Rheuatoid Arthritus and Jaw pain

Bakewell
Bakewell Member Posts: 4
edited 18. Mar 2025, 16:06 in Living with arthritis

I have had RA for 5 years and symptoms are mainly stiffness and pain in my hands but is in remission at present. Recently I have had pain in my jaw, so it is painful to chew. This has come and gone 4 times in a month now. The consultant said it can be an RA symptom but did nothing. Has anyone else had this problem? Does it mean that the RA is active and not being controlled by my medication?

Comments

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 549
    edited 16. Mar 2025, 20:35

    @Bakewell I had this in Nov 2021 when I was first diagnosed and knew nothing about RA. I thought I’d dislocated my jaw or something it was sooo difficult and painful to move my jaw.

    Luckily the steroids & mtx kicked in there first and the pain went.

    Have you changed anything in your diet in the 2 weeks preceding the jaw pain and since?

    In my view true remission is no symptoms detectable by imaging or how you feel and no pharma product required to keep that pain & symptom free state. I had it for 2 years.

    Then I had some raw soya protein last january, and was rudely bounced out of my 2 years of glorious med & symptom free state (I was in the gym 3x a week, that’s how good it was). The soya flared my RA so bad that I was back on max (25mg) MTX within 20days. 😖

    Prior to March 2023 I was on MTX, virtually no symptoms and only 20mg/week. Then I had baked beans on toast. Just 1 slice, and I had an almighty shocking flare. Toast by itself was ok, beans on top … NO!

    A long story from my experience… to illustrate -diet matters. Also it’s different intolerances for everyone, but beans have a particular rep for being trouble makers!

    If it’s really bad your doc could prescribe steroids and you should carefully examine your diet diary.

  • annabanana
    annabanana Moderator Posts: 139
    edited 17. Mar 2025, 10:04

    hi @Bakewell , does your jaw make a clicking noise? A few years ago, I had thought my RA had spread to my jaw but my RA hasn’t managed to be controlled yet so I was disheartened but unsurprised; until I offhandedly mentioned it to my dentist. A month and a couple of X-rays later, they inform me that I “just” have TMD, which is thankfully something that should remedy itself.

    Obviously, every person is different, it may be your RA but if your consultant doesn’t seem overly keen to do anything then I definitely recommend reaching out to your dentist. If it’s something the dentist can treat/diagnose then amazing! If the dentists tell you that it does seem to be your RA, take that information to your rheumatologist and use it to show them that you need help! I hope everything works out for you and please keep us updated and also welcome to the online community ! Lovely to have you here :)

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Bakewell
    Bakewell Member Posts: 4

    Thank you for your comments. I can't think of any diet changes that might have brought on the jaw pain, but perhaps I have not been observant enough. I did go to the dentist and he said that the jaw pain had nothing to do with my teeth ie no abscess etc. and has referred me to the maxillofacial dept at the main hospital. However the wait time is over 3 months by which time if it is RA affecting the joint then it will probably be destroyed. He understood my concern and told me to continue to pursue the rheumatology route. I think I need to get a second opinion from the rheumatology people but they are not the most reactive people.

  • Mumof2
    Mumof2 Member Posts: 7

    Hi, could you have TMJ? The dentist diagnosed mine and I got a mouth guard and exercises for my jaw. The exercises help but it definitely flairs when my arthritis does. Apparently it’s linked according to my rheumatologist.

  • TiredWarrior
    TiredWarrior Member Posts: 27

    Hi @Bakewell,

    I have had RA for >20 years involving all my joints except spine.

    Thankfully sternum (breastbone) very rarely flares up.

    Both TMJs (temporomandibular joints) flare up quite regularly and I’ve sometimes had to have liquid diets for 1-2 weeks till I can chew. Sometimes swelling has been bad enough to make my face look wonky 😂

    I haven’t had very long periods of remission (at most 1-2 years). I’m now on my 4th biologics (Rituximab) with MTX & steroids.

    What helps me manage jaw pain is - 1)trying to keep stress levels down (also prevents me grinding my teeth at night).

    2) Using Anti-inflammatory topical cream on jaws (I can’t tolerate them orally)

    3) During a flare using heat/cold depending on what feels better

    Joint destruction takes time even with poor control - despite not being in remission, the medications have prevented joint destruction in my case (seropositive RA with high anti-CCP), so don’t worry about the 3 month wait (no stress remember)

    Best wishes @Bakewell. Hopefully you can get it sorted and share the advice given by MaxFax

  • Bakewell
    Bakewell Member Posts: 4

    Thank you all for your comments. I hope you all have a more pain free time in the future. It is reassuring to know that joint destruction takes time. This was my main worry. I am quite lucky in that my RA was late onset and the methotrexate has been very effective. I'm so glad I have found this community because I have found my healthcare professionals to be very bad at informing me of what I might expect from the disease.

    Again thank you all for taking the time to help me. Very very appreciated.

  • Bakewell
    Bakewell Member Posts: 4

    I will share the experience at the maxillofacial dept when the time comes👍️

Categories