Hi eliana, and welcome! You ask a most interesting question regarding lymph nodes. I never really thought about it, but mine have been tender for many years, not swollen but tender. Things that make you go hmmmm??? Wonder about others?

This is a wonderful support site, glad you found us too!

-daizy8

welcome eliana

I personal have not had this problem but I do have a client that does. so I no it is part of the autoimmune fun, with all the cross overs this disease has. sometimes more like ra, then lupus, then polymyositis and firbomyalgia.
I'm sure others will give you more insite. there is a great group of friends on this site
hugs sandi

Thanks! I'm glad I found you... Started to read the new discussions, whatever their subject, as there is just so much I do not even know to ask.
Wishing you a good strong day!

I had a bad flare this winter. My whole body swelled. I still have swollen and tender lymphs in the neck and jaw area. It is from swelling in the TMD joints. I get to do PT for this and have to eat soft foods or suffer longer. I am also getting a splint for my teeth. When it goes into your jaw, the pain will go down your neck into your shoulders. Massage therapy is also good. My oral surgeon said that it is best not to get shots in your jaw, as it will make it worse over time. He also said to not use as much prednizone as you will need higher doses to get relief. It is all confusing.

Wow, good to know... I bought already a few years ago an icehockey player tooth protector because I grind a lot in the daytime. (Before the RA, just to try to save my teeth...) If this goes on to a jaw problem, I'll get a real one like you. Thanks!

Hello, I am also new here. I am 39 years old and recently diagnosed. For several years now, I have had problems with my lymph nodes which have been described as "hyperactive", specifically the ones near my neck and jaw and my armpits. The "flare" that I am still having which ended up in my diagnosis was preceded by such lymph node swelling this time in my armpits.

My former sister in law also suffers swelling in her lymph nodes in the groin area from Sjogren's disease another auto immune disorder.

So, I believe there is a legitimate connection, since lymph nodes play an important part in our body's immune system.

I beleive my RA started after having a horrible bout of Strep throat. Ever since then, nodes in my neck and armpits are tender. And they really get painful when I have a flare.

I have had flares in my armpits, on and off, and my throat lymph nodes have also been flared since I got strep throat, even though the anti-biotics cleared up the infection. Some days better, some days worse.

I got really bad TMJ in my jaw from RA, and have a specially fitted one. I don't like to wear it, and I have ground the enamel down to nothing in some places. Sigh!

Hi everyone!

I have RA and Sjogren's along with some other stuff and also have a terrible time with my lymph nodes. It's so ironic that this thread was just started because I too have just gone into a pretty severe flair... well really it has been an Addison's crises that prompted an RA flair I think and Sjogren's has needed some attention too somewhere in there. These diseases are like children sometimes...they all need attention at the same time.

It was just day before yesterday that the lymph nodes in my armpits, neck, jaw (right under my chin and along my Jaw/ tooth line) and even my earlobes were swollen and painful! RA makes some of the craziest stuff happen doesn't it!?!?!?!?

But it seems just as quick as it came, it has gone away, althouth I am on antibiotics so I think that has had a lot to do with it. I'm not sure about others but I know with me antibiotics ALWAYS make me feel better!!! IT's wierd but I've stopped questioning it and right now go with anything that will help me feel better!

Cosby :)

When my lymph nodes flare up it takes weeks for them settle down, sometimes even a few months. My doctor tells me that is quite normal. You're so lucky yours settle down so quickly Cosby. Hope you feel better soon!

Ohhhhhh - it is such a relief to hear that this is quite NORMAL! I can (at least at the moment) deal with pain much better than with the fear of odd things...

I have to tell you guys thank you too because when my lymph nodes were swollen the other day I have to admit the alarmist in me was set off just a little and thought, "Oh no, not another problem to send me to another specialist! I have enough Ologist in my life right now... if only one of them were single because I sure spend enough time with them! hee hee." :)

So.. thank you for sharing your experiences because it has reassured me that it is part of this still unknown thing called RA that pops up new experiences all the time.
I hope you guys feel better soon and your joints are free and smooth today!!!! And that your nodes are small and unswollen :)
Cosby aka: Heather :)