#Tmj Ear Pressure

[underneaththatblackblanket]

"The 200+ Symptoms of Fibromyalgia"

(Note: Some symptoms may overlap)

GENERAL

1. Activity level decreased to less than 50% of pre-illness activity level

2. Cold hands and feet (extremities)

3. Cough

4. Craving carbohydrates

5. Delayed reaction to physical activity or stressful events

6. Dryness of eyes and/or mouth

7. Edema (Oedema)

8. Family member(s) with Fibromyalgia

9. Fatigue, made worse by physical exertion or stress

10. Feeling cold often

11. Feeling hot often

12. Frequent sighing

13. Heart palpitations

14. Hoarseness

15. Hypoglycemia (blood sugar falls or low)

16. Increased thirst

17. Low blood pressure (below 110/70)

18. Low body temperature (below 97.6)

19. Low-grade fevers

20. Night sweats

21. Noisy joints – with or without pain

22. Poor circulation in hands/feet

23. Profuse sweating

24. Recurrent flu-like illness

25. Shortness of breath with little or no exertion

26. Severe nasal allergies (new or worsening allergies)

27. Sore throat

28. Subjective swelling of extremities – (feels swollen Bu can’t find anything)

29. Sweats

30. Symptoms worsened by air travel

31. Symptoms worsened by stress

32. Symptoms worsened by temperature changes

33. Tender or swollen lymph nodes, especially in neck and underarms

34. Tremor or trembling

35. Unexplained weight gain or loss

PAIN

36. Abdominal wall pain

37. Bad hip pain

38. Burning Nerve Pain

39. Chest pain

40. Collarbone pain

41. Diffuse swelling

42. Elbow pain

43. Exacerbated Plantar arch or heel pain

44. “Growing” pains that don’t go away once you are done growing

45. Headache – tension or migraine

46. Inflamed Rib Cartilage

47. Joint pain

48. Lumpy, tender breasts

49. Morning stiffness

50. Muscle pain - widespread

51. Muscle spasms

52. Muscle twitching

53. Muscle weakness

54. Pain that ranges from moderate to severe

55. Pain that moves around the body

56. Paralysis or severe weakness of an arm or leg

57. Restless Leg Syndrome

58. Rib Pain

59. Scalp Pain (like hair being pulled out)

60. Sciatica-like pain

61. Tender points or trigger points

62. TMJ syndrome

63. “Voodoo Doll” Poking Sensation in random places

NEUROLOGICAL

64. Blackouts

65. Brain fog

66. Carpal Tunnel

67. Feeling spaced out

68. Hallucinating smells

69. Inability to think clearly

70. Lightheadedness

71. Noise intolerance

72. Numbness or tingling sensations

73. Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

74. Seizures

75. Seizure-like episodes

76. Sensation that you might faint

77. Syncope (fainting)

78. Tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears)

79. Vertigo or dizziness

EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION

80. Bumping into things

81. Clumsy Walking

82. Difficulty balancing

83. Difficulty judging distances (when driving, etc.)

84. Directional disorientation

85. Dropping things frequently

86. Feeling spatially disoriented

87. Frequent tripping or stumbling

88. Not seeing what you’re looking at

89. Poor balance and coordination

90. Staggering gait

SLEEP

91. Alertness/energy best late at night

92. Altered sleep/wake schedule

93. Awakening frequently

94. Difficulty falling asleep

95. Difficulty staying asleep

96. Excessive sleeping

97. Extreme alertness or energy levels late at night

98. Falling asleep at random and sometimes dangerous moments

99. Fatigue

100. Light or broken sleep pattern

101. Muscle spasms/twitches at night

102. Narcolepsy

103. Sleep disturbances

104. Sleep starts or falling sensations

105. Teeth grinding - "Bruxism"

106. Tossing and turning

107. Un-refreshing or non-restorative sleep

108. Vivid or disturbing dreams/nightmares

EYES/VISION

109. Blind spots in vision

110. Eye pain

111. Difficulty switching focus from one thing to another

112. Frequent changes in ability to see well

113. Night driving difficulty

114. Occasional Blurry vision

115. Poor night vision

116. Rapidly worsening vision

117. Vision changes

COGNITIVE

118. Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving

119. Confusion

120. Difficulty expressing ideas in words

121. Difficulty following conversation (especially if background noise present)

122. Difficulty following directions while driving

123. Difficulty following oral instructions

124. Difficulty following written instructions

125. Difficulty making decisions

126. Difficulty moving your mouth to speak

127. Difficulty paying attention

128. Difficulty putting ideas together to form a complete picture

129. Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence

130. Difficulty recognizing faces

131. Difficulty speaking known words

132. Difficulty remembering names of objects

133. Difficulty remembering names of people

134. Difficulty understanding what you read

135. Difficulty with long-term memory

136. Difficulty with simple calculations

137. Difficulty with short-term memory

138. Easily distracted during a task

139. Dyslexia-type symptoms occasionally

140. Feeling too disoriented to drive

141. Forgetting how to do routine things

142. Impaired ability to concentrate

143. Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

144. Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next)

145. Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence

146. Loss of ability to distinguish some colors

147. Poor judgment

148. Short term memory impairment

149. Slowed speech

150. Staring into space trying to think

151. Stuttering; stammering

152. Switching left and right

153. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak

154. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you write

155. Trouble concentrating

156. Using the wrong word

157. Word-finding difficulty

EMOTIONAL

158. Abrupt and/or unpredictable mood swings

159. Anger outbursts

160. Anxiety or fear when there is no obvious cause

161. Attacks of uncontrollable rage

162. Decreased appetite

163. Depressed mood

164. Feeling helpless and/or hopeless

165. Fear of someone knocking on the door

166. Fear of telephone ringing

167. Feeling worthless

168. Frequent crying

169. Heightened awareness – of symptoms

170. Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities

171. Irrational fears

172. Irritability

173. Overreaction

174. Panic attacks

175. Personality changes –usually a worsening of pervious condition

176. Phobias

177. Suicide attempts

178. Suicidal thoughts

179. Tendency to cry easily

GASTROINTESTINAL

180. Abdominal cramps

181. Bloating

182. Decreased appetite

183. Food cravings

184. Frequent constipation

185. Frequent diarrhea

186. Gerd-like Symptoms

187. Heartburn

188. Increased appetite

189. Intestinal gas

190. Irritable bladder - "Angry Bladder Syndrome"

191. Irritable bowel syndrome - IBS-C, IBS-D

192. Nausea

193. Regurgitation

194. Stomachache

195. Vomiting

196. Weight gain - unexplained

197. Weight loss - unexplained

UROGENITAL

198. Decreased libido (sex drive)

199. Endometriosis

200. Frequent urination

201. Impotence

202. Menstrual problems

203. Painful urination or bladder pain - "Interstitial Cystitis"

204. Pelvic pain

205. Prostate pain

206. Worsening of (or severe) premenstrual syndrome (PMS or PMDD)

SENSITIVITIES

207. Alcohol intolerance

208. Allodynia (hypersensitive to touch)

209. Alteration of taste, smell, and/or hearing

210. Sensitivity to chemicals in cleaning products, perfumes, etc.

211. Sensitivities to foods

212. Sensitivity to light

213. Sensitivity to mold

214. Sensitivity to noise

215. Sensitivity to odors

216. Sensitivity to yeast (getting yeast infections frequently on skin, etc.)

217. Sensory overload

218. Sensitivity to pressure & humidity changes

219. Sensitivity to extreme temperature changes

220. Vulvodynia

SKIN

221. Able to “write” on skin with finger

222. Bruising easily

223. Bumps and lumps

224. Eczema or psoriasis

225. Hot/dry skin

226. Ingrown hairs

227. Itchy/Irritable skin

228. Mottled skin

229. Rashes or sores

230. Scarring easily

231. Sensitivity to the sun

232. Skin suddenly turns bright red

CARDIOVASCULAR (Heart)

233. “Click-murmur” sounds through stethoscope

234. Fluttery heartbeat

235. Heart palpitations

236. Irregular heartbeat

237. Loud pulse in ear

238. Pain that mimics heart attack - "Costochondritis"

239. Rapid heartbeat

HAIR/NAILS

240. Dull, listless hair

241. Heavy and splitting cuticles

242. Irritated nail beds

243. Nails that curve under

244. Pronounced nail ridges

245. Temporary hair loss

OTHER

246. Canker sores

247. Dental problems

248. Disk Degeneration

​249. Hemorrhoids

250. Nose bleeds

251. Periodontal (gum) disease

252. Need for early hysterectomy

[brightlotusmoon]

My FB post right now is being so useful:

Me: Okay, someone with TMJ, trigeminal nerve pain, and sinus pain help walk me through the differences so I can figure out what's happening in my face.

My microbiologist friend: "OMG SOMEONE FINALLY NEEDS ME!!!!

TMJ is an achy, muscular pain. If you press on the hinge of your jaw and/or the back of your skull where it meets your neck, you will feel intense pain followed by release. Causes headaches on one side, usually in the back. Opening your mouth wide while touching your jaw will produce a “pop” on one side and a feeling of sliding sideways on the other. Helped by: NSAIDS, muscle relaxants, heat. Hurt by: crunchy food, chewy food, jaw clenching.

Trigeminal neuralgia feels like random electrical shocks at the base of your teeth, radiating up into your cheek. One side. No headache. Pain can also be sharp or burning (when mine was at its worst it felt like someone put a flaming fireplace poker between my teeth and slammed my jaw shut), but the hallmark is that “shocky” pain. Helped by: medication that is specifically for nerve pain (like gabapentin). Absolutely nothing else helps. Hurt by: ??? (Mine is kind of related to the cold but…???)

Sinus pain is usually heavy pressure and an ache or occasional sharp pain in the jaw. Headaches bilateral and in the front of the head, in a “mask” around the eyes. Trigger points are at the inside corner of the eyebrow and the outer corner of the nostrils, applying firm pressure there will cause SEVERE pain that will lessen over time. Cheeks and forehead may also be sensitive to touch. Also might present as a sore throat. Helped by: sudafed, antihistamines, NSAIDS, cold. Hurt by: that depends on the person. If it’s unrelenting and doesn’t respond well to meds you should see a doctor to check for infection.

Oh my goodness I feel so useful 🖤"

My reply: "I love you. I also feel like all of that happened at the same time. But I'm going to call it TMJ, because the thoracic pain and upper shoulder stiffness is specific to the palsy spasticity, which means it'll hit the jaw muscles on both sides in slightly different ways."

Other friends also weighed in!

A. said "TMJ feels like you have the bottom jaw and the jaw joint hit with a hammer. Sinus pain in face feels like you could stick something into your eye or up your nose and it would pop the balloon that growing in your skull. Trigeminal nerve is one of the worst pains you have ever experienced and you would be at the hospital. It usually only affects one side of the face and it feels as thought someone is slicing your face open. (I don’t have it but a friend does but I experienced mild symptoms after a surgery that temporarily inflamed that nerve and even minor pain it was horrid and gave me a much much less accurate idea of how much pain my dear friend deals with cause mine was like 20% compared to her 100%)"

-

K. said: "TN can be bilateral and can be triggered or exacerbated by the same range of meds prescribed to relieve it.

Sinus pain may respond to pseudoephedrine, but phenylephrine ain't shit, so check your Sudafed formulation before you decide that decongestant doesn't work.

TMJ, you might notice that you're clenching or grinding at night... or other people might notice more than you do.

Also consider for differential diagnosis, these things that can cause REALLY fucking bizarre referred-pain:

Ear infection (look for fever or pain spiking at weird times when you can't identify a trigger, also maybe nausea)

Dental/oral nerve impingement or infection, try swishing with an analgesic like a chloraseptic spray or lozenge, or oragel. See if pan resolves.

Try tapping on teeth and gums. See if any of them feel 'weird.'

Brush/floss/waterpik/whatever very thoroughly and then gargle and swish as aggressively as you can.

