Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I was diagnosed with it at 18 and now 2 and a half years later if anything its gotten worse. My doctor pretty much fobbed me off. I dont think the doctors really know how to manage this condition properly. After seeing about 3 doctors and 2 specialist I eventually got given a mouthgaurd type thing by a prostodontist which helps with the pain but is uncomfortable. The earaches are the worst.
Unfortunately its just going to be something you have to live with, as I am getting it in the other side of my jaw now too.
I recommend you see a prostodontist if the pain is continuous.

Steph.

My dentist told me I had it when I was 16 too. The popping noise has gotten a little bit better for me but I still have a lot of problems with my jaw popping out of place and feeling like it is gettin stuck. It seems like when i'm sick I have a harder time at opening it.

I too, was diagnosed at 16 and I am now 33. Have done all kinds of treatments from bite guards to a variety of medications. The best thing I can tell you after many years of living with this is that stress makes it worse. When I was your age I had earaches, shoulder aches and backaches with headaches so bad I would throw up. I'm not a candidate for surgery so the best thing I can do is try to relieve stress and wear a bite guard when I am sleeping, reading,driving or otherwise trying to concentrate. Do yourself a favor and use whatever stress relieving measures you know-it helps.

Gosh, I had the most wonderful reply to your post all typed into the text box but after I hit submit, it asked me to log in, and then it ate my reply!!! So i'm writing it all again knowing that it won't be as well written... Too bad.



In response to markish246:

have you read my old post? Http://ehealthforum.Com/health/topic18712. Html

i wrote it a year ago and I still stand by it. In a nutshell, my proposal is that you can pop your jaw back in place whenever you get tmj or even feel it coming. Not a complicated solution, yet not an obvious one either. I'm no doctor but I think my idea is extremely logical. All tmj is, is your jaw out-of-joint with your skull -- why live with the problem or use painkillers when you can just pop it back in place! It works for me, and it's immediate relief.

Try it, and if you like it, remember you got it from me. If it doesn't work, and somehow makes things worse, don't sue me! Lol.

That's all I have to say... Hopefully it will submit this time.


Edit:
yay, it worked. I should add that I probably won't be hanging around this forum for very much longer (since tmj isn't a problem in my life anymore) so if you really want to contact me, sniff around google for "inane5," and you'll find my webpage on geocities, and you'll eventually find my email. Sorry for the goose chase, but I hate spam. I googled inane5 myself just now, and like 99% of the returns are me, not someone else. Cool? Feel free to email me if this works for you. So far, it's just my secret.

Just wanted to pop in and tell you that you are not alone!! I was diagnosed when tmj when I was 13, and I am now 19. I have went through so much, so many meds, procedures, injections, and surgeries. I could talk for hours! But on the brighter side, I can say one thing, I am a much stronger person than I was before!

Just keep your head held high!!


Cally

It seems incredible just how much stress is the cause of physical problems; tmd is certainly a member of that category.

No specific ideas here, i'm fascinated by the idea of streching however - this is what i'm asking about. Yoga and tactics that like seem to make people quite relaxed so i'm curious about the concept of tmj yoga-like exercises where you focus on streching and relaxing the oh so tense joints.

Like jaw yoga.. Jawga. Or yaw. Or joga.

Just to let you know, tmj is not a condition, but the jaw joint itself. It stands for temporomandibular joint. Each person has two on each side, in front of the ears. It's the joint between the skull and the jaw bone. The correct initials you want to use is tmd. The "d" stands for disorders.

Anway, in response to your tmj posts:

tmd is caused by many different things. Some have problems with their muscles, others their ligaments. Some have a displaced disk, the shock absorber (or cushion) between the skull and jaw bone. I wouldn't necessarily take advice from just anyone. What works for some people may not work for you. Everyone's condition is different. The "popping" your jaw reply just makes me very uneasy. I certainly wouldn't say it's a solution for everyone. I wouldn't want to risk creating more problems or injuring what is already injured.

