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Jaw Claudication and PMR?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Miki680
Miki680

After being diagnosed with PMR for one month, I developed jaw claudication. My jaw gets stuck daily, not for more than 30 seconds, but I am wondering if this necessarily means I have GCA, rather than PMR.  No headaches or visual changes yet.  Thanks.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest Miki680

    Posted

    I would let it check also through a dentist, if you develop TMJ disorder. You can stretch the muscles with yawning. But as we know PMR can occur all over the body. 

    I have PMR and I am on zero Pred since Sept 2017. Since a few weeks and this is new I feel tightness in the SCM and Scalenes (side and front of cervical area) in the morning and stretch it out. When I got the diagnosis 2 years ago I had it "only" on the back of my body (hamstrings up to the skull). 

    • Miki680
      Miki680 Guest

      Posted

       Thanks so much for your reply. And I am glad you are relatively free of PMR. Maybe what you were experiencing is not a return of PMR, But just some other affected muscles.
  • EileenH
    EileenH Miki680

    Posted

    Your jaw getting stuck is not claudication. Claudication is when you develop pain whilst chewing which makes continuing difficult and where the pain then goes away when you stop only to return when you start again. Is that what happens?
    • Miki680
      Miki680 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks so much Eileen-

      It seems to get stuck, with minor pain when chewing —it’s more the stuck quality rather than the pain but there is pain. I am wondering if this could be part of PMR rather than GCA

    • EileenH
      EileenH Miki680

      Posted

      It could be a tempromandibular joint problem - have you asked your dentist or GP?
    • Miki680
      Miki680 EileenH

      Posted

      Thank you, yes. They are not really sure.....
    • Miki680
      Miki680 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks so much Eileen -

      You clarified what I did not know;  my jaw gets stuck when chewing but with no pain.  I do not have jaw claudication.  Much appreciated. Amy

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz Miki680

    Posted

    I sometimes get a painful facial cramp when yawning. Never when chewing. I also get the assorted hand and other  cramps others describe.
    • Miki680
      Miki680 karenjaninaz

      Posted

      Thanks Karenjaninaz for your reply --

      My jaw gets stuck while chewing, but I have learned it is not claudication;  I do not have pain when it gets stuck.  I am assuming it is either temporary TMJ or part of PMR.  Much appreciated, Amy

  • rocketman42
    rocketman42 Miki680

    Posted

    Miki -

    Does it get stuck in the open or closed position ?

    There is a something called the meniscus or articular disc that is a piece of cartilage. It is interposed between the mandibular condyle and the glenoid fossa and it allows one to open and close smoothly. However, it can sometimes get displaced so that it gets stuck in front of the condyle and it can cause your lower jaw to become subluxated or dislocated.

    You should have your dentist make you a bite plate that will allow the disc to be "recaptured".

    Try to avoid opening wide so that it does not aggravate the situation.

    Hope this helps.

    • Miki680
      Miki680 rocketman42

      Posted

      Thank you so much Scott

      I will certainly ask my dentist about the  plate possibility. Your information is new to me and very much appreciated, Amy

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