Osteoarthritis in Jaw

[Sunset123]

This is another huge issue for me that is weighing heavily on me. I have had problems for many years back in the 80s with my jaw being out of align. I had an open bite; was going to have surgery but found an orthodontist that would correct it. Developed TMJ and wore a night guard every day and still do. I have seen TMJ drs and just last year a TMD. I had an MRI and showed severe osteoarthritis & deformity of the condyle, joint effusion and lack of translation; the meniscus is not identified. So basically it is bone on bone. I am more worried now that I’m on the preds. Being at 53 I have a ways to go which doesn’t look so bright. Anyone else have similar issues?

[Mstiles]

Hi Sunset,

So sorry you’ve had to deal with this!

Im PMR/GCA, diagnosed Jan. Of this year, put on 40 mg, currently reduced to 16.25.

Last week my bite went out of whack when I was eating a salad of all things. I’m having an MRI Monday to see what’s going on. My bite is better but still not right. Have some swelling and a little pain when chewing. Been using heat and ice packs on it. Of course I’m concerned about GCA and confusing symptoms, my blood tests are OK. Haven’t had a dexa scan.

Hope it all works put for you.

[Mstiles]

Hi again

What is a TMD?

[Sunset123 in reply to Mstiles]

Hi - Temporomandibular joint disorder. There’s a good book - ‘The TMJ Healing Plan’ by Cynthia Peterson

It is confusing. Now that I have PMR. Could I also have GCA. I have pain in my jaw but that’s not new. I’ve always had pain there - All over as a matter fact - I don’t know what the pain is related to

Good luck to you. I hope things will be okay

[Mstiles in reply to Sunset123]

Thank you for the book name. Hope you get some reassurance and help.

[SnazzyD]

Hello. I have always had an anterior open bite mad I know there are different levels of severity of problems. Being on Pred since March 2017 aged 54 for GCA definitely made the muscles a bit rubbish and that area didn’t escape. I’ve found Bowen therapy really good and the therapist works on the TMJ a lot. I’ve never been offered a mouth guard by any dentist. They just look in an say, “oh, anterior bite”. I fear for my rear teeth that get all the strain but so far so good. However, I know what you mean, if hopefully there are a few more years ahead, there is a lot of chewing to be done!

[Margaret1951]

Hi, I have lost 2 implants on one side of bottom Jaw and 2 weeks ago lost 2 implants on other bottom side back ones. Dentist did X-ray and yep my jaw bones are thinning and cracked where teeth were, future ---- bottom denture when I lose the rest of my own teeth !!! Preds certainly do a good job to our bones 😱

[Sunset123 in reply to Margaret1951]

This is my worst fear - deterioration of jaw. It makes me sick on top of everything else. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare but serious condition in which the cells in the jawbone start to die. This can be caused by bisphosphonates.

[Margaret1951 in reply to Sunset123]

I move my jaw side to side and sounds like a volcano erupting 😂 Cracking. Know I shouldn't do this but.......

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Margaret1951]

Are you "only" on pred? Or bisphosphonates too?

[Sunset123 in reply to PMRpro]

Pred only. The Endochronologist had mentioned when I am on Pred’s over 3 months.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sunset123]

I meant Margaret really - I know, the forum is confusing.

[Margaret1951 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, yes 10mg at moment and calceos off doctor which I don't like at all !

[Margaret1951 in reply to PMRpro]

Only preds and calceos

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Margaret1951]

Is there another option? They all have similar amounts of calcium and vit D but different fillers that make them taste a bit different.

[Margaret1951 in reply to PMRpro]

I am suppose to take 2 a day but don't because of the taste yukky will ask doctor for something else I think, I am diabetic also so gums shrinking, but not weight !! . I am going for pelvis and both hip joints 22nd oct ( strange but late husbands birthday !!) X-ray. Tomorrow I am dropping half mg to 9.5mg as had enough of tablets now ! Fingers crossed

[PMR2011]

Hopefully Heron will be along to share tips on maintaining bone health with you. Pred does weaken our muscles which doesn’t help pre-existing conditions. What you describe sounds in line with the problems you’ve had, though you are right, you do still need to be vigilant on possibility of GCA.

Me: PMR in 2011 and GCA in 2017. Currently at 1.5mg Pred and weekly Actemra.

[Sunset123 in reply to PMR2011]

Thank you - any info I can get I will take.

Sorry to hear you have GCA. My jaw has been bothering me, but always has. I think more so I started back on pred