I have jaw pain, what are some suggestions?

I've had TMJ off and on in my life, and sometimes wear a teeth guard at night to prevent the pain and to prevent scraping the enamel off my teeth. Perhaps you should try that.

Thanks for your message. Would the oral surgeon be able to sort that out? I am seeing him on Monday and I really hope he takes me seriously and gets something in place for me.

You don't need to go to the expense of an oral surgeon. A decent dentist can have a teeth guard fitted for you.

You don't need to go to the expense of an oral surgeon. A decent dentist can have a teeth guard fitted for you.

Well, I am not entirely confident of the (NHS) dentist that I was seeing. I have an appointment with a dentist who is a TMJ specialist in September; it will cost more, but at this point will probably be worth it because I am tired of the doctors/dentists messing me about. I only wish the appointment was sooner. I wonder if a GP can give me muscle relaxants? I am kind of miserable from the pain.

Awwwwe! Sorry to hear your still hurting Candace.  I hope you feel better real soon 

Awwwwe! Sorry to hear your still hurting Candace.  I hope you feel better real soon 

Thanks so much. Your message cheers me up. I am going to see an oral surgeon tomorrow morning (post-operative care) and if he won't give me medicine, I will ask him to write a note to my GP saying that he will have to treat me.

I have a job interview in around an hour and getting that would really be great.

Have a great day!

Yesterday I was feeling quite stressed out about my pain and when I went to see a GP, she diagnosed me as depressed and wanted me to get blood work to see if I was anemic or had a thyroid problem!

Thankfully, my appointment with the oral surgeon went very well today. She told me to use medicated mouthwash and salt rinses so that I don't get an infection in my mouth as it could happen (I still have some stitches in my mouth). Importantly, she also told me that my jaw joints are quite tender and that all of my symptoms show that I have TMJ. She gave me a leaflet with suggestions. I was also given a prescription for Dicloflex, a muscle relaxant. I will see her again in about a month and will get a referral to a physiotherapist if the pain has not decreased. I am very happy to finally get this diagnosed and begin treatment. Of course, the impact of TMJ is not pleasant, but it is now being understood and treated.

I wonder why she didn't give you a guard for your teeth?

I wonder why she didn't give you a guard for your teeth?

I will ask about that the next time I am there. Have you found that makes a big difference? Was it costly or was it covered?

I will also push to get a referral for a physical therapist. I had to be direct about wanting medicine (i.e. "I am in a lot of pain, ibuprofen is not enough") before she consulted with another doctor and prescribed me the muscle relaxant. 

a properly fitted mouth guard is the only thing that did squat for me.  that and tylenoyl+codeine (sold over the counter here)  the mouthguard is adjusted every 3 months...