TMJ has affected my ears. The results were severe tinnitus and vertigo. It got so bad hospitalization was required. I was finally referred to a specialist and after two cortisone shots and a lower tooth mouth guard, the condition has stabilized. I still have occasional ear pain, but the vertigo is gone. Funny thing is at no time have I had any jaw problems or pain. My doctor has told me that surgery in any TMJ case should be the last resort because it has a poor success rate.

I am 58 years old and have had TMJ for quite a few years, but only the last 5 years has it gotten worse. Whenever I sing is when it flares up. When I have to hold a note for a while, my jaw locks up. It's so embarrassing. I get an instant headache. I have been to a chiropractor, but it didn't help at all. I have to move my jaw side to side to make it thru the song. It helps short term, but will have to give up singing.

I have had ear pain for 4 months. Was sent to an ENT. She said I had TMJ and I will have physical therapy on Friday. I also go to a chiropractor and he has been adjusting my jaw which has has helped. I no longer have the sharp pain.

I just wanted to say thanks to those people on here that suggested seeing a chiropractor. I was diagnosed by my dentist with TMJ about 1.5 years ago and have been in pain since. I tried the usual splint, moist heat and pain killers without any results. After reading these posts I decided to tell my chiropractor about my TMJ diagnosis to see what he could suggest. Luck for me, he actually specializes in jaw adjustments. Within 10 minutes of him doing his magic I felt 95% better than I had in over a year and a half. I have since been back for 5 further treatments and I can't believe what a difference this has made. I'm pretty much back to normal. He adjusts my jaw, but also stretches the muscles in the lower jaw area by pressing his finger between my teeth and jaw bone. This is of course not a very technical description, but whatever he is doing works.

My fiance has had TMJ for 4 years. He is 23 and it takes over our lives.It is so sad that at such a young age his life if full of such chronic pain. He has been on every pain killer out there, worn mouth guards and even had the flushing out operation mentioned on this site. This did provide a small amount of temporary relief but he was soon back to his unbearable amounts of pain, we have recently moved to Perth from UK and we are seeking any new options for him here.

I was diagnosed with TMJ 2 years ago. I had a constant earache in both ears, so from Doctor to Ear Specialist who then referred me to a Maxillofacial Surgeon who confirmed it. Muscle Relaxants and Anti-inflammatory pills did nothing for the pain. I am currently on Hydrocodone which is the only pain killer that alleviates my ear, neck, jaw, and headaches. My medical insurance won't pay for the splint nor another consultation with a Maxillofacial Surgeon, so I am at the mercy of my general doctor. I do not want to be on pain killers for the rest of my life. Does anyone know if Botox works? What about surgical procedures?

Ice helps me a lot more than heat, sometimes I think heat actually makes it more painful. My doctor has mentioned my ear drums are pulled back so maybe there is more going on than TMJ.

I have been having problems with TMJ syndrome for about a year. I tried the mouth guard, didn't work. My doctor has me on mild muscle relaxers at night to stop the grinding & it has helped. I still get pain once to twice a month at least. Sounds stupid, but ice packs help me more than heat compresses. The article I read on this site says it is a temporary thing, the syndrome. But I really don't think it is. Doesn't seem like it's gonna go away.

I was diagnosed with TMJ when I was around 12. They had me wear mouth guards at night and four hours every day. Then I got braces and they kept my jaw banded together. None of it worked. I have constant pain in my jaws, eyes, neck, and constant migraines. I am at a 9 on the pain scale every day. I go to see a doctor again about this, but they never seem to do anything. My whole life has been taken over by this!