re: Has anyone here dealt with TMJ disorder?

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I thought what I initially had was an ear infection because the pain and pressure is mostly in that area. But after a couple of days it became hard to chew food and looking up the symptoms it appears that this is what I actually have. I'll try to go to a doctor soon but from what I read it seems that it's really just something you have to let heal on its own because the only other real treatment is surgery if it doesn't.

In the meantime I'm just on a steady diet of soft food and ibuprofen. I've found a couple of hacks where if I tilt my head all the way forward then I can chew pretty normally without much discomfort. And when I'm in the show the heat makes it pretty much all the pain and pressure go away but as soon as I step out it flares right back up. If only I could stay in the shower 24/7

Sleeping however has been the biggest problem because no matter what position I sleep in and even taking my wife's extra strength prescription Ibuprofen instead of the OTC brand it flares up the worst when I'm trying to sleep. If anyone that's dealt with this has any tips on how they dealt with it would be a big help.

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Does it hurt on one side or both? Any popping in your jaw when you open? Any difficulty opening or reduced opening? Has it ever happened before?