Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth

Has anyone else known oxycontin to rot the teeth? I used to be on vicodin until my doctor told me I needed to switch to a morphine based meds. She put me on ms contin but I had problems with it so she put me on 80mg oxycontin. Eventually my body built up a tolerance so she kept raising it, i have am now on from 4-6 per day of the 80mg tabs. It scares me that this is what rotted my teeth because only 5 yrs ago i had only 2 cavities that needed filling and then only 1 yr after going on the oxycontin i had to have all my top front teeth pulled as they where rotting from the inside out the dentist said my mouth looked like a heroin addict's mouth looks. He said it was shocking to him that normally he only saw such damage from someone who abused drugs with so much dental damage, but i have never done any street drugs and have only take my meds as prescribed to me. Now i have lost 80% of my teeth and as a beautiful 41 yr old mother its devastating. I cant afford dentures and sure cant afford implants like i would like to have. I am a single mother and refuse to date because i have lost my teeth now, i had beautiful teeth before i started on the oxycontin and only 2 small cavities that needed filling. Does anyone else have this same problem and if so why hasn't the company making oxycontin warn patients of this possible problem?

If i had known this would cause me to lose most of my teeth i would have never agreed to go on it. Of course my family doctor who has been prescribing them tells me she hasn't heard of any other cases, yet when i researched the med online there where others like this why hasn't something been put in the warnings about this med, i sure would have preferred to have lived in pain the rest of my life rather than lose my teeth and be unable to even eat now. My health has gone downhill fast as i cant even chew foods necessary for good health. All I can eat now are yogurts, and liquid type of foods which isn't much. My kids are 7 and 9 yrs old and they watch me cry when we go out to eat and they order steak, and i can smell it but can't order one as i know i wont be able to chew it. This is so devastating for me. I want teeth so badly if i could wish for anything in life besides not to be poor anymore it would be to have a full set of real teeth or implants but i could never dream of having them, and i don't know anyone out there willing to just help me get any either. I have always helped others all my life, but cant even help myself, i have had to have 29 surgeries now since 1991 when a drunk driver hit my car and caused me major injuries with my lower back and knees, i have had a full lower back fusion and 8 arthroscopic knee surgeries until a year ago they finally had to do a full right knee replacement and now they are talking about doing my left knee soon.

So my life has been up and down with surgeries and i would go thru one more surgery just to have teeth implanted if i could. but i could never afford it, but i would like to know why these drug manufacturers are making a medication that could cause teeth to rot like this without warning us patients or even warning the doctors about it. This is just terrible of them i think, as now i am the one paying for this by having no teeth to eat with at such a young age now. I am a vibrant young 41 yr old at 5'3, 120lbs, slim woman, nice looking too as i was a model in my younger days, so i keep my looks up. But to have no teeth now... I never smile anymore, I am to ashamed to smile even though it wasn't my fault i lost my teeth. I think they should pay for me to have new teeth but no one wants to admit that the med causes it, but my diet wasn't the problem back when i started the medication and i wasn't drinking coca-cola either or doing street drugs so i know that wasn't the cause either. The only thing that changed within one year to cause this was starting the oxycontin medication. Well, if anyone out there can help me let me know thanks.

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Very sorry to hear what you are going through. Unfortunately, this is a very, very common side effect of long-term narcotic usage, it wouldn't have matter if you were on Morphine, Oxycontin, Lortab, Vicodin or any of this class.

You, however, do not have any case for compensation, as it is listed in the detailed side effects and is a risk you assume when you fill the prescription and start taking the medication. A Catch 22, so to speak.

These medications leech a lot of minerals from your body, including calcium, which is why some people on them long-term also end up with Osteoporosis or other bone related problems.

I have faced the same issues myself, which is why I recently stopped taking all prescription medications except for my birth control.

I already lost all my molars a few years ago, because soft enamel funs in my family, so that coupled with the narcotics I was on, really caused severe damage to my teeth.

My lower front teeth are now severely damaged, and I act and sing, I also modeled and toured with a band when I was younger.

Since being off the meds, I am looking to get back into performing and have just made an appointment with a dentist to see what we can do to fix the few remaining teeth I have. I, personally, refuse to have more pulled and am going to get caps instead.

No one wants a model, actress, singer or etc. without teeth or with teeth that look horrible.

