I woke up a few weeks ago and could hardly open my mouth (and if you know me, you'd know it is rarely shut!) and when I did there were shooting pains up one side followed by a dull ache that wouldn't go away.
It was Tuesday so although I was supposed to be on counter they sent me to the hospital. (If it had been Monday I'd have had to stay on counter even if my head had fallen off because... oh, don't get me started on the Monday/ Tuesday thing.) So off I gurned to the hobble-in centre and eventually saw a nurse practitioner.
It turns out I've got Library Face. It's all the vacillating between the rictus grin of welcome, the compassionate 'just this once' smile of the waived fine, the stoic grimace of knowing we're all getting 'at risk of redundancy' notices tomorrow. That, and the endless shushing... I've worn out my mouth.
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| Transmandibular joint disorder lumpiness |
So there's no more smiling or singing (which is frowned on in the library anyway) and I'm trying to give up smirking.
Actually, its proper name is transmandibular joint disorder. It wasn't too bad on holiday, although I couldn't eat anything BIG. But it got worse as soon as I got back to work last week, which just confirms what I said all along: Library Face.
Ha, I should send this to my mum, who has TMJ. She has a few exercises she's supposed to do, and (even though I do sympathize, since I'm sure I have the beginnings of it) I do love to watch her do them because they're so funny!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am going to start calling it 'library face.' I like that much better than TMJ anyway.
Hope you're feeling back to normal soon!
Ooh... there are exercises? I didn't know - I'm new! I'm really struggling to NOT smile at people though. 8-(
DeleteBlimey, I’v never heard of TMJ. I shall have to take a closer look at my librarian the next time.
ReplyDeleteHope there’s something for it and you won’t have to be under the doctor with your jaw for long.
'under the doctor with your jaw' - I'm glad it's not National Double Entendre Week! I hadn't heard of it either - but thanks for the good wishes!
DeleteMine comes from eating. I've since learned to take small bites and not chew gum.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
I REFUSE to stop eating!! But yes, small bites hurt less. (Actually that's quite a good slogan - for badges / t-shirts / vampires?)
DeleteYou've got the library eyes, too! You know. Raised eyebrows over top of glasses. Goes with the "shhhh!" But I do hope you're better soon. Sounds painful.
ReplyDeleteActually, I've got rubbish glasses more than library eyes! It's not too bad if I'm careful, but thanks for the good wishes.
DeleteThat sounds horrible. Hope you feel much better soon x
ReplyDeleteThanks hon! Sorry I missed your launch - had it on my calendar on my phone then didn't look at the phone for 2 days! Doh! But you have another one, don't you?
DeleteOuch! Hope it gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteI demand a poem and a good rhyme for trans-mandibular. Get better soon, though. It sounds a bit horrid.
ReplyDelete