Yeah DD's 2 year molars (the 2nd set of molars) are giving her hell still. Now 2 are through but not fully "up" iykwim, and the other 2 are still coming through the gum. With DD i definitely think the pain is more in her jaw, neck and head than just on the gums as it was with the front teeth. SHe often holds or pulls her ears when her teeth are bothering her (every time i go to the doc i have him look in her ears! lol) or holds her head. My only experience in memory is that of 2nd teeth and wisdom teeth, both of which definitely made me feel a bit off while they came through. Hang in there hun, i really do find that she'll have a few baddish weeks in a row and then be fine for just long enough for me to get sane again.

Re: the hitting - you're welcome I have found in general, especially with DD being so young, that she is NEVER really being "naughty" but is always expressing an emotional or sensory need. Even if it's something she kind of knows i don't like, she NEEDS to do it (the drive to learn is so strong in us apes) and she has no impulse control to stop herself. So she might really need to hit something, or throw, or even touch water or scrunch her toes in a new texture. That doesn't mean i have to be hit, have things thrown at my head, have water poured all over my bed or sacrifice my oatmeal to her curious feet! But i tend to try to offer a reasonable close alternative rather than stop her altogether, and if there ISN'T one (like there aren't really "safe" matches to play with) i give her something similar - a bottle of beans that rattles like the matchbox, or some short pipe-cleaners that are thin like matches to feel, or i engage her in something else entirely, "help mummy" is always a winner round here She loves doing the dishes (i let her wash her own picnic set) and cooking (she carries peelings to the bin etc.). Little people can be really helpful AND kept busy if you involve them in safe ways.

Having said that sometimes i turn my back - my bed is drying from a water attack right NOW

Bx