Re: Good Morning...question please

July 28, 2005

Hello Prisicilla

It's not a strange question at all. I am also suffering with RA in my jaw. I

also thought it had to do with my teeth at first and went to several dentists.

My first RA doctor thought it was a separate condition and refused to discuss

it. Finally, my regular doctor had an MRI done which showed that the disks

where out of place (but that's not all).

I suffered for over 6 months with constant pain in my teeth, jaw, ears,

head (because no one knew how to treat this) Until I discovered the UCLA

myofacial pain clinic. They finally acknowledged that the pain was due to my

rheumatoid arthritis and not stress or teeth grinding (which I new I didn't do).

They did very detailed x-rays of some sort that are more revealing than MR's.

They were able to see the corrosion and deformities. They gave me steroid

injections in my jaw (I know that sounds scary but it was wonderful and lasted

almost

6-8 months) Long enough to help the swelling and pain subside.

Now I have flare ups but nothing as bad as it was. And maybe because I

now know what it is it's not so bad. The doctor suggested that when the pain is

bad to go on a soft food diet until it subsides. So I eat soup and/or bean

and cheese burritos when necessary. I also took prednizone for month or two.

Take Care

Babs

July 28, 2005

Hello Prisicilla

It's not a strange question at all. I am also suffering with RA in my jaw. I

also thought it had to do with my teeth at first and went to several dentists.

My first RA doctor thought it was a separate condition and refused to discuss

it. Finally, my regular doctor had an MRI done which showed that the disks

where out of place (but that's not all).

I suffered for over 6 months with constant pain in my teeth, jaw, ears,

head (because no one knew how to treat this) Until I discovered the UCLA

myofacial pain clinic. They finally acknowledged that the pain was due to my

rheumatoid arthritis and not stress or teeth grinding (which I new I didn't do).

They did very detailed x-rays of some sort that are more revealing than MR's.

They were able to see the corrosion and deformities. They gave me steroid

injections in my jaw (I know that sounds scary but it was wonderful and lasted

almost

6-8 months) Long enough to help the swelling and pain subside.

Now I have flare ups but nothing as bad as it was. And maybe because I

now know what it is it's not so bad. The doctor suggested that when the pain is

bad to go on a soft food diet until it subsides. So I eat soup and/or bean

and cheese burritos when necessary. I also took prednizone for month or two.

Take Care

Babs

July 28, 2005

Thank you! I am questionning my sanity all the time now. Every pain seems so

strange and I keep thinking I'm a hypochondriac (probably because I've been told

that). Anyway..thanks.

jmorob@... wrote:Hello Prisicilla

It's not a strange question at all. I am also suffering with RA in my jaw. I

also thought it had to do with my teeth at first and went to several dentists.

My first RA doctor thought it was a separate condition and refused to discuss

it. Finally, my regular doctor had an MRI done which showed that the disks

where out of place (but that's not all).

I suffered for over 6 months with constant pain in my teeth, jaw, ears,

head (because no one knew how to treat this) Until I discovered the UCLA

myofacial pain clinic. They finally acknowledged that the pain was due to my

rheumatoid arthritis and not stress or teeth grinding (which I new I didn't do).

They did very detailed x-rays of some sort that are more revealing than MR's.

They were able to see the corrosion and deformities. They gave me steroid

injections in my jaw (I know that sounds scary but it was wonderful and lasted

almost

6-8 months) Long enough to help the swelling and pain subside.

Now I have flare ups but nothing as bad as it was. And maybe because I

now know what it is it's not so bad. The doctor suggested that when the pain is

bad to go on a soft food diet until it subsides. So I eat soup and/or bean

and cheese burritos when necessary. I also took prednizone for month or two.

Take Care

Babs

July 28, 2005

Thank you! I am questionning my sanity all the time now. Every pain seems so

strange and I keep thinking I'm a hypochondriac (probably because I've been told

that). Anyway..thanks.

jmorob@... wrote:Hello Prisicilla

It's not a strange question at all. I am also suffering with RA in my jaw. I

also thought it had to do with my teeth at first and went to several dentists.

My first RA doctor thought it was a separate condition and refused to discuss

it. Finally, my regular doctor had an MRI done which showed that the disks

where out of place (but that's not all).

I suffered for over 6 months with constant pain in my teeth, jaw, ears,

head (because no one knew how to treat this) Until I discovered the UCLA

myofacial pain clinic. They finally acknowledged that the pain was due to my

rheumatoid arthritis and not stress or teeth grinding (which I new I didn't do).

They did very detailed x-rays of some sort that are more revealing than MR's.

They were able to see the corrosion and deformities. They gave me steroid

injections in my jaw (I know that sounds scary but it was wonderful and lasted

almost

6-8 months) Long enough to help the swelling and pain subside.

Now I have flare ups but nothing as bad as it was. And maybe because I

now know what it is it's not so bad. The doctor suggested that when the pain is

bad to go on a soft food diet until it subsides. So I eat soup and/or bean

and cheese burritos when necessary. I also took prednizone for month or two.

Take Care

Babs

July 28, 2005

Greetings to all the members new and old. Welcome to all the new

members and you belong to a great group. Just remember we are not

perfect but we have much care and compassion as we sure know what you

are going through. I am still having hard time but I want to focus on

the positive and count my blessings as I know if I don't the stress

will just cause me more pain and so on. I also want to share with share

more and I am struggling with such feelings of low or no self-worth. I

am working on this and all my issues believe me. I want to contribute

where I can as I am helped so much and want to give it back. To share

what I can to help and so I will do my best as often as I can and

realize that I am a part of this group and I do not have to just be a

lurker. It's a lonely place for me and I feel for the others like me

who have shared. Like Ken,you are not alone as you know. And to

Prisicilla....this r/a does move into every area of our bodies. Maybe

not for everyone but it can and does and I had the jaw pain for close

to two years and it was excrusiating along with migraines and I could

go on and on. I thank God that has gone away. I hope it does for you

soon also. I pray for all of us for strength just for today. One day at

a time. Sometimes 5 minutes at a time. We are stronger than we realize

but not if we isolate. We do need each other and help. I realize I

cannot force my daughter to help me. She is still out of my life and

maybe it is to hard for her to see her mom waste away with these

autoimminune and connective diseases. I don't know. I only know I have

to put my faith and trust in God and believe that He will give me the

strength to carry on day by day. I am so grateful for this group and

all the love and sharing and caring that goes on. Let's keep up the

good work and be there for each other and please know that I am doing

the best that I can. I wish I was a better typist. I hen-peck. Lots of

love to all of you and God bless you all, with love,Marie

-- In , " casterramom " <casterramom@y...>

wrote:

> I have a strange question but hopefully someone can help. I've been

> having a major problem with my jaw. Just a reminder...I have

> aggressive RA (is there any other type?) and fibromyalgia.

>

> PS....I see the rheumatologist on Aug. 30th...

>

> Prisicilla

July 28, 2005