Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 7) (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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I cannot thank you enough and I will contract you per your instructions first thing in the morning. Again, thank you with all my heart , God bless, and good night.

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Yes.... I agree that if we had all known about how detrimental the drug(s) were to our teeth at the time would have been VERY helpful but that's exactly our point and why we are trying to gather as many members as possible to join us in attempting a class action suit against the pharmaceutical company (who makes the Oxycontin/Oxycodone drug/s). THEY KNEW about this but FAILED TO ADEQUATELY WARN US about the side effect that they innocently and haphazardly (almost as an afterthought) mention in their patient information insert (and, frankly, I would even have to check on that because it may not have even been included in their patient document... the one you sometimes get with your Rx but usually don't unless you needed/bought enough to have received it in its original container). It's only been just recently, at the onset of these new products that patients with dry mouth have been given any clue that it's not only been caused by "those medications that cause it" but that their tooth decay may be a direct result. That being said, a few of us are joining forces to try and get them to help us regain our smiles. Don't sit idly by and assume that this kind of work will be done by others. There is power in numbers and in order to get anything whatsoever accomplished you must get involved.

Please note that this individual is not employed by or affiliated with RxChat.com. Any communication with them outside of this website is your own responsibility and RxChat.com will not be held liable for any information / communication / interactions exchanged.

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I'm kind of having the same problem but I thought it might be caused by dry mouth which was a side effect of the oxy. I too had pretty perfect teeth before I started taking it and I have had 2 teeth pulled and need another pulled and a transplant. I am also very upset that this is happening and I also think my dentist of over 25 years with him was shocked too. Of course he doesn't know I that medication. I would like to look into this further. Thanks for the info. I thought it might be something like this but wasn't sure until seeing others with same issues. I am devastated by this!

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Biotin is a saliva substitute as yes these meds cause dry mouth, therefore cavities from increased bacteria, and bad breath. Look into All different ways you could afford dentures/partials as it seems to me this is your only option according to the info you supplied. Its impossible to tell if someone is wearing them as they look so real. Then have a long talk with your prim care physician and Thank him for not going over this side effect of Oxy with you and now he's going to get his a** sued off !

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Dear Christine again I must appologize about flying off the handle by trying to help in the wrong way ! To anyone that reads this please go to the earlier post and it will tell how to get in touch with the person that was able to get the great people that run this sight to give us the opportunity to get in touch with with Christine so she can get your information and get us together and do this as a team rather than other ways that won't help the cause at all ! Please forgive my earlier loss of my temper I am like everyone else and need to controll my temper and do like everyone else and follow the right way to handle our situation ! If you get a minute Christine please get in touch with me so I might be able to make u smile instead of making it harder for u ! The mailman !

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just to let everyone know i've contacted the dental law society and given them details of my own case but also mentioned about this forum, without giving out names etc.,. hopefully i'll have something further to report soon.

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Hi Christine and to all the others who are in the same boat as we all are! Quick question I have been put on oxycodone because the oxycotin was not doing the job so does this action pertain to both? Thanks and all hang in there with the pain the meds the docs and life in general!

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Dear Christine I want to thank you for the kind message you posted and that you never have to thank me because you alway put a smile on my face when I hear from you ! I been really haveing a hard time and it's things that after awhile gets to us all ! It's got me so I just need to figure out something's out I am so tired of doing nothing and got to try to get the fight back in me ! God bless you and everyone with this problem ! Mailman

