I totally empathise with you all going through this dreadful condition.
I myself have had TMJ for about 10yrs, and I feel as though I'm going round in circles. Firstly I started with locking and terrible cracking, with pain in the joint. I have since had arthrocentisis twice, and although my jaw no longer locks, and the cracking is much improved, I still have constant earache, neck pain, eye socket pain, tooth pain and now a sore tongue !!!!!
I have tried the splint and soft diet bit, which didn't help at all. Infact it made things worse as I work in a secondary school, and the kids couldn't tell what I was saying.
My consultant has been really sympathetic, but the hospital are always losing my notes, and I have to keep phoning to find out whats happening. Last visit was in January 2008, when I was advised that a third arthrocentisis could be done, but that a camera inserted into the joint would show if this would be beneficial. I was told that this would be done by another consultant within a few weeks, and I am still waiting !!!! My notes have once again been mislaid, and the promise of a call by the secretary I am still waiting for.
I was hoping that somebody out there may have had this 'camera' procedure and be able to give me hope. If not anybody going through this, willing to chat would be great, as my family are bored of my winging, and to be honest I'm bored of my winging too.
somebody help.......or at least talk to me!!