How I Describe TMJ to the People That Don't Get it
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I've lived with a locked jaw for a year now - I'm lucky.
Now when I go to my dentist, there's no debate. When I go to my Maxillofacial surgeon, there's no debate. When I'm eating a burger with a fork and knife in front of my friends, there's laughter - but there's no debate. My articular disc is displaced without reduction... and it sucks.
It's the time before this year that I think best represents the TMJ experience. And is the story I draw on to at least begin to show how debilitating the disorder can be. Here's to anyone who doesn't get it.
Think about a time you had an ear infection. What happens? You take some antibiotics and wait. But really think about the pain while you waited. That sharp deep stabbing pain that just won't go away. Maybe if you position your head one way or take a couple Tylenols you can get a moment of rest. But a single wrong move and it rushes back.
Now imagine that there are no antibiotics. There's no doctor to tell you you'll get better in a couple days. You don't even know it's an ear infection. And the pain comes from your jaw.
You don't really realize it until it's too late, but some of the greatest things in life use your jaw. Eating. Talking. Laughing. Kissing. But now they become reminders that pull you out of life and into agony. Your own girlfriend might be talking to you over dinner - but you can't hold the conversation like you used to because every chew locks you into your own concentration.
So first you go to your dentist. You take an x-ray. It shows nothing. He prescribes you a nightguard. The pain won't go away. He tells you to be patient. Maybe sends you to a rheumatologist. They send you back to a specialist. 6 tabs of tylanol a day. Nothing. They describe a treatment plan - it'll cost $20,000. Sounds like they know what they're talking about. You pay it up front. They make you a splint. It kind of hurts. Be patient. You wait. Nothing. You go to a PT. Massages and exercise kind of help I guess. They recommend another specialist. You go. They say, "who gave you the splint, your bite is completely ruined." Makes sense, the pain's been getting worse. You can't afford more treatment. You cry. You go on Reddit, maybe other's have experienced the same thing. Oops, looks like everyone has. Maybe they found a solution? Nope, just a bunch of people suffering. Kind of hopeless.
Of course this doesn't describe everyone's experience, but I think the bouncing around, the misinformation, the not being taken seriously, is something we've all experienced. Treatment is out there, just unfortunately it's a numbers game to find the right doctor, and a numbers game is tough to play uninsured.
