update and question...

[sallyb]

I finally went to my new Rheum yesterday, and I am very happy. Although the meds are not doing the trick, I have hopes. She has put me on the
25 mcg Fentanyl patches, and 60 mg Cymbalta. It's not enough, but I am sure it would be better to increase slowly...if I can take it until it works. I go back to her on Dec. 5. Meanwhile, I am taking 800 mg OTC Ibuprophen every 5 hours (on my own), and it seems to help a tiny bit. She is a very warm and caring doctor. She has given me about 16 blood tests. She says that I have rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis in addition to my fibro and spinal problems. She has some concern that I may have Addison's Disease...and is checking that too. Won't know much till the tests come back. They will call if it is Addisons, or something to be concerned about. Almost forgot, she also gave me a steroid shot, and some other kind (?).

Question: Do you think I can have a beer or two with those meds at night? I am no big drinker, but I have found that one or two usually makes me hurt less. Just don't know much about those drugs.

The day before yesterday, the LSU Dental Clinic pulled what was left of my upper teeth. My gums were so full of infection that it took numerous injections to numb them. (Hurricane Katrina slowed that process down until recently, remember?) I was such a nervous wreck that I have been suffering a kink in my neck since then. Funny...I don't have any pain in my mouth...but, I'm not complaining!!! I will even put up with the neck. I go on the 16th for the bottom ones, and then oral surgery on the gums and bone on the 27th...preparing me for dentures after Christmas. It will be so good to look like something other than an internet joke picture!!!

sally

[wildpinky]

Sally...i dont have an answer for you, but wanted to say well done on getting your teeth pulled...i know the feeling of looking like an internet joke picture cause so do i...i wish i could go and be as brave as you are...maybe after this ankle gets fixed, i will ask my gp...i know why my teeth are all cracked and broken because of the meds, but, i am so ashmed to smile or even open my mouth to talk and i hate going out anywhere in public...

congrats and i hope one day i will be able to go and get what's left of my teeth removed...you are very brave

[sallyb]

Is there a University Dental Clinic near where you live? The prices are so much bettter. LSU only charged $39 per extraction. My surgery will cost about $200. Dentures will be $350 for upper, and $350 for lower. Lower, but still a lot of money. If it wasn't for my Mom, I would never be able to afford it on my disability check. But, I am afraid the dentures will make me gag. But right now, I would walk through **** in gasoline soaked drawers to look like my old self again. Yes...meds cause Xerostomia (dry mouth)...rots the teeth. Mine were gone in no time at all...from a mouth full of strong healthy ones.

sally

[911]

my god it's good to know i am not alone i'm sorry anyone would ever have to go thru having bad teeth . the meds to ruined mine i have a full upper but despritly need lower and have whats left on bottom removed but i have no insuranse to help and it costs 600 bucks just for the exstractions so i am so glad your getting teeth i have hopes that someday ill be able to do the same . best of luck and congrats on getting them taken care of i know i have been so so sensitive to this it has stopped me from going out and living a life in ways other than thru my computer . so thanks for shareing david

[Peter B]

Ladies,

Bad teeth are one of the most reporte side effects of chronic opioid use. Believe me, you are not alone.

Sally, you made me laugh so much about talkin' thru yer britches, I had to respond to this thread.

What a great sense of humor you have. I'm sure it helps keep you strong.

Pain free days to all,

Pete

[mbrfz]

Hi I got worried reading about your teeth, I am so sorry for the problems you are haivng. I am in my fourth year of chronic pain from rsd. my teeth are really hurting. Is this common ? are we all going to loose our teeth! thanks

[sallyb]

Please go to the dentist. You could be loosing the enamel, and the teeth can be painted so that it goes no further. The meds cause your mouth to get dry, and it will destroy the teeth. There are a few things on the market to help with that. But, chewing a sugar-free gum will fool your system into producing saliva. Funny...never knew that spit was so important!!!

sally

[krashleen]

Try Biotene, there is toothpaste, mouthwash and gum.

That may help! Oh and WholeFoods and other health food stores sell it.

[Loosescrew66]

It's Interesting how we all know that these meds, opiates, antiD's anti seizure meds etc cause tooth [roblems from dry kmouth. But if you read any of the fuill prescribing info I hsave yet to see where oral or dental health was even considered a system that was observed or complaints were made. YOu can go alphebetically through every system of the body and see how each med effect that system, but nothing on your teeth or spending thoussands trying to fight a loosing batle. As far as haveing teeth sealed with artificial enamal, I looked into this for my daughter to prevent problems for her, Basicaly if there is already a a filling or cavity they wont seel a tooth. Al;so sealent fdoesn't prevent gunms from receading so you stillhave problems of caveties on the gum lines and cavaities at the nmmatgins of filings and teeth. It sucjks, I've spent over 8 K trying to keep teeth and I have I need everything ripped out and a full set of choppers at the age of 40.

Too bad there isn't a class action suite for patients that have lost all their teeth due to meds that cause this and the manufactures don't even consider the mouth part of a sytem worth reporting their drugs effect on. We and our dentists seem very informed about the problems of any med that dries the mouth and the manufacturer can'tput a paragraph in their prescribing info to let everyone know the long termoutcome, thenm again, there is no such thig as long term apouiate use, at least no longer than the invention of oxycontin.10 years isn't alot of time to figure out just how these meds effect us in the long run. You can't compare the closest populatuion that uses opiate maint which would be methadone maint because use was preceeded by years of abuse.

Dentist suck, who else can do 10k worth of labor and gaurentee nothing.

[krashleen]

Muscle relaxants cause mouth dryness, and many of us are on this kind of med.

Thats why biotene is a good alternative to allowing the mouth to dry out and causing teeth problems.