jaw Pain | Arthritis Information

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I have right lower jaw pain, headaches.  The lower jaw pains wakes me up at the same time every night.  Does anyone else experience this?

Welcome Melissa,

You didn't say what medications you are taking. I take Enbrel, Imuran, Celebrex and Prednisone. Have you had your teeth checked lately. If not, an x-ray of your mouth might be a good idea. I have had 2 massive jaw infections while taking immunosuppresants. The infection was under a molar and along the jawbone both times. I ended up having to have the molars pulled before the infection could be brought under control. This may not be the problem in your case, but its something to think about.

Another possibility is arthritis in your jaw joint, the TMJ. It can cause you pain like you're describing. Many people with RA also have jaw arthritis. There are things that you can do to relieve the pain you describe. Maybe your meds need an adjustment. Application of heat or cold. A change of diet, softer foods when the jaw is painful. A dentist can also prescribe prosthesis to wear at night.

You'll have to do some detective work. Write down when your jaw hurts and if anything seems to make it either better or worse and then talk to your Dr. Good luck to you.

Barb Hi your2smart, welcome to the site.         & nbsp;       
Yes, you will be able to open your mouth again. Of course you should get it checked out. Are you seeing a rheumatologist? If you're in a flare or the ra is acting up in your jaw, it will come and go. Sometimes if I eat chips or crunchy things, it causes my jaw to act up. Hope you feel better soon. Evei.         & nbsp;    

ra, oa, degenerative disc disease, heart problems.
       
methotrexate, prednsione, and bp and heart meds

I too suffer from this dread aspect of RA.
I just got over two weeks of a flare in my hips that was beyond horrible. Now, it has moved into my jaw and I wish it was back in my hip. It's hard when it hurts to walk, but it's worse when your whole head hurts.

I do have degeneration in the jaw joints and really not a lot they can do but to use a splint, heat compresses (or cold for some, heat for me) and I also use lidocaine cream to numb the pain. I've had cortisone injections in the muscle. Not the joint. It did help immensely but very expensive so only once. This whole thing gets so bad it goes into my neck, shoulders, and back, makes my head hurt and next thing you know, I'm in bed. It affects everything.

IrishEyes

Take care

Joanne

   "The mediocre are always at their best"

I have terrible jaw pain.  For years I was told it was TMJ, but its RA.  And I have been told I have some sort of overgrowth of bone in the bottom of my mouth that is growing rapidly, and the dentists and dental hygentists are always so surprised, because its so prominent.  Well, its RA.  I cannot wait for my next dental appointment.  I have spent hundreds of dollars of the years on these stupid plastic things they want me to wear at night and my RA throat is so bad I put them in and start gagging, they never work.  And I have had the crackling in the jaws for maybe 20 years now.  At least I know what it is finally.  Best of luck to all us jawbreakers

I've had jaw pain since April 2007.  I was told by a quack that I had an ear infection.  After a Z-pack, I still had terrible ear pain.  Was taking Topomax for migraine maintenance.  I couldn't stand the ear pain so weaned off the Topomax and it seemed to help the pain a little.  In mid-July, I was told I had another ear infection.  More antibiotics, but still had pain, now behind my ear.

After seeing two ENTs, they say that I have arthritis in my jaw.  At first it was just on the right side; now it is also on the left.  My neck muscles are also very tight.  One ENT blew me off and said, "Go get a therapeutic massage."  I could've killed him.

I'm 41 and just can't believe that I have arthritis in my jaw.  It is one of the most things I've ever endured!  Ibuprofen is helping but not solving.  Is Alleve any better?  I'm so sick of going to the doctor over this, but I'm really not getting any relief.  Not to mention how much my copays are adding up!

Cindy - have you seen a rheumatologist yet?  I to am new to the site and was having some issues chewing soft food today, in the back of my jaw.  Then I remembered that a couple of weeks ago, while chewing, my jaw was clicking.  Not a loud click, but more like I could feel it clicking.  I have PA and read somewhere about TMJ/jaw pain being a symptom.  I was looking and found everyones issues with it.  I does feel good to know that a person isn't crazy!  Glad this site is here...Hi!
I.m ATHONDA. Please note that I'm totally new to this message board thing, so bear with me, OK? I too have RA. Yesterday my right jaw started hurting at around noon. Last night the pain was so bad it woke me up. I went through this about 5 years ago, but not as badly. Back then, my whole right side of my face swelled. I kind of freaked last night, thinking I maybe had Bells Palsey. I also have very sever allergies. I take Embrel & Zyrtec. I'm tempted to go to the E.R., but hate doing that (you know how they get, when you need to come in for pain relief!). My fear is that if I go to the E.R. this weekend, they will insist on the whole prednisone thing & send me home when I refuse. I have really bad reactions to steroids. My neck & sinuses also hurt like hell. If anyone has some hints, I'd be grateful. I am probebly sounding kinda vague here - I have been awake since midnight.
ThanksWelcome Athonda. Sorry to hear that your in so much pain right now. I also have RA and have been dealing with a severe TMJ  problem for the last 20 years. I have worn so many different dental splints and appliances that I have lost count. I wear it 24 hours a day,even to eat. Right now I'm seeing an orthododontist about this. Have you been to your dentist for this? Do you grind in your sleep or wear a splint too? Maybe your bite is off and you need to see your dentist to help.Have you tried ibuprofen to take down the inflammation it  might help with the pain too. Also you should consider seeing your GP as you might have an ear or sinus infection going on.
Hope you're feeling better soon. Hi Hammerstein!

Wow! Someone wrote back! Very cool! You know, I am feeling better, thanks. I don't think I had a sinus infection, as I had no fever. My pain gradually went away. By Tuesday it was a bad memory, thank God. I kinda think it was just a mini-flare. When I flare, it usually starts in my left wrist & travels from there. RA is an equal opportunity attacker when it comes to hitting joints. I'm pretty lucky, though, as I seldom flare. Thank God for Enbrel!!! I do no exadurate when I tell people that it has saved my life!! About 2 months ago, I had a bout with Polycondritis. Yipes! Was that icky! My RA doc. made me stop Enbrel for 2 weeks. Big baby that I am, I bawled. Now that was a flare for the record books.
Oh, no I don't grind my teeth at night. I have been under a lot of stress lately, maybe that is what caused the jaw thing. In any event, I will see my RA doc. next week. Hey, thanks so much for writing back! My hubby is the best at support, but I sometimes think that when one doesn't have RA, it's hard to relate.
Thanks again! God bless. - Anne

You should also see an oral sugen.  When I began with jaw pain in my teens it went on for 10 years before the cleveland clinic discovered what it was.  Osteoarthritis in my jaw.  I had a total jaw joint replacement using my rib bone.  And actually and VERY happy I did get it done.

So I have known about the osteoarthritis for years but getting RA is new for me.  I never knew anyone could be positive for both forms.  I don't think my joints have a chance now.  :(

 

u ppl need a doctor go n direstlet consult it with themsounds like u had some teeth infection go to dentist as soon as possible go n consult it with a doctor don't just sit at home before it gets worse
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