My TMJD Story: On My 9th Month (December)...

It has been more than a month already since I have resigned from my work. I have gained a lot of sleep which normally lasts from 9-10 hours. I encounter lesser stress as my only problem is how to win a job on Upwork so I can have enough money for my "dates". I am now enjoying enough rest and more time to browse, browse and browse the internet. In short, my condition is now getting better and I can truly agree that I have made the right decision to prioritize my health first.

1st WEEK:

• I had my free therapy session once again. It's been 3 weeks since I had my 3rd wisdom tooth extracted; my wound has already healed, I guess. Although I arrived late for the nth time, after a few minutes of sitting in the lobby and connecting to the WIFI, I was led to the therapy room by a new therapist and she started attaching the wires and pads to the usual spots. After ~90 minutes, she came to massage me using the RF machine, which is always my favourite part of the therapy.
• After the session, I met with Dr. Marvin and asked him what would be our next procedure (so I can fully condition myself and prepare the money as well. LOL). Well, he just advised me to have another therapy session next week (for free ♥), so my condition would continue to get better as I can now insert 3 fingers in my mouth! YES, 3 FINGERS!!! Finally, after 9 months of hwaiting!!! That's soooo great! ☺☺☺

Photo grabbed from this website

• Next week, my therapy would be at 9:00 AM. Goodluck to me! I wish no more lates! :))

WOW! It Has Been A Year Already :))

Well... Time flies so fast and we only have 30 days left before Christmas. It has also been a while since I published my last blogpost here — as I always find myself very busy on an everyday basis, hence, leaving no time for blogging anymore. Oh actually, I have no time for my own self as well, haha. And now that I am finally free from my daily burden, I am eventually trying to make time and deal with the stuffs I have neglected and perhaps, have forgotten a long, long ago already — taking care of myself and doing the things that I love the most.

Last month, I have decided to leave my workplace which has been a 2nd home for me for more than 5 years. Although I have been planning to resign for let's say... 5 years ago as well (hahaha), it was still a heartbreaking incident for me. Yeah, I've been too exhausted and too tired everyday that I'm dragging myself to work, but what can I do? I was a corporate slave back then. LOL. Until one day, I have fully came up with a very tight decision of submitting the "letter of freedom" which I know would open up a new world for me, and would also help me overcome the TMJ Disorder I am suffering right now. Yes, the primary reason why I've decided to leave my work and take a break is for me to recover from my TMJ Disorder. Sad to say, I would be a certified "tambay" in the meantime. I need to allot myself enough (actually, more than enough) time for rest in order to recuperate from my condition. :((

Photo from the website (http://www.epainassist.com/sports-injuries/head-and-face-injuries/tmd)

Unfortunately, my dentist advised me that there has been no significant improvements in my healing process over the past few months, taking into consideration the therapy sessions I've been undergoing and this annoying dental splint I've been wearing up to this moment. The phase 1 of my treatment is already extended as this is supposed to last until September only. The reason behind all these? STRESS. Of course, wala nang iba pa. HAHAHA. But wait, I know what's on your mind... "What's TMJ Disorder anyway? Never heard of it before." Well... I'll tell you the details some other time. HAHAHA :))

'Till my next blogpost! :))

My TMJD Story: The Dental Splint...

Well probably, this is the worst part of my TMJ treatment at all — wearing this Dental Splint everyday. This weird looking plastic/ceramic thing worn like a mouth piece is totally devastating to me (at first). I never actually imagined wearing something like this, I kept on telling myself that I would look normal, but unfortunately, I do not. :((

:: FIRST PHASE TREATMENT ::

After settling the downpayment for the 1st Phase of my TMJ treatment (8 Therapy Sessions + Dental Splint), I have been scheduled for my very first therapy last March 8. It was a bit awkward, as my therapist named Ms. Joy, attached (or rather taped) some wires and pads to me. Two big pads on my lower back, two smaller pads on my upper back and two circular pads on my face where the Temporo Mandibular Joint is located, both on the left and right side. They called it the TENS Machine, or "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation". Transcutaneous means "across the skin". In short, a tens machine stimulates our nerves through electrical current/pulses which passes on our skin and transmitted to the body like little electric shocks. They say that this process can help ease the pain which are usually nerve related (as what its name states). This part of the treatment lasted for about ~90 minutes.

This is the TENS Machine that's being used on me.

LEFT: Circular pads (for the face); MIDDLE and RIGHT: Bigger pads (for the back/body)