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This is to all that was givin oxycontin to deal with pain problems from my case a bad back injury at work that or for all the different pain issues I feel your pain! 1. You did not ask for this to happen to you 2 . Everyone except your family or friend think you were given a ticket to a life that everyone wishes they could have but they are so wrong ! I am lying in bed with tv off and can't sleep because no matter how I lay it don't matter I can't sleep because I have been on same medacation for ever and If you take a extra pill to take the edge off at the end of the month and you are short pills that is when you get to feel what hell has to feel like because by the time you make it to when you are able to get your medacation I have to ask a family to pick it up and get it filled you are in know shape to leave your bed or go anywhere ! I have gottin to the point because I have just a dental insurance that will do cleaning's and X-rays that I am saving money to get a little done at a time because my kids come first even the older ones because I brought them into the world and they come first even though they say know they know that is the one thing that keeps the small amount of dignity I have left and they don't have a choice because that is what a dad does without the need to tell anyone because that is my God givin right as a father ! I kinda got off track but I concider myself a shut in and only go to my doctors app. and to get food because missing teeth is to embarising for me to try to go out socially ! I have received over 30.000 needles in my back from 1997 and no bull about the number because I get Marcain injections because it helps to keep my meds from going up if it hits right spot for a day or 2 ! I was getting 2 shots a day 5 times a week and now I have it to 2 shots twice a week because workers comp cut me back on the shots ! I hate when people ask are you back to work or fixed yet when they know the answer to that before they ask! So I hope to go to the dentist to start getting some work done this week and he was in my wedding so at least I won't get the he is a drug addict look that I can't stand and I don't ask for a break on the price because he is a friend and worked hard to get where he is ! So that's my great life for the the people who thinks our life's are great ! Anyone that wants to trade I couldn't do that to anyone ! Also Christine I truely hope you feeling better if you ever need anything or just need to vent give me a call I would have no problem with that ! Because I know you have a big heart just seeing what you are trying to do for all of us lets me know you are a good person ! Good luck to all ou you ! The mail has been delivered ! Mailman

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THANK YOU Martin! (;

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I apologize to EVERYONE who has recently tried to contact me in order to also be in contact with everyone else who is trying to get something going about our teeth problems. I have been EXTREMELY ILL for at least two months and just recently got over yet another gallbladder attack that I've been suffering from for quite sometime. I have a list of "things to do" that I've not been able to tend to for sometime and getting hold of those who've yet to have been contacted is number ONE on that list! Tomorrow morning I will do exactly that, add them to the database, and then ask (Mailman?) to then take over that task as I've simply been too sick to be able to guarantee that I'll be able to do much more than keep the database together and make sure that everyone has the ability to contact everyone else. Again, I apologize, but my poor body just isn't cooperating.

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Dear Christine . I am sorry I haven't been in touch with u and I feel like I let u down in the time you needed me the most !! I have found that this winter.has been the worst winter for me in my lifetime ! I only leave house when I have a doctor appointment or emergency situation ! I am getting to where I would rather stay in bed every day because pain is worst and have not been able to do paper work for Workmans comp because my mind only does what it has to and everyday is a battle but I still want you to know that you r one of the bravest people I have ever met because my pain and health issues have gotten worst and getting a shower is a job ! I don't know where u find your strength but you are one of the. Strongest people I have ever had the pleasure of texting and getting to know ! You remind me of my daughter ! That is the biggest compliment I could give you because she completed her forth year at a Temple University as a speech pathologist and is working 3 jobs and continuing school ! The thing I tell her the most is how special she is and I feel the same about you ! You are a special woman that never gives up and still do your best always ! You are special and I wanted to let you know that ! Stay strong and hope we both find a way to get through this and meet some day because it would be a honor to meet a woman that has the strength you have shown me ! The Mailman !

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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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while I don't disagree with your comments particularly as I now know a lot more about the medication and have stopped taking as well.

I would add though that the information that comes with the meds is very economical with the reasons why they cause tooth decay. as a member of the public I wouldn't know that " dry mouth " which is a side effect would be the cause of the decay and I think that should be made clear and isn't!

I would add, that if a medication can be so devastating then surely it's the duty of the doctor or whoever prescribes the medication to know this and warn the patient to the potential harm that it can do. and my doctor didn't !

