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RE: RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Dave Davidson — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:20:17 GMT

[quote][b]Gary62 (6/2/2007)[/b][hr]I've recently had quite a bit of pain in my jaw and I was would love to know about anyone else's experiences with something similar. I have been diagnosed with RA and I'm having an MRI next week at the suggestion of my dr., though I'm already on methotrexate, plaquenil and folic acid. Do cortisone injections in the jaw work? How else might this be treated? Is it TMJ masquerading as RA, or vice versa? Any insights would be really appreciated.[/quote]

Hi Gary62,

You should check out in getting a mouth guard. I am in no way suggesting that this will be an absolute cure for if you suffer from "TMJ" (Still see a doctor), but this will be a short-term solution to alleviating your jaw pain and protecting your teeth from grinding/clenching any further. Check out http://www.totalgard.com for affordable night guards .. good luck! I was in your position before, so I know how you're feeling ;)

- Dave

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Gatorgirl — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:39:00 GMT

Hi everyone...as all of you, I too had the jaw pain...I've been living with R.A now for over 10 years! (and I'm only 31) along with the help of Enbrel...the best solution I found for my TMJ issue was a fitted mouth piece. I wear my bite guard every night and haven't had the pain since wearing the piece for over two years now. The mouth piece was a bit pricey but living pain-free was well worth the investment. Hope this helps and good luck!

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Congressmrs — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:57:00 GMT

Gary 62, Hi, I was diagnosed last year with TMJ. I have gone through the process of xrays, doctors visits, medication, and a mouth piece. It does cost but my doctor set up a payment plan. I was misdiagnosed with severe migraines for years. I have not had a migraine in a long time. It is a beautiful thing. To start I was on several medications to help with pain and sleep. I grind my teeth when I sleep and I did not realize it but I held my jaw forward instead of placing my back teeth in the proper place. It was very painful to have your jaw shift but the results are wonderful. When I first got my mouth piece I had to wear it for 24 hours a day, except eating, for 3 months. Now, I wear it only at night. If I forget to put it in at night I can tell it makes a difference. Going through the treatment I got when I did get a headache I would place my mouth piece in and the headache would go away. About 6 months ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the medications are not working. I to wonder if my jaw pain know is not part of the rheumatoid arthritis. Hope this helps a little. I will have to wear the mouth piece for the rest of my life at night. See about your jaw ask about a payment plan.

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

KarenLC — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:00:00 GMT

Keli,
I clench my teeth at night too. I don't know if you will have the same problems I did with the sports store brand or the kind you put in hot water. I actually bit thru them, every single one. I had to go to a dental clinic that was part of a hospital here to get one special made out of the same stuff they repair things with (I forgot the name of it). Anyway, they mold it special to fit you and to make sure you wont bit thru it or anything. They are part of a dental college so whatever my insurance didnt cover they just chalked it up as learning experience I guess because I never got a bill! See if there is a hospital in your area that has ties with a college (so its a learning institute and not just a hospital) and see what their payment policy is. I hope this helps you! Karen

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Keli in Florida — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:05:00 GMT

Michelle,
I have considered that in the past. Thanks for that info.

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Michelle81 — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:59:00 GMT

Gary,
I have PsA and jaw pain. I couldn't even open my mouth at one point. I still have pain but now that the plaquenil and naproxen seem to be working the pain is much better. I think it's all related and to have TMJ treated by a specialist is expensive b/c most insurances don't cover it. I'm sure mine is b/c of the arthritis. Are you taking any anti-inflamatory medication? That may help too.

Also for Keli and anyone else who clenches their teeth...you can go to a sporting goods store and get a mouth piece. My cousin is a dental hygenist and that is what she suggested but I don't clench or grind my teeth so that wouldn't help me.

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Keli in Florida — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:25:00 GMT

Gary,
the jaw pain is very common. I have it. My ENT seems to think it's TMJ. I'm on a muscle relaxer among other meds and get bad headaches. we did have a tread on this a while back. so you could probably do a search and you could probably find it we had a few responses there. I believe the topic was also jaw pain. Much luck to you, I also believe that I clench my teeth but just can't afford to go to the dentist right now. Again best of luck.

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Gary62 — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:46:00 GMT

Thanks, Wayne and Cathy...I also posted over at the RA Connect site to see what else I can learn. I've had the pain pretty consistently for the last three weeks or so. Have also been to my dentist who thinks I should get some sort of retainer device to keep from clenching...but if it's my RA, not sure if that will help. As is sometimes the case, lots of ideas/possibilities but not sure who to listen to. We'll see what the MRI shows and what the rheumatologist says. I have had cortisone in my hands with mixed results...though having an injection in my jaw is not something I would look forward to! Thanks for replying.

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Wayne2112 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:50:00 GMT

How long have you had the pain? I have had flares in both sides of my jaw (at separate times). The pain got quite severe, but then quickly started to fade and was mostly gone in a few days.

Try clicking on RA Connect to the left and post on the discussion board there. You will probably get more responses.
Hope you feel better.
Wayne

Re:RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

cathy7 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:53:00 GMT

Hi:
I also have swelling in both sides of my jaw. It has pushed my teeth around. Cortisone could help. I was offered that also. I had already had too much Cortisone already when it was offered. Besides, the Cortisone is only temporary. When it wears off the symptoms will come back. I am suffering from "reactive arthritis" from a flu vaccine. Hope all is well.
Cathy

RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Gary62 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:08:08 GMT

I've recently had quite a bit of pain in my jaw and I was would love to know about anyone else's experiences with something similar. I have been diagnosed with RA and I'm having an MRI next week at the suggestion of my dr., though I'm already on methotrexate, plaquenil and folic acid. Do cortisone injections in the jaw work? How else might this be treated? Is it TMJ masquerading as RA, or vice versa? Any insights would be really appreciated.