TMJD/ARTHRITIS??

angelwingsc
angelwingsc Member Posts: 3
edited 4. Nov 2013, 09:59 in Living with Arthritis archive
This is my first posting & I appreciate being accepted to this forum. I have suffered with TMJD for 20 plus years. I was a former DJ & I had to quit my job. My dentist sent me to the University of Louisville, KY, School of Dentistry & I was seen by the Professor of the College. After the exam, he told me that the cartilage is totally gone between both sides & the next option would be sugery. I came home & did some research on the web & all I read was Horrible stories, so I didn't return. No one knows how this has turned my life around. As a Pastor's wife, I play the piano & I try to sing on Sunday mornings. I do ok with the singing & talking with our congregation, but once I come home, I'm in so much pain in the jaw area/face, I have to use muscle creams, tens unit & take meds. It's HORRIBLE!! It causes my head to hurt badly & for the next two days, I'm unable to talk. I've worn a mouth guard, in which I had to pay for out of my pocket from my dentist. $2100.00. It brought little comfort. I'm now awaiting on my partial to be completed that I lost while in the hospital. It should be ready in two weeks. Lot's of people don't understand, so I'm thankful for this website. TMJD has ruined my life!!! BTW: I've also had 3 neck fusions & I have a rod, plate & screws in my neck. I recently ruptured a disc in my neck & I'm praying that surgery can be prevented!! The cold weather/rain brings on horrible pain. I eat soft food & No chewing gum! Thank You for letting me share my Story & I Pray I've helped someone with my story... Again, Thank You for Accepting Me!!
:cry: I also have Fibro & Arthritis...Sometimes, it's difficult to decide between which one is hurting...

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's lovely to meet you and I hope we can help. I have two forms of arthritis, plus fibromyalgia, but not the TMJD. I cannot imagine how difficult life must be for you, I know that my jaw flares when my auto-immune one has a snap at me but in between times it behaves itself. We soon learn to be grateful for small merices, don't we?

    I confess that I rarely check the interweb for medical matters, but if needed then I only use reputable sites. Other people's experience will never be the same as mine but it sounds as though you have had your fill of surgery - and I am not suprised. I have absolutely no advice to help, all I can do is wish you well, I hope you find strength and comfort in your religion and that matters improve somehow for you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello again, angelwingsc. I'm sorry you've not had any replies other than dreamdaisy's. I know there are other people on here with jaw problems, if not TMJD, and, when I suggested a separate thread earlier, I had hoped they would see it and reply.

    We also have people who have had neck operations. I guess they must have been successful as they don't appear to be around either.

    It seems that the forum is very quiet right now but please don't be discouraged. We all understand pain and can at least empathise with that.

    Have you checked out the TMJD support forum for the UK? http://www.tmjdsupport.co.uk/ Perhaps they might be able to help. Pain is distressing and isolating at the best of times. When others don't understand the conditions that give rise to it it is doubly so. Take care.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright