Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 21)
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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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CORRECTION! Although some may say that I was, indeed, born confused.... LOL.... I'm not quite sure why the auto-fill option on my tablet chose to change "quite" to "born"! Just so you know.... and most likely give you something to laugh about today..... at least I hope it does since, really, the ONLY THING THAT HELPS WITH OUR PAIN IS LAUGHTER! So.... LAUGH AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, AND, FIND SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT EVERY DAY!

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Dear Mailman (and everyone else).... I can't begin to tell you just HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE your message! As you've obviously gathered, I was quite upset when I made my post and, although I stand behind what I wrote, I certainly didn't do so in order to upset anyone. I was born confused and, yes, angry, that some of the members had either been told or somehow assumed that I was going to be the end all and be all in the fight against the pharmaceutical company (lawsuit) for the damage we've all experienced with our teeth! And, as I've said many times since, I've been having to deal with even MORE pain than I've ever had before, so getting these messages/requests, did nothing but add to my stress level and frustration. Further, and as I've offered before, I will do the best I possibly can to update the database to include those who wanted to be included so they, too, could "talk" tho other members one on one. My time, however, is relatively short as I will be undergoing what might possibly be major surgery this coming Wednesday, April 1st (yes,I know, April Fools day!). So, if I should happen to find myself with an hour or two wherein my pain is at a somewhat tolerable level, I will update that database table and send it, via email, to everyone who's provided email addresses. That being said, I will also (and once again) ask if just one of everyone on the list would be willing to be the contact person between Medschat and those of you who would like the ability to communicate on a one on one basis. I don't know how I'm going to feel after surgery or how long it's going to take me to recuperate either. So, if there are indeed SO many of you who apparently want to pursue this, then there should be at least one of you who would be willing to, perhaps at least temporarily, be that contact. AGAIN, I thank you, Mailman, for your apology and for acknowledging the work I DID DO, the work that I SAID I WOULD DO! And, just as you sent me your good wishes and prayers, I'm doing the same to you as well as to every other member of this forum! I wish you all a pain free minute, Hour, DAY (wouldn't that be wonderful?)! But, most of us take whatever pain free moment we can get, right?, and we savor it! DO SAVOR EVERY MOMENT YOU CAN!

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I know exactly how you feel! I to am 41 and a chronic pain patient. I have had 3 neck surgeries and about 28 others for various g.y.n. problems. I just started the planning process for implants. I have 6 whole teeth left and the rest have either been pulled or are too damaged to fix. I have never done any illegal drugs and my mouth looks like a meth addicts mouth. Needless to say my self-esteem is non existent and to top it off, my husband is in law enforcement so if we go somewhere together I don't talk nor smile! My dentist told me alot of damage to my teeth happened due to dry mouth caused by all the meds. Unfortunately he told me too late. From what I was told by my oral surgeon, once the process starts it won't stop even when your done with the medication. I don't know how common our problem is for chronic pain patients but if Dr. were more aware about it then they could mention using the whole range of products from "Biotien" for dry mouth. (Toothpaste, mouth wash, spray, and gum) plus rinsing your mouth out with a 50/50 peroxide/water rinse (DON'T SWALLOW THIS). That rinse is supposed to help reduce bacteria in your mouth that brushing can't get. Maybe you and I can help others avoid this because this happened to us through no fault of our own. I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you can find some dentist that will take payments or maybe your church (if you have one) could help. Just remember your kids love you no matter what. I have 2 sons one is a teen also, and they never mention mommies lack of teeth. It has been a great visual lesson for my younger one when he doesn't want to brush his teeth. (I always try to find some positive) I hate going out in public even to shop. My husband has been wonderful doing all the shopping. I have put myself under house arrest, thats how mortified I am. You are not alone!

