It's hit my jaw.

[Cat111]

So another first it's hit my jaw just the right side.

not impressed hope it's sorted for my Xmas dinner.

[earthwitch]

I use voltarol gel on my jaw area. You just got to be careful about not getting it anywhere near your eyes. Heat or ice packs can relieve it a bit too. Move your jaw fairly gently, and definitely don't be tempted to do those big jaw wiggling movements to try and free it up. My dentist was really helpful with showing me how to "unlock" my jaw as well. Also, you might want to talk to your GP about whether taking NSAIDs (as an antiinflammatory) might help relieve it. If all else fails, cut your food up really small and take small mouthfulls as a temporary measure.

[Cat111 in reply to earthwitch]

Thank for advice x

[Caza]

Morning, I get it my jaw, I find it's the most painful part of having RD. I can't take painkillers, so I lay on a covered hot water bottle for short bursts. Not easy at this time of year!

[farm123]

Mine is only on one side (suppose we should be grateful it is not both). Does it affect how far you can open your mouth and chewing? I need to think about what I eat at times or cut up much smaller which is annoying if the hands are playing up at the time and I need help. Other times I fill my fork as I used to and then it does not fit in and the food is pushed off as my mouth does not open wide enough - not good in company!! Sometimes its ice and others heat that helps. Another one of our delights which is 'hidden' as we look normal. Farm

[mitchym00]

Hi I had it on one side but over the last 4 weeks my other side of my jaw has become really painful. I wear a night splint which was recommended by my consultant but at the moment the pain is bad and I can only open my mouth one finger width before it just doesn't open any further. I started MTX 2 weeks ago so hoping that is going to help. I am also on naproxen 1000mg and tramadol x 8 daily.

[Hidden]

Hi there

Sorry to hear about your jaw. I have this too on the left hand side. Mine has only been a major problem when I had my wisdom teeth out ( jaw open wide for an age) and when I was under a huge amount of stress last christmas. It was so bad I struggled to sleep for pain in my jaw, ear and head. I thought it was just RA but friends advised seeing my dentist. He asked about stress and said could I be clenching my teeth and the penny dropped. I hadn't just been clenching my teeth in my sleep but my whole body. I was having very bad dreams. I did some progressive muscle relaxing techniques before I closed my eyes and listened to floaty music and it helped enormously. I never eat toffee, French sticks or steak! I would advise you to see your dentist who may refer you to oral surgery. I found anti flam gel useful and ice packs and wheat bags. And painkillers. Eat soft foods. Good excuse for ice cream. Although mine was so bad even swallowing was painful. Hope it settles soon.

Happy Christmas kikideelili x

[Cat111 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[Rachel43]

I've had this since weekend on the right side of my jaw. It's very painful & I've developed a small lump. I agree eating is a nightmare at the minute. I'm at my rheumatologist latter today. I will let you know what they say.

[Hidden]

I suffered years ago, mine was caused by taking to many teeth out on one side, it put the jaw under to much pressure so I was given a splint to wear at night in the back. it also had a further spint connected to the lower front teeth as by that time my joints etc collapsed. Now got arthritis in both sides of the jaw and I am unable to open my mouth fully so I need sedation when I go to the dentist

Very painful

BOB

[Jeanabelle60]

Hello Cat, I know exactly what your going through. Almost from the beginning, four years now, I have had pain in my left jaw. I thought it was a sore ear or maybe my teeth but no, it was RD in my jaw.

Over the years it has progressed and the pain at times can be very bad. In mid summer I got 'lock jaw'. I got an emergency appointment with a Dental Surgeoun and my Rheumy nurse. I had x-ray's done and all I could see was a big blurr....the DS also confirmed that I had it on the right side aswell although until recently I had little pain there. Anyhow a steroid injection opened my jaw gradually.

The DS said it was bad on the left side but "not bad enough just yet"! When it get to be as bad as he wants it to be he said he will send me to London (I live in Ireland) to get a jaw replacement! Don't like the idea of that at all.....

Seems there is a thingie that you can get to put in your mouth while you sleep.....DS said that would be no good to me so you might ask about that....it might help, you never know.

Wish I could tell you something more positive. I forgot to mention I have problems with my fillings too, they keep falling out!! Poor you, I have nothing good to tell you at all do I, sorry?

What i would say is that when the pain gets really badmake sure you get to see a DS, your RD Consultant won't be a great help to you then, you need someone who specalises in non weight baring joints, like the jaw.

All the best anyhow and have as good a C'mas as you can.

Jean

[NeonkittyUK]

Sorry Cat ... hope it will improve soon. When my RA was first diagnosed years ago and not under control I had major problem with the jaw and not being able to open it much and worried it would never come right but it did once my inflammation levels were down and I got some exercises from my physio for it and my neck/posture. It did take a good while to come back to acceptable levels though. It was not easy. I do recall cutting up food to baby size pieces and I didn't eat meat for quite some time. Hope you can get some help quickly to alleviate as much of it as you can. In the meantime heat on it to soothe it is good as Farm says, and does gentle self massage to the back of jaw help release it? Mine used to click really loud a lot then feel better for a while. I was also tensing the jaw every time I moved as my legs were so sore and stiff, I gritted my teeth and pressed on my stick to climb stairs and move, and my neck was not right in bed so addressed that also with two flattish pillows and a rolled hand towel just in front of those at the bottom edge of the pillows, for my neck, suggested by the physio. It all came back to the jaw whatever I did and tension. Hope it has relaxed enough to eat at Christmas dinner. MK x

[Cat111 in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Thank you for your advice.

It did ease for a day or two thankfully so I could eat Xmas dinner! But by the evening starting back again.

Roll on next visit with the rheumatologist in January.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Cat111]

Yes, not long to wait now Cat. My Rheumy review is first week in Jan. Need to sort my second duo of rituximab infusions. So glad you could eat Christmas dinner. I am wondering if much chewing has set the jaw off jingling. Hope it calms soon and keep it warm as we are set for a colder spell now.