I had a poppy seed making me think I was getting shingles one time. Once it was out, I was fine. Weirdest fucking shit... anyway..."

[lordofdapies]

I got sick suddenly and degenerated rapidly. It took me five years to get a diagnosis and guess what my first diagnosis was?!

Fibromyalgia!

I don’t have fibromyalgia but that’s the diagnosis they give to AFAB people when they don’t know what’s wrong

Check out the list of symptoms

1. Activity level decreased to less than 50% of pre-illness activity level

2. Cold hands and feet (extremities)

3. Cough

4. Craving carbohydrates

5. Delayed reaction to physical activity or stressful events

6. Dryness of eyes and/or mouth

7. Edema

8. Family member(s) with Fibromyalgia

9. Fatigue, made worse by physical exertion or stress

10. Feeling cold often

11. Feeling hot often

12. Frequent sighing

13. Heart palpitations

14. Hoarseness

15. Hypoglycemia (blood sugar falls or low)

16. Increased thirst

17. Low blood pressure (below 110/70)

18. Low body temperature (below 97.6)

19. Low-grade fevers

20. Night sweats

21. Noisy joints – with or without pain

22. Poor circulation in hands/feet

23. Profuse sweating

24. Recurrent flu-like illness

25. Shortness of breath with little or no exertion

26. Severe nasal allergies (new or worsening allergies)

27. Sore throat

28. Subjective swelling of extremities – (feels swollen Bu can’t find anything)

29. Sweats

30. Symptoms worsened by air travel

31. Symptoms worsened by stress

32. Symptoms worsened by temperature changes

33. Tender or swollen lymph nodes, especially in neck and underarms

34. Tremor or trembling

35. Unexplained weight gain or loss

36. Abdominal wall pain

37. Bad hip pain

38. Burning Nerve Pain

39. Chest pain

40. Collarbone pain

41. Diffuse swelling

42. Elbow pain

43. Exacerbated Plantar arch or heel pain

44. “Growing” pains that don’t go away once you are done growing

45. Headache – tension or migraine

46. Inflamed Rib Cartilage

47. Joint pain

48. Lumpy, tender breasts

49. Morning stiffness

50. Muscle pain

51. Muscle spasms

52. Muscle twitching

53. Muscle weakness

54. Pain that ranges from moderate to severe

55. Pain that moves around the body

56. Paralysis or severe weakness of an arm or leg

57. Restless Leg Syndrome

58. Rib Pain

59. Scalp Pain (like hair being pulled out)

60. Sciatica-like pain

61. Tender points or trigger points

62. TMJ syndrome

63. “Voodoo Doll” Poking Sensation in random places

NEUROLOGICAL

64. Blackouts

65. Brain fog

66. Carpal Tunnel

67. Feeling spaced out

68. Hallucinating smells

69. Inability to think clearly

70. Light headedness

71. Noise intolerance

72. Numbness or tingling sensations

73. Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

74. Seizures

75. Seizure-like episodes

76. Sensation that you might faint

77. Syncope (fainting)

78. Tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears)

79. Vertigo or dizziness

EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION

80. Bumping into things

81. Clumsy Walking

82. Difficulty balancing

83. Difficulty judging distances (when driving, etc.)

84. Directional disorientation

85. Dropping things frequently

86. Feeling spatially disoriented

87. Frequent tripping or stumbling

88. Not seeing what you’re looking at

89. Poor balance and coordination

90. Staggering gait

SLEEP

91. Alertness/energy best late at night

92. Altered sleep/wake schedule

93. Awakening frequently

94. Difficulty falling asleep

95. Difficulty staying asleep

96. Excessive sleeping

97. Extreme alertness or energy levels late at night

98. Falling asleep at random and sometimes dangerous moments

99. Fatigue

100. Light or broken sleep pattern

101. Muscle spasms/twitches at night

102. Narcolepsy

103. Sleep disturbances

104. Sleep starts or falling sensations

105. Teeth grinding

106. Tossing and turning

107. Un-refreshing or non-restorative sleep

108. Vivid or disturbing dreams/nightmares

EYES/VISION

109. Blind spots in vision

110. Eye pain

111. Difficulty switching focus from one thing to another

112. Frequent changes in ability to see well

113. Night driving difficulty

114. Occasional Blurry vision

115. Poor night vision

116. Rapidly worsening vision

117. Vision changes

COGNITIVE

118. Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving

119. Confusion

120. Difficulty expressing ideas in words

121. Difficulty following conversation (especially if background noise present)

122. Difficulty following directions while driving

123. Difficulty following oral instructions

124. Difficulty following written instructions

125. Difficulty making decisions

126. Difficulty moving your mouth to speak

127. Difficulty paying attention

128. Difficulty putting ideas together to form a complete picture

129. Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence

130. Difficulty recognizing faces

131. Difficulty speaking known words

132. Difficulty remembering names of objects

133. Difficulty remembering names of people

134. Difficulty understanding what you read

135. Difficulty with long-term memory

136. Difficulty with simple calculations

137. Difficulty with short-term memory

138. Easily distracted during a task

139. Dyslexia-type symptoms occasionally

140. Feeling too disoriented to drive

141. Forgetting how to do routine things

142. Impaired ability to concentrate

143. Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

144. Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next)

145. Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence

146. Loss of ability to distinguish some colors

147. Poor judgment

148. Short term memory impairment

149. Slowed speech

150. Staring into space trying to think

151. Stuttering; stammering

152. Switching left and right

153. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak

154. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you write

155. Trouble concentrating

156. Using the wrong word

157. Word-finding difficulty

EMOTIONAL

158. Abrupt and/or unpredictable mood swings

159. Anger outbursts

160. Anxiety or fear when there is no obvious cause

161. Attacks of uncontrollable rage

162. Decreased appetite

163. Depressed mood

164. Feeling helpless and/or hopeless

165. Fear of someone knocking on the door

166. Fear of telephone ringing

167. Feeling worthless

168. Frequent crying

169. Heightened awareness – of symptoms

170. Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities

171. Irrational fears

172. Irritability

173. Overreaction

174. Panic attacks

175. Personality changes –usually a worsening of pervious condition

176. Phobias

177. Suicide attempts

178. Suicidal thoughts

179. Tendency to cry easily

GASTROINTESTINAL

180. Abdominal cramps

181. Bloating

182. Decreased appetite

183. Food cravings

184. Frequent constipation

185. Frequent diarrhea

186. Gerd-like Symptoms

187. Heartburn

188. Increased appetite

189. Intestinal gas

190. Irritable bladder

191. Irritable bowel syndrome

192. Nausea

193. Regurgitation

194. Stomachache

195. Vomiting

196. Weight gain

197. Weight loss

UROGENITAL

198. Decreased libido (sex drive)

199. Endometriosis

200. Frequent urination

201. Impotence

202. Menstrual problems

203. Painful urination or bladder pain

204. Pelvic pain

205. Prostate pain

206. Worsening of (or severe) premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

SENSITIVITIES

207. Alcohol intolerance

208. Allodynia (hypersensitive to touch)

209. Alteration of taste, smell, and/or hearing

210. Sensitivity to chemicals in cleaning products, perfumes, etc.

211. Sensitivities to foods

212. Sensitivity to light

213. Sensitivity to mold

214. Sensitivity to noise

215. Sensitivity to odors

216. Sensitivity to yeast (getting yeast infections frequently on skin, etc.)

217. Sensory overload

218. Sensitivity to pressure & humidity changes

219. Sensitivity to extreme temperature changes

220. Vulvodynia

SKIN

221. Able to “write” on skin with finger

222. Bruising easily

223. Bumps and lumps

224. Eczema or psoriasis

225. Hot/dry skin

226. Ingrown hairs

227. Itchy/Irritable skin

228. Mottled skin

229. Rashes or sores

230. Scarring easily

231. Sensitivity to the sun

232. Skin suddenly turns bright red

Cardiovascular (Heart)

233. “Click-murmur” sounds through stethoscope

234. Fluttery heartbeat

235. Heart palpitations

236. Irregular heartbeat

237. Loud pulse in ear

238. Pain that mimics heart attack

239. Rapid heartbeat

HAIR/NAILS

240. Dull, listless hair

241. Heavy and splitting cuticles

242. Irritated nail beds

243. Nails that curve under

244. Pronounced nail ridges

245. Temporary hair loss

OTHER

246. Canker sores

247. Dental problems

248. Disk Degeneration

249. Hemorrhoids

250. Nose bleeds

251. Periodontal (gum) disease

[donnerpartyofone]

Getting bummed out thinking about how many of my chronic problems could have been headed off at the pass with proper care, though at the same time I really did seek treatment when certain things were starting, I just never got what I needed. My general experience with doctors has been that they don't really care what's going on with you if

a) Your symptoms do not exactly match some very common 101-level thing with clear instructions in the proverbial manual, and/or

b) Your symptoms are not catastrophically bad yet (and even if they are the doctor might still loop back to (a) to avoid having to solve a mystery, like if they didn't learn it in undergrad then they don't want to deal with it at all)

My big complex thing is probably all because of stress, which is sad; my knotted up shoulder affects my neck which affects my jaw (tmj, $$$ out of pocket for corrective appliances), which affects my ear which now rings permanently, and my back problems also seem to put some kind of pressure on my right lung, so I haven't really taken a clear breath in like 20 years. I saw a chiropractor when this first started happening and he took x-rays and everything, but I soon developed the suspicion that he wasn't a real doctor, and by this I specifically mean like, maybe he was a fugitive from the law and he had assumed the ruse of being a respectable clinician to hide out, and now he's just stuck doing the actual job like in SISTER ACT or something.

He was extremely, cartoonishly handsome with a permanent 5 o'clock shadow and a dramatic grey streak in his hair like a soap opera character, the only thing he was missing was an eyepatch. I know people get addicted to seeing chiropractors because of the satisfaction of having your back cracked and stuff, but this guy never did anything like that. I would lie down and he would sort of vaguely push on different parts of me in a way that was almost imperceptible. Then he showed me some stretches I should do; when I tried them in front of him, I would just get to the point where I started to feel something good before he'd start going "NO! DON'T GO THAT FAR, YOU DON'T WANNA DO THAT!" and I'd back way off while thinking But now I'm not stretching, this is just my normal range of motion, what is this supposed to do?? I really didn't get anything at all out of seeing that guy, although I did get some short term relief from his in-house acupuncturist, a pleasant hippie lady who was into MMA and ran a pit bull rescue. I don't know, people are funny.

[fatal-blow]

Self-massage and Myofascial Pain: From Head to Fingers

Aka I'm going to talk about a muscle that is neither in the head or the fingers. It's a neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid.

(STER-no-KLY-do-MAST-oid, or SCM for people who don't take joy in pronouncing long, confusing words.)

I am not a professional massage therapist, just a professional don't-wanna-be-in-pain guy.

This one is for...everyone. Or just about. The SCM can contribute to a vast, VAST variety of pains. Here's a sampling:

A variety of headaches (in the eye, above the eye, top of the head)

Jaw problems (including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction, stiffness, clicking)

Neck pain

Ear aches

Toothaches

And they also contribute to and are perpetuated by a foreward head posture--something that anyone who uses a phone or computer should be familiar with. Foreward head posture can further contribute to symptoms such as:

Shoulder pain

Upper back pain

Chest pain

And arm and hand pain, including symptoms similar to tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, grip weakness, and much more.

See why this one applies to everyone?

Now, full disclaimer, I'm hesitant to make this the second trigger point I talk about because neck muscles are extremely sensitive. However, I'm still reaping the benefits of having finally bitten the bullet and trying this myself, and it feels important to make this one of the first I talk about.

That said, this is your first of many warnings. Go easy on these muscles. Gentle massage is better than no massage.

Here's a quick few rules:

Don't massage the SCM more than 3 times a day. In fact, if you find they are very sensitive, I recommend once a day and right before bed or a nap.

As always, never massage a pulse.

If you feel dizzy or faint, release all pressure until you regain your bearings.