The reason your doctor puts you on motrin or other medications are for the inflammation and pain. Sometimes they give you muscle relaxants or steroids depending on your symptoms. Most doctors will put you on a soft diet, medication and heat therapy. In a lot of cases that's all the patient needs to feel better. Once you have a bad joint you always have a bad joint. It's like any other joint in your body. Pain can come and go, which means treatment will come and go - unless you have chronic pain, discomfort and symptoms... That requires more in depth research. They will most likely send you for tests, including mris, x-rays, ct scans, etc. Depending on the results of the tests changes the treatment methods. Those treatments could be physical therapy, a bite guard, surgery, flushing the joint, etc

most doctors do know how to manage these cases, but it depends on the patient and their condition. You can't expect to be "fixed" in two visits. It takes time and a process. If the patient doesn't want to do a surgery and the doctor recommends it, that may make the patient manage their own pain with medication only. It doesn't hurt to be seen by a doctor even just once. They will ask you a few questions, maybe fill out a form with your pain and symptom history. Be as honest and detailed as possible because this helps them with diagnosis and treatment.

I hope this helped. If you have any other questions please feel free to respond back.

Good luck.
Tlcarve

Just to let you know, tmj is not a condition, but the jaw joint itself. It stands for temporomandibular joint. Each person has two on each side, in front of the ears. It's the joint between the skull and the jaw bone. The correct initials you want to use is tmd. The "d" stands for disorders.

Anway, in response to your tmj posts:

tmd is caused by many different things. Some have problems with their muscles, others their ligaments. Some have a displaced disk, the shock absorber (or cushion) between the skull and jaw bone. I wouldn't necessarily take advice from just anyone. What works for some people may not work for you. Everyone's condition is different. The "popping" your jaw reply just makes me very uneasy. I certainly wouldn't say it's a solution for everyone. I wouldn't want to risk creating more problems or injuring what is already injured.

The reason your doctor puts you on motrin or other medications are for the inflammation and pain. Sometimes they give you muscle relaxants or steroids depending on your symptoms. Most doctors will put you on a soft diet, medication and heat therapy. In a lot of cases that's all the patient needs to feel better. Once you have a bad joint you always have a bad joint. It's like any other joint in your body. Pain can come and go, which means treatment will come and go - unless you have chronic pain, discomfort and symptoms... That requires more in depth research. They will most likely send you for tests, including mris, x-rays, ct scans, etc. Depending on the results of the tests changes the treatment methods. Those treatments could be physical therapy, a bite guard, surgery, flushing the joint, etc

most doctors do know how to manage these cases, but it depends on the patient and their condition. You can't expect to be "fixed" in two visits. It takes time and a process. If the patient doesn't want to do a surgery and the doctor recommends it, that may make the patient manage their own pain with medication only. It doesn't hurt to be seen by a doctor even just once. They will ask you a few questions, maybe fill out a form with your pain and symptom history. Be as honest and detailed as possible because this helps them with diagnosis and treatment.

I hope this helped. If you have any other questions please feel free to respond back.

Good luck.
Tlcarve

Sorry I responed twice. Enjoy your reading

Stress does make bruxism and clenching worse, and these are both factors of tmj syndrome. However, opening your jaw too far, or yawning widely and chewing gum are also contributing factors. Massage and heat, plus if you notice yourself clenching or grinding remind yourself not to. Also, see a dentist whos got some experience with tmj. While the "popping the jaw back in" works for some people, some peoples jaws cannnot be just popped back in - you can give it a go and if it works thats great, but if not do seek medical advice and dont assume youre alone in this.

Hi,

sorry to hear that you've developed tmj so young. I developed it when I was around 18.....And it has gotten worse. I have a cleft lip and palate and was also born with hemi facial microsomia so my condition is worse because of what I have. I've not opened my mouth properly in 2 years and am on muscle relaxants and anti inflam. Pills. However, I am due to have jaw replacement surgery next month.

What you should try as well as medication is alternating hot an cold compresses on your face and also trying a soft diet and the main thing you must do is not to stress!!!!!

Hope things get better for you!!!!

While it is nice to give people your opinions on tmj.. It is not ok to tell them what to do.. Only a doctor can do that. I am a nurse and all I try to do is share my experiences with others.. In some cases.. Ice is not good. In other cases, heat is not good.. You should find a good doctor and follow his or her advice. Like someone else said earlier, every jaw is different and every person has pain for one reason or another...