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Dear Christine,

There is no reason for you to apologize for anything ! When I seen your post it made me sick because you never told anyone that you were going to be our lawyer , doctor , or anything more than what you had done a long time ago . You were the first and only person that I know of that was able to get us a spot on this sight that gave us the opportunity to join together as one group . Also I remember when you had made a list of everyone who did get in touch with you and put each of our info that we provided on the post so we would be able to get in touch with each other if anyone wanted to to move forward from there it was up to each of us including myself to pitch in and start something because if I remember correctly you were upset then that after all you did not one of us did anything to help you in any way ! You did what you said you would so you have no reason to apologize ! I am sorry for not doing anything to help you ! I am 53 years old and battle daily just to get out of bed because of pain and paperwork and doctor appointments I am lucky if I get a shower each day because after just shaving my face I have to lay down for a while and don't get a shower to the next day because of back pain and I will not increase my medicine because it fixes nothing and 20 years of this is driving me crazy ! I know you have medical issues that you are dealing with just like the rest of us ! So it is me that wants to tell you I am sorry for being no better than anyone else for not helping you ! I truely hope you feel better and thank you for everything you tried to do for me and sorry for not doing more to help you !! The Mailman

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The exact thing happened to me. I was on oxicontin for 7yrs-- now all my teeth are rotten but you can't tell from looking at them. I also used to model and have been suicidal over this. The dentist took my caps off, put on temps and now won't have anything to do with me. The meds also caused me to get epilepsy. I'm devastated. Tracy

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Hi, I had the exact same issues lost all my teeth and my bones have lost a lot of condition. I don't have much money but I needed to get my teeth done as it really affected my self asteem. I don't know where your located but dentistry schools offer greatly reduced dental care. I was going to go this route but the waits list here was 2 years. It cost me out of pocket 5 grand (2000 dentist and 3000 for dentures). I wish you the best.

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Hello, everyone, and once again, I apologize for not having been able to fulfill the position that I said I would (and that was ONLY TO BE THE ORGANIZER.... the person who would put together a list of those of us who might be interested in pulling our resources together in order to perhaps pursue a class-action suit against Purdue Pharmaceuticals). Granted, I have not been physically able to update that database lately, but I did put one together and I shared it with those who had shown interest. Be it known that I also ASKED, when I began to feel really bad, if there was anyone who might be interested in taking over that duty and, to date, NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME NOR VOLUNTEERED TO DO SO! So, please stop asking me for updates or anything having to do with whatever legal action(s) and/or inquires have been made because I never had anything to do with that aspect in the first place. Please also forgive me for the tone of my message .... it's only due to the fact that I'm in more pain than I've ever been in in my life and I'm also having to go through more tests than I can ever remember ever having to go through in such a short period of time (some of them I'm not even allowed to take my pain medications prior to the tests!) so, sorry, I'm not in the best of moods right now. And .... If you're not in a position to cooperate or take over what I sincerely wanted to do at the start of this, then please don't get on my back about what I'm not doing. Maybe, and God forbid, if you should find yourself in MY position, you'll have a bit more compassion. As I promised, I will do my VERY BEST to update that database and send it to everyone ON that list. And, if you should receive that list, I can only pray that one of you will take on the task of continuing the list and to let RxChat.com know that you're going to be the next point of contact member who will take over the duties that I, in all sincerity, I signed up for. Bless you all, Christine

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I don't know where you are located but there's a dentist same day service in south Carolina Florence, very cheap they take some ins. called sexton dental clinic. they can help people coming from everywhere as their services are the cheapest and the best looking ones I've encountered. I don't have the number but you can call a directory! Good luck!

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Hi Martin,
yes I'm still on oxycontin, oramorph and mst continus. I have asked my GP to try me on something else but as yet not a lot has worked for pain relief. I'm at my wits end with the crumbling teeth etc.

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hello karen, sorry to hear of your distress, are you still taking oxycontin? i will let you know how i get on.

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Hi Martin,
I too am in the UK, I've been on oxycontin for 11yrs after my accident that left me with spinal damage. Like you I am having so many problems with my teeth and them rotting. Until I started taking the oxycontin my teeth were fine and I hadn't had a filling in years. Now my teeth crumble and I've had to have teeth removed and now have a partial upper denture. I believe the pharmaceutical companies are to blame but they're so well covered by lawyers they think they have no comebacks. Let me know how you get on when talking to your lawyer.

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Amen to that!! ^^^ You said it all, thank you.

