Anyone Here Have Experience with TMJ? Is That What I Have?

Hi guys, I wanted to ask about this on a dedicated TMJ forum, but there aren't many out there, and none that seem as active as this site, so I wanted to ask a few questions here. I hope that's alright. Anyway, I've been having some major issues with the jaw over the past week or so. It just started one night when eating dinner. I opened my mouth and heard a loud "CRACK" noise coming from jaw, and ever since then, I've been having multiple problems that just won't go away.

I hear that same cracking/popping noise whenever I chew/talk too much or open my mouth too wide, and it's followed by sharp pain. Also, the left side of my jaw (where the noise is coming from) is sore all the time, and my jaw ju st feels kind of stuff at times, as well. This is all kinds freaking me out, to be honest, and I'm not really sure where to go from here? Should I try to see a doctor/dentist, and if so, which kind? Is this something that could go away on it's own. Is there anything I could do to make it better in the meantime, if it is TMJ.

Again, sorry for asking this on a Tinnitus related forum (I do have Tinnitus, btw). I just wasn't really sure where to turn with this, and I understand that some Tinnitus sufferers do have TMJ as well. So, anyone with TMJ experience think this is TMJ, or have any advice for me? Any info would be very much appreciated.

 

Sounds like your cartilge might have slipped from where it should be.
Jaw physio can help and wearing a mouth guard .
See your dentist and go from there.
Love glynis x

 

Thanks, @glynis . Already made an appointment with my dentist, and will go from there.

 

@Samir , thank you very much for the incredibly detailed response! It makes me feel a bit better to know that going to my dentist is the right thing to do, and that there are lots of treatment options. I also really sympathize with you not being able to get the healthcare that you need. I'm lucky in that I'm on Medicaid (in the US) now and most things are covered for me, but I have many family members who don't have coverage at all, and it's a really terrible thing, indeed. I wish you well, and I hope you can get the help you need, man. At any rate, thx again for the very detailed response, as it's made me feel a bit better, even as my current Jaw pain (and of course, that horrible Tinnitus) threatens to drive me up a wall. ☺

 

Well, actually, there is one thing, @Samir . If I actually needed some kind of jaw surgery (I certainly hope I don't!), could that affect my Tinnitus, or make it worse? I always get really nervous with any Dental stuff honestly, because the face and jaw and ears and all that are kinda connected in there, y'know? So, would you know if of these jaw procedures could affect my ears or my T?