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Dull pain in jaw joint when eating.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Mary_J
Mary_J

Hiya everyone. It's a little while since I posted a question here because thankfully I have been feeling good while reducing my preds (which I am on for GCA) I am down to 7mg now however, since yesterday I have had a slight pain in my right jaw joint. My GCA presented in my left temple and jaw when I was diagnosed last Oct.  It really isn't as bad as the pain I had then, plus no pain in my head. Can I direct my question to MrsO and EileenH please. Do you think this could be the start of a flare up. I am going to have  bloods taken tomorrow before I see my rheumy on Sept 2nd. Will they show if it definitely is a recurrence. I do hope it isn't as I really don't want to have to increase my preds!  I know it's really important to do so though and if it is a recurrence then I will do so willingly. Would be so grateful for your advice as I am a bit concerned. Thank you very much. Luv Mary xx

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • paul45653
    paul45653 Mary_J

    Posted

    Hi Mary, Your post has brought to mind an observation I want to ask the forum about.

    As a new member I don't know if it has been discussed. In my short battle with PMR that I don' know the future of, I seem to find that during the uncontrolled parts of the day for example, any misc. aches or problems that I was living with and trying to ignore, became exaggerated and wanting of some home treatment.

    Is this imaginary or a strange side effect in the long list?

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey paul45653

      Posted

      Paul, I'm not quite sure what you mean  as "the uncontrolled parts of the day" - do you mean the early part of the day before the steroids kick in!

      We do have many little aches and 'niggles' as we get older and it can be difficult to distinguish between what is the usual 'wear and tear' pain and what is PMR pain.  It is obviously easy to dwell on such pains when suffering from PMR in which case they will be exaggerated.  

      I'm sure that as you get further into your journey with this condition, you will gradually be able to distinguish between the pain/stiffness of PMR and that of the usual 'wear and tear'.

    • EileenH
      EileenH paul45653

      Posted

      Or do you mean - when you aren't otherwise occupied? Of course - if you aren't thinking about something else, you will notice the pain more. 

      As MrsO says, as you go further down this road you will learn to identify what is what rather better. OTOH - don't try to analyse every bit that twinges. We are not getting younger and it is impossible to decide what would have appeared anyway. Try not to obsess - I know it isn't easy.

  • Lee-Colorado
    Lee-Colorado Mary_J

    Posted

    Did you just reduce your pred? I saw my ruhmatoligist today and he stated that when one reduces their pred dose it takes about 5 days for the body to adjust. He recommended that I only go down about 10% at a time and that I could make it in 2.5mg drops at a time since I am currently at 25mg. So off the next 6 weeks I will slowly transition to 15mg. He then stated that I would then go down in 1 mg steps. AND he recommended something very similar to Eileen's procedure at that time. Fancy that Eileen, do you suppose he is reading this blog?cool
    • Mary_J
      Mary_J Lee-Colorado

      Posted

      Hiya. Thank you for your reply.  I was put on 60mg last October and have been reducing since end of November with just the odd 5 day, funny day then I'd be fine again. I will take MrsO's advice tho and thanks once again for your concern. X
    • EileenH
      EileenH Lee-Colorado

      Posted

      It takes 5 days if the drop is relatively big. My procedure is designed to hopefully avoid that. The drop should NEVER be over 10% - that is relatively common in the literature (not that you would believe it from the way some doctors go about things). But many people can't cope with that much either - small is beautiful ;-)

      Reading here? You'd hope maybe - but I doubt it!!

    • EileenH
      EileenH Mary_J

      Posted

      In GCA a flare in the first 18 months is very common. Recent research has shown that signs of the inflammation are still present after 6 months on high doses of pred (i.e. above 20mg). You are at a low dose for less than a year into GCA. The Bristol group would probably have you on about 12.5mg at this stage, certainly not below 10mg which they keep you at for a year before continuing.
  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey Mary_J

    Posted

    Mary, if the pain you are experiencing in your jaw is occurring only when chewing then I think you should get it checked out immediately.  I experienced that pain before diagnosis and once on treatment it never returned. 

    It's difficult to say whether this is definitely the start of a flare but you could try increasing the steroids back up slightly for a few days - that might just provide the answer.

    If you had raised blood test markers at the outset then it is highly likely that in the event of a flare, those markers will show an increase - that was certainly my experience.  However that isn't cast in stone as some people who have raised markers at diagnosis won't necessarily find that they will always increase at the first sign of a flare.

    Do get it checked out, Mary - perhaps a visit to the dentist as well to rule out any other possible cause related to your teeth/gums, and good luck.

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey Mary_J

    Posted

    Mary, if the pain you are experiencing in your jaw is occurring only when chewing then I think you should get it checked out immediately.  I experienced that pain before diagnosis and once on treatment it never returned. 

    It's difficult to say whether this is definitely the start of a flare but you could try increasing the steroids back up slightly for a few days - that might just provide the answer.

    If you had raised blood test markers at the outset then it is highly likely that in the event of a flare, those markers will show an increase - that was certainly my experience.  However that isn't cast in stone as some people who have raised markers at diagnosis won't necessarily find that they will always increase at the first sign of a flare.

    Do get it checked out, Mary - perhaps a visit to the dentist as well to rule out any other possible cause related to your teeth/gums, and good luck.

    • Mary_J
      Mary_J MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply MrsO.  I will take your advice. So glad I joined this forum. It's good to know that we have always got friends like you to turn to when we need advice. Much appreciated. Love Mary x
    • EileenH
      EileenH Mary_J

      Posted

      I agree with MrsO too. Jaw pain that is there when eating and not otherwise is suspicious. Neither can you 100% rely on a blood test to show a flare. 

      Is there anything else you have noticed - however fleeting?

    • Mary_J
      Mary_J EileenH

      Posted

      No other symptoms really. The ache is slight though so I am hoping it's just going to stop but I will take all your advice on board and thank you very much for it too and for taking the time to give it. Love Mary xx
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