What is tenderness on upper cheek?

[Fetlar73]

I have had on and off, the last three weeks a tenderness in my right cheek. Only the fleshy part no aches in facial bones. I just wondered if this is sometimes a symptom of The. Beginning of GCA. I have PMR and am on one and a half mg Pred.sorry to trouble you, but just wondering, as I have Macular Degeneration in my eyes and wanting to look after them.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It certainly isn't typical of GCA as far as I know. Have you any tooth problems on that dside?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Wasn't for me....not sure it's been mentioned by others...

[Kendrew]

Hi Fetlar73,

It sounds more likely to be dental or sinus related but if it persists it'd be a good idea to seek advice from a medical practitioner.

[HeronNS]

Cleveland Clinic came up in a google search for "what might cause a painful cheek". Nine causes listed, starting with sinus infection.

health.clevelandclinic.org/...

[Miacaro45]

I was diagnosed with GCA in 2020 and PMR in 2021. Since 2020, I periodically get pain in one tooth in the upper left quadrant of my mouth. I have been to several dentists and Endodontists and no one can figure out why this happens. We all react differently and I guess I am different! My best to you.

[HalleysComet in reply to Miacaro45]

I have had exactly the same problem for months now. My dentist saw I had swollen gums in that area & recommended stopping Amlodipine ( for hypertension) and changing to a different drug. I am now on Ramipril which has improved matters. The dentist took X rays and lots of poking and prodding & can find nothing wrong. I have an implant and a bridge there and they can be removed and replaced if there is any infection, so that is reassuring. ( Not for the wallet, though.)

My jaw still feels a bit uncomfortable some of the time and I take good care to brush the gums in that area well. I had nightmares about it being the start of GCA but it has not developed into headaches.

I am currently on 2.5mg, having tapered from 15 mg in 2021.

[pmac22 in reply to HalleysComet]

why did doctor want you to stop amlodipine?

[HalleysComet in reply to pmac22]

My dentist said one of the side effects of Amlodipine is swollen gums. It is something he has seen in the past. There are some pretty scary pictures of it if you look on the internet( I do not recommend!)

I was then put on Felodipine, but it made no difference. That is not surprising, as any of the “odipine” drugs have a similar side effect.

Ramipril works in a different way and doesn’t seem to have an adverse effect on gums.

[cranberryt]

That usually means sinus infection for me or sometimes a developing cold virus.

[Fetlar73 in reply to cranberryt]

thank you Cranberryt and all you other people who replied. I f eel reassured and will keep an eye on it.