I had the same exact thing last December. My PCP thought it was TMJ. I went to the dentist and she said it was not TMJ. The pain was near my right ear and jaw. After examining me, she really was not sure what it was. She said that she could refer me to a specialist. She did prescribe a muscle relaxant and told me to try it. Within a few days it felt better, so I finished out the medicine. I have not had it since and I am hoping I don't. She knows I have ra and said it could be related to that. I have been on 5 mg. a day of prednisone for a little over a year. I have not heard that prednisone weakens your teeth. I have a check-up at the dentist in a few weeks. I will ask about that. Have you been to your dentist? You might want to get an opinion form him/her. Hope you are able to get some answers.

I also have tmj pain, from the RA. Its better some days than others. Not even on a good day do I attempt things like jordan almonds or raw veggies!

I need a joint replacement, but am not keen on having it done. The chondile has been degraded enough that it is square now instead of being round.

Sometimes it does feel like I have dental issues, but I don't.

Make sure you don't have dental issues. I've been told a night guard will help (esp if you know you grind your teeth). My dentist offered to make one (for 300.00). I've also seen them in the drugstrore, and will probably try one of those first (25 - 30.00).

I went to pt, and that did help a bit. They did warm moist heat and massage. They also recommended a soft diet when it really bothers me.

I don't know about the pred, I stay away from it. But that would be a good question for your dentist.

A/ I can't go to the dentist/ have no dental insurance.

B/ my current situation is not just TMJ. This must be a broken jaw.
I am getting ready to go to the ER ; browsing here while I try to mash down a banana......(can't chew at all)
thanks

I wear a guard at night, because of teeth grinding, and bone loss.

I wear a guard at night, too, Though lately my TMJ has been worse and it is very painful. Gives me a BIG headache, too. Last episode lasted three days. If I were not already on pain pills, I don't think I could have stood the pain. Very intense. Sometimes I wonder if RA is in my jaw. I have a dental appt later this month. I think I will tt the dentist about it. I guess they can do an xray and see if there is more than just TMJ...??? I certainly hope you get some relief soon. I know you must be in a tremendous amount of pain. Please let us know how you are doing.

V

It could b the RA in your jaw it does happen n quite painful I've had it a few times. I recently had my teeth cleaned n dental work n the hygienist couldn't get over my jaw kept popping. She ask if I knew it n I said yes I have RA in it's gotten there too causing the popping But yours maybe something different n safer to go see bout it at the ER.

My RA presented at TMJ to the righ jaw. It was misdiagnosed until a few months later I had issues with other joints. I used warm packs on my jaw and that seemed to help. After that inital flare up, I've not had anymore issues with that site.

I had TMJ long before RA. But RA has given me a new variation on jaw problems; In addition to an increase in pain in my right synovial (jaw) joint, it now "crunches" when I lower and raise my jaw. You can literally hear it. It's as if there's material that's trying to keep me from moving my jaw and that it resists and tears when I do.

I've read that it's common for RA to attack the jaw joints. But mine never seems to go away. My Rheumie suggested that I up my dose of prednisone for a while but I'm trying to keep that drug to a minimum. He also recommended a shot of cortisone into the joint but I'm holding off on that one!

RA just keeps coming up with new and exciting things ;-).

Some of the most excruciating pain with RA has been from my ear and jaw. My Rheumy said if the pain starts in front of your ear and into your jaw, it is most probably RA causing it.
If it starts behind your ear, different cause.
I hadn't heard that Prednisone can weaken your teeth but that is quite feasible as it leeches calcium from the bones.
Just hope the ache and pain has improved for you.
Hugs

Well thank U all......I had to chuckle at my own last post on how my jaw "must be cracked" ; Well I can say it definitely was feeling that way which is why I went to the ER. I don't do that unless I think it is an actual emergency. The docs & nurses were nice but almost slightly amused that I thought it was cracked, fractured or otherwise broken.
They said it was not. They said they unfortuneately don't have the xray machine there for dental things (that surprised me)
they gave me percocet, & sent me home with oral antibiotics and also antibiotic ear drops and oral codeine.
She said she doesn't know for sure but thinks it is a combo of an ear infection/swimmer's ear and TMJ.
I do think it is plausible. BTW, I was dx with TMJ many years ago, (also before my RA dx, too.) The orthodontist or endodontist who had dx me, used a 360 degree special xray machine to I.D. it.
He did make me a mouth guard....I've had several others made since then by dentists.
Was told when I get dental work done (root canals/bridge) , that I needed new guards to fit right.
Back then I had horrible jaw pain/face pain/migraines every day, but eventually that all subsided and I quit using the nightguard.
Yesterday's pain was much worse and different ; it was ACUTE, not like the chronic pain.
now I am bummed out b/c I'm not supposed to swim. :(
it is the only thing that has kept me from being totally stiff and also it keeps my pain down . Not to mention , since I have been on prednisone for 9 months and have lost 12 pounds at least......
That no swimming thing is going to be an issue.

p.s. I am also not allowed to chew for now.

and as to the prednisone and weakened bones/teeth, that is something I read in this group before.

Happy to hear you are doing better. TMJ can be excruiciating, and so can ear infections.

Blessings,
V

Hi -
just wanted to add a little postscript. I've suffered from TMJ for many years, but it's been pretty good recently. I'm feeling so much better right now overall! However, a few weeks ago I had a sort of flare in my jaw as well. I know TMJ very well and have had it for many years, but I know this was different, worse in many ways. It was very hard for me to eat. Luckily it subsided within a few days - but I'm pretty sure it was RA and not TMJ. I think I made a post about it at the time - maybe I'll find it and give you the link - or if you search jaw, you can probably find it. In any case, I know what you mean, and I felt that type of pain! I hope you feel better soon, and are able to get a new bite plate so that the TMJ won't add to your RA in the future.

sending you positive thoughts for recovery!

maybe I didn't write about it and just did a lot of reading? in any case, I found many other folks also wrote about jaw pain!

l

I feel for you. I just had dental work and it put me in a horrid headache and jaw pain. I finally took pred to help it, but we realized that the pred makes my legs and ankles swell with edema. My rheumie said no more pred