1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Having jaw pain and clicking the last couple of days. Help?

Posted , 4 users are following.

marykay62062
marykay62062

The doctor has increased my pred to 20 mg after having side of face pain and that took care of that. Been on the 20 for three weeks now so just wondering why the jaw pain. Thanks for any advise you can give.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH marykay62062

    Posted

    If the jaw pain occurs after  chewing and goes away when you stop then it could be something called claudication pain and that can be a sign of GCA (giant cell arteritis). About 1 in 6 patients with a diagnosis of PMR go on to develop GCA, the PMR symptoms are also a symptom of GCA and the cause of both is probably similar. People don't usually complain of clicking so that might just be coincidence. However, if the pain returns, you get any visual symptoms of any sort or a bad headache go to the doctor immediately - if you can't see your GP within a couple of hours go to A&E. It could indicate GCA and it needs a higher dose of pred if it is affecting your eyes.
  • Lee-Colorado
    Lee-Colorado marykay62062

    Posted

    I agree with EileenH and I will follow her taper recommendations! Guidelines are "general" and everyone here is an individual! I followed my ruhmatoligist's taper directions exactly and had a relapse last week, then I found the following recommendation in " BSR and BHPR Guidelines for the management of giant cell arteritis". If my rhumatoligist had warned me I could have prevented the relapse, 

    Headache: treat with the previous higher glucocorti- costeroid dosage." I should have gone back to 17.5mg when my headaches started to return.

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Marykay, here are the General signs and symptoms of giant cell arteritis which include:

    Persistent, severe head pain and tenderness, usually in your temple area

    Vision loss or double vision

    Scalp tenderness — it may hurt to comb your hair or even to lay your head on a pillow, especially where the arteries are inflamed

    Jaw pain (jaw claudication) when you chew or open your mouth wide

    Sudden, permanent loss of vision in one eye

    Fever

    Unexplained weight loss 

  • Lee-Colorado
    Lee-Colorado marykay62062

    Posted

    At the top of the page you will find a tab labeled "Professional Reference". You will find information on GCA and PMR by selecting the "G" or "P".
  • pauline36422
    pauline36422 marykay62062

    Posted

    i had jaw clicking. but when i stopped taking alundronic acid  the clicking stopped

    as did  my teeth tingling  when i brushed.  or had  hot/cold  drinks.  i never had sesitive  teeth before taking   alundronic acid. i am now  down to 6mg from  20, 13 months ago. and the only pain i have  is  little bit in my buttocks  which i can  cope with  , just hoping it dont get any  worse as i lower the pred

     

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.