Chewing?

[cardiactec]

Do any of you have problems with chewing? Your jaw feel tight?

[msgrigioilcavallo]

I have problems chewing.  My jaw muscles get so tight and the tightness even goes back into my neck when chewing.  I don't eat steak because of this.

[marymoto]

hi i also have problems with drooling only on the right side it dfrives me crazy. i also have  face numbness and face pain on the same side.

[COBOB]

Depends where the lesion causing the TN is.  If it is on or near the brainstem at the insertion of the left and right trigeminal nerves, or there are two lesions, it can effect both sides of the face.  Mine started on the right side of my face and now seems to effect both the left and right trigeminal nerves.  The right side is much more sensitive to touch and will breakthrough the Tegretol.  The left only acts up if a miss a dose by a few hours.

Bob

[cardiactec]

Bob - can TN breakthrough pain cause pain on both sides of the jaw or is it usually just one side?

[cardiactec]

John, yes I do have problems with excess saliva and sometimes to the point of drooling. I know a few people with MS who experience this as well. I also have spasms, and some twitching, tightness in my face (cheek, eye).

Good luck. I hope you are able to find some meds to help with your sx.

Take care.

Angela.

[johnnymutt]

I was wondering if any of you that are having problems chewing or swallowing, also have issues with drooling.

I have just read somewhere that people that have spasticity in their throat, (which I do), can have problems with drooling.. I definitely have a lot of spasticity issues with my face, and a lot of break through spasms in my cheek, so I'm not sure what is the cause of the onset of drooling lately. Just thought I'd ask.

thanks John

BTW, glad to hear the Baclofen is helping. I'm about to ask my neuro to put me on it, as well as the Zanaflex, to help control some of this spasticity that is taking me apart.

[taylorjane03]

I have lost nearly 30 lbs over the last 3 months. At first I thought it was because I was practicing portion control. Then, about a month ago, I realized that when I was chewing my jaw and my neck muscles became so fatigued that I had to stop. Eating has become a task for me (which is no fun since I LOVE food!) and I almost dread the feeling of hunger. I am thankful for your follow-up post about the Baclofen. I have an appointment with my neurologist on Tuesday and will bring it up with him and see if I can start enjoying eating again!

[cardiactec]

Thanks so much for your responses. My dr put me on baclofen recently and it seems to help some with the chewing difficulty and stiff jaw feeling. Swallowing is an issue off and on and yes, lately I too have been chewing a lot more to be more cautious with swallowing disturbances.

[COBOB]

Clicking is associated with TMJ,  Tightness if the masseter  muscles could be related to facial spasticity that some people report.  I have issues where chewing will occasionally cause TN "breakthrough pain."

Bob

[figuerpa]

I have jaw tightness and clicking too, I have TMJ so that is what causes mine. Try pulling your lower jawl out past your upper jawl to see if it relieves a little bit. It works for me. I hope you find some relief.

Paula

[patchoulired]

Sometimes I have to chew my food very slowly because I have trouble swallowing. As far as the jaw tightness goes, I certainly have that. I grind my teeth when I am stressed or concentrating on something really hard... this also causes jaw tightness. Anxiety meds help. I'd image muscle relaxers would help as well.

[beema36]

Yes I have the jaw tightness when I.chew and lately have also been having esophageal spasms when I eat and drink at times. Don't know if its related to my ms or not though.
Beema