Jaw MRI result, “compromised” miniscus

[Mstiles]

Thanks to all the great suggestions from you-all I made it through my MRI the second time with no proplems, (and a cute technician helped too).

The bad news is my GP called and said it showed a compromised meniscus in the jaw joint, it is torn. This is probably the noise I heard when chewing. She was not helpful, “there’s nothing that can be done, don’t eat hard to chew foods, see your dentist, apply heat, can’t be fixed by surgery the part that broke is too tiny. Probably caused by the prednisone,” she said. My bite is off, I cannot chew on the right side, my molars don’t make contact.

I have a PT referral, she didn’t make any other referrrals. I have a good ENT doctor, I’m wondering if I should see him? or are there other specialists that could treat this? I’m so sick of having to learn about a new problem and advocate for myself for yet another problem.

This news is making me so depressed and anxious about eating. I’m afraid to yawn or open my mouth too wide!

I don’t want to make it worse and am blaming myself somehow for not reducing the pred fast enough.

I’m at 16.25, down from 40 last January. I stayed at 40 for 3 1/2 months. Have no support from my rheumy. I’m seeing her for the first time in 3 months next week.

[SheffieldJane]

You do need to see a specialist, if only because you have been left in such an anxious state. I wonder if it should be an orthopaedic consultant, or a dental surgeon rather than your ENT doctor?

My teeth don’t meet properly either, but it doesn’t really bother me. My son in his twenties has a misalignment ( completely invisible) that obsessed him for a while. The remedy was to have his jaw broken and wired up. They wouldn’t do this on the NHS. Thankfully he stopped obsessing and seems to be accepting of it now. My point is that you may have got into an anxiety state about this, not helped by your doctor and actually it’s not really that bad.

You need to talk to a doctor who really knows and get the proportion of this problem back down to size.

I am glad that all our sharing helped about the MRI. Keep calm, this is probably going to be just fine. X

[Maisie1958]

I’m so pleased you got through the mri scan ok but sorry to hear of the jaw problems. It often seems with PMR/GCA its one thing after another. I can only agree with Sheffield Janes advice.

Hope you feel better soon and all good wishes x

[Mary63]

I wonder if an appointment with a maxillo facial surgeon would be in order? They are the specialists in this. He /she would be able to advise (if it is the case) that the meniscus tear is too small for surgery, undertake surgery, or refer to a specialist physio in the field.

That is what I would do. A friend’s son with similar issues found an appointment very helpful.

[Mstiles in reply to Mary63]

That’s good to know. I will ask for a referral. Thanks Mary.

[Hidden]

Hi

Sorry to hear about this but a Maxillofacial Surgeon would be your best bet & your dentist can probably refer you but your GP should!

Let us know how you get on.

Best Wishes

MrsN 🌺

[Mstiles in reply to Hidden]

I will. Thanks Mrs. Nails.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As already said - max-fax is the department you need. It depends on where you are but in the UK some work out of dental hospitals and others work in an ordinary hospital.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

I’m in the US. I think I can get a referral to a teaching hospital near me where I go for eye appointments. Thanks.

[Omanain]

I understand the blaming yourself! This is probably the main reason I am having trouble coming to terms with all this. I feel responsible, as if I have somehow brought it on myself.

I use 'Mindfulness' just try to slow all those thoughts down and be in the here and now for a bit. It really seems to help.

I wish you all the best in getting the right help with your problems.

[Mstiles in reply to Omanain]

Thank you. Blaming myself is often my first reaction, which never helps! I’ve never been good at meditating but since this illness I’ve managed to meditate before sleeping and it really has helped.

Going outside is my fail-said mindfulness practice.

[Constance13 in reply to Mstiles]

I can’t meditate either, my head is all over the place. Tried in the pain clinic several times and I’m bored stiff. I can meditate better relaxing on my recliner with the sun on my face.😂😎

[Telian]

As your GP is being so unhelpful see your dentist and ask if they can refer you to see Maxillofacial, it's okay the GP indicating nothing can be done but she is not the specialist in that area. You shouldn't be left in pain without investigation. I've a feeling the dentist might say the GP has to refer - in that case see another GP and maybe sense will prevail! I was the same as you and was referred to Maxillo....and they eliminated jaw misalignment. ATB.