Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 3) (Top voted first)

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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Angela
I can understand your distress with the situation that you are in but you have to do for you.I also taking the ox because i had a blood transfusion 25 yrs ago and it was tainted I am now a stage four which means that it can get no worse, hte meds that i'm on is the same as cemo and i lost my upper teeth. my only consern is everytime u reply things are worse then u first stated. there alot of people out there that need the help that u need and we are in a depression. I chew steak just cut them in small peaces. i also chew chips just little peaces. I dont understand why u are not getting food stamps and why did u not sew the driver that hit u he had to have insurance if it were me with is depression going on if i were u i would be more worried about your kids diabilites and the programs that are going to be cut for them more then your teeth. Also i go to food pantries and they give u more then noodles u said that u go out to eat u dont eat steak why are u going out to eat with what you pay for one meal out u could buy meals for a week. I am not trying to put u down but there are things that u are saying that i a little hard to swallow.

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I have posted before but this time is different ! If you are just starting to loose your teeth from taking oxy for pain please try this because it slowed my problem some . Keep a bottle of water and sometimes Propel or any healthy drink but mostly water with you at all times and at night on your nightstand . Drink as often as possible so your mouth isn't dry ! Try to fight the drymouth as much as you can ! Swish it around in your mouth and u don't have to drink a lot just drink often ! You may have to go to the bathroom more often and even wake up at night to use bathroom ! I myself have a hard time sleeping at night because of pain as many other you do also . So the thought of waking at night for anything other than your pain is hard but take some water when you do and try to fight the drymouth that I was never told about with this medicine is a factor in destroying your teeth ! It is to late for me and many others because we never had the chance ! I am not a doctor , nurse , nor do I have any medical degree or knowledge of medicine ! But I do know water is healthy for us all so I don't beleive that water can hurt anyone ! Check with your doctor about drinking a lot of water and if he says it's ok try to carry a bottle with you always ! No matter where you go try to not let your mouth get dry ! I carry a bottle of water always ! If I forget one I stop at first store I see and buy one and remember it isn't that you have to drink a lot each time but it is to drink often ! I have lost most of my teeth and the ones I do have look horrible because of enamel chipping away. It has made me a hermit and try to never be in pictures ! That is a problem I should have never had ! My back pain is the biggest problem I have ever had with my health and I am always in pain but having Oxycontin perscribed for my pain and then have it destroy what little social life I may have had and cause tooth pain that at times can hurt more than my back ! I feel like if my back pain being like my car being on fire and the company that makes Oxycotin handed me a bucket with what I thought was water in it . But when I threw it on the fire I find out it was filled with lighter fluid instead of water ! It didn't help it gave me a much bigger fire ! So if this suggestion of fighting drymouth with water in any way helps 1 person then please tell other people so maybe we can do what the company that makes Oxycontin should have done and that is to leave our teeth alone and just helped us with our pain instead of making more money than anyone could ever imagine at the cost of our teeth and dignity ! The saddest part is they could fix us all with implants to fix what they did and we would be thrilled ! We don't want any money we just want our Teeth and dignity back !!!! The mail is delivered !

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This is exactly why the ones of us with chronic pain are being undertreated. People obtaining medication from their drs and then illegally selling them. It's just a matter of time before these criminals are caught and I hope it is very soon.

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hello justine, i haven't heard back from the dental law society yet. i only spoke to them early this week and they said it may be a few days, i will update everyone as soon as i do.

i was asked if i have any proof, letter from dentist or doctor, which as yet i don't because i don't know how easy it is to prove? my doctor says he's not a dentist and my dentist has been reserved, though i've not pressed her if she would be willing to put something in writing? she has commented that the dry mouth, which is a side effect of the medication and would have an impact on tooth decay as would any sugar content in the tablets. i'm seeing my dentist this week and will ask her if she may be willing to comment.

i was also asked the nature of the problem i've been experiencing, extractions, fillings, crowns, dentures and the like. i my case it's all of those i've mentioned. i have recently got a print out of my dental records since i've been having this issue and it may be a good idea if everyone does this, if they haven't already, along with any evidence they may have, letters etc, etc.

i don't know how easy it is to represent an individual rather than a group legally? but clearly there must be strength in numbers how many of us are we, where are the majority of us based and would it be a good idea, if logistically possible to meet? if not everyone then maybe just a few who would try to act on behalf of us all?

