TMJ sufferers: pain relief remedies that work?

I have TMJ, and over the last few months the grinding sounds and pain have been getting worse. At this point no over-the-counter pain relievers have any effect whatsoever. I saw my doc who referred me to an ENT(ear/nose/throat), who referred me to a dentist. He told me to do excercises involving opening/closing the jaw. After 2 days that made it WORSE, and the pain was excruciating, and spread from the joint to all of the muscles in that side of my face and ear. When I went back he gave me a RX for Flexeril which is helping, but my dental insurance doesn't cover TMJ, so he referred me to an orthopoedic specialist. I'm still waiting for my appt. with him. In the interim, however, I would really like to know if anyone has had success with any remedy that can be had from home.