Another unfortunate occurence is that most doctors DO NOT know all the possible side effects that these drugs can cause. They prescribe according to the limited information they are given by the manufacturers/pharmaceutical companies. They are NOT pharmacists and DO NOT have the same training on drug information and most pharmacists DO NOT even memorize such information and will only provide you with a small list of the 'most common' side effects, those which are common knowledge.

And, as I said above, you are considered to have assumed these risks when you took the medication, regardless of what your doctors or pharmacists did, or did not, tell you. The information is available and they assume that you are capable of researching it more yourself to find out more details.

So, thus, unless a drug causes severe reactions that are possibly deadly, which have been hidden by the manufacturers, there is no recourse for those like us, who did not know the truth and are now suffering the consequences.

Here is a link to a PDF file with the full prescribing information on Oxycontin from Purdue Pharma, if you have Adobe in your computer, you will see that this detailed monograph contains 31 pages, far more information than what you are given at the pharmacy.

Oxycontin Prescribing Information Click Here

I was on both Oxycodone and Morphine for several years and it wasn't until I had to stop taking them that I realized all the problems and side effects that I was really experiencing. On top of all the problems, I also realized that some side effects were actually making my pain WORSE and they weren't helping at all.

I really wish I could help you more.

I can, however, tell you that there are now false teeth and dental treatments available that look nothing like what our parents and grandparents had to tolerate.

I suggest, perhaps, getting a set of them, you can get vacuum sealed ones that do not affect your smile or speaking voice, so go snag a pair somewhere, even if you have to make payments on them, then maybe you will start to feel better about yourself and can get another modeling job, or maybe acting and save up enough money to pay for those implants you want.

I lost my life for many years to these nasty drugs and have decided that I will not be taking them anymore and I am getting my teeth fixed and letting nothing hold me back anymore!

If I have to, I will take a few months and do one cap at a time, to ensure I can pay for them as needed and when I am done and look decent enough to do the things I want to do again, I will take my earnings and reinvest them to deal with the rest of my empty mouth.

I realize how very discouraging it is and how much the lack of teeth saps your confidence in yourself, I am not making any of this up, you can even check with the site webmaster if you wish, he knows everything I have and am going through.

That said, letting the lack of teeth stop you from doing anything, or make you feel ashamed, when it clearly wasn't your fault, is just NOT worth it.

I also know that you are hurting and worried about what people think of you, but no one is going to do anything to fix this situation for you and no one is going to give you your life back, you are going to have to go out and take it.

I can also advise you to shop around dentists, there are those who are much cheaper than others and if you are willing to pay, they will do the work you need done.

I am a few years younger than you, but there are plenty of modeling jobs for people our age, you may even find someone so interested in you, that they will help supplement dental work, after you start working for them.

I don't know where you live, either, but there are some very affordable dental plans, without pre-existing condition exclusions that may be able to help you achieve your goals.

If you would like me to see if I can find a plan available in your area, maybe some audition websites that are legit, or just to talk with someone who understands, please feel free to email me at anytime: [email protected]

I am still in pain, every day, all day, from my condition and it cannot be fixed, but I am determined not to let it slow me down anymore.

So, even though you cannot get any recompense from the drug companies, doctors or pharmacies, you can fight back in your own way.

By the way, I bet you would be surprised to realize how many models, singers and actors, who are tremendously famous, DO NOT have all or any of their own teeth!

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One thing that I did forget to explain is the primary reason that narcotics cause such dental damage, it is due to the dry mouth!

Your saliva has natural enzymes, which help clean your teeth, when you have a medication that causes your mouth to be very dry, then you lose that natural body defense, meaning decaying substances just sit on the surface of your teeth rotting them!

This, coupled with the loss of minerals, really causes severe damage.

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I have been taking 70mg of Oxycontin 2 times per day for 6 years and had no problems with my teeth.

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i know a lot of models and actors dont have their teeth but i didnt know it was due to having to take meds and yes i know its not my fault but i am poor and i cant afford the cost of replacement teeth or dentures thats so far out of my reach financially, i am going to one of the dentist in the are for medicaid and medicaid is not willing to pay for dentures for me and even the state run dentist office wants lke $1500 for a full top set of dentures and now my front bottom teeth all need to be pulled meaning i would also need the bottom set of dentures and i cant afford that i have 2 disabled children who live with me my younger sons who are 7 and 9yrs old and i have a 20 yr old older son who is also disabled that i still have to help out he lives on his own but he needs my help still so i cant afford that, i did check around dentist i wanted to get the permanent replacement teeth but every dentist wanted like $800 per tooh for replacement teeth and they all wanted like $3500 for the full dentures i cant afford that at all. so i will stick with my bad front bottom ones so i will at least be able to eat soggy cereal i have lost like 15lbs from not being able to chew stuff and eat it. and i am getting smaller day by day basically starving from not being able to eat foods. so if theres any dentist out there in my area of kalamazoo/portage michigan that could help me out it would be so greatly appreciated.