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hello christine, thanks for your response and sorry to hear about the troubles you are facing. you use the word " attorney " so i'm assuming you're american, it's not a word used often here in england or not that i'm aware of and as a society you are probably better versed in the matter of taking legal action?

I've said from the outset, the real people to blame are the Pharmaceutical company and i still believe that!

but having said that, the resources at their disposal, financial and legal must be immense and therefore difficult to take legal proceedings against them because they must be well set up for this possibility. i doubt that the law firm i'm in touch with has the clout to tackle them, that's my assumption, i don't know that and will ask them when i next speak to them.

we get a leaflet that accompanies our medications, i'm assuming you do to? the fact that tooth decay and dry mouth are mentioned as possible side effects, may be enough to get the pharmaceutical company off the hook. if you check online the list of side effects is immense and so that may well also cover their " arses ", again i don't know this.

with regard to my doctor and dentist, i've never thought of them to blame but having said that, they do have a duty of care to their patients, it could be argued that they have failed to do that?

my doctor has never talked to me about the side effects of any medication, not just oxycontin, he has prescribed to me. nor has he ever talked about the possible risks of taking more than one medication at a time and how they may interact with each other and clearly he should, he has the responsibility of my welfare.

and the same could be said of my dentist, when i became suspicious that it may have been my medication that was the cause of all my dental problems and i mentioned this to him on many occasions, he never offered any advice on how to counteract this or that i should stop taking them and seek alternative meds and he obviously should of, because he too has a duty of care for his patients. to be honest i don't think he believed me!

i would feel very uncomfortable if the law firm suggested i consider taking action against my dentist / doctor or both and at the moment i don't know if i would.

but at the end of the day, whose the victim here? it's not the pharmaceutical company, my dentist or my doctor, it's me and i strongly believe i haven't been taken care of by the other three and they do have a responsibility to do that!

it's me now, that has large gaps in my mouth where teeth used to be. i've had numerous root canal work, fillings, caps and crowns. who knows when all this will stop? even though i no longer take oxycontin, i don't know if the decay will continue and how much further damage could be done and like so many of us, i feel very uncomfortable when i speak or smile from embarrassment.

i do believe i deserve compensation and if i can then, i will have to consider all options of achieving this.

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Christine, I need an update on progress. Where can I get the name of the attorney who is handling our problem? I would like to do this as a group bc I know we will have a good chance of winning. It has happened to so many of us. It should be mandatory that there is a sticker on the side of every medication that causes dry mouth and inserts given to patients advising then how to take the medication and prevent the problem with the PH balance due to dry mouth at the same time. This is serious. Not just some small side effect. This causes hardcore damage that could cost people their lives if not careful. Please respond. TY! Please feel better and I wish you all the best. you will be in my prayers! <3

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also, I have already posted months ago but no longer get notifications on updates. I think I accidently deleted my request to get updated and am not sure how to get it back. I am afraid that I will eventually die from bad teeth causing something serious such as a heart attack or sepsis. I really need care but have no insurance and do not know what to do. I think the manufacturer should pay to fix my teeth. I just want to be normal and be able to smile again. I will not kiss my husband and barely leave the house. My situation is serious because I have MS and any infection not taken care of promptly could mean certain death. Any advice?

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Oxycodone completely rotted my teeth. In the last 6 months I have been suffering from being sick from what I believe is a blood infection starting. I intercept it with antibiotics from my cabinet because I can't get my dentists to help me anymore or my neurologist not to mention my PD. Does anyone know the status of this I want to sue the manufacturer for this as they somebody needs to pay for what they did to so many of us. Does anyone know where we stand with this class action law suit?

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Christine - why have you not had your gallbladder removed? I had emergency surgery on mine a few years ago and they removed it. I no longer have any problem from it.

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Christine - I'm pretty sure I sent you a message a while back to include me on the list. I have already had a couple of teeth pulled and one that really needed an implant but it was a tooth that had recently had a root canal and a crown and the dentist went in and took the crown off and cleaned out underneath it. It probably will eventually have to have an implant anyway. He saw another one the other day that he feels sure is going to start causing me problems. I am having excruciating tooth pain every night that feels like it is coming from the jaw but they say I don't have TMJ and my primary doctor doesn't agree and feels it is TMJ. We can't figure out where the pain is coming from but I have a feeling I am getting ready to spend a fortune on my teeth because of all of my medication. Please include me on your list. Thank you and I hope you get better soon.

