TMJ Resources - Our Family - Patient Talk
I just wanted to thank you for providing a place where people with TMJ can learn more about the disorder. I only wish I knew about this three years ago when I was getting prepared for surgery. I was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease when I was a teenager -- my left disc was completely disintegrated and the right damaged, and because of all that my mouth didn't completely close -- only my back four molars touched when I closed my mouth and there was a 1 cm. gap between my upper and lower teeth in the front. To alleviate this after a few years monitoring the degeneration to see when it stopped (luckily it did), I had a LeFort osteotomy to elongate the lower mandible so I could close my mouth, and allow the muscles to relax somewhat. That had to be the worst time in my life. Luckily, thanks to a mistake on the part of my mother's insurance company, they covered the whole surgery... I like to say I have the million-dollar mouth. While I recovered a bit, I still suffer daily from pain in my jaw, neck, and shoulders; and there is still significant damage in the joint (my surgeon was very conservative and didn't want to go into the joints themselves because that would lead to repeat surgeries)... having to "re-adjust" my jaw and crack it to restore movement.
I really hope that more is done to publicize TMJ issues, and to fight the insurance companies who hold back on funds for treatment when in my case it was very clear that the damage affected my ability to eat -- which you'd think was a necessary function! I know it can feel like you're the only one in the world who's going through this. I had to take a semester off from college because the pain was so great, and I was so depressed -- having to study with heating pads tied around my neck and a huge splint in my mouth... I felt like I was so much older than my age. I've been on medications in the past, but now have just come to accept the pain as part of life -- my family doctor recommended daily yoga which helps only a little. I worry about the effects of taking anti-inflammatories or pain medication for the rest of my life when I'm only 22. Anyway, I hope that the site will include bulletin boards and maybe a chat room eventually so people can talk directly to others -- especially since support groups aren't so widespread. I can't wait to get my first newsletter.
Emily (US)
