TMJ trials - With an update!

This yesterday morning I had enough and spent about 3 hours in the ER. I mentioned before that I have TMJ and let me tell you what I've gone through since Aug 11 of last year:

5 Urgent care visits

3 rounds of antibiotics (everyone initially thought it an infection from a dental procedure I had).

2 different ear drops (because doctors thought I had swimmers ear with the pain I was experiencing).

3 different muscle relaxers.

2 family doctor visits.

3 rounds of steroids.

Anti inflammatory meds everyday.

2 rounds of x-rays.

1 TMJ Specialist (He didn't take insurance - 1k initial appt fee and $800 for every appt after, insanity).

2 rounds of Masseter Jeuveau injections (which unfortunately have been lasting just a bit under 3 week maximum).

and guess what... I am still in life altering pain every single day. The radiating pain from my jaw, shoots up like a bolt of lightning in my ear, almost causing me to pass out thanks to my Vasovagal Syncope.

So today was another round of IV liquids, steroid, pain medication, muscle relaxer and a full - in depth blood panel to make sure there are no signs of cancer, infections, etc along with another xray.

The doctor comes in:

"two things: 1) you have the healthiest blood I have seen in a long time and 2) I hate to confirm, but it is TMJ. I know you wanted something that could be removed and get long term relief, but it really is TMJ and I'm so sorry you are dealing with this."

I start crying (again) because I can't believe people live like this for years and years. I've had chronic pain before with my bulging discs in my L4 and L5, sciatica and pinched nerve, but those come and go, I know the triggers to stay away from. But this TMJ, I have tried everything I can think of.

So now I have an appointment with a specialist that provides dry needling to TMJ patients and I hope to whatever higher power is out there that it will help because I literally cry every single day and I feel like my life has been turned upside down since last Sept.

They also mention TMJ and depression / anxiety go hand in hand: Clenching, grinding and body/emotional stress will all impact the masseter muscle. I am hoping that this is just the build up of the stress / trauma of FedEx and working at the city. I am only a month in at Nipsco and it has been a completely different experience, I have have a much more relaxed environment and while there is work stress, it's nothing like I have experienced the last 8 years with those two jobs. These are the job stressors you would expect.

I am on an agressive treatment plan right now:

Strong steroid for 5 days, high anti inflammatory, and a strong muscle relaxer.

I'm on day two right now and so far things are going really well, WITH THE EXCEPTION of the steroids giving me massive insomnia. I didn't fall asleep until 3am and woke up at 630am work for, luckily I was able to work from home today, that was a great help.

So, you know how when there is a no hitting in baseball and you don't speak about it? Well, I made this blog post on 11/22/23, today is 12/18/23 and let me tell you, I have been doing great!! I am so excited about this, I don't want to talk about it too much because I'm worried might jinx it, but holy crap, I feel 98% better.. I think have this little lingering something, it's not pain, it's slight, SLIGHT discomfort. That's really when I catch myself starting to clench or grind my teeth. BUT, damn, I feel so much better.