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Another person who I can only assume gets free meds and does not bother to do anything for themselves. Especially the research before beginning a dangerously addictive med such as OC. And now they want someone to fix their newest problem. I'm not as cold as K and their comment, but you should have done YOUR homework about this med prior to taking it.

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Not everybody takes these drugs for recreational purposes. Those that do will usually ruin their own lives, however, try having a severe back injury which makes it painful just to walk around the house - then taking something like an Oxy is all you can do to try and live a normal life.

It is a very ignorant thing to label everyone as an abuser of this drug and even then you really don't know what someone is going through until you've walked a mile in their shoes. So how about you focus on your own life and being the best person you can be, and stop judging other people!

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also

its not ur fault you lost ur teeth

so if nobody else is gonna help you out

help urself

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well number 1 i would sell them for the ability to get teeth i am not like that i take my meds as prescribed to me as i am truly in pain as i have had 29 surgeries now and i have chronic pain very severe pain , and its wrong of others to make fun of me and say its all my fault my doctor never told me what dry mouth was as i am not dentist and i ever spoke to my dentist and informed them of what i was taking and they said that the meds would not cause any dental problems then my insurance medicaid stopped paying for dental treatments and then i couldnt afford to go to the dentist for like a year and then when medicaid finally started approving dental treatments again it was to late and my teeth had gone to far they had no choice but to pull them out, and i brushed 3 times a day and i wasnt a pop drinker at all, and yet my dentist i got after medicaid finally started paying again blamed me saying i must have been a pop drinker or something as he never heard of oxycontin every causing teeth rot at all, i tried to explain i wasnt a pop drinker but he kept trying to say i must be lying as that oxycontin is not known for causing teeth rot when i explained to him that i had read that in fact it does cause teeth rot he called me a lier, i couldnt chnage dentist then as medicaid wont cover any other dentist they make me to go to the government dentist in my area which are bad that they only gave me a little novicain i felt every one of my teeth on top being pulled out, it was so painful too, i felt like i was back in the days without any pain killers at all during dental treatments as they said that medicaid doesnt allow them to give a patient enough to numb them up fully. thats ridicualous does our government officials know badly it can hurt to have all your teeth pulled on top without being numb lets see them go to a dentist and have their teeth pulled out all because mediciad denyed them having proper dental care during the period i was taking pain meds which i have sense found out cause that dry rot i tried everything to keep my mouth moist too from drinking water 20 times a day and everything but nothing worked at all to keep my mouth moist what else could i have done when my doctor said the meds had no side effects except to cause some drowsiness back then when they first put me on them, i tried to find information on it but i was so poor i couldnt afford a computer and didnt have a car to go to the libraray back then now blame me . plus i had 3 disabled children at home as a single mom to take care of,

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Hello, I'm sorry to hear about how your medication has detrimented your health. I myself have not taken OxyContin but by the sound of what has happened to you I personally would seek legal advice if you have not already done so, try solicitors or the Health Ombudsman etc and see if you can sue them or claim compensation and as I am aware it may not need to have such a side effect written in their list of effects as it is knowing that unforeseen side effects can occur. It may also help to contact Panorama, you can find them online as they might help in some way maybe with your story or may know of others with similar side effects. Personally I would try everything to have this knowing, sell your story to the papers, Big Issue or medical magazines to help with dental costs and try and claim as much as you can for damages if at all possible, because that's what these medical companies deserve for their incompetence towards their service users. You mentioned your dentist expressed their concerns of how bad your teeth were, maybe they might help with a written medical report of how your teeth became so bad which may help with your case if they do so. Good Luck, from Stephen.

