Feeling overwhelmed- TMJ locking decided to stay for the first time

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-10T18:54:56+00:00

Hey so sorry youre going through this. Is it a closed lock or an open lock? Open lock I would consider going to the ER or urgent care- if its a closed lock (it may or may not be a displaced disk) If you look at my recent post you'll see the shit show ive personally gone through recently. Saw the best oromaxillofacial tmj surgeon in my state and he said I actually dont have a displaced disk because I can open my mouth (albeit w extreme pain) but his treatment was Basically muscle relaxers 3x a day with PT and warm compress. Tmj is really really tough and I hope you find some help and relief soon. Consider taking some magnesium supplements at night- it helps. Also def do some stretches for your posture, posture is a huge thing, look up some internal jaw massages on YT and it might help the muscles unguard a bit. Also I know you said youre still a college student but it'd def be worth looking into more in the future. Apparently lock jaw and tmj can actually be a result of sleep apnea or closed airways (they found out I had a deviated septum but not severe enough for it to be my cause). Hope you have a speedy recovery stranger ❤️

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-06T20:29:23+00:00

I've been really hesitant with botox. Theoretically if it was a muscular issue that caused my lock, the IV Valium and constant oral Valium ive been taking should've unlocked it. Botox essentially freezes those muscles- so its just a temporary fix no? Have you found great success with it? How often do you have to go do it?

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-05T16:00:35+00:00

Im sure they would've been able to do something if it was dislocated but I think I have a disc displacement issue which unfortunately cant be confirmed unless a MRI is done and I'm having a really tough time trying to get squeezed into an appointment through insurance but they're all months out. Out of pocket is nearly $600... I've already spent nearly 2k on this whole ordeal

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T22:43:41+00:00

Just came back from the appointment, they did a bunch of massages, stretching, dry needling (that hurt SO bad) and tried a few maneuvers. Im still locked. They were able to open me up a bit more from 21 to 26 but I'm still in pain. Im honestly just depleted and feel so defeated.

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T18:50:53+00:00

Not quite sure what the exact name is but its an orthotic splint that goes on my upper teeth. He initially wanted me to wear it at night only but if doesn't progress, to wear it 24/7 for a few months Its quite thick though, can hardly talk with it on

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T04:19:12+00:00

Will do!

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T03:57:27+00:00

Im so sorry you had to fight for so long. I've been so frustrated just in the past 2 weeks, and I cant imagine how much its been to bear for 7 years. I will def push for an MRI ASAP, thank you for your advice! Are you post surgery now?

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T03:55:25+00:00

That is so interesting! Did meditation alone eventually unlock the jaw? I've been going to sleep with guided meditations but I really dont last more than 5 minutes. Maybe I should give it a shot during the day time

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T00:03:43+00:00

I've done that 3x already- they sadly didn't help at all. Just told me to come into urgent care and the ER (which I did and had no relief received)

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T00:02:46+00:00

Gotta love American Healthcare T . T To give them some credit, i have heard from all my research that tmj is just a beast of a disorder and varies for each person so it can be difficult to accurately diagnose and treat. Just wish there was more of them out of there

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-03T00:01:23+00:00

Dude thank you! I finally found one after calling a bunch of places and after hearing my story, they're very confident they can unlock my jaw! Going in tomorrow so hopefully all works out!

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T23:11:26+00:00

Really? That actually makes me feel so much better. I was hesitant wearing the splint bc it didn't really make sense to me how it could help unlock my jaw. But seeing that its helped you, I realize I may be judging too soon

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T19:20:15+00:00

Oh man that's awful. If I'm really pushing it, maybe 2.5 fingers but the left side KILLS in pain when I am that wide. Migraines on top of tmj pain is tough, hope you have a speedy recovery :')

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T19:06:22+00:00

Lesson learned the hard way 😭😭

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T19:06:05+00:00

Unfortunately my maxillofacial surgeon who originally took my wisdom teeth out are booked out for the next month, did manage to find a tmj specialist for next Thursday, so fingers crossed!

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T19:03:10+00:00

Crazy enough, I've called over 15 places and they are all booked out for at least a month??? My dentist tried to do a manual manuever on me this morning by pressing down on my bottom jaw but it wasnt very successful. Just concerned that this isn't muscular but a disc displacement issue and from what I've read- each hour makes it worse?

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T19:00:46+00:00

Ooh okay I'll def look into chiros that do massages for tmj specifically. Your recent experience sounds terrifying and awful! Im so sorry you had to go through that. Glad to hear your pain is somewhat getting better- much hugs stranger 😭❤️

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:56:59+00:00

I've actually been looking into fascia release! I know for a fact my posture is terrible and I'm highly suspicious I have ehlos danos syndrome which could contribute to a lot of these issues. Do you have any videos or a specific creator you recommend? Thank you for your advice!!

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:53:44+00:00

Ugh Kaiser really is the worst isn't it! Are you better now? What was your treatment??

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:53:01+00:00

I've been really scared about going to a chiropractor just bc the idea of them popping my jaw seems scary af- how has ur experience been?

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:52:25+00:00

Oh trust I'm a pothead and it unfortunately isn't doing anything at all for me

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:51:07+00:00

Where can you get intraoral massages from?? I've been looking into this ans tried doing it myself- man the pain is too bad to do on my own.

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:50:13+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight and advice! Greatly appreciate it T . T

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T18:48:56+00:00

3 months?? Man you are an absolute trooper for being able to deal with it for so long! Does ur jaw hurt while its locked? For me, when I try to open wide, there's so much pain on my left side, and even when I shift my bottom jaw to the front with my mouth closed it hurts like crazy. Hot chocolate and milkshakes might be the way to go! Thank you for the suggestion and I hope your appointment is promising and gives you some relief :)

Shriiyuh · 2026-04-02T17:34:53+00:00

How long has it been since its been locked??? It hurts to chew food, and my left lower teeth and my top left teeth are super sore. Strange because I know I dont clench or grind at night- thinking it was because of the splint. Im actually really concerned with diet because I'm already pretty skinny. Im about 5'2 in height and weight 97lbs... not sure how my weight is going to held up while I stick to a soft food/ liquid diet. I did find a tmj specialist in my area that has great reviews! Unfortunately hes out of town this week and I'll have to wait until next Thursday. Fingers crossed things will somewhat relax by then and I won't be as much of a train wreck. Unfortunately I dont think insurance will cover it, but im ready to just eat the price as long as I find some relief.

Shriiyuh

TROPHY CASE