Jaw pain…..

[Sjhoney]

Hi all,

I started biologics 3 moths ago and everything is going well but recently I’ve developed pain in my jaw/face. I’ve googled it but not really getting anywhere. Does anyone have experience of this?

Ta xxx

[Caza]

Yes in a flare I can get it in my jaw, extremely painful. But of course you should phone your GP or consultant. I’m not on your meds so maybe it’s connected. Always best to check.

[Marionfromhappydays]

Yes I do

Rheumatology said to get a gum shield to wear to bed as I clench and grind my teeth which makes it worse. As a temporary measure I've bought some from amazon but will eventually get one done by the dentist.

Before the biologic kicked in I got it excruciatingly bad and I would use a heat pack on it which helped a little, it affects my ears too and I temporarily loose hearing on the affected side. It does go but I know that's not very helpful when you are going through it.

Hope it goes soon 🤞

[Sjhoney in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

That is helpful, I thought maybe I suddenly had super sensitive teeth! I’m going on holiday in a couple of days so it’s a bit late to get help. Hopefully it’ll ease. X

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Sjhoney]

Have a lovely holiday x

Hope it goes too. I happened to see an ENT consultant whilst I was having an episode of it and he confirmed it so I does definitely happen (not just me saying it 🤣).

[Sjhoney in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

This disease just keeps on giving 🥴

[Madmusiclover]

Yes. I have ‘severe’ TMJ (Temporomandibular (joint/jaw)disorder) in in one jaw hinge. Have Botox injections privately in relevant muscle when I can afford it and had MRI on NHS. I’ve been round the ENT/maxillofacial roundabout a few times. Waiting for post MRI appointment with maxillofacial . It was oddly the thing that got me referred to rheumatology by an alert gp back in 2015/6.

[sunnyweek]

Yes i've had inflamed jaw very painful could hardly move it. Upped anti inflams and took painkillers it eased after a few days.

[VeronicaF]

snap I get it too when I am in a flare

[Silverpixie]

I used to get this a lot before biologics. I woke up on Christmas day unable to close my jaw. It was back to normal a couple of days later. Watching everyone else tuck into their Christmas lunch whilst I struggled with a few vegetables I did try to look on the bright side of the calories saved and the trifle needed no chewing 😊

[vonniesims]

Yes, my dentist confirmed it

[Pitbull2017]

As someone who's stated they are now in remission for 3 years jaw pain is probably one of the most difficult problems to settle down, when I had pain in my jaw strong pain killers worked for me.

[Runrig01]

Yes, I have ankylosing spondylitis rather than RA. Prior to my AS diagnosis I was seeing rheumatologist for polymyalgia, and 3 months after starting steroids I got this as well as tongue pain & vascular lesions. It was treated as GCA at the time. The only thing that helped was Azathioprine. In 2016 I was diagnosed with AS and it flared again and I was referred to an Oral medicine consultant, who confirmed it was due to inflammatory arthritis, and the inflammation was pressing on surrounding vessels and nerves, which were causing burning temples and tender scalp. They tried stopping the Azathioprine but the pain in the jaw intensified. I was switched to methotrexate in 2016 as the Aza was affecting my liver. Now it only bothers me if I miss a dose of methotrexate. I seen a physio who specialises in jaw pain. She taught me massages and exercises to help.

[Thequietman]

Yes, l have had steroid injections into jaw hinge in past I did work but, not pleasant.

[benjijen]

I had the usual scans for tmj. For 2 years I had this problem and then I was taken, by ambulance, to hospital. I hadn't had a heart attack but it was unstable angina. Stents fitted. As I was under rheumatology my symptoms were automatically assumed it was related to that. If you're in any doubt ask questions. Take care

[Knit12]

I get a lot of neuralgia pain with my biologics. Upper tract, sinuses, earache, jaw ache. Constantly blocked nose and dry eyes. Sometimes it’s worse when the weather is cold.

[Blodynhaul]

My left jaw is very often very stiff this year and can't always open the mouth far (struggle sometimes to eat a banana). Medications haven't been working for me this year and the RA is very active. 3 weeks into a JAK and still have the stiff jaw. Only very occasionally is it very painful. So it doesn't seem to be due to the JAK, but isn't any better yet with it either! Hope it improves for you : )X

[Sjhoney in reply to Blodynhaul]

There’s always something round the corner! What’s JAK?

[Blodynhaul in reply to Sjhoney]

Hi Sjhoney, sorry, all these terms! it's a JAK-inhibitor, a certain group of biologics (seem to be used when others don't work!). My RA is running riot this year affecting everything, so hoping this JAK will kick in. Good Luck to you!

[Sjhoney in reply to Blodynhaul]

So sorry to hear that, hope it helps 🥰

[Blodynhaul in reply to Sjhoney]

Thank you Sjh, didn't mean to go on about me! Really hope you jaw stops troubling you, horrid as affecting you eating and talking etc. All the very best, especially for this new year X

[Sjhoney in reply to Blodynhaul]

At least we all get it on this site, I feel I can’t go on about it to other folk 🙄😄

[Blodynhaul in reply to Sjhoney]

You're so right. Feel the same, shying away from trying to describe to others how it all is and feel a real moaning bore doing so anyway! This forum is marvellous and has already helped me so much to feel not suffering alone, as well as so informative hearing others' plights and experiences. It feels like a true community - and all so relevant to our particular diseases and everyone is so thoughtful, helpful and Kind X

[Sjhoney in reply to Blodynhaul]

I’m an artist amd I took part in a craft market for Maggies Centre. 2 of us were out upstairs, this was pre-knee op, and I was in considerable pain. As it turned out the other woman with me also had RA! She said if I hadn’t mentioned it she wouldn’t have either. Was so good to chat to someone in a similar situation 🙂

[Blodynhaul in reply to Sjhoney]

Lovely to hear that!

[Hallwood]

Until I saw this thread I thought this issue was 'just me then'. I'm on a biologic which on the whole has eased joint pain overall, except for the left side jaw hinge, which is worse. It flares on and off, but at the moment is causing a lot of pain. Last night was particularly bad, waking every hour to force it to move. I don't find painkillers much use (or fancy injections), so it's a matter of waiting for it to calm down.

[Sjhoney in reply to Hallwood]

The meds that help us present us with a new set of problems. It’s so wearying.

[Deminem]

Hia,

If it doesn't seem like anything others have mentioned and is not tooth-related, then maybe the last on the check list is heart issues.

Now I'm not saying it is that obv, I'm not a Doctor. But signs of a heart attack in women are little known and different to mens pre heart attack symptoms. So jaw pain, neck pain, back pain, and no pain. Headaches in the week before are also common, these are some of the main ones for us all to be aware of.

Again I'm not saying this bcz I think you have this issue, but more to make all readers now and in the future aware, and to make a mental note of these symptoms. knowing it could maybe save someone's life one day.