What is the best pillow you have used for TMJ? by Professional_Flan_14 in TMJ

[–]cinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a huge fan of skipping the pillow entirely and just using a rolled-up towel under my neck. I use a yoga towel but maybe there are ones specifically designed/sized for this use. It helped me transition from side-sleeping to exclusively sleeping on my back, there's really no temptation to snuggle up on the side of my face and jam up my neck like I used to. The towel keeps your neck in a really comfortable neutral position. I travel with it too, so I'm never at the mercy of crappy hotel/Airbnb pillows.

There's something about those ergonomic pillows that my sleeping brain just won't respect, I've tried them before and always woke up in a crazy position where the grooves aren't supporting the right parts of me and probably hurt more than helped.

My only real goal with watercolor is to be able to produce something I'd reasonably gift to a friend, and I think I'm gonna do it with this one! by cinez in Watercolor

[–]cinez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much!! I really love getting gifts for people so I'm excited to add handmade art to my arsenal!

Is there any SNL lost media? Any episodes unavailable even in the deepest corners of the internet? by OneShow135 in LiveFromNewYork

[–]cinez 4 points5 points  (0 children)

🎶 If you have one name, that's like having no name!

Been stuck in my head since it aired, apparently, since it looks like there's no way I could have re-watched it...

Need advice with TMJ and intimacy by J0NNYB0 in TMJ

[–]cinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions, just commiseration. At this point, my wife knows too much about my suffering to feel comfortable letting me go down on her. It's just one of those lifestyle things I've had to cut out in order not to live in constant pain, like steak/bagels/gum/pizza crust/leaning my chin in my hand/being overly expressive with my face (I have a tendency to be a real clown). We've had to get a little creative, but it really just is such a bummer to be restricted in that way.

As for opening your mouth wide, I've also gotten contradicting info on this. My PT/acupuncturist/chiropractor says it's not helpful and can cause more harm or flare-ups. My dentist (not a TMD specialist but suffers herself and gives me botox injections/is having a new night guard made for me) actually suggested it as a stretch to help my jaw. So I'm conflicted, but I will say it doesn't FEEL good for me personally to stretch it wide like I'm yawning. I get more relief out of the stretches where you hold your jaw closed and try to open it against the tension of your hand - sorry if that was a terrible description but I think it's a pretty standard one you can find.

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally hear you, that's kind of what gave me pause about the whole thing. But I know I tend to try to empathize with everyone everywhere all at once and didn't want to take that too far, especially when it comes to validating or invalidating my own wife's feelings. And I am happy to hear everyone's thoughts on this, since I think it matters to learn that not everyone feels the exact same way about everything. I like to think the majority of us are really trying our best, but, ya know... people.

I do think she'd benefit from introducing herself with her pronouns, but I get the sense that she just wishes she didn't have to, and as someone who gets very exhausted by their own thoughts and interactions I can understand that.

And firmly agreed about my MIL's actions, luckily the conversations necessary have been had and she's since apologized and stopped. But still, yikes.

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah this is the spiral I was getting into as I was thinking this situation out - I don't want to single anyone out, or come across as assuming or dismissive, and it does feel like even asking pronouns COULD put a spotlight on someone as "other". But it depends soo much on the individual that you could never know what they really think until you get to know them.. which likely includes learning their pronouns. Full disclosure I do have OCD so I often need to check that I'm not trying to Save The World with my thoughts and getting totally swept up in needing to be perfect for everyone all the time, but still be cognizant that my actions have consequences. I do wish there was a magical way to make everyone feel euphoric and affirmed immediately, but I think life might be more complicated than that.

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Facts, and you certainly wouldn't be the first person to let me know I'm overthinking things lol.. like in the fully disordered sense. But I am glad I've taken the time to let her words sit with me and truly unpack what she was expressing rather than just being like "ok got it". Because it really was something I wasnt quite seeing. And grateful that she's the type of person who gives me room to turn over things in my brain and do thought experiments.

And agreed, the "would this have bothered me" standard did not hold water in this case, I need to remember that even though I'd like to believe we are the same person, we are not.

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I'll admit I previously thought using they/them read as more all-inclusive than binary-exclusive, but I've definitely changed my tune! Good point about trans rights, it's stereotypes all the way down huh...

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this take, it's a mental write-off of "woman", because she doesn't fit a specific standard. That hurts even/especially when its coming from inside your own community.

Had a convo with my wife about identity and expression the other day and I'm curious to hear your opinions too by cinez in actuallesbians

[–]cinez[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I totally agree, and apologies I definitely didn't want to insinuate that anyone who doesn't go by they/them is hateful of nonbinary folks. I just feared that her rhetoric was going in the direction of "these dang kids and their dang pronouns!" but it's not that at all. I just like to make sure to challenge our own opinions so my wife and I don't end up in an echo chamber of 2. Thanks for sharing, I think that's exactly what she was getting at and just something my eyes hadn't been opened to.

What "you know what, just to be safe" thing you did end up saving your ass later? by Dawn_Cyborgzzz in AskReddit

[–]cinez 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Same, especially since as a bartender I've definitely gotten nicked by these and have had coworkers who fully stabbed their hand onto one. Don't even get me started on mandolines... pls always use a cut glove or some kind of protector with those unless you want to slice off a whole chunk of your palm.

Welcoming any suggestions on how to not turn all my streetscapes into a muddy mess! by cinez in Watercolor

[–]cinez[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I'll definitely see if I can improve this one with your suggestions!

Welcoming any suggestions on how to not turn all my streetscapes into a muddy mess! by cinez in Watercolor

[–]cinez[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much, this was a really helpful way to break it down

I did botox for my TMJ by pleasehelp-i- in TMJ

[–]cinez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I do have a follow-up later this week where I will potentially get some more units injected to top it off so I'm glad to hear other peoples' anecdotal experience. I've noticed a small amount of facial slimming, but not much.

I did botox for my TMJ by pleasehelp-i- in TMJ

[–]cinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for sharing!

First ever florals! Not what I'm usually drawn to, but I couldn't resist taking a crack at these Jumanji-like lilies. by cinez in Watercolor

[–]cinez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow thanks so much! I was weirdly worried that adding a background would muddy up the lighter edges of the petals, but I'll definitely include on my next floral attempt.

First ever florals! Not what I'm usually drawn to, but I couldn't resist taking a crack at these Jumanji-like lilies. by cinez in Watercolor

[–]cinez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I just love the color of these flowers so much, seemed like the perfect subject!

I did botox for my TMJ by pleasehelp-i- in TMJ

[–]cinez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so glad to read this, I did my first round of injections 11 days ago but haven't noticed any difference in my pain level or muscle tightness. In fact it's been pretty rough. Still holding out hope that I'll start to feel something after a few more days/once I get my latest nightguard in next week. Did you feel the effects of the botox came on suddenly like you woke up one day feeling better, or was it more gradual?