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It makes me sick, that u people have the nerve to come on here and run good people whom most likely got their disability due to the idiot driving that was intoxicated by drugs, alchole or whatever. I am a 34 yr old who has suffered for 7 yrs in pain from a drug addict that hit me. Luckily i left my kids at day care or they may be dead or disabled as well. So my life goes as so. I used to take oxy's too, me i was forsed by my dr, if i didnt take them i was cut off reg meds. I never abused any type drugs. I was aware of these meds and put up a huge fight to not take them, due to the addiction many people in my small burnt river town are addicted to. I sat back and watched both my brother and his girlfriend pump this crap in their bosy, trying to help them. Until one day she was found by us dead. Agaist this i was forced to go on it. I tried everything to explain why i didnt want it and that there must be another alternative, neadless to say i either go home and suffer crying in pain unable to even pee on my own or take something i am so agaist. So i did, i after all the crazy side effects including anxiety type crap. i got off it. I ordered my dr to remove me off it..All along him telling me this drug is not addicting well let me tell u it is. Even if i take it properly i am not suppose to get addicted ya right.After 8 weeks of withdrawing i finally realized wat drug addicts go threw, not something i wish on anyone. However i have since suffered so bad, against ths so called dr. i fired him and have since been to several dr all in which try very hard to push this oxy crap back on me, and when i refuse to take it i am accused of abusing other drugs or i would want to take a long lasting drug. Has nothing to do with the fact i am allergic to the long lasting ing..I must be an abuser. So when i get a new dr i end up recieving a letter stating i have too ,many disabilities for them to look after.. So the next time u decide to call these people a user make sure u got all the facts straight first. We dont have a choice what we take, its what the best thing in the damn dr miond, nowhere does it say that within this 2 yrs my face would rot outa my head, no where does it say any side effects they want us to say. Also to the girl..Discretionary or extended benifits under disability has to pay for a plate..Plus health units in your town carry emerg or extra coverages. Or colleges practicing new dentists they are very cheep. I am lookin into it to. email me anytime i will help u. [email protected] are so many reasons why we need medication and god hope u asses never experience wat we do, but get your facts straight before you run people like us down and wat dr choices we are givin. wat do u do stock these sites just to abuse diabled people? Its a federal offence to sell drugs..ITS MURDER when u kill them for giving it out..My brothers girlfriend was 21 no kids no life..it was sucked right outa her..He is clean now but man wat a ride..we thought we were gona lose him to. Just be smart about the meds u do take. Only take wat you need be head strong. Not everyone gets to live a life without disability struggle and lack of support..Why dont u people try to be a support system one day it might be u..without anyone ..belittleing you have would u feel..I hate uneducated people..so have no idea whats really going on in the world..its people like this and drug abusers that make it difficult for people like us to live a reg life..man u need a reality check. One day it will be your own then what r u gonna write back and appologize or turn your own family away..You are a very selfish self cetered idiot..Good luck to u loser

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Oh also like to add..There are several law suits for oxcontin oxcodone oxcontin..They are against the manufacture becasue they sate as long as you take this medication properly you will never get addicted. These law suits are from families with addicts, addicts that died or side effects causing their dealth...So before you shoot your mouth off READ a little..These are suits consisting of hundreds od thousands of families..Making the addiction centers rich..Put two and two together...Its all over canada and the states..PEOPLE DONT TAKE IT TO GET ADDICTED OR BECAUSE THEY ARE..THEY TAKE IT FOR RELIEF...There are 2% that ya rae in it for the high but most of canada was led to believe it was the next best cancer med..it was a dream drug..Now look at all the fatalities, addictions..furthermore if you read a little u will find that if a drug abuser takes the drug he becomes phsicologically addicted..and a person in constant pain..ther body gets physically addicted, being easier to lower the dose to get off. A person who is phsycologically addicted never gets off it or struggles for the rest of their life. The physically dependand will happen with any drug, as to coffee pop etc. The withdrawls arent any better but not as bad as someone addicted. Dont abuse the wrong people disabled people never asked to be like this nor asked to be addicted if they even are, but addicts choose that rd, isolate from family, would harm anyone, steel cheat lie and so many things that a disabled person just isnt..think before you speak u put your foot in their too soon. Sorry about my spelling im typing to fast when im a little upset..

