I once had some dental work done- back when my RA was at its worst- and I ended up having RA settle into the right side of my jaw joint- its kinda under the earlobe. I couldn't open my mouth completely for at least six months, but then it subsided and I haven't had problems with it anymore. I know it was RA because the pain would increase with my flares and decrease accordingly.

It sounds like your issue is soft tissue, so it could be fibro. I have RA, but occasionally I'll have some fibro issues. But the problem with our disorders is that you do get all kinds of wierd aches and pains in the most random ways sometimes- my RA used to mimic ear infections and cold symptoms- ARGH! It had me downing the vitamin C like crazy. But you can get inflammation in the neck/jaw area- not sure if yours is a new illness though. You haven't done anything to injure or aggravate it I hope. Hope it clears up soon. ;-)

TMJD perhaps? How does it feel when you open your jaw?

Yes, I've had jaw pain but only once or twice. My Rheumy said it was RA. I was in such pain, I wasn't able to sleep at all, even taking strong pain meds.

If you put "jaw pain" into the Search box, it will take you to loads of posts about people experiencing jaw pain.

I hope it clears soon for you.

Happens to myself and my aunt. I asked the doctor and he said it's the jaw, it's a joint afterall.

Thanks for the feedback. This helps reassure the chances I have RA huh.
Coolbeans your right about the wierd aches and pains.
I'm gonna run google jaw pain.
Thanks again. Love you all, TW

RA does cause jaw problems quite frequently for some of us. I have had jaw pain for a few years now. Unfortunately, I have a really hard time chewing food because of the inflammation in my jaw.
Also, opening my mouth for the dentist to do his work can be quite painful. He knows about my RA and told me to raise my hand as soon as the burning pain gets to be too much. He pauses while I take a rest for a minute and then he can proceed again.
In your case, I would see your doctor because you could have an infection in one of your your salivary glands which will need antibiotics ASAP. I once had the same thing you describe and it turned out to be an infection of this type. I had never heard of this until I came down with it, but I know that we RA sufferers can get some strange things! So, do get it checked out, ok?
Good luck!
Sue

As trapshooters rule posted... it could be TMJD. I have the same pain and it has been diagnosed as TMJD, but there also is no doubt in my mind that my RA has contributed to and/or caused it!

Hope you're feeling better!

I got TMJ from RA. In fact, it seemed to be the first thing that flared when I went off my biologic, Kineret. I also am supposed to wear a night guard, because I started grinding my teeth once I got damage in the jaw. I hate it, and never make it through the night, although it is a new, smaller kind.

Be sure to keep on top of that. I have totally worn the tops of my teeth down from night grinding. Mine hurts, esp. to open the jaw wide. But sort of a constant pain, too. Hopefully the Rituxan will take care of it, when it starts to work.

TW, I also had a bout with severe jaw pain and I had read about how RA can cause an infection of the salivary gland. I went to see an oral surgeon and he knew what it was right away and put me on penicillin. It went away fast. Sometimes when I am in a flare up my jaw on both side is affected. God bless you.

My sister in law has a pain behind her ear ( in that bone) runs to her jaw as well... she has Fibro/ Lupus/ RA related diseases... she has mentioned it to me as well...