Well I'll be damned, it isn't just me after all...
I'm a 31-year old European Caucasian male in pretty good health beyond an on-off relationship with acid reflux and whatever I'm setting myself up for with the cigarettes and a not immoderate amount of drink.
I get it with either budget full-fruited new world-type wines or any ascerbic super budget white. Spikes me like ground glass skewers in the most muscular bit of my cheeks, over the jaw bone in front of the ears, very like pins and needles or cramp. Fades after a few minutes though.
Love to know if anyone figures out what this is....
I'm a 31-year old European Caucasian male in pretty good health beyond an on-off relationship with acid reflux and whatever I'm setting myself up for with the cigarettes and a not immoderate amount of drink.
I get it with either budget full-fruited new world-type wines or any ascerbic super budget white. Spikes me like ground glass skewers in the most muscular bit of my cheeks, over the jaw bone in front of the ears, very like pins and needles or cramp. Fades after a few minutes though.
Love to know if anyone figures out what this is....
I'm amazed at how many people have this problem. Me and my brother both have this problem and have had it for years. I am 39 (Male) and have had it as long as I can remember. I enjoy drinking beer and it only happens when I try to enjoy a beer with a meal. If I am eating and even think about having a beer,I can almost feel the pain starting. After the 20 minutes of on and off pain, it goes away and I can enjoy beer or beer and food together. If I drink beer without eating it never happens.
This leads me to believe that it is just a reaction to something. Like a muscle spasm or a cramp that involves the gland that several people have mentioned. It happened to me again tonight and that is when I decided to search the net again and I found this site. I drink cokes all the time, I have no medical conditions and this only happens to me when I drink while eating a meal. I can massage the area to relieve some of the pain and after 20 minutes or so it goes away. This is similar to a cramp. I did notice tonight that as soon as I poured the beer in my mouth, they area just "locked-up" with the pain, much like a cramp. What ever it is, it is extremely painful and then it is gone and, as I mentioned, it only happens when I drink alcohol with a meal and after 20 minutes it's won't happen again for me. It's almost like the muscle or glands have relaxed and "adjusted" to what ever cause the episode.
I would love to have a medical explanation, but I'm afraid only a very small percentage of us have this problem. I was shocked, but happy, to find this website.
This leads me to believe that it is just a reaction to something. Like a muscle spasm or a cramp that involves the gland that several people have mentioned. It happened to me again tonight and that is when I decided to search the net again and I found this site. I drink cokes all the time, I have no medical conditions and this only happens to me when I drink while eating a meal. I can massage the area to relieve some of the pain and after 20 minutes or so it goes away. This is similar to a cramp. I did notice tonight that as soon as I poured the beer in my mouth, they area just "locked-up" with the pain, much like a cramp. What ever it is, it is extremely painful and then it is gone and, as I mentioned, it only happens when I drink alcohol with a meal and after 20 minutes it's won't happen again for me. It's almost like the muscle or glands have relaxed and "adjusted" to what ever cause the episode.
I would love to have a medical explanation, but I'm afraid only a very small percentage of us have this problem. I was shocked, but happy, to find this website.
I think our med-student friend is right because I've seen enough somewhat experts' opinions about it having something to do with a temporary abnormal activity in the Pet....err...saliva glands. I searched these threads because I was having it after a wisky and coke pretty bad, and I shot back a glass of water real quick. I leaned back and drank it quick and it felt like my ears popped, but it was lower....and I feel fine now.
I get it too, mostly from red wines, not all red wines, and possibly occasionally other drinks.
I describe it as feeling like long wood splinters in my jaw muscle.
I'm thinking the concept of a blockage of the saliva glands seems the most likely so far. If this was the case then the exact reason the saliva glands got blocked on drinking red wine is still in question.
I am avoiding red wine recently even though I like it.
I can't remember not having the problem.
Out of interest, I do have an issue with over active mucous glands in my nose (it is constantly blocked, I have a nasal drip etc.) and I get prescribed nasal spray to counter it, but I don't use it. It may be related, does anyone else experiencing the jaw pain have this kind of issue too?
narco
I describe it as feeling like long wood splinters in my jaw muscle.
I'm thinking the concept of a blockage of the saliva glands seems the most likely so far. If this was the case then the exact reason the saliva glands got blocked on drinking red wine is still in question.
I am avoiding red wine recently even though I like it.
I can't remember not having the problem.
