Letterbox.

[AncientMariner]

I do find this condition puzzling, you think you are getting a handle on it and then it jumps on you from another angle. Most of my difficulties with Osteoradionecrosis were associated with the right hand side of my jaw which I was finally starting to manage to a reasonable level of discomfort (I also suffer from GCA) and then last week my jaw seemed to cease up with pain coming from the left hand corner of my jaw radiating into my ear and underneath my eye. I am now teaspoon feeding myself through a letterbox as I cannot get my jaw open any wider without inflicting eye watering pain. I use Co-codamol which is partially effective but avoid Oromorph as it doesn't work well and makes me feel awful. Has anyone else experienced these sudden developments? These unpredictable attacks and have they found it passes given time and enormous forbearance?

[Rugger]

I'm very sorry to read this. It happened to me a year ago when I had an abscess under a back tooth and only resolved when antibiotics got rid of the infection. I saw a dentist at the time who said he would have extracted the tooth if I'd been able to open my mouth!! I realise your medical history is more complicated, but I just wanted to wish you all the best.

Incidentally, I've since had the tooth extracted and am being reviewed in a week to check that my jaw bone is healing and hasn't developed osteonecrosis - due to my being on osteoporosis medication for 5 years.

PMR: 2016

GCA-LVV: 2019

[Nextoneplease]

Hi AncientMariner 😊

Gosh this sounds awful 😳 I do get some jaw pain and stiffness, am due to have a molar extraction soon and always have my fingers crossed about osteonecrosis (I too have been on osteoporosis treatment - denosumab injections- for many years). But I’ve had nothing as bad as you describe. Have you talked to your GP about the current situation? I do think you should have medical input asap.

Take care of yourself and please do get medical advice. All the best, Nextoneplease xx

[Seacat30]

I had an episode of TMJ a few years back. I found it very hard to open my jaw enough to eat my breakfast but it did ease up during the day. I was like that for a few months. I think it was due to my terror of Covid. (Our city had some of the first cases, my colleague was in contact with one of them but insisted on working through her 'cold'.) It went off after we were all sent home when retail was closed down. Was I less tense or was it because I found some pressure point massage techniques and used them? It might be worth investigating TMJ?