Sharp pain around the jaw after alcohol consumption

[MCurley]

For about 2 years now, I have noticed that after a glass of wine I experience a sharp pain around my jaw. I've had this sensation before whenever I eat a citris or sour fruit, however, lately after consuming any alcohol such as beer, wine, and margaritas, etc., I get this sharp, excruciating pain after just one glass. It hurts so badly, especially if I drink water. The moment the H2O hits the jaw part of my inner mouth, a burning sensation immediately follows. Now, here's the strange part, if I drink another glass of alcohol the pain will subside instantly. The pain will still return but will not be as painful as the prior time. I have read about Lymphoma, and I cannot say that I experience this pain any where else in my body, and I don't seem to experience any of the other symptoms. I'd appreciate any input in helping me come up with a solution for this. Someone told me that the solution was to either drink plenty or nothing at all in order to avoid this... ha ha. Anyway, one more thing... I don't think I have this problem with mixed drinks containing sodas and liquor.

[d0mniscient]

thank you so much! Ive had this now for about a year, and right now, I just eat 2 sandwiches with wheat bread and drank a coors light with it & after 5 mins I got excruciating jaw pain going all the way to my ears. Im convinced this is the correct diagnosis because last time this happened to me I had two hotdogs (white bread) and coors light

[caitm311]

I have been experiencing this pain a year after I started drinking. I noticed it at first when I was drinking malt beers and hard lemonades. Then it hit me hard when I drank wine. At one point I was doubled over on the couch, clenching my jaw, unable to do anything other than wait it out. Water, like everyone else said, made it worse. At first, I couldn't find anything on this issue. I thought it was an allergy to sulfides. I don't drink much anymore, so it really isn't as much of an issue. However, last night I had yogurt with strawberries in it- and it happened again. Today, I had a strawberries in my salad... and it happened AGAIN. I am really worried that it is going to affect the strawberries I eat (they are my favorite fruit). I thought this just happened because of alcohol. I feel like the ENT doctor made the best sense, I am not sure about the pancreatic theory - why would this happen when I eat fruit? Does the pancreas hate strawberries too?  

[Nioniel]

Yay! God bless you all.. Me too.. I have had just a mouthful of Semi Sav Blanc just a cheapy one, but same pain from base of my ears, along my jaw and cheeks.. Gosh.. What is it?.

Deb

[Amorette89]

I have this same problem and I ran across a VERY helpful response That I am going to share:
The symptoms you describe here are almost certainly a form of "ectopic" pancreatitis. The cells of the Parotid salivary gland are very similar to those of the pancreas, and they respond to the same stimuli. The pancreas "hates" alcohol. It causes it to swell and leak its own enzymes, particularly amylase and this effectively starts the process of auto digestion. You are digesting your own tissue, hence the pain!! There is no cure and no treatment, just don't drink alcohol. The facial nerve also runs through the parotid gland and when swelling of the Parotid gland is triggered by a stimulus such as alcohol, this swelling can push on the facial nerve causing pain.
The symptoms may lessen if you eat when you drink as then the marjority of the amylase produced by the salivary gland is diverted to the stomach and GI tract to digest the food.
I hope this helps

[AnswersOnly]

I'm not crazy!! I think this chain is a lifesaver as well as a sanity booster. I have had this problem since my teens - not with alcohol then, and not only with it now. Even back when I was about 14 I experimented with foods and ingredients to figure out what the culprit was. Wheat seemed to be the prevailing consistency leading to the pain. Shortbread is the devil, and has caused the most pain by far. Seriously, it hurts like a mother.

Drinking water sometimes creates the pain when I'm not already noticing it, and will cripple me when I already am. Here's the weirdest part - taking a shower exacerbates the the pain more severely, and will almost make me faint. My family never knew what the heck I was grabbing my ear for, and when I'd tell them it was the wheat, they must have thought their daughter was now a schizo.

This is real, this is common, I'm not alone. I'm so relieved. And I'm not crazy.

[BrookeC4]

I was drinking a glass of red moscato by sutter home and got the sharp pain. I've gotten it before but it's only occasionally.. That's gotta be it! Sharp pain below my ears and jaw. Thought I'd look it up as I'm having the reaction lol this *****! It's been about 10 mins now and it's stopping stinging as much. Glad it's not just me! :D