TMJ patients suffer on a daily basis and face real world challenges at work, in family life and in their interaction with the health care system. Over the years, thousands of sufferers have shared their real life stories.

There are many stories here that will move you and those you know to become active in this vital movement.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Repost these stories on YOUR Facebook or Myspace page. Tweet about them.

If you have a personal story relating to TMJD's then drop us a line, record an audio or video message. The point is: if you have a story, SHOUT IT OUT!Let everyone know there is something THEY CAN DO to help. Above all, give generously to the effort to eliminate TMJ Disorders. We invite any involved in the life of a TMJ sufferer to share their story in whatever format you think best.

Suzanne: Teen Awareness and Support

Suzanne is a teenager who wants desperately to live life free from pain and discomfort. TMJ symptoms have forced Suzanne to stop doing what most teenagers take for granted—hanging out with friends, going to school, and participating in sports and music. Suzanne decided to do something to help herself and began researching TMJ disorders on the Internet.

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Dianne: Why Scientific Research is Essential

Dianne contacted The TMJ Association to express her frustration with TMJ problems. She was happy to find the TMJA Website as a good source of support and information. Unfortunately, like so many TMJ suffers she had gone through several unnecessary surgeries and countless other treatments, only to gain no real relief. If only there were some solid science to understand this condition!

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Sharon: Thoughts from a Daughter

There comes a time in everyone's life when there is a natural role reversal between parent and child. The "adult child" takes the reigns of the ailing parent's physical, medical, emotional care and financial responsibilities. And ultimately in this time, parent and adult child find a better understanding and respect for each other through this bond.

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Joanne: Thoughts from the Mother of Karen, A TMJ Implant Victim

There is no way to explain the emotional heart-wrenching pain we have endured over the past 17 years watching the life of our only daughter be devastated by the effects of her multiple TMJ and facial implants-implants needed to enable her to chew without excruciating pain so she could digest her food, receive nourishment-in short, to LIVE-not to be more beautiful (such as the majority of silicone breast implants who made a choice to enhance their figures). TMJ implant patients had no other choice if they wanted to survive!

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Marion: Conservative and Reversible Treatments are Key

Facial pain and jaw pain were once a big part of my life. For a time, I thought it would be the end of me. Eventually, I recovered with patience, physical therapy and time.

This phrase saved my life: Treatments should be conservative, reversible and noninvasive. Following that advice allowed me to avoid harmful treatments. And eventually, I got better. That was more than 10 years ago and though I am normal again, I will always remember those difficult days.

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For the latest stories, please check visit, Voices of TMJ.