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i like the way you're very positive about your situation and i agree to some extent with what you're saying about not letting it ruin your life.

i've finally had another response from a solicitor re my own case and it's been a negative for the same reasons that verwon has outlined, very disappointing as it is.

it does leave me feeling angry at consultants and doctors who don't make it clear about the long term effect of taking these drugs. because as patients who clearly are suffering with acute pain, that perhaps, it's this that makes us neglect finding out or asking for all the facts about long term side effects?

i had another side effect when taking a drug called pregablin in conjunction with oxcontin. for about a year i experienced drop attacks, i'd just fall over for no apparent reason. i didn't feel feint, nauseous, dizzy or anything, i'd just fall over. my legs would go like jelly and over i'd go. thankfully not in any dangerous situations, though i did fall down some concrete stairs but only got minor bruising. i spent 18 months seeing a neurologist and it only became clear and stopped when i began reducing my medication.

clearly a lot of consultants do have a better knowledge about medications, combined medications and their side effects but i believe are either lazy or economical when explaining them, this should have some repercussions on them because as i've said before we are the victims and have to suffer the consequences.

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My pain management physician recently put me on the Fentanyl patch (initially on 50mg but most recently on 100mg) and, although I'm still getting used to it, it appears to be more effective in the long term control of my pain. Something for the rest of you to consider, especially if the Oxycotin ER is no longer an option sure to its cost (or of, like me, you're in the dreaded Medicare donut hole!). Mind you, however, it's still going to carry its own set of side effects, I believe it might be a valid alternative to Oxycotin. Im still using Oxycodone for break through pain, but not NEARLY as many/much as I needed to before starting on the patch. Furthermore, you don't needed to have to remember to take your pills since the patch administers its medication on a consistent basis every three days at which time you simply remove the old patch and replace it with a new one (but in a different place on your body). The best news for me is that it was covered by Medicare, even though I was in the donut hole, and only cost me $5! I'm still left with awful teeth but at least I'm not in as much pain and I can afford the patch which, hopefully, might give me the wherewithal to investigate other options to get them replaced. Good luck to all and I hope that, if nothing else, this information might help others in their primary quest for pain relief which will, in turn, give them more motivation to work to find alternative methods of getting their teeth issues resolved. Bless you All, Christine

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Dear Christine this is the mailman and there is no need for you to apologize for a misunderstanding. I thank you for being the one that made it possible for us to email or speak to each other directly when needed and from what I know it was a first time for this site to do this for any group. You did it and if this information comes out and the they do have to fix our teeth we will most likely hear about it through each other and I Thank You for that ! Also Anon2ProtectmyBro you are in my Prayers as everyone here is because hearing that it may be possible to get our teeth fixed is amazing to hear and check into! Thank you both for the chance this might be the answer to our prayers !! Let's all see what we can find out and come back here and tell each other some good news for a change ! Thank you the mailman!

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Dear Mailman and everyone else who's following, Thank you so very much for acknowledging the efforts I put in but you all deserve acknowledgement, too. That being said, let's hope that there is, indeed, light at the end of our tunnel and that this isn't yet another pie in the sky fantasy. All we can do is wait and see. Much love and prayers to you all! Christine

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The person who said that it was her fault for taking the pain pills is full of crap!!! When you are in a hospital bed unable to move or think straight they put you on pain meds as a human body can only endure so much. As for being sent home with pain meds, when you are faced with having to walk, pee, take showers, take care of your children ect no its not a choice to take the meds or not!!! Her body was severely damaged by a drunk driver, he had a choice she did not. Learn some empathy and do some research before judging others!!!

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HI, HIFLYER..... Not sure exactly what you're referring to as I just went from 100 to 150 and I know for a fact that the patch is available in increasing dosages up from there. I just started the 150 (having actually started at 50, then 100 a month later and so on) and I hope that it will keep me from having to take as many of the Oxys as I have been. Not so sure what the trade off is but I figure it's worth a try since I can't afford the 80 ER's anymore being in the donut hole. Let me know, OK? Take care, Christine

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