Tmj

[Fifelassieo]

Dr. has diagnosed me with tmj, have been on 17.05 Pred for 3 mths, this came out of the blue, no previous pain, Odontoceti have any clicking or popping of the jaw, pain radiating to ear and headaches, been advised to see dentist, l have both sets of dentures. Can anyone tell me is going to dentist helps.

[Soraya_PMR]

I recall having some jaw pain, and I think it was about 3 months in. It’s possibly due to swelling from pred. Do you have chubbier cheeks since pred?

Maybe try some paracetamol, if that helps then probably not PMR/GCA related.

Mine passed on it’s own. But I do have a tendency to ‘grit’ my teeth when concentrating/working/thinking (particularly when ironing 🙄)

Like my shoulders tensing, I have to make a conscious effort to relax.

[Fifelassieo in reply to Soraya_PMR]

I am already taking tramadol because of arthritis elsewhere, it helps but it only takes the edge of pain, l have had this now for two weeks, lforgot to mention it is only on my left side, my cheek is slightly swollen, it’s interesting that you all had trouble about three months in. Thankyou for the reply.

[SheffieldJane]

I recognise all that Soraya says. Dentists are clever about jaws and teeth etc. Having an additional knowledgeable expert’s input would be good. My new young dentist is full of enthusiasm and helpful facts. He looks about 12 and plays rock music while he works. He knew about PMR and Pred and the effect of Novocain on steroids, and whether you grind your teeth and jaw misalignment etc. No harm in having an additional opinion.

[Fifelassieo in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, l also forget to mention that my gums top and bottom on the left side are sore and achy all day.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Fifelassieo]

A dentist would engage with that in a way a GP won’t. I once went to my GP with a swollen face and toothache and he said with some satisfaction that he couldn’t do anything about that as it was dentist territory. I just wanted anti-biotics for an abscess. The dentist dealt with it without drama and Penicillin.

[Hidden]

It could help but it depends on exactly whats going on.

I have not got false teeth but I developed clicking in jaw and frequent earache after I had been on pred for about 5 months. Dentist suggested it was due to me grinding my teeth whilst asleep. He suggested a gum shield which I purchased but i couldn't get on with it. Somehow i learned not to grind my teeth and eventually the problem went away.

[Kitchenfairy]

I had TMJ before pmr . It may be that the two are connected but it has never occurred to me before . Months of severe pain along with all the other symptoms . I grind my teeth and clench my jaw so I assumed this was the cause . I did not consult my GP because I was living in France at the time and had lost confidence in him due to the way he had dealt with my husbands heart problems . I took paracetamol and ibuprofen in the maximum doses and eventually it settled down - I lost weight because I was unable to eat. I now have a gum shield at night but it's not a good look in the daytime so I continue grinding!

[Telian]

Wouldn't have thought so. Ask your GP for a referral to the Maxillofacial department - they deal with any jaw related issues, they will eliminate/confirm any jaw misalignment.

My husband has TMJ and takes Amitriptyline 10mg x 3 daily as it's so painful. He can't stop taking it or it comes back (after more than 10 years). He has no jaw misalignment.

Best wishes.