Due to my constant worry about GCA I saw an ENT doc for my TMJ which I have had for 30 years. I have always had locking, clicking, crackling, but for the past month I hear the crunching/ crackling while chewing. It is not painful to chew nor do I get tired of chewing. When I open and close my mouth he said he could see the joint moving out of place. I am definitely a jaw clencher and that seems to be my default position. Stress. He also talked about arthritis in the joint. But he referred me to a dentist for an appliance. I wonder if the pred and PMR are affecting my already bad jaw area? And even the temple area where I get intermittent very slight jabbing and not painful. I recently saw my ophthalmologist who I have been seeing since PMR 7 months ago and knows my concerns. She said my optic nerves look “beautiful.” She always feels my temple pulses and says there is a good pulse there. Last month my ESR was 3 on the 0-30 ranged test. My CRP was 1.4 on the 0- 5 ranged test. This was done while on 7.5mg pred. Thanks, all.
ENT doctor said I have “terrible” TMJ: Due to my... - PMRGCAuk
ENT doctor said I have “terrible” TMJ
It's all confusing when symptoms overlap. I am a clencher and grinder and have tmj. I have used a bruxism guard I got online for a while but dental hospital took impressions last week to make a night splint which is same thing really. I can't wait to get it so I don't damage my teeth even more than I have. I think the pain of PMR defo makes you clench more and that goes right up the jaw and trig nerves. Hope you get things sorted soon 🌻
I can try a guard from the drug store, perhaps. The quote from the dentist for one was 2000 bucks!!
Crikey. I paid about 10£ online from Amazon. You have to mold them to your teeth/gum shape. Very easy and you can remould a couple of times.
Right. I have seen them in the drug store. What stopped me from getting one was that it said on the box not to use for tmj. But I will try it anyway.
If it doesn't help it's not a fortune you lose. 2000 is too much.
I would call it day light robbery. 😩
My TMJ problem was at its worst while my muscles overall were at the peak of weakness. It suspect that if the joint is already a bit stressed it loosens up too much with the Pred.
Yes, I was thinking that, too. Did you get that sound while chewing, too? I also have tinnitus so it gets noisy sometimes.
My tinnitus has been a feature up to diagnosis and after but I think the causes have been different, but it’s better with reduced Pred dose. The chewing wasn’t accompanied by crunching or clicking but like a plastic bag being scrunched inside my head near my ear.
From your tmj or your Gca?
The crinkling was tmj.
Have you had regular checks on your calcium and vitamin D levels .
Any deficiency in these can add to the damage done and your TMJ issues and pain too.
An Omega 3 supplement also helps with inflammation but TMJ stiffness.
If there is arthritis in the joint that will help it too.
Using a microbead neck pillow at night is also useful with a mouth guard. Don't put it around your neck but on top of your pillow and keep your head inside the hole . It helps to get you to keep your head comfy and straighter which reduces your TMJ movement and clenching along with a mouth guard .
You may like to get a brand recommended by other people in your country to try but be careful as sometimes a guard does need to be one that is properly measured and fitted to stop the joint displacement. If you feel pain is worse each morning in a mouth guard after a week you probably need to try a new one , if shop bought versions don't help them find a recommended dentist close to you that may have a more reasonable price policy.
Take care , Bee xx
Yes, I will see how the drug store guard works for now before getting a custom made one. My vitamin d level last month was 30, with the max being 100. I was told I have osteoporosis recently so I am aware of the importance of supplementing. I don’t have a calcium score but I will ask for one soon.
I've used a night guard for many years,my dentist(also my boss) said my clicky jaw sounded like a bag of spanners!I can't sleep without it now and its definitely helped my jaw ache and clenching and my bite feels normal now.
The crinkling sound is crepitus. It’s is highly likely it’s due to arthritis. The Temporal Mandibular Joint undergoes a lot of wear and tear. It might be wise to look into a sleep apnea appliance. Check to see if you have coverage for sleep apnea appliances and consider seeing a sleep specialist If so.
Yes, I wore the guard that I purchased last night so we will see. I read 2 of your posts from last month. Do they think you have PMR?
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