Out of interest, I do have an issue with over active mucous glands in my nose (it is constantly blocked, I have a nasal drip etc.) and I get prescribed nasal spray to counter it, but I don't use it. It may be related, does anyone else experiencing the jaw pain have this kind of issue too?
narco
wohooo! as so many have posted before, i am not alone!!! can't say i ever had anyone not believe me, but had a whole helluva lot of people who thought it was very strange, including my wife.
i get it prob 80 percent from beer (but of course not all the time - like most have written - not nearly enuff to need to quit drinking beer altogether), maybe 18 percent from wine (more from red, but since i prefer white maybe that is why it is less common from wine) and maybe 2 percent from other things (just cant think right now what they are since it is so rare, but do know that it does happen on the very rare occasion from something other than beer or wine and i always think, wow! that thing!).
been 3 months since the med student posted his theories, hopefully he will be back to expound on them, as they seemed the most well-founded.
i get it prob 80 percent from beer (but of course not all the time - like most have written - not nearly enuff to need to quit drinking beer altogether), maybe 18 percent from wine (more from red, but since i prefer white maybe that is why it is less common from wine) and maybe 2 percent from other things (just cant think right now what they are since it is so rare, but do know that it does happen on the very rare occasion from something other than beer or wine and i always think, wow! that thing!).
been 3 months since the med student posted his theories, hopefully he will be back to expound on them, as they seemed the most well-founded.
Like so many before me, I am relieved to finally find that I am not alone in suffering from this odd yet painful THING.
I definitely get it when drinking alcohol, but it is NOT limited to that. Once, when walking up a large hill and starting to feel winded, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Tonight (the reason I searched it out tonight), while eating dinner, it again hit me. We were having spicy pork chops, seasoned potatoes and corn. I had no beverage.
I definitely believe it is saliva gland related, but something I have not seen mentioned is that I have a generous saliva production. I know this because my dentist made mention of it a few years back, commenting on the lack of plaque build-up on my teeth. He said that saliva helps clean the teeth, so I must produce more than normal. I am almost 35 years old and have never had a cavity (knock on wood!).
That aside, it does not hit me *every* single time I drink. I can and have often drank for an entire evening or even gone months of imbibing on weekends without experiencing the pain. My family doctor thought it might be TMJ and said that the alcohol was causing me to relax, and it was triggering spasms in the jaw muscle. I went with that for years because it made a weird kind of sense and it explained why I would get it at times other than drinking.
Unlike so many here, I have virtually no experience with wine. Coming from a long line of alcoholics, I hardly drink at all any more. In my early 20s, though, I drank quite often but stuck with beer.
Other factors... I am native American in my primary heritage, though I believe my secondary most prominent genes are probably German. I smoked from ages 16 through 30, but I believe I experienced it prior to taking up that nasty habit. My sister also gets it, but she blames hers primarily on tangy foods. I guess I also get it when having things like BBQ and sweet & sour sauces, though it is nearly impossibly to pinpoint ONE thing that brings it on (aside from beer, but, again, not every single beer will do it).
I still think the *Relaxation* factor has something to do with it, but not quite sure what. The idea of blockages/stones/tumors kind of freaks me out!
I definitely get it when drinking alcohol, but it is NOT limited to that. Once, when walking up a large hill and starting to feel winded, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Tonight (the reason I searched it out tonight), while eating dinner, it again hit me. We were having spicy pork chops, seasoned potatoes and corn. I had no beverage.
I definitely believe it is saliva gland related, but something I have not seen mentioned is that I have a generous saliva production. I know this because my dentist made mention of it a few years back, commenting on the lack of plaque build-up on my teeth. He said that saliva helps clean the teeth, so I must produce more than normal. I am almost 35 years old and have never had a cavity (knock on wood!).
That aside, it does not hit me *every* single time I drink. I can and have often drank for an entire evening or even gone months of imbibing on weekends without experiencing the pain. My family doctor thought it might be TMJ and said that the alcohol was causing me to relax, and it was triggering spasms in the jaw muscle. I went with that for years because it made a weird kind of sense and it explained why I would get it at times other than drinking.
Unlike so many here, I have virtually no experience with wine. Coming from a long line of alcoholics, I hardly drink at all any more. In my early 20s, though, I drank quite often but stuck with beer.
Other factors... I am native American in my primary heritage, though I believe my secondary most prominent genes are probably German. I smoked from ages 16 through 30, but I believe I experienced it prior to taking up that nasty habit. My sister also gets it, but she blames hers primarily on tangy foods. I guess I also get it when having things like BBQ and sweet & sour sauces, though it is nearly impossibly to pinpoint ONE thing that brings it on (aside from beer, but, again, not every single beer will do it).
I still think the *Relaxation* factor has something to do with it, but not quite sure what. The idea of blockages/stones/tumors kind of freaks me out!
