severe pain radiating into jaw line, w/no clear cause.

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy)-

There could be a few different explanations for the symptoms you describe. My first instinct is that you have GERD, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Often people will experience heartburn along with the jaw pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, etc., but this isn't always the case. You need to be examined by your doctor to see if this is the correct diagnosis. If it is, there are some medications you can try to help ease the symptoms.

Another possibility (although less likely) is that you are suffering from TMJ. People with TMJ report different degree's of pain, and a variety of symptoms. For a proper diagnosis, see your doctor and/or your dentist.

I would strongly urge your daughter to be evaluated for these two conditions as well - early detection of both can help prevent later misery.

Best regards,
Emily

__________________

If you found the advice helpful, please hit ACCEPT. If you are not satisfied PLEASE let me know, or ask additional questions! Thank You!

actually these have been ruled out. the pain starts in the mid back, feeling like someone has stuck a knife between the shoulder blades, then travels to the front, and then up into the jaw line. there is not a burning sensation, just a lot of pain that can be, but not always is, accompanied with sweats, nausea,the feeling of rapid heart beats, light headiness(dizzy), and in some cases, fainting. It can come on any time of day or night, but if you are experiencing a stressful day, the symptoms are worse but they are not or seem not to be brought on by stress. We have been told everything from gerd, to kidney stones, to gallstones, to hernia, but no one seems to feel that the doctors take them seriously. Our mother died of a heart attack, her mother of a stroke, a sister of an anurism(?)that occured in the stomach, my birth father had similar complaints and had a stroke/heartattack combination that killed him. We know that its not from the ears, no ringing or pain there, the pain travels up into the jaw line.

Have you had any tests to see whether, in fact, GERD is not the problem? If yes, do you know the names of the tests conducted?

Have any other tests been preformed?

Thanks,
Emily

Edited by EmilyT27 on October 4 2006 at 1:48pm

__________________

If you found the advice helpful, please hit ACCEPT. If you are not satisfied PLEASE let me know, or ask additional questions! Thank You!

we have had upper gi's, lower gi's, cat scans with and w/out contrast, everything shows nothing remarkable, except for a possible small hernia that appeared once and is not there now, it's just that this is something that started in our 20's and 30's and is prevalent in my family es. with the women.

THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.

I fully believe that you are suffering from either Fibromyalgia or Myofascial Pain Syndrome. These conditions can present with similar symptoms but I think you are leaning more towards Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Unfortunately there is no "cure" for either of these conditions but with intense physical therapy and pain management, your symptoms can decrease dramatically and they do in most cases. I have added some great links below for more detailed information:

Mysofacial Pain Syndrome


Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome (FMS/MPS) from Devin Starlanyl



Muscle pain causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment on MedicineNet.com

If this answer helps please hit the accept button. Thank you.





Edited by CorpsmanUp! on October 6 2006 at 1:06am

__________________
Quote: You guys are the Marine's doctors; There's no better in the business than a Navy Corpsman...." Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, U.S.M.C

If you find my answer helpful please honor my efforts and click the Green Accept button.

my pain is not constant, it only comes and goes and it could be a week, two, or even a month or more before I feel the pain again. Please reread from the beginning.
pain starts between shoulder blades
radiates up into shoulders
may or may not radiate down arm(s)
radiates into my jaw line
I feel my esophogus spasm (at times)
drinking seems to to shock it back to normal(this is for the above symptom)
The pain can last for an hour, two hours or just a few minutes.
levisin helps
The following have also been noticed:
(not always but sometimes) dizziness, nausea,
lightheadiness, sweating, dry mouth, hard to catch our breath.
It feels like a heartattack.
This is something that is happening to others in my family, and have happened to others who later died from an anurisym(I think that's how it's spelled) that ruptured in the abdomen right were the pain starts.

THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.