RA in jaw

[Mybirthday1975]

hi,has anyone experienced stiffness in their jaw when you open and close your mouth that a bit painful? I have rheumatoid arthritis and I think it keeps going into my jaw!!has anyone got any advice?

Thanks!!👍

[Munro76]

I had this when I was diagnosed. On my right side. It made eating uncomfortable. But my whole body was in agony, so it wasn't the worst joint! It wasn't until I went onto adalimumab that all my symptoms went away.

[wilbertjellyfish]

I have this from time to time. After one of my children's birth I had a problem and the dentist gave me exercises which helped. This was pre arthritis diagnosis, however I use the exercises to help when my jaw is sore now. It helps as bit.

RA can affect your temporomandibular joint.. fancy word for jaw..in case you want to look up other remedies.

[welsh12 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Do you have a link to the exercises please

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to welsh12]

No where would I find them ??😊

[wilbertjellyfish in reply to Mybirthday1975]

I was in with the dentist and she showed me how to do it but it was 12 years ago so I can't remember the details. I would try to them now if my jaw is sore but I'm not even sure I'm doing it right anymore. 🙈

[LinaM]

yes I had this and I couldn’t hold my mouth open for dental treatment because of it . My dentist gave me exercises which I do regularly and it really helped . I run the top of my tongue over every tooth on the outside upper then inside upper in both directions . Then same on the bottom jaw. It was hard at first but after a week or so my jaw loosened up . It was before o had a diagnosis so I’ve no idea it it was connected to RA

[Cattledog in reply to LinaM]

Brilliant! Thanks for putting up those exercises. 👍

[tangolil in reply to Cattledog]

I have this quite severely and often but it responds almost immediately (overnight) when I apply Magnesium oil to the joint. Rub it in gently - it's transdermal.

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to tangolil]

Thanks for replying!and where can I buy this? Thanks 😊

[tangolil in reply to Mybirthday1975]

I ordered mine on line. Very good service and you can buy a small bottle to try it out. Not expensive, I bought through eBay. Zechstein Sourced Transdermal Magnesium Oil.

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to tangolil]

thank you 👍

[Kati66 in reply to Mybirthday1975]

My consultant told me to use ibuprofen cream on my jaw where it hurts. It helps a little bit.

[CagneysMum]

When my RA first manifested 4-5 years ago I had it in every joint including my jaw. So the answer to your question is yes it can.

Luckily for me it was the first joint to respond to treatment so it only lasted a few weeks … other joints took 18-24 months to settle after trying different treatments. A combination of Biologics (Amgevita) and methotrexate work well for me now. Get in touch with your consultant or GP for advice. Good luck 👍

[GinnyE]

yes, I’ve had it in my jaw. Not pleasant. It wore off after a day or two. But maybe your meds need adjusting if you keep flaring?

[Madmusiclover]

hi. Yes I have it whether RA under control or not. Look up TMJ disorder. Dentist can give you a mouth guard: but didn’t do anything for me. I’m under maxillofacial and get periodic botox injections in a muscle connected to jaw which help and have been put forward for acupuncture.

[welsh12 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Yes I have it but had bells palsy on other side years ago prior to RA diagnosis interestingly my bells palsy side is the more affected side of my arthritis

[Kati66 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Hi Madmusiclover,

I have TMJ disorder and have been under the Maxillofacil consultants for a couple of years. The dentist spotted it first and he suggested I ask for Botox injections too. I’ve got a face to face appointment next week with them so will see what they say. My muscles over the jaw each side are very painful and look like they’ve been training with Rocky!! 😂😂. I’m quite conscious of my face looking swollen all the time. Now getting earache too, which is pants 🙄🙄. Wonder if the acupuncture will help you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Kati xxx

[sharlynn]

Hi, my rheumatoid has attacked my jaw many times over the years, I find it hard to open my mouth and it's very painful when it happens. There's not much I've found to relieve it apart from just resting the joint. X

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to sharlynn]

Thank you for replying I appreciate it yeah I have RA too and it does seem to be moving around my joints it’s awful when it’s in my jaw!!can I ask what meds you are currently using?😊

[sharlynn in reply to Mybirthday1975]

I am on biologics, they do help a lot. Its not knowing which joint it's going to attack next that's really difficult. X

[HeadInASpin]

I had this long, long before my RA developed. My dentist called it TMJD and it commonly occurs in people who clench or grind their teeth whilst asleep. I had a night time mouth guard made, which didn’t do much. Ended up being referred to maxillofacial dept at the hospital, where they injected Botox in the muscles next to the jaw to prevent the clenching. Had this done twice and it fixed the problem.

Of course I’m not saying that your problem is the same but it might be worth asking the dentist or reading the nhs page before settling on the RA.

nhs.uk/conditions/temporoma...

Hope this is useful x

[BillyJayDuncs]

I had this from December to March last year. I am pretty sure mine was stress related rather than disease related though. In my case a mouth guard I bought from amazon really helped. That and leaving my very stressful job! If there is a chance yours could be stress related it might be worth considering trying one.

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to BillyJayDuncs]

Thanks for replying 😀

[Happygolucky287]

I have RA and my doctor diagnosed me with TMJ my jaw quite often gets stuck and is very painful I would consider mentioning it to your doctor or specialist.