Christianity Oasis Member Forum & Chat Room

Hi! My name is Heather and I came to this site to seek help and encouragement from others. I am a single mom to 2 boys and am in college full time and working full time as a substitute teacher. It has been a rough year for me so far and I'm not really sure what is going on. I will start from the beginning...

At the end of December I found out that a teacher that I really liked and respected misinterpreted something I posted on Facebook (all I said was that I will be glad when my youngest is out of 4th grade because he complains about school everyday. That is ALL I said) and went to the schools' principal and told her that I was bad-mouthing the school and the teachers on Facebook. She also unfriended me and blocked me on Facebook. I then began to notice that other teachers at the school were giving me the cold shoulder and none of them have asked me to substitute teach since this time. I was really devastated by this chain of events because I love this school and have always praised the school on Facebook - this is the FIRST remotely negative comment I have ever made about the school. I was so hurt and disillusioned. I have spent years at this school volunteering my time, serving on board and committee's only to have one comment undue all the good that I've done. This has caused me a great deal of stress so I think this may be where my problems began.

In January, I began to have jaw pain and stiffness and went online to see what it might be (bad idea!) and did some research on TMJ which just freaked me out. I went to my dentist and he just wanted me to buy a $700 mouth guard but I can't afford that. Ever since then I have been having anxiety attacks that come out of nowhere. It's crazy! I have had to carry my Bible with me to work in order to read scripture to calm myself down.

A couple of weeks ago I went to see another dentist about the TMJ and he did an x-ray (the first dentist did not) and he said my jaw looks normal. I have had little to no pain or discomfort since that time - I'm thinking it was all in my head even though I still have some popping when I chew. Around this time I began to be dizzy off and on - which, I have to say...I really, really don't like to be dizzy! I thought it might be because of the TMJ because I read online that it can be caused by that, but wasn't sure. This past Saturday the dizziness was so bad I was in bed off and on for 3 days. My sister i s a doctor in another state and told me to take a decongestant because my ears felt full but I had no pain. It started to work because the dizziness began to go away and I am feeling much better than I was.

The problem is I still have a fear of getting dizzy again (did I say I really, really don't like to be dizzy?) and I am in an almost constant state of anxiety. When I start to feel that way it is very difficult for me to calm myself down. I hate being like this. I know I need to trust God to take care of me, but that is difficult for me for some reason. Unfortunately, I am prone to negative thoughts more than positive ones so when I feel a twinge of anything I began to freak out. I know this is super long but I guess I just need someone to talk to that can help me feel encouraged or something. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

God bless you!

Hi Heather, Welcome to Oasis.

I can sympathize with your jaw pain. I have TMJ, was diagnosed about two years ago.

For relief when I sleep, I use a youth size clear mouthguard (like $3.00) from a sports store in my town and I have chronic TMJ, just to let you know how well they work. You might have to try a few different kinds before finding the right one. I started with a $30 mouthguard from walmart and ended up liking the cheaper one, it works better.

From my knowledge and experience stress has brought this condition on, that's what happened with me. As a habit I would clench my teeth together when in stressful situations for years. Facing and dealing with the issues (with godly counsel/friend) that are not the Lord's desire for you may help heal your TMJ over time. It sounds like you're on the right path to healing by ackowledging these issues early on, that is good, bringing them into the light...Heal the mind, heal the spirit, heal the body.

There is a page on this site that is part of a study and in it about 3/4's way down there is a list of emotions and issues we face in our lives, I encourage you to click on the issues/emotions you are facing, the Lord will bless you as you read them and learn who you are and who Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is and what HE desires for you. Here is the link: http://www.christianityoasis.com/CCCC/StepFive.htm

Remember scroll down until you see the box with the emotions/issues and click on the ones you are interested in learning more about.

May the Lord of all creation lead you and guide you into His perfect will that you bring glory and honor to Him. In Jesus' name by the power of the Holy Spirit, I give thanks and praise, Amen.

In Christ,
Shan

Hey Heather,

Welcome to the Oasis! We are so glad God has led you here. I can totally sympathize with you regarding anxiety attacks. I too used to get them very badly. Thankfully, I have not had one in about 8 years...and I give the glory to God in that, as I do believe it is my relationship with Him that has stopped the attacks. I used to find myself in very stressful situations, and I would start worrying and thinking about all the negatives continually to the point I would work myself up and into the panic attack. Now, when I find myself in a stressful situation, I remove my mind from the situation and block it out totally. I refocus my thoughts to other things, and I call out to God to handle the situation for me. Maybe you can work on reaching for God during the times your mind wonders to the unhappy thoughts.

As for the school, I'm just wondering, have you gone and talked to the principal at the school? Maybe explaining what really happened would at least help you to find closure and move forward.

My prayers are with you Heather. Keep working through the steps of the counselign program.

Take care and God Bless

Hi! Thanks for the advice! Yes, I spoke with the principal and explained the situation and all she said was thank you for clarifying it. There are no hard feelings there from the principal...the whole thing was just a shock to me and so disappointing I think it may have been a catalyst for the anxiety to enter back into my life. I am really trying to control my negative thoughts, with God's help.

I pray you find peace, knowing you did the right thing by sharing the truth with the principal, and you can now place it away...and move your thoughts on to the happy things....you can do this...and God is willing and able to help you to do so.