Trismus / Lockjaw

[ijustcallit]

I recently had 2 teeth removed by the oral surgeon. Everything was going fine, until I yawned real big.

My jaw popped and would not close properly. Oral surgeon says I have trismus, a condition which the jaw muscles are spasming. Probably popped my jaw out and back in.

I've been taking muscle relaxer and motrin, along with my other anti spasmodics for a few days.

I can talk and bite with my front teeth, just can't chew on my back teeth.

Has anyone had this or heard of the prognosis. I want it to go away!

[BillyL1677]

I wish I could help, that is awful! My issue is my jaw clenching up mostly when I am trying to concentrate on something. Don't realize it and it gets painful.

I hope you can find something soon!

[ijustcallit]

Me too! Thanks. Be careful yawning. It's been a week, still can't chew.

[Fed Up]

I have TMJ and the same symptoms, started about 15 years ago. Muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory meds and chewing less, helped. It did go away.

Last year it returned for a few months. I started eating things that weren't so 'chewy.' It tends to come and go, with me.

i requested to see the ENT for it again and my doc told me they no longer deal with TMJ. Ultimately, an oral surgeon was the last specialist to see, for it (years ago). Looks like you started at the top for a dx. fed

[mercadies25]

I also suffer from this.

Last year I was rushed to the hospital because I couldn't close my mouth and all the muscles in my face, neck and going down my back were having spasms. Omg I can't even discribe how painful.

I was told that I could have surgery to repair but , no thank you. I am very careful how I yawn. I don't eat red meat so nothing chewy.

Muscle relaxers, cabapentin and tegretol.

I have been very careful. It has not happened since last year. It was happening since my teen years but I was always able to clap it shut by pushing my bottom jaw down with my fingers. Ouch but it worked.

Good Luck!!

[Fed Up]

mercadies, what a reminder. I forgot how mine would lock open and how painful it was.

Living about an hour from a hospital, I took some pain pills and just pushed it closed, many times--that was painful.

Glad I no longer or haven't had that symptom in over 12 years, now. fed

[seal]

I have had similar issues, jaw locking, clenching so severe I have had pain from jaw to shoulders, headaches. Also have head jerking, few other things.

I went to Univ of Chicago last month, and the MS neurologist has me scheduled for an appointment with a "Movement Specialist" for "Dystonia".

When I look up the symptoms, it's pretty much me (in addition, of course, to the MS)

The treatment is pretty much the same as MS symptoms, but may give some people another place to look.