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Your message, Mr. MAILMAN, literally brought tears to my eyes as I've yet to receive that kind of support from anyone.... not even my family members or my best friends, because I don't think they either believe or perhaps truly understand the depth and severity of my pain. Worse, it's not only the chronic moderate to severe abdominal pain that caused me to have to resort to taking the "Oxy" prescription pain relievers in the first place, but the additional pain of my rotting teeth that those very same "pain relievers" have caused that I sometimes fear are going to push me over the edge that concerns me the most. Again, though, your KIND WORDS of support and concern did a lot to boost my spirits, if only for awhile, and they were more than I've received from anyone else who are supposedly closest to me. I don't think I need to tell you just HOW MUCH that means to me but I'm telling you now!!!! As soon as I can get the edge off of my pain, I'm going to make my way out of my bed/bedroom and do an email search for everyone who contacted me through Medschat, add them to the table database that I started (and DID SHARE) with everyone who's name appeared on that list, and I'll send it out to everyone again. Perhaps someone on that list will step up and take over or, at the very least, volunteer to help take this fight TO THE NEXT NECESSARY LEVEL for anything meaningful to happen (otherwise all well end up accomplishing is flapping our gums... which, ironically, is what many of us have left of our mouths, or will soon)... and I'm sure that's NOT why we decided to join forces, right? So, the bottom line is, (and I hate using old sayings, but in this case it's more than appropriate) PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS! Or, in our case, LET'S PUT OUR EFFORTS WHERE OUR MOUTHS(teeth) USED TO BE!!!!!

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Dear Christine Your kind words and sincerity shows me what type of woman you are and please know that your words always put a smile on my face and that is hard to do ! No one in there right mind would want to take this medicine of there free will year after year and day after day and the only time I know it is doing anything is if I forget to take it and the pain that we live with gets so bad that you remember and take them right away or need to go to the hospitol because the pain becomes unbearable! For those who take Oxy for any period of time knows there is nothing that feels good about it ! There is no high or any good feeling at all ! It is about trying to be able to function and get threw each day ! Christine please know that you are a special woman and before you try to help the rest of us make sure you take care of yourself first ! You have a big heart and please don't push yourself for the rest of us and forget that your health needs to come first ! I hope you feel better and know that you are a good person and a friend to me ! Mailman

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just to let you know.

i've sent an email to the manufacturer of oxcontin here in the uk, outlining my tooth decay problems and have mentioned there's others like me, experiencing the same thing. it will be interesting to see their reply, assuming they do.

have any of you contacted the manufacturers in the u s a?

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How are you doing Angela? I see this post is from 2008. People that have never experienced chronic moderate - severe pain are very lucky. We un-lucky ones know the truth. They have no idea what we live with every day. Just shake it off and grow a thicker hide. F***-em.

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Honestly, I think the pharmaceutical companies are getting ready for the class action lawsuit. I still can't find the warning on tooth decay and their should be one. Another person said that there is something on the info sheet that says it's a rare problem less then 1% ? That's such Bologny.

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I can absolutely relate to your complaint regarding the cost of pain killers going though the roof! I, too, am on SS disability and it only takes around 2 to 21/2 months before I hit the dreaded Medicare "donut hole" at which point I had to pay more than $400 a month for just one Rx of the Oxycontin and no others. And, on a fixed SS monthly income, there was simply NO WAY I could survive on what was left over, especially when I still had my other pain killing Rx to fill as well as my anti-depressants (I am fairly certain that many of you on this forum suffer from the accompanying depression that chronic pain brings on, whether you actually take medication for it or not). I eventually had no choice but to ask my PM specialist to switch me to the Fentanyl patch and, although it's not nearly as efffective as the Oxycontin was and it took me three different dosages before I found the one that helped the most (without going overboard and sending alarm bells to both my Dr., the pharmacist, and eventually the insurance company!) it was covered by my insurance short a small and afffordable co-pay. Plus, I'm still able to pay for the rest of my Rx's (I still have to take the IR oxycodone for break through pain which I really didn't have to take that many when I was on the Oxycontin). It's simply criminal how the big pharma's can jack up the prices of their drugs on a whim (just look at the not-too-far-back headline when some guy bought out the drug manufacturer who made the essential drug in the Aids cocktail and then, overnight, raised the price by a whopping 5000%!!!) Of course, he quickly came back with his rationalization that the profits would fund efforts to make a "new" drug that would be better than the old one! Mind you, that particular drug had been used successfully since the 1950's and this is where the old saying applies best..... If it ain't broken, don't fix it! Well, enough of my rambling but, as I'm sure you've realized, this is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine and a point of contention that makes my blood boil! Many thanks for your post and God bless each and every one of you. May you have the best possible (and pain-free?) day! Christine

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Thank you for that informal response.. that was definitely more helpful. .have a good day.

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Pedro yes it seems we must face the ADVERSE to have the benefit of pain therapy.

It is not just your OPIOIDS for example if your physician prescribes an AD this too will make you more dehydrated--I believe some of the neurotransmitters in the brain literally are responsive just as blocking the natural endorphins when an OPIOID is accepted by the blood brain barrier.

Perhaps the real issue is WHY when the PM's have known this for years, as have pharmacists, and of course the manufacturers of medications are patients now seeing the result in severe infection, loss of teeth and underlying bone structure.

I think it's so important for example I was injured working years ago if I face this outcome that my insurer for I have a 100% medical award unless I settle (for life) to pay for this--it is not on my plate yes without medication I now die so they should pay.

Thanks for your reply.

