ENT doctor said I have “terrible” TMJ

[3daysinjuly]

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.

[Hidden]

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 🌻

[3daysinjuly in reply to Hidden]

I can try a guard from the drug store, perhaps. The quote from the dentist for one was 2000 bucks!!

[Hidden in reply to 3daysinjuly]

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.

[3daysinjuly in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Hidden in reply to 3daysinjuly]

If it doesn't help it's not a fortune you lose. 2000 is too much.

[YuliK in reply to Hidden]

I would call it day light robbery. 😩

[SnazzyD]

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.

[3daysinjuly in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes, I was thinking that, too. Did you get that sound while chewing, too? I also have tinnitus so it gets noisy sometimes.

[SnazzyD in reply to 3daysinjuly]

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.

[3daysinjuly in reply to SnazzyD]

From your tmj or your Gca?

[SnazzyD in reply to 3daysinjuly]

The crinkling was tmj.

[Blearyeyed]

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

[3daysinjuly in reply to Blearyeyed]

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.

[Sandradsn]

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.

[PMRdaughter]

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.

[3daysinjuly]

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?