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

Hi

I've been having mild jaw pain on and off for 1.5 months and for 2 days it increased which scares me some what.

NSAIDS dont seem to help much. I dont know if its AS related or some infection or dental problem. I think it started a few days after last time i visited my dentist.

I dont know what to do? Do i go to a dentist? If it is AS related what do i do? Or how do i even understand if it is AS related?

Ps : Contrary to this annoying jaw pain, i've been having relief from AS inflammation generally, which makes me think it can be non-AS.

I get inflammatory jaw joint pain. It would always be aggravated by going to the dentis as well (because of having to hold my mouth open so long). Even if it is AS, its worth talking to your dentist about, as they are usually quite good at checking out what is going on. My dentist gave me some instruction on how to unlock my jaw if it got stuck, which was useful too.

I was totally impressed how helpful and knowledgeable my dentist was regarding my TMJ and tooth pain.

He took X-rays to make sure the tooth pain was not from decay, it wasn't. It was actually the ligaments holding the teeth into place that were inflamed and causing pain, as determined by process of elimination. He taught me something new; I didn't even know something like that could happen.

He did a bunch of tests to narrow my jaw pain down to specific muscles / tendons. We tried out night guards, etc.

But then I needed a course of steroids (6 day methylpred taper) for a flare, and the TMJ and tooth pain that had been quite severe for a few months, disappeared....the steroids knocked it out.

Now on Humira, TMJ has been a thing of the past....knock on wood...because other things that have disappeared into the background for years, rear their heads now and then, even on Humira.

As for the TMJ from going to the dentist due to the mouth being held in an open position (this is directed more toward cemc)....I always take a muscle relaxant (zanaflex) to kick timed to kick in around the start of the exam / work. Too, they know and let me take a break and close my mouth quite often, unless doing major work in there; then that muscle relaxant is essential.

It could be TMJ damage caused by AS, as I seem to have.

MSK,
I too have suffered from upper jaw pain, on & off for around 2 years now. At times I've even found it hard to talk. Jaw rest seems to be the best cure for me. Which is not easy, in normal life. Having to eat & talk. I may also be going through a prolonged flare.
I'm currently taking Humira, coming off shortley. To try Simponi.
I have took Anti TNF medication for around 10 years now. Remicade for around 5 years, with good pain control. Humira for around 5 years to present. Over the last 2 years, the beneficial effects of Humira have seemed to have worn off. I'm also now experiencing a lot more pain from other areas.
I'm hoping Simponi helps with pain control. Starting in around 3 weeks time.

Hi, MSK:

This TMJ syndrome is AS-related.

Sometimes, our mouths are held open slightly; I eventually considered that this was a kind of natural filter: The hamburger buns are rejected in favor only of the meat patty.

It can be fixed by fasting. By staying on NSD, antibiotics, some supplements can help, etc, but it is strongly related to AS activity. Understand, it is Your unique perception that AS activity in other places is decreased, however, You can understand that this monster's attention is drawn to places it has not yet attacked.

Regret the TMJ can be rapidly degraded when inflammation is present, due to its specific function; it is imperative to eliminate this inflammation any way possible.

Good Luck,
John

Thank you all

I have an appointment today with my dentist. I doubt here dentists will be as well-informed as you suggested. I hope to be wrong.

I started fasting 12 hours ago. How long do you think i should go on John? Until pain disappears or some certain min hours?

What supplements would you recommend?

Hi, MSK:

Do not fast for more than 5 days unless You have experience doing this. It can take up to 100 hours (about 4 days) for the flare to decrease enough to feel great improvement.

It is good, during a flare, to take GLAs; after the fast I would do this with EFAs (EVOliveOil by teaspoonful 5X daily). Borage seed, evening primrose, or black currant seed oils are rich in GLAs and best to get an effective amount nearly 2g (many capsules will be required) just before retiring. Also help take down a flare with fresh wheatgrass juice: 4-6oz on empty stomach 1X day 3 days in a row then stop. Flare should be gone by then, especially if You have fasted in advance. The oils are unctuous and healing on the tract that fasting has begun to help heal, but raw materials are important: Daily vitC (1g), vitE (>1600IU), niacin (100mg) and niacinamide (up to 1g), and lysine (2g). If You feel like going on a fruit monodiet or elimination diet, enteric-coated oregano oil is very good in addition to this, but cannot be taken on empty stomach.

There is nothing the dentist can do, regrettably and any palliative measures would not be good because it would allow You the ability to over-use the jaw joints; again something that could lead to long-term degeneration. Time for silence, fasting, and flushing out toxins! Soon enough You will be back to normal; just a little patience for now.

HEALTH,
John

Hi again

Follow-up information;

I fasted for 80 hours. Pain %50 dissolved at the end but i couldnt go on more, because i had no energy left in me. Then i juiced for 10 hours. Next 2 days i got even better and i went to picnic.

As for the supplements, i ate lots of EVOO and took borage oil(missed some nights), couldnt do the other things.

Now after 2 days it is as bad as before again.

Depressing. Any suggestions? I cant fast again, i still couldnt gain the weight i lost during the fast. Only steroids left?

Hi, MSK:

Congratulations on completing enough time on the fast to provide some relief. Problem is after the fast eating perhaps starchy things? It is very difficult to stick to the NSD, but if You have proven to Yourself the connection with diet, that would be the best course. And I admit that it all requires patience and also my experience is that results are rather spotty at first, that was when I confused the experiment by challenging the germ theory with antibiotics.

It took about four days to convince me that the combination of NSD+antibiotics was the absolute best treatment plan. That was 15 AS-free years ago and although there have been some bumps in the road, that course has not failed me during this time (knock wood). To find a physician capable of helping find an appropriate protocol for You, the Road Back Foundation has a list of doctors willing to help treat autoimmune diseases this way.

For some palliative relief, I would take biologic drugs over NSAIDs, if possible. Steroids would help gain the weight back (but maximum we can lose is about .5#/day; all of the real weight lost in 3 days can be gained back after another week of eating normally).

I am sorry, You have returned to previous severity; seems as though picnic was not a good experience.

Please consult the NSD Forum to troubleshoot Your diet or obtain a copy of Carol Sinclair's book. I hope You will continue, as it will certainly help You very much.

HEALTH,
John