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Hello everyone and my good friend Christine ! I have been on OxyContin then Oxycondone , Percocet,Diazepam, Antidepressants and more Meds but you get my point . I have put post on here when it just started and I was lucky enough to meet Christine on here and she helped me deal with times when I thought no one could ever understand what I was going through but she did and was going through also because of OxyContin! I injured my back in 1997 and was put on this medication because of the time release factor but no one at that time knew the hell it would end up putting so many of us through ! If you go back on here to past post I was more active and I remember when I felt like a normal person . Now it takes so much out of me to write this so I won't waste everyone's time by repeating my story . What I want to say to everyone here is to not second guess the pain you are in and end up injurying yourself worst ! Make sure you go to your doctor or a doctor with your best interest in mind ! My workers comp doctor said I could work half days so I would have to go in one day at 4 am and the next at 12:00 noon and Every day different ! So by trying to do what they wanted it made me damage myself worst and it ended up injuring it to the point of no return and that ment nothing to them but ruined my life ! If you are hurt on the job Google your options because you have rights and should be able to go to your doctor or a doctor of your choose and believe me this may be one of the most important things you do after a work injury !The next thing would be my self confidence i lost because like me your teeth start to break off and you feel embarrassed to leave your home because of what your teeth look like ! The worst part is when knowing it Makes you look like a street drug addict by any new dentist or doctor and you never forget that look they give you before you explain your situation and you pray that they under and believe you ! The worst thing was when good friend of mine on this site was receiving no support but being considered as either making up her illness or saying it was not as bad as the pain that she felt and this is from her so called friends and people she knew ! This made me sick to my stomach and feel helpless because I had no way to go and help her ! She is so strong and special it amazes me ! I am having a real rough time with my stomach but getting it worked out hop full by doctor soon ! I would like to ask Christine if you would keep in touch with me if anything positive happen's about our teeth or anything until I can get through my problem it would be appreciated greatly ! I also know you have your own problems so if you can't I understand and I thank you anyway ! To everyone that is reading this I wish everyone good health and happiness to everyone and God bless all and and everyone is in my prayers ! Mail now delivered . Thanks from the Mailman

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Yes Mailman you are correct we are not alone!! I have finally come to a plateau on pain and managing with of course OxyContin and oxycodone every 4 hours because I fell into the donut hole so instead of taking OxyContin 2X a day I take it once a day because from $45 a month it went to $181 plus my other meds so last month I spent close to $500. I hate to say it but I am starting to get loose teeth and tooth ache in at least 3 teeth! I am a dental phobic I almost panic when sitting in that chair and when I get up my back is totally wet! Don't know what I will do when the time comes and I must got to the dentist hopefully by then there will be new techniques to deal with the pain and the restoration I can only help!! Mean while continue the struggle and know that there are others out there with the same pain and problems!! Regards to all, Norman

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Christine love we can now implant cadaver bone don't fear at least you have medication right now if I do not get a referral soon I will die. I was with the top guy in California traveled from Texas 5 years and suddenly 30 out of state people dropped but there are other issues too ones which I won't put on this public forum.

I did the chat first time last week but on a newer laptop my PC had to have mike blocked but people like Jersey (Robin) are moderators so please everyone sign up. It is 9 p.m. EST.

Check in later we should make this our hot spot. Perhaps the destruction of teeth was a good deal.

Love to all :)

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A class action suit should be done even if big pharmaceutical companies will fight...
Remember, lawyers work on a contingency basis. The lawyers will take a case if they think they can win, if enough people join.... and if they aren't working for the big pharm companies.
So sad that so many are suffering from this and our personal battle against pain and illnesses.

Bless you all!

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Ali,

To obtain disability you must have BOTH physical and mental disability. She must require assistance with everything (ADL's) and when you do her interview NOT in person have them do appointment with you on telephone.

Yes prior with my referrals I had a 99.8% rate of approvals without denials on SSA disability applicants. I always empower my pain clients when I did my groups but when you go for SSA benefits you CANNOT function without assistance.

She cannot shower alone. She does not cook. She has limited activities. She may have suicidal ideation due to pain and also her facial appearance. She avoids social situations. Memory issues, perhaps bursts of anger and inappropriate responses (socially in school with others). She will likely if we can get her through be sent to a psychiatrist for a full overhaul. If you get to that point I can further give you some ideas on what to do.

She cannot show independence. I presume she will be going of your benefits or your husband. This can be lucrative and helpful on regular SSDI she has a right to these benefits. Further if you are eligible for Medicare due to her age she should grandfather that and also Medicaid depending on your state.

Hope that helps a bit sister <3

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I too feel your pain I was prescribed 240 30 mg roxycodone for the last 8 years im so embarrassed to smile cause all I have are 6 teethe in the front. It sucks they should have a warning cause they eat them away from inside out. Keep your head up. Im getting implants on a payment plan you should check in to it. You sound like your a beautiful woman inside and on the outside dont let no one put u down over it im only 34 year old male. But they do need to warn people but I would of much rather not been in pain.

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I'm in the same situation. I used prescription pain meds for 12 years and as a result I have lost all but 10 of my teeth! My teeth were beautiful before. I'm in the same situation as you. I can't afford Dentures either. I feel alone and ugly. My self esteem is gone. It's a sad situation to be in.

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I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat as you. It hurts not to be able to smile. People don't understand. I do. I would love to have my smile back too.

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