I get this too. I drink wheat beer a lot and almost never get it with beers on-tap, but beers that have been sitting a while in the fridge do cause it, lending me to think it could be yeast or hop related. Hydration does help. I do grind my teeth so that can fatigue the muscles making them more susceptible. I do have a masters in Kinesiology and I know that muscles can have adverse effects under certain conditions. This would be a good study to do for a grad student.
Just like everyone else thought i was alone.
I to always thought it was TMJ, However keeping track of when it happens I have noticed it happens when I eat a meal that is high in carbs followed by a beer. also I have triggered it with gatorade once after having dinner and a beer. the gatorade caused a pain so bad that i nearly wrecked my truck.
I to always thought it was TMJ, However keeping track of when it happens I have noticed it happens when I eat a meal that is high in carbs followed by a beer. also I have triggered it with gatorade once after having dinner and a beer. the gatorade caused a pain so bad that i nearly wrecked my truck.
I also experience pain in the saliva gland when I drink alcohol but not all alcohol has the same effect. In my case any red wine, cheap beer, and carbonated cocktail triggers the pain 100% of the time. It may not make much sense but I've never had the pain with premium Cognacs, Scotches, and beer...
Greetin's,
I experienced this condition the last two evenings in a row, while eating dinner, though I haven't had a drop of alcohol for about 1.5 years (had an abundance thereof prior to that). I seem to barely recall having had similar experiences in the not-so-recent past, but considerably less intense (perhaps 20% of last nights intensity, at most). I don't recall whether those times coincided with alcohol consumption, but there is a definite possibility they did.
As for the last two evenings, I was eating chicken (rather chewy) the first and most intense time, and salmon the second, both times with mixed vegetables and 100% mixed fruit juice. The juice definitely seemed to exacerbate the problem, as did the chewing. The only way I could finish dinner was to massage my jaw while eating.
I've also been having neck and shoulder pain frequently in the last month or so (may or may not be related). Have been taking Celebrex for last two weeks for that. Anybody else using Celebrex? Any NSAIDs?
Will see doc tomorrow. If any useful result, I'll report here.
I experienced this condition the last two evenings in a row, while eating dinner, though I haven't had a drop of alcohol for about 1.5 years (had an abundance thereof prior to that). I seem to barely recall having had similar experiences in the not-so-recent past, but considerably less intense (perhaps 20% of last nights intensity, at most). I don't recall whether those times coincided with alcohol consumption, but there is a definite possibility they did.
As for the last two evenings, I was eating chicken (rather chewy) the first and most intense time, and salmon the second, both times with mixed vegetables and 100% mixed fruit juice. The juice definitely seemed to exacerbate the problem, as did the chewing. The only way I could finish dinner was to massage my jaw while eating.
I've also been having neck and shoulder pain frequently in the last month or so (may or may not be related). Have been taking Celebrex for last two weeks for that. Anybody else using Celebrex? Any NSAIDs?
Will see doc tomorrow. If any useful result, I'll report here.
Updates: No further occurrences since twice mentioned previously.
Doc agrees that a calculus in Stensen's duct is likely. Recommends:
1) Massage of jaw area.
2) Eating raw lemons.
3) Heat application
4) At least 3 litres fluid per day.
Before seeing doc, I had already been doing all of the above except 2).
Perhaps that's why it subsided.
I found a small lump at the bottom edge of the jaw bone, which may or may not be relevant. The location is not Stensen's Duct.
Doc agrees that a calculus in Stensen's duct is likely. Recommends:
1) Massage of jaw area.
2) Eating raw lemons.
3) Heat application
4) At least 3 litres fluid per day.
Before seeing doc, I had already been doing all of the above except 2).
Perhaps that's why it subsided.
I found a small lump at the bottom edge of the jaw bone, which may or may not be relevant. The location is not Stensen's Duct.
I too have this happen to me fairly infrequently, though noticing it more and more. First started Sophomore year of college, I'm now just graduated...Just experienced the pain while having some cheap Cabernet Sav. with a sandwich. Seems to happen more with wine, though I seem to recall certain stout beers causing the same sensation. Very painful, mostly when I open my mouth or attempt to drink more. the Needle sensation where my jaw meets my ear is the easiest way to explain it...the real pain only lasts maybe 5-10 min, but my jaw still feels like it "could hurt" again for 30 min-1 hour later.
I read the earlier posts and said perhaps the connection with Native American/Asians...I have a significant amount of Cherokee blood.
I read the earlier posts and said perhaps the connection with Native American/Asians...I have a significant amount of Cherokee blood.
I am not alone! I too suffer from this; occasionally over the last 15 years or so, usually when drinking (cheap) white wine. Tonight it has happened with a lovely bottle of red!
It's always after the first glass, can last half an hour then tends to subside.
