TMJ oesteoarthritis anyone else suffering

catrocks1982
catrocks1982 Member Posts: 56
edited 11. May 2012, 10:28 in Chat to our Helpline Team archive
I have been suffering from severe TMJ disorder in my jaw for about 3yrs after it was broken 12yrs ago, oesteoarthritis has crumbled the jaw joint away and i will need a full jaw replacement.

I am on a liquid/soft diet, have to drink through a straw and live on tramadol tablets, it really gets me down at times as it affects all parts of my life from the pain to not being able to eat what i once enjoyed. I have lost over 3st in weight so have very little energy, have had to stop work due to the weight loss i have been told to do very little excersise.

Can anyone relate to this? How do u cope with life?

Cat x

Comments

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Catrocks,

    Thank you for your post to Helplines. If you'd like to talk about your arthritis you are welcome to ring us for some support. If you'd prefer more peer support and comments from others living with jaw (TMJ) arthritis it might be worth copying your request onto the Living with arthritis forum.

    If instead you'd like some more information just PM (private message) us the question and your name and address.

    I hope we can help further

    Guy
  • catrocks1982
    catrocks1982 Member Posts: 56
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have copied this onto the living with arthritis forum.

    I have alot of questions but there isnt alot of information on osteoarthritis when its in your jaw, its more for knees and hips.

    General information would be helpful as my surgeon has said he has never saw it this bad in someone so young :(

    It limits so much in my life that i just wanted to see if anyone else was suffering as much as me.

    Catx
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Cat,

    Information on TMJ does end up rather specialist. For example your surgeon can print off more about the jaw surgery they are proposing (our information is fairly general). If you Private Message (PM) us your name and address we'll send you it.

    all the best
    Guy
  • catrocks1982
    catrocks1982 Member Posts: 56
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes i have been given information on whats needed, i feel the surgeons only tell u part of it as there arent alot of people get it as severe as i have as young as i have.

    I have been told i need a full jaw joint replacement but i am to young for the operation. I am struggling to cope with the pain on 8 tramadol tablets per day.

    I have downloaded the osteoarthritis pdf is that the information you would have sent?

    Cat :)
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,782
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Cat

    For more information on TMJ see http://search.bupa.co.uk/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=bupauk&v:sources=bupa-collection-select&query=jaw joint dysfunction& and http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/tmj.

    The information we could send to you by post relates to an old article in Arthritis Today. Let us know if you would like us to send you this, by sending a private message.

    You are welcome to ring us on the helplines (0808 800 4050) if you would like to have a chat about your current situation.

    Regards

    Nick
    Helplines Team

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