Is it unusual for tmj to take two to three years to heal and go through lots of different symptoms. is it bad to have it this long?

May not be healing: Acute tmd will often resolve if the causes for it are addressed. If the causes persist, however, it can become chronic and persistent. You will need an evaluation along with some imaging to figure out the state of your joint(s). Once chronic it may require a more aggressive intervention. Good luck!

NO: There is never really a cure for tmj/tmd. I always tell my patients that there can be cycles of improvement and other times where the symptoms mat reappear. Hopefully, the patient will know what to do if symptoms come back...Exercises, cutting up food into smaller portions, or calling the dentist or tmj/tmd specialist for physical therapy or reevaluation.

TMD\TMJ: There is an enormous range of symptoms, severity, duration, and recurrence with temporomandibular joint dysfunction commonly referred to as 'tmj'. Find a dentist who has extensive experience and training treating patients with this issue for a consult and discussion of causes and possible treatment. Many dentists merely make a nightguard with little understanding of how best to e-valuate tmd.

Not unusual: Not unusual. Key factor is see an TMJ "expert". Many self proclaimed experts are not. Get other opinions.