Jaw pain

[Petcut]

Morning everyone anybody out there experienced jaw pain ? I’m a month into polymyalgia on 15mg prednisolone daily and last night out of the blue felt jaw ache and still there this morning should I be ringing a Dr. or see how it goes until Monday when my Drs.are open.

[jinasc]

Contact your GP now, if not available head off to A&E. Hospitals are safe now as most have two admit areas like my local one. You might need to insist on seeing the Consultant in charge in A&E as sometimes they have not dealt with GCA.

Jaw Pain is one of the symptoms of GCA.

You cannot take any chances, if you lose any vision, either partial or total it is gone.

As you already have been diagnosed with PMR and only 1 month into pred and on 15mg, this is a problem that needs to be sorted out and fast.

Please do this now and if we are wrong, it does not matter, what matters is your sight.

[Petcut in reply to jinasc]

Thanks so much for your advice i spent 4 hrs. at A&E today and after many tests they seem happy that it isn’t GCA at present but have raised the prednisolone to 60mg daily for a couple of weeks and then an appointment with rhum Dr. for check up.

[jinasc in reply to Petcut]

I can now rest easy, thank you for letting us know. Let us know what the Rheumy has to say.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Depends what sort of jaw pain...could be TMD issues -see link -nhs.uk/conditions/temporoma...

More seriously could be GCA, but that usually comes on with eating - and stops once you stop chewing. Is that the case? Try chewing gum for 2 minutes - if it comes on whilst chewing, but stops when you stop then could be.

Do you have any other GCA type symptoms?

[Petcut in reply to DorsetLady]

This aching in jaw is not so bad but hurts more when eating

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Petcut]

In that case, as jinasc has recommended its needs checking. ASAP

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Petcut]

I agree with the other two - especially if chewing makes the pain worse. Please don't wait for Monday - use 111 or go to A&E..

[SnazzyD]

Someone needs to work out if it is the jaw muscle claudication or something that can be caused by the effect of steroids on muscles, temporomandibular joint pain, as DL suggests. I’ve had both. I’d say the claudication felt like a cramp in the muscle when I was chewing that radiated around the area and eased off if I stopped chewing. TMJ problems were more in the joint which was apt to make noises when chewing and the dentist could diagnose it in seconds with some well placed pressure.

[Telian]

A question asked is is the jaw pain worse when chewing? In my case my jaw ached all the time but not when chewing. I still had GCA and temporarily lost the sight on the affected side. Don’t wast time get it checked out.

I see you have and you’re on a higher dose pred. That will help protect your sight until you see your doctor/ Rheumie for further advice. If you get any visual disturbance see urgent medical advice.

[Petcut in reply to Telian]

Thanks for reply,yes I have noticed quite a big change in vision in the right eye which is the side of the jaw pain and this was pointed out to the Drs.yesterday so they did several eye tests.

[Telian in reply to Petcut]

It can be hard to detect. I was diagnosed vis Ultrasound which I know isn’t readily available everywhere.

Previously I was checked out for jaw misalignment,TIA and heart which all drew blanks. I was repeatedly told it must be migraines telling me the symptoms can change as you get older. I just stood my ground - the headaches were like no other and didn’t respond to any painkillers. I desperately wanted to lie down but couldn’t bear the pressure. It came to a head when the sight went.... Don’t be fobbed off.

[Di01 in reply to Telian]

Same issues jaw pain all time but thought this maybe due to either my menopause or fnd so i'm wondering what gca is ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Di01]

Giant Cell Arteritis - one of the 2 conditions we talk about on this forum

[Petcut]

Thanks but are you saying you permanently lost your sight?

[Telian in reply to Petcut]

No, I was very lucky as it returned and all because I had a vigilant GP who was on the ball about GCA. He fast tracked me to rheumatology who diagnosed GCA via ultrasound - was put on Prednisolone and all my head and jaw problems disappeared within 6 hours - I felt great.