Jaw Popping

[Robinsnest72]

Hello All. I have been suffering from jaw popping and I wrote about this a while ago. Just giving update. It has now been two months and I have had about 7 physio treatments. He keeps saying it is the muscles but so far is not corrected. It is really starting to worry me as the thought of living with this for the rest of my life is scarey. I have lost 11 pounds from not eating. I go to the dentist on Monday and I am praying he can do something for me. Any one else have this for a long period of time? It hurts your ears and your face just aches.

[baxternoni]

It sounds like you have TMJ. I had those issues about 30 years ago. I wear night guards and the popping stopped. I do get jaw pain due to GCA but no popping and no problem eating.

[SusanEleven]

When this issue was a big problem for me (years before PMR) my dentist at the time said to take high dose ibuprofen for several weeks and avoid chewy/crunchy foods. I took his advice on the foods but not the ibuprofen. I was worried about my stomach.

My popping is only occasional now but the joints around my ears still get very painful for days when I eat something like a chewy sourdough bread. When that happens I alternate hot and cold compresses on the area and gentle massage and it gives some relief. I used to have a night guard but finances don't allow me to spend the many hundreds of dollars US dentists want for a new, custom one. A dental office assistant told me to buy one from a pharmacy instead, which I plan to do. I've sadly been a jaw grinder my whole life.

[Robinsnest72 in reply to SusanEleven]

Thank you for your reply. I also do not have the money to get a lot of dental work done. I got an estimate for tomorrow and it is $150. To take X-rays and do an examination. My face aches and my ears have pressure some times. Hope the dentist can find the problem. Biggest fear is from taking prednisone for 2&1/2 years has my jaw bone been effected. Will see.