I'm going to ask you to please see more various specialists before making any type of decision regarding further treatment and especially surgery. After 27 years of this nightmare, I just found out definitively that I have djd (degenerative joint disease), arthritis, of the jaws. But, I can function (24 mm opening) and the pain is controllable.

A few years ago I decided I wanted to have surgery after putting up with this for 24 years. I got on the Internet and started searching for any and all information, but particularly on a surgery that would either clean out the joint and remove the discs or fix my lower jaw (too small). I obtained a lot of information about self-helps, various medications and supplements, plus a wealth of stuff I hadn't even thought about (going to a pain doctor). I wasn't finding anyone who had been helped by surgery but scarier - I was finding people who have had repeat surgeries and most were still not being helped.

That scared me so I started seeking help with various doctors, medications, PT & MT, supplements, and all self-helps I could find. Some worked. Some didn't. I didn't give up when a pain doctor treated me like _________. I big-time worked on stress relieving and posture corrections, and this has made all the difference in the world to me. I found out I can't work a job with high stress or that talks a lot (I was a police chief's secretary). I can live with that (or rather without that job). I have to treat my jaw like it is a handicap. But one that I can live with.

Again, I highly urge you to go to various different kinds of specialists for more opinions. Make sure to have a tomograph (x-ray) of the jaw joint if anyone is going to talk about djd. You can live without a disc or even a split disc. It may take a lot of work and frustration, but put surgery at the end of your list of things to do for your jaw. See a neuromuscular dentist. And see a Functional Joint Orthotic (FJO) dentist. And see a dentist who focuses on TMJ. And see another oral surgeon (if you must). Don't give up no matter how frustrated and painful you become. ***DO NOT*** make an emotional decision on a very emotional dysfunction. Information...Research...See a new dr...Information...Self-helps...See another new dr...Massages or physical therapy...Heat & Ice...Research...

You get my point. Sorry I wrote so much but I just had to. You honestly can do this and we will help you anyway we can, but it will take time. Plan on that right now. It took me about 9 months from when I first started searching for a pain doctor to feeling some relief from the constant 24/7 pain. And you might have to travel but you are young and you are worth it. Don't wait until you are 51 and have no energy left to travel.

Please let us know how more we can help. If you want help in finding specialists around your area, just ask. Take care.

God bless...
Carol

im Sorry about the situation---I know how you feel. unfortunately no insurance really and truely covers tmd. Ive paid over 100,000 out of pocket over the years on treatments for tmd. To treat this it will more than likely be out of pocket untill insurance companies wake up and smell the roses. Personally I hate insurance as ive been messed up by them too often. Ask your oral surgeon about options. arthrocentesis rarely works for extended periods of time as it only works with one joint cavity and there are 2 cavities. hold your chin up--there is hope you just have to find it.

As for charities and foundations to help---the only way that you will find help is to either ask a church for help or post a ad in a newspaper and hope that legitimate people help you. I posted on the internet and got a ton of scams.

if anyone asks you for any info to donate to you dont give it to them. if they ask you for money to donate dont give it to them. if you want any info on scams let me know as ive dealt with it---alot.

I have had tmd problems since I was a 11 and mine turned into the degenerative joint disease probably about 9 years ago I am now 26.. I have gone through 2 jaw surgeries the first one was botched but the second did help for a couple years... But what I have found that helps is Steroid injections into the jaw joint to help with the inflammation...It a lot less expensive than having a surgery and I don't recommend surgery unless it's a last resort... Do your research go to different doctors until you find one you are comfortable with...I hope things get better...There are others out there with this same problem....

I had a steroid injection into my jaw and it did nothing for me. I guess it just depends on the person. Do find a good doctor. I cant stress good hard enough.

I can relate...I just had surgery for the same problem. I couldn't chew for 2 months after surgery and now its 3 months after my surgery and my jaw is still terrible. I dunno what to do next. My doctor is AMAZING!!

Hi, I am a 20 year old college student just diagnosed with degenerative disk disorder. I have been experiencing popping an clicking in my jaw along with intense migraines since I was about 17. My dentist gave a night guard to use and when that stopped working last November I had an MRI done. I just got the results a day ago. Apparently, I have degenerative disk disorder in my right jaw joint.From what I understand DDD is a genetic disorder that causes the disks and joints to deteriorate. It normally occurs in women 40 years old. The plan they gave me is to see a specialist in June to have steroids injected into the joint. If that doesn't work I will have to have my right side of my jaw replaced. I looked a couple sites and they say that if you have insurance most companies will cover a replacement surgery. I don't know if any of this helps, but I wanted you to know your not alone! I hate the thought of surgery, the recovery process possible scars. It all scares me, but it relieves the pain its worth a try. I will be praying for you and your situation!

I am 28 years old and had TMJ my entire life. I suffer from severe headaches and jaw pain. After years of splints, nightguards, physical therapy and pain medication, I had surgery. Orthognathic surgery on the lower jaw. This temporarily corrected my bite but my jaw could barely open or shift side to side. I found a Dr. and he performed an arthroscopy 1 year later to "clean out" both sides of the joints. This, with months of physical therapy and steroid injections helped the opening greatly. Now I will be 29 and my jaw joint has almost completely deteriorated from bone loss. My bite has shifted causing an open bite, more jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, etc. In January I will be having a total joint replacement. Unfortunately I will have to do this again in 15 -20 years or so since its not permanent. I can suggest trying all options prior to surgery, researching, finding a great Dr who has done many of these surgeries. Do not rush into this, exhaust all other resources first. I understand what it is like to be 20 somethign and feel 60 something. Good luck

Try your local University teaching hospital. Ask them about programs for people with no health insurance who can't afford medical care.

First, if you still brux, stop bruxing. A combination of Gabitril with either Lamictal, Welbutrin, or Lexapro might do the trick. Or. you can have an oral or plastic surgeon inject Botox into your masseters every 4-5 months. There are sometimes plastic surgeons at university hospitals willing to do this. You can obtain these drugs and even the botox free if you meet certain financial critera. Visit the websites of the drug manufacturers.