Jaw pain

Christimay

Hi can anyone tell me if the pain in my jaw is anything to do with my RA, the pain is incredible it just throbs and throbs, I don't have any teeth where the pain is at the back of my mouth so I know it's not toothache actually feels worse than toothache and I didn't think that was possible, thanks in advance for any replies

Soretoe2

Hello Christimay, Do you think it's possible that you are teeth grinding in your sleep. This is very common with people in pain. I do it myself.
If you are doing it regularly you will build up muscle pain and spasms all round your jaw, sometimes even up to your ears and even across your face.
If you think this could be the cause you can go to your dentist and get a night mouth guard to wear and this helps a lot. Also if you are teeth grinding because of the pain you may need better pain control at night, which your gp can help with.
This then makes you feel more comfortable and you don't teeth grind so much.
Although it may not directly be from your RA, it is probably because of the pain you are in all the time. So a trip to the gp or dentist is in order I reckon.
Just a thought, you need to get it sorted out though as it can become a chronic problem otherwise. Hope you find some releif soon. Joy

7worlds

Hey Christimay. I have had problems with the left side of my jaw for the last two years. Am attending the hospital on the 9th october to find out if its the RA thats causing it as my dentist can see no evidence that its being caused by me grinding my teeth. Am in line to get some steroid injections to ease the pain.My rhumy said that it can be quite rare to get RA in the jaw but it is a joint so its possible, of course. I know what you mean, though. The pain can be horrendous.As soretoe said, go to your gp and and dentist and get the the other causes ruled out. Hope you get it sorted soon.

7Worlds

Starburst

Hello Christimay,

I'm waiting for an MRI to see if I have RA in my jaw. I have a lot of pain but it may be wisdom tooth related, so I'm having them removed first. I went to my dentist who wasn't sure and referred me on. I would say a dentist is a good first port of call. In the mean time, ice packs ease the discomfort for me and are worth a spin if you can tolerate ice.

Interesting that you said that *7worlds* because my rheumy said RA often affects the jaw.

All the best!

elnafinn

If you go to the Search button at the top of this page and type in Jaw Pain, lomany past postings will appear. Some will not be relevant as posts will come up where just the word jaw is used but you will be able to see that unfortunately one can get arthritis of the jaw and you may well find some information that will help you to to go forward with this.

I am sorry to hear that you have this problem because it must be very debilitating and painful and I hope you can soon begin to receive the help you badly need.

Elna x

7worlds

Hey Starburst. Mmmm... All i know is that the first ache and pain i ever had started with my jaw. It all went downhill after that It just shows you what conflicting advice Rhumys can give us sometimes :roll:

7Worlds

Petitesse

You can have inflammation in all joints, so also the jaw.
I have jaw pain too and scans showed that the bone is not affected (yet), but there is fluid build up from the inflammation. I have had the jaw pain for about a year now. The pain varies, but never goes away completely.
When it is at its worst, my teeth don't match when I bite down - or rather try to because I can't. I can close my lips, but not close my teeth together and it feels like the jaw is dislocated.

The pain is from the fluid build up, so cortisone injection actually made it feel worse. A LOT worse!! :shock:
Because they were adding more fluid into the joint.
For some it will help after a few days though, but it didn't in my case. It just returned to the stage it was at before the injection.

I never had any throbbing pain though in connection with arthritis. I am no expert, but doesn't that sound more like an infection of some kind near a blood vessel? Hehe, sorry for flashing my ignorance here! :oops:

I would go and see the dentist first and maybe have some scans done to see what is going on.
I hope it all works out for you, Christimay. I know this kind of pain is absolutely awful! *HUGS*

earthspirit

i have RA in my jaw and the joints of my teeth as confirmed by a dental consultant at a teaching hospital and a maxo facial specialist at same place.
i said oh no i dont have RA or anything like that but i think its coming from the problems i have with my neck.

eventually doctors confirmed i do have RA which affects my jaw and when it flares is like having an electic shock all over my face and head which takes hours to subside and days or weeks to go.

its 2 years since it flared and in that time i was given finally diagnosis of RA

we should set up a website - ignoredbydoctors.com

RitaW

I have R.A and Fibro and have terrible pain in my jaw both sides.The rheumy says it's the R.A.