Do this massage with your eyes open and sitting up. It will help you maintain awareness.

Never use massage tools on your neck.

For those with anxiety: I know this sounds nerve-wracking. As long as you go slow and listen to your body, you won't hurt yourself. If you accidentally squeeze the wrong place, it's not the end of the world! Just release pressure, move your fingers, and try again. It's only deep and extended pressure that will get you into trouble, okay?

With all that said, let's get to the good stuff.

The SCM muscles are the ones that make that sexy little V on the neck, connecting from behind the ear down to the collarbone. For all the trouble they cause, they rarely hurt themselves, which is why they get overlooked.

You've got two on each side. One in front, and one deeper in the neck. I'll teach you how to get at both.

We'll start with the guy up front. Here's a snazzy little pictogram courtesy of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.

The shaded areas are (some of) the pain patterns caused by this muscle. The dots are meant to represent trigger points (TrPs), but the reality is that they can occur along the full length.

As a rule of thumb, TrPs further up cause more symptoms in the head. Further down contributes to everything below. This goes for both the shallow muscle and the deeper muscle.

Find somewhere to sit straight and relax your body.

Use your fingers to find your pulse on your chosen side, between the SCM and the windpipe. If your fingers aren't sensitive enough to feel your pulse, you should not do this massage yourself.

Move to the SCM side of your pulse, replace your fingers with your thumb.

Grasp the SCM lightly with your fingers and thumb, firstly just to find where you will be working. The SCM is not large, probably around the width of your finger, so don't reach too far back. If you're having trouble grasping it, look Away from the side you're working on, then tilt your head Towards it.

Now that you're familiar, make a C with your grasp fingers so that it's the tips holding the muscle. The intent is to exert more pressure with less effort. Make sure your fingernails are short for this.

Now slowly, keeping your grip light, you want to...well, the easiest way I can describe it is that your want to milk the SCM. Use short strokes, releasing the pressure at the end of each. You can massage all the way up to the ear, and all the way down to the collarbone.

Again, go easy. If you're like me, this will be painful at first. You might even feel a little brain fucked from doing this, but as long as you aren't feeling faint or dizzy, you're good to go. Don't push yourself--take a break when you've had enough.

Afterwards, lightly stretch this muscle by turning your head to the side three times.

And now for the deeper SCM.

This guy isn't any harder than the shallow one. In fact, I don't even need to give you an entire list of instructions. Follow the steps above, but when you grasp the muscle, you instead want to take a larger fingerful, closer to the width of two fingers.

To help you understand what I'm getting at, put your fingertips on the back side of your neck, a small ways down and behind your ear. Gently dig in and pull forward--everything you can grasp from this point to your windpipe comprises both SCM muscles. All you need to do is grasp this entire chunk of muscle and perform the massage as described above.

With continued massage, you should gradually feel less tension in your jaw, neck, and shoulders. Your head might feel a bit clearer, you might have fewer and less intense headaches. Keep doing this massage until you can't find any tender points in the SCM.

And as a preventative--try to find ways to keep yourself from slouching or holding your head forward. A simple exercise is to pull your head back, like you're giving yourself an extra chin.

If you're interested in more posts like this, check out these links:

Low Back Pain

Massage Tips and Techniques

[ener-chi]

Joys of the Day:

-Partner was really sweet to me despite having a really hard time

-My classmates were really supportive and happy to see me after being sick

-Made plans to practice Teishin techniques with a classmate over the summer

-Feeling more confident in my understanding of TCM and the points every day! Grateful for that (:

-Grateful for air conditioning! Especially on hot days like today

-Interesting thing! So for the past couple days one of the lingering symptoms that I've been having is this sore/painful spot in my throat. It hurts, and hurts like daggers if I swalloe and especially drink cold water.

Anywho. I've been taking chinese herbs and since then, today the pain has been worse and it like shoots up through my jaw and up to my ear?? Like right up to the TMJ

And so I decided to use my Teishin and push on some points near that area - specifically TB21, but also SI19 and GB2.

Hooo man it hurt soo bad. But like... it feels like whatever is in my throat is shooting up and clearing out of my ear?? Idk it's wild

OH ANDDD there are two points on the hand/wrist that connect very strongly to the ears - TB3 and TB5. And when I pressed on them, I did feel sensation in my ears, and it felt like when your ears are going through a change in pressure like on a plane, which was interesting. And it did help (: very cool

Anywho. Hope everyone has a goodnight!

Blessings!

[turbotaxevasion]

Happy Disability Pride Month!

In honor of the shift from LGBTQ Pride Month to Disability Pride Month, I’m going to bring awareness to some underrepresented and underinformed disabilities as a queer and disabled artist/writer. These are all disorders that I have come across among friends and acquaintances. Every disorder I discuss must have a clinical diagnosis in order to be treated. You should only be self-diagnosing if you plan on going to a doctor to confirm your speculations. Do not self-diagnose if you are not willing to confirm with a medical professional. This post is not to diagnose you.

Big Trigger Warning: Discussions of psychological disorders like E/Ds, depression, and personality disorders. 

Dysautonomia

Any disorder relating to the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system

POTS

I have this! It is a nervous system disorder that affects heart rate and blood pressure because your nervous system does not allow your muscles to properly circulate blood, especially through the legs. Some symptoms include elevated heart rate, chest pain, low or high blood pressure, fatigue, changes in body temperature, and dizziness or fainting. POTS is more common in AFAB people than AMAB.

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a disorder that occurs when a protein known as amyloid builds up in the organs. Amyloidosis is closely related to dysautonomia and chronic pain syndromes such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome because of the comorbid symptoms. These symptoms include edema, purpura around the eyes, skin that bruises easily, and fatigue.

Frey’s Syndrome

A neurological disorder closely related to dysautonomia that causes excessive sweating while eating. There are very few solutions to this disorder and even fewer of them are known to work.

