Hi- I am new to this forum and your problem caught my eye. I originally was diagnosed with tmj, but now they have found that there isn't anything wrong with my jaw joint. I have something called myofascial pain from grinding my teeth. I have pain and stiff muscles in my cheeks, neck, temples, and shoulders. I don't know if this matches your symptoms or not but I thought i'd ask :)

Yes, this is exactly what I have. What are they doing for you and do
you wear a splint? If so, what kind. I have not found one that
helps. I have had this two years.

Hi! Well, right now I am not wearing a splint because my insurance denied it, but my dentist did make me one about a month ago. It was a lower soft splint that actually made things a lot worse. I am now under the care of an oral surgeon who wants to make me an upper hard splint, but it costs 900$!!!! I cannot afford that w/out insurance help so I don't know what to do. This has totally thrown my whole life into turmoil. I just quit my job as a teacher because it is too hard to talk all day. How about you? How has this affected your life? Has it affected your eyes? Mine are sore and stiff just like the rest of my face. Do you have a splint? I am going to try to find one that maybe is cheaper. Thanx for listening!! Amanda

Sadly, the muscles in your face, neck, shoulders and even back can be affected by tmj. The ears, eyes and sinuses also, big time. The best treatment I have found for these pains is therapeutic massage therapy (deep tissue, pressure point, etc.)

amanda, usually soft bite splints aren't recommended because they become chew toys. If I were you, I would fight your insurance. My insurance company used to deny all of my tmj claims, including bite splints, and I fought them through my work risk management. I even filed a complaint against them with the state and won. I do live in another state (michigan) so that may make a difference, but it can't hurt to fight them.

I'm sorry you had to quit working your teaching job. I know what it's like to have a job where you talk all day and it kills the jaw and face. I'm curious. How did your doctor make his diagnosis? Did you have any x-rays or mri done on your jaws? Tmj isn't just an out-of-joint disc and many do have tmj with an in-place disc. It has a lot to do with your jaw and bite and if it is balanced (not necessarily straight). Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? If you do, bite splint is the best treatment, but also try relaxation methods (yoga, exercise, valium, muscle relaxant, etc.)

i hope you are doing well and have the pain under control. You might want to have physical therapy for your face muscles - for pain relief and strengthen them so you can return as a teacher if you want. Tens on your face should also be good.

Let us know what you are doing to help yourself and don't hesitate to ask questions here.
God bless...
Carol