Temporomandibular joint disorder?

[Yopapa]

I’ve had some light ringing in my left ear for some time, put it down to age (peri menopause).
Suddenly, this developed into ear pain when I clench my teeth. I don’t think it’s my teeth as I can make the pain also happen by closing my mouth and moving my jaw from side to side.
My ear feel full and my mouth doesn’t seem to fully close properly now, my teeth don’t fit.
The ear pain is horrible but when my jaw is relaxed it doesn’t happen.
I’ve also now developed shoulder and neck pain, it’s making me feel really down as it’s affecting my sleep and I’m also accidentally biting my lip when I eat.
I take anti inflammatories and paracetamol when I wake as I generally feel pretty lousy for first half hour or so as I’m aching and not refreshed.
When is it time to visit a doctor or dentist? I feel sure I’ll be just given painkillers and told to rest it. I can’t rest it as I take incoming calls and talk all day in work, I’m also desk bound and it’s pretty stressful- I sit hunched and stressed a lot of the day.

Anyone manage to get rid of this? Will it just go eventually? I’m so miserable with it 😞

Hey I developed this in pregnancy (last year). You're best going to the dentist as doctors generally aren't great with tmjd. It really depends on what the root cause of the issue is though, and it can be notoriously difficult to pinpoint a cause. I would definitely try and get it seen to sooner rather than later though as it can be a really rubbish thing to have. Lots of people do really well with treatment though so try not to despair.

Ps an oesteopath/chiropractor is your best bet for the neck/shoulder pain. Poor posture can affect the tmj and cause pain elsewhere.

My mum had this and it was caused by stress. She had various drugs and Botox that didn't really help and it went once she made some changes to things that were stressing her. She said it was really awful though and it lasted for months.

I had TMJ post pregnancy. It was mild, more a feeling that my jaw was in the wrong place and a horrible noise only I could hear. Also occasional shooting pains which were Really intense but short lived.

It just cleared up all on its own after a few months.

Oh I still can’t open my mouth properly but that’s not really a problem unless I buy a triple decker sandwich!

Is it anything to do with using the phone for work and also how you are sitting. Maybe get work to assess you and get an ergonomic chair so you are sitting better

I had tmj really badly during a stressful period of my life. Not so sure that all dentists really get it, as I had at least one unnecessary filling that actually made things worse. I eventually found a dentist that did understand and made me a mouth guard to help realign my jaw. Very strong anti inflamatories also helped. Eventually with these treatments plus reduced stress it faded away but I live in slight fear it will reoccur as it was the single most painful thing I have ever experienced.

I have this. I have a mouthguard from the dentist which helps, but it's stress that makes it worse.

Using a microwavable lavender bean bag helps with the pain and relaxation.

@BoKatan and @Puppylucky did either of you have a michigan splint?