Mitochondrial Syndrome

Mitochondrial diseases occur when there are genetic mutations and deformations to the mitochondria in cells that directly influence how the organelle produces energy. People with mitochondrial diseases can have poor growth, muscle weakness, seizures, visual and / or hearing problems, learning disabilities, and may develop kidney, liver, or heart disease.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia is a disorder that causes abnormal overreactions of the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms include elevated heart rate, excessive sweating, and high blood pressure.

Chronic Pain

Any disorder relating to long-lasting pain surrounding any part of the body.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

I have this one too! Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a chronic pain syndrome in which muscles in the lower extremities are too weak to support patellar (kneecap) movement. Thus, the patella (kneecap) will not track right. this causes lots of issues with walking.

Scoliosis

I also have this one! Scoliosis is defined as a physical disorder in which the spine is not a straight vertical line. There is either an “S” or “J” curve in the spine, compressing it and causing sharp or aching back pain.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

TMJ causes pain and tenderness in jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Symptoms of TMJ include jaw stiffness, limited movement and locking of the jaw, ringing in ears, and dizziness.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

This is a chronic muscular pain disorder. Typically, this pain is confined to one specific area, such as the neck or shoulders.

Fibromyalgia

A chronic disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue. People with fibromyalgia can also have depression, anxiety, and trouble with memory and concentration.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

EDS is a group of disorders that affect connective tissues that support the skin, bones, blood vessels, organs, and other tissues. Symptoms of EDS include stretchy, translucent skin, loose joints, and chronic pain. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is defined as inflammation in one or more joints causing stiffness and pain. There are many different kinds of arthritis, each with different causes. These causes can include wear over time, infections, and underlying diseases.

Neurological Disorders

Any disorder relating to the brain and how it functions.

Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by repeated seizures. People with epilepsy can experience multiple kinds of seizures and can experience symptoms such as confusion, staring spells, stiff muscles, and loss of consciousness.

Cerebrovascular Diseases

Functional Neurological Disorder

Functional Neurological Disorder is essentially a stroke mimic. It can replicate the symptoms of a stroke, such as limb weakness, numbness, and speech disturbance.

Migraines

Lots of people have migraines and I am no exception. Migraines are caused by excessive blood flow to the brain. Migraines affect more than 10% of people worldwide and are 3 times more likely to affect AFAB people than AMAB people.

Psychological Disorders

Any disorders affecting mood, thinking, and behavior. I will not be discussing my mental disorders on the internet. Most people are familiar with what these are and what they look like, so I will instead be providing statistics for each one.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults. Only 43.2% of those adults are receiving treatment. AFAB are twice as likely to be affected (Anxiety Disorders Association of America).

Panic disorder (PD) affects 6 million adults. AFAB are twice as likely to be affected (Anxiety Disorders Association of America) .

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2.5 million adults. AFAB are 3x more likely to be affected (Anxiety Disorders Association of America) .

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 7.7 million adults. AFAB are 5x more likely to be affected (Anxiety Disorders Association of America) .

Depression 

Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression. AFAB are twice as likely to develop depression (World Health Organization). 

Bipolar Disorder

4.4% of US adults experience bipolar disorder in their lives (National Institute of Health).

Personality Disorders

It is estimated that 9% of US adults have at least one personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association).

Eating Disorders (TW)

Eating Disorders affect 9% of the population worldwide (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).

BIPOC are significantly less likely than white people to be asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).

Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behaviors (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).

Rates of body dissatisfaction were higher among transgender and nonbinary youth (90%) compared to cisgender youth (80%) (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).

[necronatural]

i have a pervasive pressure in my ears and occasional jaw pain for the past 3 days if i got a TMJ disorder im gonna be on the news

[restorehearingnow]

Unraveling the Symphony of Silence: Understanding the Causes of Tinnitus

Tinnitus, often referred to as the "phantom symphony," is a condition characterized by the perception of sound in the absence of an external source. This auditory phenomenon can manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds, and it affects millions of people worldwide. While it is not a disease itself, tinnitus is often a symptom of an underlying issue. In this blog post, we will explore the various causes of tinnitus, shedding light on the factors that contribute to this enigmatic auditory experience.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises. Prolonged or intense exposure to loud sounds, such as those in industrial settings, concerts, or through the use of headphones at high volumes, can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. This damage can lead to both hearing loss and the onset of tinnitus.

Age-Related Hearing Loss

As we age, our auditory system undergoes natural changes. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is a common condition where the ability to hear high-pitched sounds diminishes over time. This natural aging process can contribute to the development of tinnitus in some individuals.

Earwax Blockage

The accumulation of earwax in the ear canal can obstruct the transmission of sound waves, leading to hearing problems and, in some cases, tinnitus. Maintaining proper ear hygiene and seeking professional assistance for earwax removal can alleviate this particular cause.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can be associated with tinnitus. Ménière's disease, a disorder of the inner ear, is known to cause episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Additionally, conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders have been linked to the development of tinnitus.

Medications

Some medications have been identified as potential triggers for tinnitus. These include certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, and high doses of aspirin. If you suspect that your medication may be causing tinnitus, it's crucial to consult with your healthcare provider to explore alternative options.

Head and Neck Injuries

Traumatic head or neck injuries can damage the auditory system and lead to tinnitus. Impact-related injuries, such as those from accidents or falls, may cause changes in the blood flow to the ear or affect the nerves associated with hearing.

Stress and Anxiety

While not a direct cause, stress and anxiety can exacerbate existing tinnitus or contribute to its perception. The intricate relationship between mental health and tinnitus is an area of ongoing research, and stress management strategies may play a role in tinnitus treatment.

