Over the past week, pain in my jaw has been getting worse. It’s now excruciating at times. It’s not there all the time but does often coincide with eating. Had a thorough dental examination and no sign of infection or necrosis (from Zometa).
I’m taking cocodamol but it’s not enough.
Any similar experiences out there and any suggestions of causes and treatment?
Do you grit or grind your teeth? My temporomandibular joints wore through and were agony when I ate. They eventually settled out once I’d ground them into oblivion! I think it was also related to my rheumatoid arthritis. It was a CT scan that showed the wear and tear.
Perhaps it's Trigeminal Neuralgia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trige...
I have experienced this and it definitely is excruciating pain.
thank you, I hope not. I hope yours has resolved.
I am so sorry to hear about your jaw pain. I hesitate to tell you about my husband's experience because it seems unlikely you would have what he has, but it might be good for you to know about this even if there is only a slight possibility this is causing your pain.
My husband developed excruciating pain in his right mandible 9/23. After many tests and scans something was found on a bone scan. This led to a bone biopsy and he was diagnosed with facial-cervical actinomycosis. He has been on an intravenous antibiotic for 5 months (one more month to go) then he will be on oral meds for 6 more months. He is also on a lot of pain medication. It is a strange and challenging coincidence that he would get this along with his mhspc. We have no idea how my husband developed this infection as he has excellent oral hygiene, no open wounds nor dental procedures.
I hope with all my heart you find another cause for your pain and it can be resolved.
My experience is jaw pain developed from a tooth infection, affecting the trigeminal nerve and causing numbness on that side of my face and mandibular necrosis. I see in your case that infection has been ruled out; I would keep a close eye on that. I went to France to get the situation diagnosed and treated.
Thank you. Will keep an eye on developments.
If you are on a bone density drug some of them cause jaw necrosis.
Thank you, yes, on zolendronic acid. I’ve been reassured by a dentist that it’s not necrosis. I’m relieved about that but still at a loss.
Do a search on "jaw pain" in our H.U. History file(s) for tons of info. Also do an Ai search for jaw pain..... Pain (pardon the pun) sucks....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
It is sometimes difficult to diagnose MRONJ clinically if there is no ulceration above it. Sometimes it shows on radiographs, but esp. early on it may not. PET imaging sometimes shows areas where standard radiographs do not.
Your dentist should be able to make at least an educated guess as to what is going on, and if not, should be able to make a referral to someone who can.
Good luck!
my husband had jaw pain/discomfort. Told the onco before getting zometa infusion. Two weeks later his PET scan showed skeletal Mets, including in both jaws.
Sorry to hear that. My fear. Unfortunately the CT scans are just chest, abdomen and pelvis so not pick up if mets elsewhere. As it happens, things have been much better today. Eating softer food and using a heat pad. So relieved as so painful.
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