Sometimes a TMJ patient needs inspiration just to get through each day. We have received thousands of real life stories over the years and you can read some of them right now here below. We invite any involved in the life of a TMJ sufferer to share their story in whatever format you think best. Drop us a line, share a story on Facebook, record an audio or video message. The point is: if you have a story, SHOUT IT OUT!

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These are just a few of the many stories that will move you and those you know to become active in this vital movement. Repost these stories on your Facebook page. Tweet about them. Let everyone know there is something THEY CAN DO to help. Above all, give generously to the effort to eliminate TMJ Disorders.

We only present a few stories here, for more stories check out the archive at More Voices of TMJ.  Above all, give generously, to support the mission of The TMJ Association.

Brenda's Story

In August of 2012, I started having pain and discomfort in my face and jaw. It got very bad quickly, and I couldn't open my mouth or talk. I went to my doctor who said I have a TMJ problem, "go see your dentist." I went to my dentist and he sent me to an orthodontist, who fitted me with a splint that provided some relief. When things didn't get much better I went to a physical therapist and that helped some. Then I stopped getting better, so he referred me to a pain management doctor, who referred me to an oral surgeon and a periodontist. The oral surgeon did a jaw joint wash out, which has not helped as of this writing.

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Janelle's Story

I had probably been dealing with TMD for two years before I first took action in the Fall of 2008. It started out as severe ear pain that I noticed most when I ran outside. I thought it might be caused by the wind, so I would wrap my ears with an athletic band and wear headphones. Finally, the pain was so intense and persistent that I decided to visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.

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Kate's Day

My typical day as a TMD sufferer usually starts with a healthy breakfast. I feel that so much is wrong with my body physically that I can’t control, that I should eat healthy and control what I can. I try to exercise by taking 2 mile walks or doing pool aerobics. It helps the fibromyalgia

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Eryca's Story

I've suffered from TMJ Disorders since high school. My teeth grinding and clenching is so severe that I have cracked a tooth and had to have it removed. I wake up with severe pain in the jaw and constant headaches.

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Brittani's Story

My TMJ problems started when I was 13 years old. We're not 100% sure what started it, but my doctors think it was a combination of me already having Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and the fact I had my 4th open heart surgery and I was intubated for a long amount of time. After the surgery my jaw started clicking and it started to hurt a lot.

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Katherine's Story

Katherine's story is an excellent example of the complexity of TMD as well as the lack of scientific research/knowledge on things such as C-Reactive protein in TMJ patients.

I was diagnosed with TMD over 15 years ago. I was only in the 8th grade and really didn't know what was going on, except that my jaw sometimes locked open and popped or cracked if I chewed gum for a long time. There wasn't a lot of pain. The pain didn't start to get bad until I was in graduate school in 2007...

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For additional TMJ patient stories check out the archive at More Voices of TMJ.