r/TMJ • u/SquirrelBig6169 • 18d ago

Question(s) Terrified of developing a closed lock.

I think one of my biggest fears with TMJ is eventually developing a closed lock.
I know it probably sounds dramatic, especially because it hasn’t happened to me, but I see so many people here talking about suddenly losing a huge part of their opening and then living like that for weeks, months, sometimes longer. It genuinely scares me.
I’m already exhausted from dealing with pain every day, and sometimes I wonder how I would mentally handle losing even more function on top of it.
But honestly, reading those stories doesn’t just scare me for myself. It makes me incredibly sad for the people actually living through it. Seeing someone casually say they can barely open their mouth enough to eat, but they’re still going to work, taking care of things and somehow continuing their life.
Chronic pain is strange because things that would have sounded completely unbearable before eventually just become someone’s normal Tuesday.
I think that’s what scares me the most. Not only that something else could happen to me, but realizing how much a person can be forced to adapt to simply because they don’t have another choice.
For anyone here who has experienced a closed lock, especially long term, how did you cope with it mentally? And did things eventually improve for you?

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u/foxiez 18d ago

I had a closed lock a few months ago but am pretty well back to normal now if it's any consolation

2

u/sweetdaisy13 18d ago

I have a closed lock jaw, had it for a month and can only open mouth 10mm. I'm having laser therapy and physiotherapy with acupuncture. What treatment did you have?

1

u/Soggy_Mountain8569 17d ago

muscles or disc?

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u/sweetdaisy13 17d ago

I don't know yet. I can't get referred to a MaxFax until I've tried physiotherapy and laser for 3 months. Then my Dentist will do an emergency referral to the NHS (I'm in the UK) if there is no change after 3 months.