Progress

I was recently in Spain visiting my 95 yr old aunt and enjoyed the warmth after a long hard winter here in Scotland. I was diagnosed in Dec and from 60mg prednisolone I am now on 12.5, going down to ten mg on Thurs. I was really surprised how well I did walking along the prom in Spain however I have since had to go to the dentist with infected root which has been cleaned out and antibiotics put in, going back in ten days to finish the job. I have been having jaw ache which is not surprising on the tooth side but the other side has been clicking when I eat and is uncomfortable. It isn't the pain when the GCA first started so was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

I was really quite chuffed today as I cleaned the shower room by myself today!!!

Little steps.

[SnazzyD]

Sounds like you have a Temporomandibular joint problem. This can happen after a dentistry, particularly if you’ve been holding your mouth wide for a while. I and my daughter have had this from dental work. I’ve also had tmj problems since being on Pred which I think is due to the weakening effects Pred has on the muscles. For things like that I like to go to an osteopath or chiropractor. My grumbling tmj issues have also responded well to Bowen therapy.

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

That’ll very interesting. Thank you

[SheffieldJane]

December 2017? If so that is amazing progress but GCA is unlikely to be gone. I wouldn’t taper down anymore until the whole infected root is completely dealt with. Are you on Alendronic Acid or similar for your bones? You need to see the doctor as a matter of urgency if you are ( side effects) Watch your general health carefully for any return of GCA symptoms.

Dental treatment can really knock you about.

Well done re the shower room. I have delegated that job to my long suffering husband and am in no hurry to take it back nor wrestling with the duvet cover or cleaning the windows. 😉

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes I am on Alenronic Acid and daily tablets as well as I have osteopenia in my back. I have been to doctor but will make another appointment if it does not improve over the next few days. Thank you

[TooSore]

Long story but ends with something that may be helpful - I spent weeks with intermittent ear pain, initially there was jaw pain as well. Thinking I was in need of a root canal I was put on antibiotics. The dentist and endodontist couldn't find anything wrong and sent me to my primary doctor. Another round of antibiotics. They'd knock the pain out until a week after I stopped taking them. She sent me to the ENT. Meanwhile I saw the rheumatologist who did extra bloodwork and ruled out anything of his concern. I also see a cranial sacral therapist who sent me to a chiropractor. The vertebrae in my neck were apparently rotated. Meanwhile the ENT checked for TMJ and found that the jaw was not closing symmetrically. He moved his finger slightly as I closed and the pain in my ear is gone! It was almost as if he moved it back into place. I think the difficulty in diagnosis was because I don't grind my teeth. All of this leads my thought process to head toward the dental work caused the jaw pain/muscle soreness.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to TooSore]

Sounds like my problem but hope a diagnosis will be quicker. Thank you

[Hollyseden]

Well done for shower room success. I'm trying to motivate myself to get stuff done in my house. The mind is willing but the arms are weak haha. Love the idea of strolling along a Spanish promenade too, nice to get away from our Scottish weather, isn't it. Hope your jaw problem is resolved soon.

[Hidden in reply to Hollyseden]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hollyseden]

Last Sunday I was in deepest central Scotland at the Podenco Play Day - windy and not very warm but OK in the sun, Today I see it is to be 21C in Edinburgh - why wasn't it that last week? Back home - and 25C today. What a relief!

And I cleaned the balcony so it was fit to sit on!!!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Edinburgh in the warm sun is a thing to behold. It often happens very early in the year. I have been lucky visiting my old haunts for my May birthday over the years. I was brought up there. Spoils you a bit for anywhere else in the U.K.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

It does - I could live near Edinburgh - but the weather really would have to improve now! I can't do cold and wind any more...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

The wind is fierce. A hot sunny day in Princess Street Gardens though........

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

My daughter has a small "garden" plot at the back of her flat in Rosyth - but you have to go out and round to get to it. I have sat out there in the sun and it is glorious. Or a friend's garden in her hot tub. I think we were rather more aware of the weather as we were travelling - being at home with your own heating etc is very different.

[Hollyseden in reply to SheffieldJane]

The Christmas Market at Princess Street Gardens is great too. Happy to settle for a dry day there in December. We were lucky to go on a dry day at Christmas with my youngest granddaughter and grandson. Fun fun fun 😊🎄🎅

[Hidden in reply to Hollyseden]

Yrs my son in law from America and grandson went and also had a great time. There is so much to see and do!

[Hollyseden in reply to Hidden]

We have gone a few times but it is much improved now that it is spread over a larger bit of the gardens. A few years ago we felt like sheep being herded. Could only go in one direction it was so busy and squashed. Didn't go after that for a couple of years until we heard about how it was spread out more 👍 big improvement

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hollyseden]

A Christmas Market in Prince’s Street gardens, whatever next! ( Said in a Scottish Accent)

[Hollyseden in reply to SheffieldJane]

It's a big tourist attraction! Loads of craft stalls, food stalls and a fairground🎡🎠 👍 We went to an Ice Sculpture display too. Very cool ❄️⛄❄️

[SusanEleven]

I’m definitely grind my teeth so jaw pain isn’t unusual for me. But several root canals really kicked the discomfort to a higher level. I hear the TMJ clicking and popping. I’ve improved by massaging the area in front of my ears every night before bed. Plus an area near there, sort of diagonally up from the corner of my mouth just below the prominent part of the cheekbone.

[SusanEleven]

I picked up the info at this link and showed it to my dentist and he said yes, those are the places to gently massage.

colgate.com/en-us/oral-heal...

[Hidden in reply to SusanEleven]

Thanks so much for this I have been doing this with great benefit and no ache now Great result.