiropractors, surgery or filing down a lot of your teeth at this point, so if someone mentions these as thee way to treat tmj right off, go somewhere else (filing one or two teeth just a little bit at a couple of spots can be good, though, just not lots, and watch what the dentist is doing if he starts doing that).
So, this (above) is where you need to start.
To help yourself now at home, change your diet for a few weeks to only soft foods. Don't open your mouth wide for anything (including the dentist and yawning) and do not chew gum or eat ice. Use lots of moist heat especially just before bedtime or even ice. Look at your posture and the way you hold your head and shoulders. Go to the website - nismat.Org/ptcor/tmj/ - to see what your posture should be. Get a good cervical or tmj support pillow and don't sleep on your stomach.
Motrin is the best med to take. I understand fully not wanting to take pills. I was like you at your age and didn't take pain pills. Boy, was I stupid now when I look back. Your quality of life is all important and pain will destroy it. It almost did mine. Just be careful with your stomach and eat something when you take the motrin. It will keep your stomach healthier. There are other self-help methods and if you go to the above "nismat..." website, it has some excellent information and suggestions.
I hope and pray that I have given you some information that will help. Don't get yourself too worked up if you do have tmj because as I said earlier, when it is diagnosed and treated properly early on, it can be helped. One last advice is to almost always be conservative what you do to yourself or allow doctors to do to you. Get total control over the pain before anything else, especially anything irreversible, is even thought about.
Tmj basically comes down to a balanced bite and grinding and clenching. What causes any of that has to be seriously looked at and usually taken care of also (stress, bad posture, etc.)
i pray for all the best for you. Please feel free to ask any questions you need to either here, other health boards or private messages to me. Take care.
Carol
