Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Jaw involvement

I was just wondering if anyone else has problems with their jaw. I have trouble opening my mouth wide enough to eat. It is more a nusience than anything. I also have a mild case of TMJ. My rhuemy is watching it and measures how wide I can open my mouth. I don't think it is getting worse.

Is this a common problem?

ha ha Jeffery, "wanted to misspell more words." You crack me up!

I have had 3 serious bouts of TMJ, and yeah you pretty much kiss hamburgers/sandwiches goodbye for a while.

The following is a "road map" of AS-ers bodies and where they get involvement and how often from the spondylitis association of america website.

Just double click on the picture on right to enlarge it.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/complications.aspx#

I'm big into the diet and at one point I had it pinned down which food seemed to be affecting my jaw and I think it was potatoes, particularly the delicious fried variety served with the hamburger I couldn't get my mouth around! lol

This SAA poster isn't 100% correct because it says 100% of us have SI joint involvement and mine are still clean as of my last x-ray. The only thing fused on me at the moment is my right wrist. Weird, eh?

Donette

You make me laugh too. I like your location I have changed locations myself. A few days ago I was from Atlantis, now I am at Area 51, Nevada.

Thanks for the link and the info. I had seen it before and was reminded it is about 10% I wonder if there is a way to see if that statistic is true on this site.

That is weird that only your wrist is fused. I bet you are the only one here who has only a wrist fused. I think this just proves that AS is different for everyone.

so long as i don't open my mouth too wide (quiet everybody! :D) and don't try to eat anything too hard that is big, my jaw is pretty good. but within the last year or so, have found that if i try to eat something bigger and hard, my jaw joint starts to feel seized up and like my jaw wants to go into major muscle spasm.

the other thing that causes the same sort of issue is holding my mouth in an open position like that for a long time like at the dentist office. so he lets me take frequent breaks and i take a muscle relaxant before i go. this has been happening for years.

so far, can still open it wide without pain, just can't keep it like that or try to use the muscles to bite down like that.

someone asked about this recently, maybe it was me (LOL!), if i find that thread, i'll link it. lots of good answers there.

I have problems at the dentist's cffice also. Even though my dentist knows I have a problem he still comments. I have to take lots of breaks too, especially when he is doing alot of work. I have to open wide and it is painful. Luckily I only go to the dentist every 10 years.

Well..it has been for me and you have to remember the jaw is a joint. I have TMJ but I have had the swelling, pred, and even shots in the jaw joints..and I'm not gonna lie it hurt!

Some nights it's so bad that I literally can not sleep on the side the jaw is hurting...usually I do steroids, cut way back on what I eat (well I dont eat alot anyway) but do alot of jello, liquids and try to keep my jaw still, as still as i can..when it's really bad I actually refuse to talk and will write with pad and pen to the family when I need something.

I hope you get it figured out.

Hugs,

Lisa

but the muscle relaxant is my secret weapon for the dentist visit, not just for my jaw, but for the rest of my body having to sit in the chair. it really does help.

Hi Jeffery, I don't have jaw problems but wanted to ask you if you're currently on Fosamax(Alendronate Sodium)because there is a rare side-effect of jaw bone necrosis, where part of the jaw bone actually dies, so please make sure you keep up with this, my friend, it could become a very serious issue...xxooxx

Yes, Yes forgot I also take muscle relaxers for my jaw either Flexiril or Zanaflex.

Hi My Mee-shell..oh I so miss you!

It is scary what you said, I know and have been afraid to have a bone density test, 19 years on pred I know has had to do a number on me.

I do need to know because my Mom was on Fossamax the 8 years she was on dialysis and actually died as a direct result of a fall at home in which she broke her hip and her shoulder...

It's a good reminder that we need to be vigilant but cautious in all we do.

Hugs,

Lisa