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Dear Angela,

So sorry to hear about your teeth. I was told what Verwon said. Your mouth gets dry and bacteria take over. Many meds do this! (never heard about leeching calcium but that happens as you get older without being on pills).
If you can afford a monthly payment there is a company called Care Credit that is for dental and medical expenses. It was a life saver for my dental bills of thousands of dollars.! They don't seem to care about having a BK on your credit report either!
Please check online for their website. They even have a list of dentists (and plastic surgeons) so you don't have to call around. My dentist is THE BEST (no 2nd rate doctors are on the list)! I feel very lucky. PLEASE don't give up! You must get teeth!!
I wish you the best and hope this helps you.
Sincerely,

Sunny-AZ

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oxy's are basically dope in a pill .. when dopeheads in town cant get there fix they turn to oxys ..thats why ur dentist said ur mouth looks like someone who uses dope or crack.. and yes they are most deffinitly addicting. any one that says different is very wrong.

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i can not do that its illegal

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WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE ON WHY YOU WHERE PRESCRIBED THIS DRUG? SUCH AS CHEMO THERAPY PATIENCE...CHEMO HURTS YOUR TEETH NOT THE MEDICATION..

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AS I SAID BEFORE I WAS PRESCRIBED THIS MED DUE TO HAVING TO HAVE 29 SURGERIES AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING LETTER, I HAVE HAD 2 MAJOR BACK SURGERIES, 8 ARTHROSCOPIC KNEES SURGERIES 4 ON EACH KNEE DUE TO SCAR TISSUE FORMING FROM THEM BEING FRACTURED IN THE CAR ACCIDENT WHEN A DRUNK DRIVER HIT MY CAR IN 1991, AND THEN A TOTAL RIGHT KNEE REPLACEMENT, NOW DUE TO ALL THE DAMAGE TO MY BACK AND DUE TO THE SPINAL SURGERIES I HAVE PERMANENT NERVE DAMAGE IN MY BACK NOW AND I HAVE MS(MULTIPLE SCEROSIS) FIBROMALGIA AND THEY THINK I MAY ALSO HAVE LUPUS AND NERO FIBROMATOSIS, WHICH CAUSES EXCURIATING PAIN ALL OVER, THIS MED IS THE ONLY ONE THAT EASED THE PAIN ENOUGH I COULD FUNCTION AS A SINGLE MOTHER AGAIN, IT WAS A MIRACLE MED FOR ME, I USED TO TAKE VICODIN BUT I TOOK IT SO LONG REFUSING TO GET ON THIS MED THAT VICODIN STARTED TO DAMAGE MY KIDNEYS AND MY LIVER, SO I FINALLY AGREED TO GO ON A MORPHINE BASED MED, I ALSO HAVE REITERS SYNDROME I HAVE HAD SINCE I WAS 18YRS OLD, I AM NOW 42 YRS OLD, SO WHEN I GOT INJURED THE REITERS SYNDROME BEING A RARE ARTHRITUS SET INTO ALL MY JOINTS AND STARTED ATTACKING MY JOINTS, AND BEING ITS ARTHITUS I THEN DEVELOPED DEGENERATIVE DISK DISEASE AND THEN REIMOTOID ARTHRITUS AND THAT ALSO STRIPS THE CALCIUM FROM MY BODY BUT I HAVE RESEARCED OXYCONTIN AND IN FACT THE MED DOES STRIP THE CALCIUM FROM THE TEETH AND IN FACT DOES CAUSE WHAT THEY CALL DRY MOUTH AND MOUTH ROT WHERE THE TEETH ROT FROM THE INSIDE OUT , MY TEETH ONLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE I GOT ON THIS MED WHERE FIND I ONLY HAD 2 SMALL CAVITIES TO GET FILLED, THEN 6 MONTHS AFTER TAKING THIS OXYCONTIN ALL MY TOP TEETH ROTTED AND I HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THE TOP ONES PULLED AND NEARLY ALL THE BOTTOMS PULLED A YEAR LATER, THIS IS NOT MY FAULT I HATE THAT EVERYONE IS PUTTING THE BLAME ON ME, WHEN I FIRST GOT PRESCRIBED THIS MED I WAS TOLD MY DOCTOR NOTHING ABOUT DRY MOUTH OR MOUTH ROT IF I HAD BEEN TOLD I WOULID HAVE REFUSED TO GO ON THEM THEN, BUT MY DOCTOR SIAD THIS IS THE SAFFEST PAIN MED THERE IS AND THAT THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT I WOULD HAVE WAS SOME DROWSINESS UNTIL MY BODY GOT USED TO IT, BUT ONCE YOU GET ON THE MED YOU KEEP