TMJ-TMD Movement Disorder Appliance Update

I have had my appliance now for two months. I too felt that I had a major kitchen appliance in my mouth all day long, and trying to eat anything that requires biting (like an apple or a sandwich) is physically impossible and leads to embarrassment.  The nighttime appliance is like having a plastic shoe in your mouth at night. I have finally gotten used to both of them. I won't lie, it wasn't easy at first. Now if I forget to put them in, guilt takes over and I rush to get them into position ASAP.

The changes I have noticed so far that are definitely worth mentioning is that I sleep so soundly now. I only wake up once at the most twice to go to the bathroom, but I return to sleep very fast and sleep soundly until the morning. I have stopped taking the Ativan I was taking to help me sleep, and the only other prescription I take for sleeping is Flexeril at bedtime for my back. I suffer with a lot of back pain and have a lot of muscle spasms that make it uncomfortable to sit or stand for any length of time. But today I noticed my back has not bothered me all day. Also I usually take my first dose of PD meds at 6:00 A.M. But I felt so energetic when I got up that I postponed my dose until 7:30 A.M. I usually take them every 4 hours.

I feel very positive these days. Last summer I suffered with bouts of depression. But I've had a great feeling of happiness and contentment lately. My walk seems a bit better also.  I am going to try to journal every day to keep track of my progress.

One thing I could add that I forgot. For the last 4-5 years I've had ringing in my ears on a daily basis. In the last two months I can count on one hand the amount of incidents of my ears ringing. This is a wonderful thing.  

Thank you Jo for introducing me to Dr.

I will keep you posted.

Pam