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Martin, I wish you continued patience as you attempt to navigate the legalities of your/our fight. Personally, however, I don't feel that either your dentist nor your GP should hold any responsibility for your dental plight. Why? Because if WE weren't given the down-low regarding what the "dry mouth" long-term effects would be, then how should they have known if (and, yes, that's a big IF) they weren't given anymore information than we were? I think the attorney is looking for the easier mark and I not only think that's not right of them, but I don't think it'll work either. Just sayin.

And, for those of you who've been following my progress, or lack thereof, I've been in the most horrific and unrelenting pain EVER that's not given me ANY rest nor showing any signs of abating. On a positive note, though (yes, there IS one!), I went to see another gastroenterologist and he's ordered a slew of high-tech tests to (hopefully and finally) determine what's causing me so much pain! At this point in time however, and based upon my symptoms, the concern is that I may have developed gallbladder cancer or, worse and God forbid, pancreatic cancer. I found out that they had found polyps in my gallbladder FOUR YEARS AGO and not only did they never tell me about it but there wasn't any follow up done either! But, these tests should help to rule out those nasty (and SO scary) things and, who knows, maybe after they figure out what it is and they're hopefully able to treat it, I'll even be able to get off, or at the very least, reduce the amount of opiates I'm now taking (which are at a ridiculous level now and, needless to say, isn't helping my dental issue either!)
As always, each and everyone of you are in my thoughts and prayers and I thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart for yours! God bless you all!

Warmest regards, Michele (aka- Christine)

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just want to give you an update on my own situation.

some of you may remember i asked the dlp ( dental law partnership ) to look into my own case of tooth decay a few months before christmas. it has been painfully slow, although they did say, it wouldn't be a speedy process. part of the reason for that may be the fact that, i'm not paying them and that i wont pay them unless, i have a case and that i win that case. but also it has taken a very long time to get my dentist to release my medical records along with any relevant xrays.

i received an email today from the the dlp to say, they now had all relevant information, that was available from my dentist and that, that information, was now being put before their own in house dental advisors and that it will take about 10-12 weeks. so more waiting, sorry! yes it is a drag but legalities and their proceedings do, however frustrating and as i've already said, had i been paying as we go, then things may have been swifter

so i hope you can be patient with me and i will post any further information as soon as i have it but in the meantime, if you haven't already it may be worth doing two things that if we get a favourable outcome will save time. firstly identify exactly when you started taking the medication in question and if like me, you've stopped taking them, to identify the last date of taking. i was able to get this information from my pharmacist and was very easy. also get a copy of your dental records to include any xrays you've had taken, you are entitled to do this, so don't be fobbed off.

another point to consider is, who do you hold liable?

my own thoughts were that it was the pharmaceutical company who were to blame, for not supplying enough information in the leaflet that gets included with the medication as to why you may suffer tooth decay. i don't recall reading anywhere that, the fact that, the medication gives you a dry mouth and that this is the reason behind tooth decay, plus of course the length of time you've been taking the medication, i don't recall this being mentioned either? so it seemed obvious that they must be to blame. when i said this to my contact at the dlp, that didn't go down particularly easy and although he didn't say why and i'm only guessing here, is perhaps because pharmaceutical companies will have banks and banks of their own lawyers to be able to fend off any potential threat of actions like ours.

and so it was put to me, how would i feel if they suggested my dentist may be negligent, and they haven't said this yet but if it could be suggested that he / she was, would i be willing to pursue the matter?

from the outset i'd never considered that either my gp or dentist were to blame but potentially from a dental perspective, as i'd commented about my concerns over the problems i'd been experiencing with my teeth and that my suspicions were that it could be my medication, should he / she have suggested, i find a different medication, that doesn't have dry mouth as one of the side effects and they never did!

so once again i know it's frustrating but try to be patient.

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