HAVING TO RAISE THE DOSAGE JUST TO TREAT THE PAIN BECAUSE THE BODY GAINS A TOLERANCE FOR IT, I THINK BEING ON NEURONTIN 800MG FOR MY SEIZURES, AND THIS COMBINED JUST WASNT VERY GOOD ON MY OVERALL HEALTH, BUT I TRUSTED THE DOCTORS ADVICE ON IT, AS I HAD GONE TO NEARLY 20 DOCTORS FOR MY CONDITIONS AND WHEN THEY ALL SAID THE MED WAS SAFE I BELIEVED THEM, AND SOME ARE BLAMING ME SAYING I SHOULD HAVE RESEARCHED THE MED, HOW COULD I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL SO MUCH AND IN PAIN I JUST WANTED THE PAIN TO GO AWAY. WHEN YOUR IN PAIN YOU BELIEVE THOSE WHO YOU THINK WILL HELP TAKE THE PAIN AWAY. NOW AFTER LOOSING MY TEETH I WOULD GO BACK AND CHANGE IT IF I COULD AND PREFER TO LIVE IN EXCRUIATING PAIN RATHER THAN LOOSE MY TEETH, MY DIGNITY, AND MY LOOKS, AND MY INABILITY NOW TO CHEW FOOD AT ALL, I WISH I COULID HAVE IMPLANTS BUT I CANT EVEN DREAM OF GETTING THEM, BEING A POOR DISABLED SINGLE MOTHER, AND NO I AM NOT EXPECTING ANYONE TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME, BUT I HAVE SURVIED SO MUCH IN MY LIFETIME FROM BEING TORTURED BY MY ADOPTIVE MOTHER WHEN I WAS A CHILD TO GROWING UP ON THE STREETS TO THEN THINKING I WAS FINALLY GETTING A LIFE TO HAVE IT ALL SNUPPED OUT BY A DRUNK DRIVER, I JUST WISH I COULD FIND A DENTAL CLINIC IN MY AREA WILLING TO LIKE GRANT ME SOME IMPLANTS JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE ME FUNCTION AGAIN AND BE ABLE TO EAT AND HAVE MY DIGNITY AGAIN, ITS SO EMBARRASSING NOT HAVING TEETH I WONT EVEN DATE AT ALL ANYONE, ME AND MY EX HAVE BEEN SPLIT UP FOR 4 YRS NOW AND I HAVENT GONE ON A DATE DUE TO MY NOT BEING ABLE TO GO ON A DATE AS I CANT EAT OUT, AND I CANT LOOK NICE AS I CANT SMILE ANYMORE . SEE IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE ELSE AND I WAS RICH I WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HELP THAT PERSON EVEN IF THEY WHERE A STRANGER TO ME, BUT SEEMS NOW ONE WANTS TO HELP OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART TO HELP ME, I THOUGHT THERE WHERE SOME KIND PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WOUDL HEAR MY STORY AND WANT TO HELP , MUST BE NICE TO BE RICH AND SIT BACK AND WATCH US POOR NOT BE ABLE TO HELP OURSELVES, I AM SO POOR THAT ME AND MY KIDS USUALLY HAVE TO EAT ONLY NOODLES FOR DINNER OR SOUPS WE GET FROM THE LOCAL PANTRY, I HAVENT HAD A GOOD STEAK IN NEARLY 10 YRS NOW, BUT HEH EVERYONE CAN CUT ME DOWN FOR GOING ON THESE MEDS, AND BLAME ME, AND THEY CAN WATCH ME SUFFER WHILE THOSE WITH INSURANCE AND MONEY GET TO HAVE THEIR TEETH WHITENED AND LOOSE NICE AND THEY HAVE NO WORRIES, AND YET I HAVE TO WORRY EVERYDAY WHERE MY NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM FOR ME AND MY KIDS, AND ROLL PENNIES OR GATHER UP COLA BOTTLES TO GET A GALLON OF MILK FOR MY KIDS. ALL BECAUSE DUE TO A DRUNK DRIVER I WILL NEVER WORK A NORMAL JOB EVER AGAIN, I USED TO WORK 2 AND SOMETIMES 3 JOBS I WAS A HARD WORKER AND A GOOD CITIZEN AND I HELPED EVERYONE , AND I USED TO BE IN COLLEGE ON 2 SEMESTERS SHY OF GRADUATING WITH MY RN MAJOR AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN A NURSE, BUT A DRUNK DRIVER HIT ME AND TOOK THAT AWAY FROM ME, ITS TAKEN ME YEARS TO HEAL UP AND WALK AGAIN AND TO FUNCTION AGAIN I WILL HAVE CHRONIC PAIN THE REST OF MY LIFE DUE TO THE NERVE DAMAGE IN MY SPINAL CORD, BUT NO EVERYONE WANTS TO BLAME ME , I TELL YOU WHAT WHEN I HAD TEETH IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO IMAGENE THAT OTHERS WHO LOST THEIR TEETH YOUNG TOO THAT IT WASNT THEIR FAULT SOMEHOW, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE LOST MY OWN TEETH I KNOW ITS NOT MY FAULT AND I CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH OTHERS, BUT SEEMS LIKE SO MANY WOULD RATHER BLAME THEN TO FIND A SOLUTION TO HELP ME. ITS ALWAYS EASIER TO PLACE BLAME THEN TO HELP.

