I’ve been recently diagnosed with TMJ. It is so painful that even my ear and neck hurt. I have a sore throat and achy shoulders too. I went first to the physician for an ear infection and was given antibiotics, but the ear ache got worse as did the pain down my neck. The pain got so bad that I went to the ER and there I was diagnosed with TMJ. That was four weeks ago and I still hurt. I have been taking aspirin and trying exercises to loosen the muscles around my neck and shoulders. Any suggestions?
Sore throats are common problems for us with TMJ. It's usually because of the one muscle down deep that runs from the ear down to the collar bone, although it is not always. It does help to suck on hard candy frequently or I drink fluids all day long. I have been doing both. I just started on a new dose of pain med. But because of my job I always have something in my bag for the throat soreness.