The bone in my jaw joints had deteriorated to the consistency of eggshell and scar tissue was all that held the bone in place. In 1996 I had my 8th open jaw surgery, a bilateral total joint replacement of the TMJ's. In a ten hour surgery, the slivers of bone were removed piece by piece from masses of scar tissue and the joints replaced with chrome prosthetic joints. There is no cure for TMD or osteoporosis and even now, with prosthetic joints, I am aware they may not last as long as my natural ones did. I still have severe TMD pain and also suffer from extensive bone loss in other bones as well, particularly in my lower back and hips.
Bone disease is excruciating.
Fibromyalgia causes extreme sensitivity to heat and cold and severe muscle pain. Even the slightest pressure is painful. These last several years have been difficult. But what I experienced that was even more difficult to deal with was the reaction I got from others regarding my illness. My illnesses can not be seen.