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Hi Angela,

While I can't offer a solution to your problem at the moment, please know that there are people out there with a heart who do sympathize with your situation.

I wish this country would take all the money that they have wasted on stupid wars, and put it towards taking care of the citizens! With the amount of money they have spent going to war, I'm sure they could have afforded to provide more than enough food, clothing, shelter, and MEDICAL CARE for every man, woman, and child in this country!!!

All political views aside, if you ask me, dental health is as important as all other health. It is sad how insurance companies, etc, do not recognize that!

Please hold your head high and hang onto any hope you can. There is always a solution to every problem, the only factor that is in question is time. I hope somebody who is in a position to offer help reads this thread, and can post back with details about public assistance programs, attorneys, or anything else that will take you one step closer to getting much needed help! I am praying for you.

Sincerely,

Nick

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thanks for your support, i agree that with all the funds that our president spent on the war he could have provided every person in our country dental and health care i tell you what i think we do need a president that will make sure we all have a universal health care it works in sweden and australia they have universal health care and it works very well and in canada it works very well too, but here in america the richest country in the world they dont take are of their own at all, but they sure want to take care of others in other countries but not their own citizens like myself,

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my ex-husband informed me last nigth that his tooth loss was also due to taking pain meds for the last year..he says his doctor said it was due to the meds eating away at the enamel...that's why i looked this info up today...i thought that was a bunch of crap since he's been losing his teeth for the last 18 years...it may very well be a combo of things...poor dental hygiene was my main issue with him...his breath stunk so bad...no kissing was ever gonna happen....but i think it is primarily due to smoking...i'm no expert but smokers tend to have brown yucky teeth....he too is poor but apparently not too poor to afford cigarettes...i think if you really want to get your dentures...you can find 20-50 extra dollars per month and pay a dentist in advance...then when enough is paid..they will do the work...i had to do that for my grandma...around here, the univ of md dental school has a program that is supposed to be affodable...the health dept offers a list of dentists that take 30 percent off the bill...so even if it takes you a year to pay it in advance...at least it will get done...i'm not sure how long you have been without teeth..but my 76 year old friend was eating steak and burgers within a year of losing all of her teeth..she never did get dentures...i guess she just gums the stuff to death...can't be good for her digestion but it's been abt 8 years now and she appears to have no problems...and ick...she doesn't even brush her gums!...if your dentist hasn't told you to do so...do it...just like with babies...their gums need brushed before they even get teeth in...i really hope things get better for you and anyone else that has had this problem...i sure wish i looked god enough to model...you could probably get away with just a pout...

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Hi Angela, I'm a single mom myself and don't have any help with my situation, but as a woman you have to be smart. For 1, you have to let the past go and stop feeling sorry for yourself! That's not going to help you at all. I've read all ur stories, and you continue to repeat the same issues. I'm sorry that you're going through a tough time, but you need to really try to help yourself. As I mentioned, I'm a mom with twins and I have severe pain as well all in my spinal column. But I did what I had to do to take care of my kids and me. Their dad walked out and left us with 0! I lost my job when I was pregnant with them. I had no money, insurance, or nothing, but I prayed about it and God answered my prayers. I found work, then someone came into my life whom is so very dear to me and my kids. I take percocets for my pain of which I've been on for 3 years. Although the meds help with the pain, the problem with my vertebra started with just the C1&C2 and now it has since progressed. Now it's C1-C7, so you see, sometimes things get worse for us all. But Angela, we can't let it stop us... or take control of our lives! GIRL, GET OUT THERE AND TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS!!!! Right now today, I'm still working hard to have what I want, and that's a wonderful life for my kids and me. Soooo... get up and fight while you still have life and ask God to help you because He will! Sincerly, Ms. M.H of Mississippi. Good luck and God Bless.