Conclusion

Tinnitus, with its diverse array of causes, underscores the complexity of the auditory system. Understanding the factors that contribute to tinnitus is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management. If you experience persistent tinnitus, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional, preferably an otolaryngologist or audiologist, is essential. Through comprehensive evaluation and targeted interventions, individuals can navigate the symphony of silence and reclaim a sense of auditory well-being. More Details

[vulpixelates]

tmj is the fucking worst??

i've been having all of these random symptoms that made it feel like i was having some horrible infection and i was convinced bc my jaw hurt so badly that my teeth were rotting out of my head or something

no. it's just fucking tmj. making me dizzy, making it hard to swallow, making it feel like i have a lot of sinus pressure, giving me light-sensitivity headaches, giving me the symptoms of ear infections without actually having one, making my teeth hurt and so i couldn't find my bite fully, etc. and apparently it can even make your anxiety worse 🙃✌

the muscles in my back and neck are just so tight that it's causing complete havoc from the shoulders up iejfaoiwejfaowijef i truly have the stress levels of someone being hunted for sport

the good news is that now that i know what it is, i can do things to make it better AND i'm not going to have constant panic attacks thinking that i'm legitimately dying. and i'd rather have tmj than have to go to the dentist lmao

[swampgallows]

just threw up. cool.

im having two different kinds of issues right now. first, i was having tachycardia, a resting heart rate of over 100 bpm for several days. sadly i think it is because i got novavax, and i regret getting it at cvs instead of Costco. i feel like Costco would've known more what they were doing compared to the morons at cvs, but i didn't know at the time that Costco would've taken my insurance. literally every time i make an impulsive decision i end up paying for it. after several days of high rhr i talked to an advice nurse who told me to be evaluated. my ekg was normal, and i was prescribed propranolol prn. after taking it for 4 days, ive had a nonstop headache/migraine for 3. it lowered my heart rate down to mid 70s, which is slower than it was even before the tachycardia, and slightly lowered my bp (which wasn't too elevated, just the rhr). i broke down this morning and took excedrin, and decided i would no longer take the beta blocker. (it's a low dose, i only took it for 4 days once a day, and it was prescribed "as needed", so it's fine to stop.) luckily my headache is mostly gone and my heart rate is still in the 70s, but the spasm/twinge feeling is back (probably from the caffeine in the excedrin), and like i said, i threw up.

the other problem ive been having on and off since mid August is some kind of sinus issue. i don't get congested per se, no sniffles or phlegm, but my upper sinuses feel blocked or inflamed, resulting in pressure/pain, ear fullness, difficulty breathing through my nose, and sometimes a feeling like choking or drowning from a phantom post nasal drip (nothing actually drips). decongestants and some sprays have helped but i don't want to rely on them, especially now with this new heart rate issue. two rounds of antibiotics didn't seem to help. my house is too dry for mold, and i don't have any known allergies. sneezing feels amazing whenever im lucky enough to experience it. i also have tmj issues, which makes the ear fullness even more annoying. i tried a neti pot as a natural alternative to decongestants, and the crackling sound it made in my ear was so loud i immediately stopped (it says not to use it if there are ear issues).

waiting on a ct scan as ordered by an ENT. cursory looks in my nose and ears were clear according to doctors.

threw up again in my mouth just now.

tldr something is fucking up with my sinuses, and sadly i think the novavax gave me heart problems. i had absolutely zero issues with my heart before this. hoping it goes away. i didn't have these issues with mrna vaxes, but i thought novavax would keep me safer from covid. to my knowledge ive still never gotten covid. who knows, maybe all of this really is just "Anxiety™️" like the dismissive doctors keep telling me, and the stress of sacrificing everything to be vigilant about covid is killing me instead of the dumb virus. whatever.

[backwardblackbyrd]

you know those videos of folks during osteopathic therapy where the doctor like, aligns a few bones and then the person just starts weeping???

that literally just happened to me with my jaw omg

WELL i had been really stiff around my shoulders and neck for the past like, 4 days so i was doing some deep stretches and then suddenly my jaw just.......shifted into place. like where it was actually supposed to be. my teeth still fit together and everything :')

so i had all four wisdom teeth taken out a week ago and, all of which, for context, have been impacted for...almost.....hm. a decade? between a period of no insurance and just flat out not being able to afford the care, it got Very! Bad! like, literally none of my teeth actually fit together anymore because they had been crowded so bad. the rest of my teeth were literally being crushed. i had a root canal earlier this year because the crown had been pushed out because of the pressure.

so i start crying! and keep stretching! and i'm not joking. my whole posture shifted, all the tension in my body is gone, my muscles relaxed litcherally so much that my whole right side realigned. and friend!!!! when i tell you. i'm Confident this is why i broke my ankle while skating. my hips and shit were misaligned. my sinus pressure adjusted, i felt my ear canals shift my guy

and like!!! fuck dude!! my TMJ was so drastically but so gradually stretched and inflamed that i've been licherally disassociating from my body progressively more and more for! a! decade! wild!!!!! i had no idea i had so much tension. i didn't even realize i was in so much pain in so many places like.

the normal amount of pain is Actually Zero. unheard of, a statistical anomaly,

[thekristen999]

Here I go again. TMJ flare-up.

Most people need a night guard at night to keep from grinding etc. My issue is daytime jaw clenching. I actually wake up with my jaw feeling pretty good and by the time I go to bed it’s been hurting for hours. (When I’m in a flare-up)

I have a special ice pack I use at night that goes over my face, but I’m going to commit to doing the stretching exercises 5-10 times a day for  however long its needed during a flare-up. Then make it part of my morning, mid-afternoon, and evening stretching routine. Yes, I do stretches that often. Lol.. It’s been successful for my lower back pain.

I know my jaw muscles are used to being tense. They just are. At this point, it's their default position. So, I have to re-train them.

A specialist once told me that when I’m awake to set a timer for every 20 mins then do deep breathing exercises. He told me to do it for weeks until I was able to teach my jaw to be relaxed and not be tense all the time.

I’ve been battling anxiety and other mental health issues for years. I’m aware that this is where I store my stress. So, I’m going to try it. It sounded crazy, but I am sick of these flare-ups. And um, I was given this advice a year ago. Sigh.

The one thing I’ve learned when it comes to connection between  chronic pain and mental health is that there are ways to retrain your brain. It doesn't fix everything, but at least it is a tangible thing that I can have some control over. And see progress.

A timer, eh?

Here’s set of exercises that are useful. There’s more. But I need a goal that seems obtainable if I’m going to do them on a regular bases.