I am so glad I found all of you... And I hope that I can help someone. And that someone can help me..

Marylee

I was diagnosed with tmj when I was 14 and I am 24 now. My orthodontist recomended braces for me mainly in hopes to help my tmj. Needless to say, I still have it, and pretty badly. My orthodontist (mind you he specialized in tmj cases) was nice enough to tell me that I had the worse case he has seen in the entire span of his practice. I have not had surgery, but was told at that point it was inevitable. I have more or less learned how to cope with the pain; mostly being headaches/jaw-aches. I have the popping and clicking and occaional dislocation, but I don't want surgery so I am doing what I can to just deal. You learn to adjust your 'habits' after time so that it doesn't hurt as badly.

Hi markish...



Is there any way you can ask your parents to make an appointment with a tmj specialist (dentist, orthodontist, oral surgeon)? You really need to be evaluated by a tmj trained medical personnel and that is usually a dentist. To find a dentist in your area that specializes in this field, research over the internet at such sites as aaop.Com, tmj.Org, aacfp.Com or lists on tmj support sites. Also, ask your own personal dentist. But make sure that you go to someone who has really studied tmj and most of his/her practice is working with tmj.



It is far too soon to even talk about surgery or braces. Motrin, moist heat and ice, physical or massage therapy, yoga, eating only soft foods are the first things you can do on your own. The tmj guy/gal will probably have you try bite splints to help ease pressure on the tmj. If you don't like the first one, don't give up and know that you will need to have the splint adjusted many times until it fits you properly and is comfortable.

You may or may not have a long road ahead of you depending on how these first conservative and reversible steps take you. Do not allow anyone to make lots of changes to your bite that can't be undone at this stage (filing several teeth). Filing one or two points on your teeth is okay and may actually fix the problem. But do be careful. Even though you are a minor, be assertive if you have to be.



Do lots of research, research, and research, and be educated when you see and talk to anyone about tmj. Always prepare questions ahead of time and have them written down.



I hope this helps get you started. Remember, moist heat is wonderful particularly right at bedtime, motrin for pain, and massage therapy from someone that frequently works in myofacial release of the head if the pain is too much to handle, and please, please see a tmj specialist, soon if not now. Again, if you or your parents don't like the first one you visit, go to another one. Don't give up.



Let us all know how you are doing. Feel free to ask me questions. These health forums/boards are wonderful for support from other tmjers.



God bless...


Carol

Your comment about the pain being on one side of your head caught my attention.

My spouse has had tmj (untreated for years) which we are just now trying to deal with. I have been massaging the inside of his mouth which works well (i can describe it for anyone who is interested). One thing I have noticed is that he has a strong preference for the right side of his body, so much so that the left is actually perceptibly less 'bright' in appearance. I don't know if you can follow what I am saying here, but the right side looks bright and strong, and the left side looks dark and passive. I'm starting to suspect that the tmj comes from an underactive left side, rather than a simple local problem.

Take a look at yourself in the mirror. Cover up one side of your face. Which side is the 'dark' side? Which is the 'bright'? If the right side's 'dark', your left side may be getting overdeveloped as a consequence, thus creating tension.

We're having him exercise the left side of his body (the pain is on his right), and it seems to be working. We have only been doing it for about a week.

Does anybody else have experience with this?

I might add that I am not a doctor or a physical therapist, so please keep that in mind.

I'm 14 and was diagnosed when I was 13. Things went downhill from there, so I can't help too much. Just do what your Dr. Says and pray that things go well.

Hi, I don't know anything about the brightness and darkness that you write about, but I am very aware of the pain being on the opposite side where the problem actually is. For years my left side muscles were very tight but the tmj pain was in the right jaw. I've been told by a chiropractor and massage therapist that it has something to do with the tighter muscles pulling the weaker jaw out of joint, etc. It seems to make sense and appears to be my problem. I hope your husband will continue to get better with the massage (yes, I am familiar with massage inside the mouth. It's great). Though, don't leave the weak side completely alone. Massage it occasionally.

Carol