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Re: ksrmashadow (# 770)

I agree that the, "May cause dry mouth," is listed as a potential side effect NOW, but I know for a fact that it didn't appear way back in the early to mid-eighties when I first started taking them!!!
I believe that once it was discovered that dry mouth could, and WOULD cause tooth decay/loss as a result of their (and other) drug, they quietly slipped the warning in.
I finally had to have ALL of my teeth removed and am currently living the nightmare of a first-time full denture wearer! :(

That's how I feel about it!

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I have total empathy for you big time.

I do think it's the way it is worded that may mislead. It states clearly that:

"May cause dry mouth"

I'm in the same boat, and it's like being stuck with only one oar, and going around in circles. I'm heartbroken having to wear a dental palette until I have saved enough to have proper implants done. The Pregabalin I take is another that damaged my teeth but because of the wording the suppliers or: pharmaceutical industry are covered.but I think it should maybe translate to:

"Does the intended job and kills pain, but May Cause Dry Mouth and total loss of self confidence as well as the loss of teeth and a once beautiful smile" (past tense)

I am saving every penny so I can get my smile back as well as staying pain free!

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Yes, i had the same problem. I had perfect teeth & within a years time all my front teeth & most of the others were just gone from rotting & breaking off at the gumm line.

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Re: Angrunatelyy 65 year old (# 762)

OMG, Lisa! And I thought I had it bad! Take care, sweetheart!

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Re: Lisa (# 756)

OMG, Lisa! And I thought I had it bad! Take care, sweetheart!

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Re: Marty (# 115)

Yes we all should get to ONE attorney. I have same problem. I have lost all my teeth but 3 i am so embarrassed i don't even talk much my ins. dont hardly pay for work to be done.

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Re: Brandice (# 754)

I read your post as if it had been written BY ME! I'm absolutely serious! So much you've said also applies to me and your sentence, "I have no sense of who I was/am left." REALLY hit the spot with me as well. I hope that life gets better for you, just as I wish the same for everyone on this forum, but PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP and talk with someone (perhaps a professional) should those self-destructive thoughts come back or persist (I've been there too many times to count)!!! One of the few things that always kept me from following through is knowing just how MUCH HEARTACHE my action would cause my family and friends. Bless you, Brandice, and try to hang on there .... Sending you warm hugs, Christine

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Re: Dr Love (# 759)

I heard about Dr. Wallach from my sister and her husband. They have taken the nutritional supplements for 2 years now. My sister had chronic pain and allergies that she had to get shots every year for her allergies. After taking the nutritional supplements for 90 days she no longer has to get shots or take pain medication. They have a grandson with ADHD and anger issues that lives with them. They have him taking the supplement vitamins daily and he does not need to take any medicine for his ADHD now and his grades and disposition at school have changed completely. They get repirts from teachers about what a wonderful student he is and a pleasure to have in class. His first 5 years of school no teacher ever said that but complained that he was disruptive and couldn't concentrate. I just started the nutritional vitamins and feel a difference in just 10 days. It gets costly to take everything so I take as much as I can afford and changed what I eat to healthier choices. Dr. Wallach teaches how taking the right nutrition can make you healthier and feel so much better. Thank you for posting the changes it has made for you.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

The nakers of oxy continue should have a scholarship/grant program for people that have been elected devistated by the use of this products .. from becoming addicted to them offering rehab because they faulsly stated that thier products were not habit formong thus doctors prescribing more and more month after month. Year after year leaving many of us faced with so many problems that they should have to offer some type of restitution or just in good coinchance since we have made them rich iver the years that's the least they could do !!!

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Re: Dogs best fr9end (# 730)

YOU GOT IT !!! Unfortunately, the moderator, Vernon says Purdue did include a warning in their literature. Smart dudes huh. So no, we can't sue them. But I'm a huge dentalphobe and this will take all the bravery I can muster to fix my Purdue Teeth.

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