I have also occasionally experienced the phenomenon when consuming:
Pickled Onions
Pickle
Oranges
Lemons
Orange Juice
Tomatoes
White wine
Pink wine
Red wine :-(
Cider
Strong cheese (Stilton and other blues, very mature Cheddar)
Hope this helps!
It's always after the first glass, can last half an hour then tends to subside.
I have also occasionally experienced the phenomenon when consuming:
Pickled Onions
Pickle
Oranges
Lemons
Orange Juice
Tomatoes
White wine
Pink wine
Red wine :-(
Cider
Strong cheese (Stilton and other blues, very mature Cheddar)
Hope this helps!
I went to the doctor about this back in January 2009. I was scared to death, thinking Hodgekins.
Usually was one drink, taken slowly that gave me instant pain.
He diagnosed me with TMJ (misalignment of jaw), after feeling for my lymphnodes (armpits, neck, etc) and not finding anything out of whack. I was prescribed Naproxen if the pain continued; also was told to avoid chewy foods and gum.
I'm not one to take medication if I don't need it so I stuck with staying away from chewy foods and gum. This has worked for the most part and I don't experience the pain nearly as much. Hope this helps someone else out there...
I felt a bit relieved. I think for whatever reason, TMJ may be a contributing factor, but not the main cause. My doc said "cold" is what aggravates the pain. But I told him when I drink other cold drinks, there is no issue... it's ONLY with alcohol.
Usually was one drink, taken slowly that gave me instant pain.
He diagnosed me with TMJ (misalignment of jaw), after feeling for my lymphnodes (armpits, neck, etc) and not finding anything out of whack. I was prescribed Naproxen if the pain continued; also was told to avoid chewy foods and gum.
I'm not one to take medication if I don't need it so I stuck with staying away from chewy foods and gum. This has worked for the most part and I don't experience the pain nearly as much. Hope this helps someone else out there...
I felt a bit relieved. I think for whatever reason, TMJ may be a contributing factor, but not the main cause. My doc said "cold" is what aggravates the pain. But I told him when I drink other cold drinks, there is no issue... it's ONLY with alcohol.
Very interesting stuff... Here are some common threads for me:
- I am thrilled to know that I am not alone!!!
- doctors and dentists give we wierd looks (like I have three heads). This is usually followed by a smart-assed comment like... "stop drinking margaritas!).... ya right... like that is gonna happen. lol
- the pain feels like sharp muscle pain in the corners of my jaw (I find myself massaging them with my fingers and opening and closing my mouth a lot when it happens)
Here is some of my experience:
- It happens to me ONLY after drinking frozen margaritas, but infrequently.
- the pain usually lasts for about 15-20 minutes (level of pain varies)
- it doesn't happen to me as much as it used to for some strange reason
- I have been eating a meal (it seems like it happens more with greasy meals, but that could be my imagination)
- I have a cheap tequilla theory going. (reminded me of some of the alcohol imperfections some of you mentioned)
- only happens when I drink them in restaurants (never when I make them at home)
- interestingly enough I suffered from a Mucocele (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucocele) on the bottom of my tounge for about a year (a little sore which is caused my a blocked or injured salivary gland). It eventually went away on its own. I have no idea if the two are related, but after reading this thread it makes me wonder if they could be.
- I have been told that I grind my teeth at night
- my jaw hardly ever hurts otherwise
THANK GOD I do not have this experience with wine! I feel really bad for those of you that are going through that. :'(
Peace,
Michael
- I am thrilled to know that I am not alone!!!
- doctors and dentists give we wierd looks (like I have three heads). This is usually followed by a smart-assed comment like... "stop drinking margaritas!).... ya right... like that is gonna happen. lol
- the pain feels like sharp muscle pain in the corners of my jaw (I find myself massaging them with my fingers and opening and closing my mouth a lot when it happens)
Here is some of my experience:
- It happens to me ONLY after drinking frozen margaritas, but infrequently.
- the pain usually lasts for about 15-20 minutes (level of pain varies)
- it doesn't happen to me as much as it used to for some strange reason
- I have been eating a meal (it seems like it happens more with greasy meals, but that could be my imagination)
- I have a cheap tequilla theory going. (reminded me of some of the alcohol imperfections some of you mentioned)
- only happens when I drink them in restaurants (never when I make them at home)
- interestingly enough I suffered from a Mucocele (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucocele) on the bottom of my tounge for about a year (a little sore which is caused my a blocked or injured salivary gland). It eventually went away on its own. I have no idea if the two are related, but after reading this thread it makes me wonder if they could be.
- I have been told that I grind my teeth at night
- my jaw hardly ever hurts otherwise
THANK GOD I do not have this experience with wine! I feel really bad for those of you that are going through that. :'(
Peace,
Michael