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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Pain On The Bottom Of My Jaw. Have Trigger Point Pain In My Left Shoulder. Chances Of Heart Attack?

I am 37 and an obese woman. I have on and off pain on the bottom of my jaw on the left side. It sometimes radiates into my left ear. I also have trigger point pain in my left shoulder and up through the neck. The physicians assistant I saw for this says it is muscle related. Could it be a heart attack? I have no shortness of breath, I am not sweating, and I am not dizzy. I also have no pain in my arms.
Thu, 9 May 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic.

Your pain appears to be due to TMD (tempero mandibular disease) rather than due to heart attack. It often presents as pain and tightness in neck and shoulder, jaw and ear pain. Inflammation and swelling of tempero mandibular joint increases the pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This results in pain along the course of the nerve.

Check if you are getting a clicking noise when you open your mouth. Also find out if the pain is more while munching or talking or any other movement of jaw. Both these can be present in TMD. As your Dr mentioned, TMD can stress the muscles that move the jaw resulting in spasm of jaw muscles and this spasm can be transferred to other muscles of neck and shoulder leading to pain.

Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pressure on the nerve. Avoid hard crunchy food and take soft food. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen available OTC will reduce pain and inflammation. If the pain does not subside after taking Ibuprofen, or if it increases, then you can consult your treating Dr.

I hope this is useful to you.
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Have Pain On The Bottom Of My Jaw. Have Trigger Point Pain In My Left Shoulder. Chances Of Heart Attack?

Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic. Your pain appears to be due to TMD (tempero mandibular disease) rather than due to heart attack. It often presents as pain and tightness in neck and shoulder, jaw and ear pain. Inflammation and swelling of tempero mandibular joint increases the pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This results in pain along the course of the nerve. Check if you are getting a clicking noise when you open your mouth. Also find out if the pain is more while munching or talking or any other movement of jaw. Both these can be present in TMD. As your Dr mentioned, TMD can stress the muscles that move the jaw resulting in spasm of jaw muscles and this spasm can be transferred to other muscles of neck and shoulder leading to pain. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pressure on the nerve. Avoid hard crunchy food and take soft food. NSAIDs like Ibuprofen available OTC will reduce pain and inflammation. If the pain does not subside after taking Ibuprofen, or if it increases, then you can consult your treating Dr. I hope this is useful to you.