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.

[Satera1135]

First bite syndrome, following surgery. Mine was a late teens tonsillectomy. On a search to find a margarita that doesn't trigger it.

[EpixStudios]

Mine goes away after the first glass as well and is gone by 10 minutes or so. Usually it's only when I have wine but right now it is happening after having Sierra Mist with Pinnacle coconut vodka and Smirnoff raspberry vodka in it. So strange and hurts like a MOTHER for those few minutes!

[JKRZ]

I have had this for years—I find it is related to alcohol and salty foods. When I drank beer (mostly stout, which I stopped years ago due to allergies [processed with dairy, etc.]) I used to have it with a bag of chips before heading home from University, and my jaw/lower ears would burn and burn, a sharp piercing burn.

I now get it less often, but just had a vodka on the rocks with some veggie sushi. Of course I dipped in soy sauce—salty! As a result excruciating pain below both my ears and behind the jaw. Only just subsiding. I wish we knew what causes it.

[Lizza1]

I've always had pain in my 'gills' (sharp pain below my ears, down the side of my neck) when I drink white spirits (particularly gin), beer, tonic water etc, so I now just avoid them. I've met one other person in real life who gets this, so I'd suspected there must be more people out there too!

[rodogonio]

This chain is the best thing that has happened to me in the last 5 years, which is exactly the time I've suffered from this. The first time it happened, I was having red wine while eating some grilled meat (I was 25). From the get go, I suspected it was something unusual and possibly serious, since I associated it with the parotid glands and thought nothing "benign" could come of it. Since I couldn't get a straight answer from any relative or friend -they look oddly at me to this date- I went to the Internet looking for answers and it only got worse since I got all types of explanations, many of them cancer-related. I was so scared I had a panic attack. After that, I mustered some courage and went to an MD... no straight answer. At that point, a couple of years later, I started to forget it, but each time it happened, I got scared *hitless nevertheless. So I went to an endocrinologist... she didn't take it seriously... she didn't even charge me for the appointment. She said it was some sort of allergic reaction and that was the end of it. Then, a few months later, I tried another doctor. He ran some general tests, ruled out anything serious but still, didn't give me any clear answer, much less a solution. So... anyway. Yesterday, it happened again. Some Lambrusco and anisette triggered it this time so instead of googleing "parotid pain" I went for "face pain" or "jaw" and came across this forum which has shed more light on the subject than 5 years of clueless specialists.
It is such a redeeming relief knowing I am not alone... at this point my parents believe I am completely nuts. I know now I am not.
What happens to me is that after drinking some red wine or beer -perhaps 5 to 10 minutes- I get this needle sensation behind my jaw, under the ears (both sides). I've tried water... as many of us have... only got worse. What I do is just wait it out; not speak, no nothing for about 10 minutes and then it goes away.
I've found a relation with grilled food. It happens more easily if I have a dry mouth at the moment also... and I believe food in general happens to make it more likely. It hasn't happened every time. Actually I've gotten drunk XD a few times during these years without suffering from it at all but with food, it is more likely. Gonna try a dentist next or allergologist, when I get a chance, but God knows I am so relieved now. Thank you guys.

[Sooperdupe]

My symptoms are a bit of a twist here... First off, they are slightly different for wine than for spirits. For wine, the problem presents itself after consuming whites or certain varietals of red - most notably from Italy or Spain. (I have had fewer problems with California reds.) I get massive sinus congestion, pressure headaches, and a stiff jaw. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with a clenched jaw, occasionally misaligned with the bottom protruding out further than the top. It's bizarre and only happens in my sleep. I drink only top shelf spirits, but seem to have a problem with scotch or rye whiskey. Typically, they will produce more of a rattling head ache - sometimes just after a few sips. But then too I can become highly congested.

Recently, the headaches of take on new territory. I now get a very stiff neck every evening (even after good wine), and significant pain in the upper back are of my neck, just below the skull. It's awful.

Separately, I've had significant issues with gastrointestinal pain, pressure and gas (during sleep). Even sitting in a car feels uncomfortable in the upper gastro region - near the pancreas, gallbladder, et al. I've had these checked out, and everything came out A-okay. Docs haven't a clue. EdwardRe's repost of commentary from Amollette89 makes me think it's possible all of these symptoms are related. #help

[Blujmoo]

Have you checked for a wheat gluten allergy? I suffered for most of my young adult life with major gastro intestinal problems, headaches, runny nose, fatigue and skin rashes. I discovered I have borderline celiac disease. Whisky (Scottish whisky made from barley) and rye are the worst alcohols for me-- both barley and rye contain gluten. It might be worth checking into.