(8 months post-op) Jaw popping/clicking/unstable

[Jawbreak]

Hey guys! Not sure how many of us so far post-op are still looking at this forum (I try to come in every once in a while, but it's harder to remember that I even had a jaw surgery sometimes!), but I was wondering if any "veterans" could tell me how long it took them to stop having joint popping/clicking/crackling? I'm 8 months post-op and it's still happening, especially when I chew something big or hard, and sometimes I even get joint pain. My orthodontist gave me some pretty crazy rubber band configuration and it has worsened it a LOT. I've been wearing them for 3 weeks and it seems to go up and down; sometimes getting better, sometimes worse, sometimes one side, sometimes the other... Ugh.

I'm getting super scared that I'm developping TMJ or even condylar resorption. I went down the google hole and read that females with class II occlusion getting jaw advancement (basically: me) are particularly at risk for condylar resorption, and that's not something my surgeon discussed with me or that I was even aware of. I'll scheduled an appointment with my surgeon but I'm guessing I won't see him for another week or two at least, so any personal stories about joint sounds/unstability and how long it took to resolve (if it ever did) would be great to hear in the meantime.

I just feel like my joints aren't stable at all and I'm always weary of chewing straight down or hard, because then it sometimes "pops" out and it's a very jarring feeling.