Hi Samara. It's me again (Lisa). I too have arthritis in my tm's. I would dare to surmise that alot of us tmj'ers have it whether we know it or not. I have been doing some research on a supplement called "triple jointed" - one of the components is denatured chicken collegen - here is some info from the arthritis.org website - may be helpful:
TYPE II CHICKEN COLLAGEN,
CHICKEN COLLAGEN,
CHICKEN TYPE II COLLAGEN, TYPE II COLLAGEN

Where It Comes From: A protein derived from chicken sternum cartilage.

Forms and Dosage: Type II chicken collagen is undenatured (in its natural state), as opposed to denatured or hydrolyzed collagen (see collagen hydrolysate). To date, only one manufacturer produces undenatured Type II chicken collagen. Recommended dosage is 10 mg daily, which is typically sold as a 200-mg capsule.

What It's Supposed to Do: Relieve pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness of RA, OA, JRA and gout.

What We Know: Small amounts of collagen, taken by mouth, appear to reduce RA symptoms by suppressing the autoimmune response. Research has shown results are very dose sensitive.

Studies: Several studies from Harvard University and Germany have shown positive effects on the symptoms of RA. One of the largest studies involving a multi-centered, double-blind, placebo controlled group of 274 people with RA tested four dosages: 20 mcg, 100 mcg, 500 mcg or 2,500 mcg (2.5 mg). Only the lowest dose demonstrated significant improvement, which included a reduction in inflammation and joint pain. High doses had no effect.

Undenatured Type II collagen also appeared to reduce swollen and tender joints in JRA subjects in a three-month study from Harvard. Here, patients were given 100 mcg daily the first month, followed by 500 mcg for the next two. Several German studies on RA and undenatured Type II collagen have also found a positive outcome.

To date, there are no clinical studies on OA and undenatured Type II collagen, however, there is some speculation that it would be beneficial.

What to Watch For: No known drug interactions or side effects in small doses; large doses can cause nausea. Do not take if allergic to chicken or eggs.

Extras: Only undenatured Type II chicken collagen has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. Denatured or collagen hydrolysate has not.

If you are unsure of the type of collagen, look at dosages. Generally, undenatured collagen is only required in small amounts, for example, one 200-mg capsule daily; denatured collagen products can recommend up to 2 grams or more, which can sometimes mean four tablets a day.

I have degenerative arthritis in jaw. Its very painful, Im getting surgery soon. ) :

yes! I do deal with this. my last surgery I was told the joints look like raw hamburger. have you heard this too?

I don't have this condition but I use to have arthritis in my spine and hands and feet. The CAUSE was my poor lifestyle and bad habits such as smoking and drinking.

So I eliminating the CAUSE (changed my lifestyle) and started to treat the symptoms. This is what I did and after 2 years I am 100% cured from arthritis and my chiro is amazed.


DO:
-Drink Plenty of Water
-Use glucosamine
-see a chiro if necessary
-Eat lots of fruits, nuts, seeds, vegies, and plant protein
-Cardio and Weight bearing exercises
-eliminate all fried or hydrogenated (fried foods or products containing fried oils) foods from your diet
-eliminate all SUGARS (malts, cane sugar, glucose, syrups etc)
-Use COMFREY cream over the arthritic are (grows back bone, cartilage, reduces inflamation and pain etc)-don't use on plates or pins
-Get some sun exposure (20minutes per day- b4 10am and after 3pm)
-use castor oil (rub on the affected area every night before bed-wash off in the morning)

DON'T:
-Eat Sugar or foods containing it
-Eat high amounts of Meat (too high protein)
-drink carbonated beverages
-Eat fried foods
-stay inactive

I swear by all of this and the good thing is its inexpensive, and you can do it at home, and even if your going to get surgery, do this in the meantime, the arthritis will slowly dissapear.

If you would like any more info email me
Good Health To You

hello everyone my name is carol...i just joined today and i,m so glad there is other ppl who can understand how i feel...i,ve been having jaw pain for about 2 months now and couldn,t understand why..i went to the dentist and he told me it was my ( tmj joints ). he put me on motrin 800 mgs and by the 3rd day my pain eased up but it didn,t go away so i went to my family dr and she sent me for xrays and of course the xrays came back fine...no inflamation..so then she sent me for a ( CAT ) scan and the only thing that showed up was that i had an infection in my rt ear so she sent me to an ear, nose and throat dr..thru his examination my ears were fine my throat was fine and i had excellent hearing...all he said was take care of those tmj joints...i,m so aggrevated that they can,t seem to find out the problem...so if anyone has had any of the same problems i,m having and can give me any information i would greatly appreciate it. thanks carol

carol,

ask for an MRI

and try heat and ice, and naproxen (aleve) for the pain.

AND take care of those TMJ joints! (no hard food, candy)

...cuz you don't want surgery!!!