Nini,
We all have to watch for jaw erosion and TMJ. Better make sure that it is neither one. You certainly don't want to go thru a jawbone transplant. This comes from the Mayo Clinic, just click on next to read more.
LEV
TMJ disorders include a variety of conditions that cause tenderness and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your TMJ is the ball-and-socket joint on each side of your head where your lower jawbone (mandible) joins the temporal bone of your skull.
The lower jaw has rounded ends (condyles) that glide in and out of the joint socket when you talk, chew or yawn. The surfaces of the condyle and the socket of the temporal bone are covered with cartilage and separated by a small disk, which absorbs shock and keeps the movement smooth. The muscles that enable you to open and close your mouth stabilize this joint.
Between 5 percent and 15 percent of people in the United States experience pain associated with TMJ disorders, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health. Women are more likely than men to develop TMJ disorders.
In most cases, pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can be alleviated with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments, but more severe cases may need to be treated with dental or surgical interventions.
Thanks, Larry, I'll check in with the doctors again. It just seems that every time I check on some new symptom, there are more tests, more doctors, and another problem to be treated. But I do know better than to let some things go, untreated.
Thanks again for your concern. I don't want this to become yet another problem to be dealt with.
LEV - I saw my doc today and they are sending me for MRI for TMJ . I havent been on here lately as i have had bad headaches, blurred vision, my hair even hurts. I keep getting popping jaw too. Thanks for posting the articleLev, why do we all have to watch for this? Is it more prevalent with RA sufferers? How do you help ease it?Nini and Pincushion,
You are very welcome. I had read about TMJ back when I was first struck with RA and my jaw was hurting (along with every other joint).
Wills,
Yes we do have to be careful of almost everything. RA can attack almost every vital and non-vital organ and certainly every joint which of course the jawbone actually attaches at a joint. Altho RA is managed, our bodies good works are certainly compromised. And yes, TMJ is more prevalent in RAers as is and are so many other diseases.
LEV
Hi, TMJ is a real problem. I've had it and mostly because of poor 'bite', my teeth don't match up well. Lynda