1> Stretching Exercises

When it comes to chewing and grinding, masticatory muscles play an important part. Stretching and massaging jaw muscles with fingertips for a few minutes at least ten times a day can offer relief.

Another simple jaw stretching exercise involves merely opening the mouth slowly and closing it. Open your mouth slowly and spread it as wide as possible, keep it in the open position for a few seconds, and close it slowly.

Moving the lower to the left and right sides slowly is another good way to stretch the TMJ.

2> Breathing Exercises

Also referred to as Equal Breathing, this simple form of breathing exercise requires the patient to inhale for four to five seconds, and then exhale slowly through the nose. It is considered the primary step toward reducing the amount of stress.

3> Forward Jaw Movement

The exercise involves placing a wooden stick or plastic spoon between the upper and lower front teeth and moving the lower jaw forward and backward. You can also move the jaw slowly to the left and right sides for a few minutes. Initially, you might experience some pain; however, the exercise would become more comfortable with time and help the jaw to recover.

4> Tongue Up

Tongue up involves placing the tip of the tongue on the mouth’s roof and gently applying pressure while slowly opening and closing the mouth at the same time. Doing it for a few minutes at least five to ten times a day can offer relief.

5> Partial Goldfish Exercise

It is almost similar to the goldfish exercise. Place the tip of the tongue on the mouth’s roof area. Then, the next step is placing your middle finger on the area below the chin and your thumb on the TMJ joint, in front of the ear. While your fingers are in position, let your lower jaw drop slowly and bring it up again to close the mouth. Repeat this exercise at least six times in one sitting

[alex2xander]

Having TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) is something I wish myself and no one else had to deal with

I have chronic tension headaches that occur nearly every day leaving me with constant level 3-5 pain

I have to reset my joint at minimum 10 times a day, and every single night

I cannot sleep on my stomach or side without joint misalignment

My ears feel constantly full/pressurized

On very bad days the disorder causes vertigo and dizziness

I cannot stretch my mouth fully open without risking pain or misalignment which affects my ability to eat and yawn

[mapledental]

Deciphering Dental Discomfort: Understanding Different Types of Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can range from a mild annoyance to an excruciating discomfort that affects your daily life. Understanding the different types of tooth pain and their potential causes can help you pinpoint the issue and seek appropriate dental care. In this blog, we'll delve into the various types of tooth pain, what they might indicate, and when it's crucial to visit your dentist for professional evaluation and treatment.

Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

If you wince when sipping hot coffee or biting into an ice cream cone, you're not alone. Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures is a common complaint. It could indicate enamel erosion, gum recession, or even a small crack in the tooth. Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and maintaining gentle oral care practices can help alleviate this discomfort. If the sensitivity persists, consult your dentist to rule out more serious issues.

Sharp, Sudden Pain

Experiencing sharp, sudden pain when chewing or biting down can be a sign of a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or even a dental abscess. A cracked tooth might not always be visible, but the pain occurs when pressure is applied to the cracked area. Seek immediate dental attention if you're experiencing this type of pain to prevent further complications.

Dull Ache or Throbbing

A persistent, dull ache or throbbing sensation in a specific tooth could be indicative of an infected or abscessed tooth. The pain may radiate to the jaw, ear, or neck. Dental infections require prompt treatment, as they can spread and potentially lead to serious health complications. Contact your dentist for an evaluation if you're experiencing this type of pain.

Pain Triggered by Pressure

If you feel pain when biting down or releasing pressure, you might have an issue with your bite alignment or a dental abscess. An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth, causing pain when pressure is applied. Ignoring this type of pain can lead to worsening infection or even tooth loss, so don't delay in seeking professional care.

Constant, Intense Pain

Constant, severe pain that doesn't subside could indicate a severe infection or an abscess that requires immediate attention. Pain of this intensity can affect your ability to sleep, eat, and function normally. Don't hesitate to contact your dentist or seek emergency dental care if you're dealing with intense, unrelenting pain.

Pain Radiating from the Jaw

If you experience pain that seems to originate from the jaw joint or radiates to the ear, you might be dealing with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. TMJ disorders can cause discomfort, clicking sounds, and restricted jaw movement. Your dentist can diagnose and recommend treatments to manage TMJ-related pain.

While occasional twinges of tooth pain might not be cause for alarm, consistent or severe discomfort should not be ignored. Understanding the different types of tooth pain and their potential causes is the first step toward seeking appropriate dental care. Regular dental check-ups are essential for preventing and addressing tooth pain, as they enable your dentist to detect issues early and provide prompt treatment. If you're experiencing any type of tooth pain, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist to ensure your oral health and overall well-being.

Maple Dental, your trusted Hesperia dentist, offers a comprehensive range of dental services designed to cater to your oral health needs. Our skilled team is dedicated to providing top-notch care in a comfortable environment. From routine check-ups and cleanings to advanced treatments, we prioritize your smile's well-being. Whether you need preventive care, cosmetic enhancements, or solutions for dental issues, Maple Dental is your partner for exceptional dental services in Hesperia. Experience personalized care and a commitment to your oral health at Maple Dental, where your brightest smile is our priority.

For more info visit https://mapledental.com/

[thetypingpup]

got the worst tmj pain i've had in a while today, along with headache/ear pressure 😭 oh to be pup!reader with a kitty!yangie to snuggle up to, who can purr and comfort you (albeit probably worrying about not knowing what to do to help you lol, but cat purrs have stress-relieving/healing properties sooo 💕💕)

oh he’s perfect to snuggle up to for this. like you’ve cuddled with cat hybrids before and they purred, and it was nice, but none of them ever felt quite like yangyang. when he holds you, his chest pressed to your back as you’re curled against him, you can feel his purrs deep within. his purrs are always so restorative, like you can feel the vibrations alleviating your pain or your stress in real time. this is only accentuated when you’re high together. then his purrs are like the clouds you rest upon as you’re about as high as the damn sky. you feel like you can lay in his arms forever, and you’ve never felt that way cuddling before, not like this. cuddling with a purring kitty has never been this satisfying before. it’s times like this you’re gladder than ever that you slept together that night, because you would’ve never known such comfort otherwise.