I could have just copied Kelly's post. I also have jaw pain (on the right) and have an orthotic that I wear at night to keep me from clenching while I sleep. The first time it happened, I doubled up on my Klonopin until the pain went away (before I got the orthotic). I couldn't eat and lived on soup and ice cream til the pain went away. I now get injections along my jawline which also help some. Yours could be Meige or something else. Most orthodontists or oral surgeons don't know about BEB, so if you decide to see one, take literature with you. I took some printouts from the internet on oromandibular dystonia and the whole office read them.I did have one interesting experience while getting the orthotic adjusted. They hook up leads around my jaws and temple to see how the muscles respond when I close my mouth. Once one of the sensors on my right temple went crazy as soon as the technician connected it and she thought there was something wrong with the equipment. I just told her that it was my normal "twitching" - she'd never seen that before. I think she finally realized what I had been trying to tell them.
Virginia in AL
Nancy,Sounds like you might have oromandibular dystonia which is often misdiagnosed as TMJ. I used to have incredible pain behind my ears and down my neck, and thought I had ear infections. NOT! So now I wear a prosthetic device that covers my lower teeth and I can clench my jaw without it breaking my teeth. The pain in my neck and ears went away. I went to my regular dentist and took info about OMD with me. He has been great. I bit through and broke several "night guards" before they got they got the right thickness. This one has lasted me a year and I wear it ALL the time except when I eat. Because it is for a medical condition, you might try to get your medical insurance to pay. Have your dentist write a letter to the Ins. Co, and send them info about OMD also. It worked for me. Now I don't have dental insurance and when I need a new one, That is what I will do.
Good luck.
A