Posted by Catgirl on September 23, 2004, at 18:43:22
In reply to Re: TMJ, posted by TexasChic on September 23, 2004, at 7:01:00
> Yes, it is TMJ. I've stuggled with it for years. I had jaw surgery & TMJ surgery a couple of years ago. It helped to a certain extent, my jaw no longer pops or locks up like it used to (I actually had it get stuck one time where I couldn't close my mouth all the way to chew!) So I'm definitly better off. And my doctor told me there's no way it could get out of place again because he put screws in. But about a year after the surgery I started having pain again. I called my doctor and they said he no longer treated TMJ because the insurance wouldn't pay. He wouldn't even talk to me. Whenever I get stressed I clench my jaw and that's what causes it to flare up. Before surgery it hurt bad every single day, so I guess I should be grateful.
TMJ is incredibly painful. I've had it for over 10 years now. I had a bad headache 24-7. By the time I went to see someone, I would have given them every penny I had to make the pain stop. It ended up costing a lot, insurance didn't cover a lot of it. I had my bite adjusted, and it has helped quite a bit but I still have flare-ups. Most of the pain comes with stress and if I eat something too chewy. I clench. I don't do it while I am awake now, just when I'm asleep.
I'm glad to talk to someone who can relate, but sorry that you have to deal with it too.
poster:Catgirl
thread:393482
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040923/msgs/394259.html