Jaw ?arthritis / TMD

[Hdkatznahtw125sgh]

Hi

I have dx of autoimmune hypothyroidism and hypermobility. For years I’ve had on and off flares of joint pain and stiffness, I also have reynauds. In the past maybe 3 years I’ve had migraines stemming from jaw pain and stiffness. I’ve been to the GP multiple times about this and the joint pain and basically nothing to be done until my blood work shows rheumatoid factor (strong maternal history of rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism). I’m on naproxen and levothyroxine.

Everytime I get the flu or a cold it spreads to my sinuses and causes a flare of joint pain. The jaw pain and migraines are frequent. My jaw deviates to the left when opening, also tried jaw exercises and can only put two fingers in my mouth without severe pain (the test is a three finger test). I have private cover of up to 10k PA which covers pre existing symptoms so I am contemplating a private referral.

I suspect TMD or some form of arthritis of the jaw (it’s worse on the right side). my joint pain otherwise is bilateral wrists/hands and my right knee. I’ve had no investigation beyond blood tests. I also have GI issues, stomach pain, indigestion and nausea.

Has anyone had similar and had any luck with any form of treatment. I’m on the verge of being triggered for absences (work in nhs) for being off and all are sinusitis and these symptoms related.

My NHS GP isn’t poor by any means just limited and I don’t meet the criteria for referral due to a lack of blood tests supporting RA/lupus/similar. I would rather not be ahead of someone in the nhs queue who doesn’t have private cover either.

thanks, I’m only 25 but feel 100 and whilst I exercise regularly it often causes a flare

I would go privately and do your research as much as possible about who is a good local rheumatologist.

I was refused a rheumatology referral on the NHS. I knew there was something wrong, I had carried out research in a rheumatology department and was having the same symptoms as my patients had. Went privately but the first wasn’t great and said it was just osteoarthritis, I knew it wasn’t,

My Dad was diagnosed with psoriasis very late in life and it turned out I had a very strong family history of psoriasis I was unaware of. Found a specialist who specialised in psoriatic arthritis and was diagnosed. The previous one had ignored the fact that the MRI scan he ordered on my sacroiliac joint showed historic inflammation. Second was very through and ordered the MRI to look despite me saying the previous one had said there was no sign of inflammation. I am now under local hospital’s rheumatology on the NHS.

It makes me cross that the NHS won’t refer when there is a family history of RA as some people are sero negative.

Take some time before any appointment to think back to previous joint issues that may have been dismissed as carpal tunnel, an injury etc and write it all down before any appointment.

Maybe your GP can refere for a MRI scan?