Oxycontin Damaged My Teeth (Page 31)

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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PS, KKH... Regarding your statement, I was certainly not meaning to belittle anyone...", I want referring to anything YOU said, okay? Thanks and be well! Christine :)

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Ok then please provide me with scientific proof of how opioids and other meds rots your teeth that has nothing to do with dry mouth. I'm serious, please enlighten me.

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LISSY: AGAIN, talking about religion on a forum that has nothing to do with religion is inappropriate. I don't know how much more clear to make it. And while we are at it, this is not a recovery forum either, although of course when talking about drugs/medication, recovery issues may come up. Whether what you said was "positive" or not, is also not the issue. You even had a post on here that was strictly about your religious views, and NOTHING to do with meds. Please be respectful of those that DON'T want to hear about your religion, and ONLY want to talk about medication. AGAIN, there are plenty of chats for religious topics.

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METHADONEADDICT: I have never heard of opioids "rotting teeth" until I came to this forum. And I have been an opioid addict for 30+ years, as well as being pre-med, and involved in medical research. SO....??? I know that many opioid addicts have bad teeth due to the sugar addiction that comes with opioid addiction, as well as possible lifestyle choices that may go along with addiction, such as smoking, not taking care of health issues, etc. But the opioids themselves? Not that I know of.

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Same thing happened to me but i had no idea the oxcy was the cause almost all of my teeth broke off at the gum line. &Am having the same problems .i want to sue the makers of oxcycontin for this!! If there are many more out there , this could be a class action suite!!!!i hate prescription drugs &big phrama!!!and the drs.arent much better

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SEAN: Heroin is an opioid, and it does not "rot your teeth from the inside out". Just sayin..

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Really honey don't say that about not being around! I FEEL that way many days too but we have to live the best we can with our pain and addictions and everything! I was mad at you at first cause of some of the things you said but I realize you dont see that you were judging people and sticking up for your mom who was a dentist etc, so I hope you stroll around to read this honey cause you have too much intelligence and a long life ahead that you never know what will happen! Youre a man and can have kids till Youre 80 so it can still happen ok! Peace and I hope youre feeling better. Please write me anytime! {edited for privacy}. Love is always here for you. Love Valerie xoxo

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Hi Christine , I'm so sorry I never saw your message , I hope and pray all turned out well for you with the cancer scare and hope youre doing ok and I think you r so sweet and kind and I will pray you r ok !! You r funny too my fellow toothless friend in pain Lol you made me feel better when I read this tonight and I really want to THANK YOU FOR THAT as I was sitting here alone as usual lately in depression worrying about HOW I'm going to get my teeth done ! I wish we could corespond with each other more but they dont let you leave your # or email but they notify when a new post comes on here ! Anyway Thankyou again and I hope I hear good news from you , peace to you ! Love always , your friend Valerie xoxo

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In a swab test can the seel1mg lorazapam and 2 mg clozopam at the same time or thet have differnt ingredients .

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Lissy, I understand your beliefs and dedication to your faith, but there are those of us who have also been on heavy opiate pain meds for a very long time, such as myself, that have quit and didnt look back. Posting a comment that only those who have a relationship with Jesus will be ok and able to quit heavy pain medication use over long periods of time is very misleading and actually fairly dangerous to those that come to this site for info and help. While I respect your loyalty to your faith, its not right to post that everybody you know that used or still uses pain meds is either dead, in prison or still addicted, is very irresponsible. This could totally mislead some person suffering from Chronic pain, takes or is thinking of taking opiates or other pain meds for their pain but then reads your post and reacts any number of negative ways. I realize you didnt post your comment meaning to cause anybody any problems or try to mislead them in any way, but basically saying that only Jesus, or God can save you from opiate/pain med addiction, or else you will probly end up dead, in prison or still addicted is again, irresponsible for those that have zero experience or understanding of long term, or even short term opiate/pain med usage and their ability to quit and stop using them when and if their pain subsides etc. It would be much better to comment that for those that have religious beliefs, and/or believe in Jesus, and/or God, can lean on Jesus and/or God for the strength to quit opiates/pain meds.
Instead of saying that basically only those that believe in Jesus/God will have the ability to quit otherwise you will probly end up either dead, in prison or still addicted to opiates/pain meds. Many people that come onto this site for help, advice, info or just to discuss their medical situations have a very limited knowledge of opiates/pain meds and are very naive regarding the affects, issues and/or understanding of what they're getting themselves into. Again im not trying to lecture you or jump all over you, im just asking to please be careful what you post as your words can be taken wrong by those that have limited knowledge of opiates/pain meds unlike you and me.
Thanks :)

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I understand what what you are saying. I will be more careful with my words next time.

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Much Appreciated. And thank you for your prompt and sincere reply.
Steve

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Yes, i was on oxy for about a year or more, now just about every tooth i have has either rotted &fell out or broke off at the gumline.i think a class action suite should be done to make the makers of oxycodone pay for fixing our teeth whatever way we want them fixed. Does anyone know of any class action suite being brought against them yet???

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Sorry for what's happened to you. I am in the same boat. My dentist is honest with me and won't fix my teeth as he knows that it is futile. Many of my teeth have broken and it is causing me great pain. Looking into full dentures now and many places have financing. There goes the vacation ! Good luck to you and you are right. ....doctors should know about this !

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Hello, Valerie, and I apologize for replying so late (and to you, too, Mailman! You're always thanking me for being there for you but you have no idea just how MUCH your KIND WORDS have helped ME!) My cancer scare was very difficult but I can happily report that the growth was removed without complication and pathology concluded that it was BENIGN, THANK GOD! On the other hand I, just like the rest of you, continue to experience tooth decay and loss with no end in sight. My depression has increased exponentially and I've become even more reclusive than ever. If it weren't for the fact that must go food shopping, for me AND my 86 year old mother who has been experiencing more and more health issues that I have no choice but help her with (and which I do so gladly) but, if it weren't for her, doctor's appointments and trips to the pharmacy, I must admit that I wouldn't have much live for. This is a painful and lonely way to live that not only do most people not understand but who often label you as an addict with a death wish. The choice is a simple one.... PAIN OR LESS PAIN.....each bringing with it their own complicated and emotionally painful consequences. People like us are basically placed in a corner which, no matter which way we turn to try and get out, end up looking at a bad outcome and having to decide which is the lesser of two evils. Bottom line, there no way out and you, my forum friends are the only ones who ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND and I thank you all for being there for me. I mostly thank those who have thanked me, of all people, for helping you. It's THE only thing I have left that gives me any sense of worthiness. God bless all my painful and toothless friends and let's just always remember to be there each other, support each other, no matter what as it's sometimes the thinnest and most fragile thread that holds us here. Christine

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Nancy, I'm about to borrow a hellva lot of money from my mother just to replace teeth that were strong and healthy only a few years ago. Now im in and out of the dentist's office spending thousands I cant afford.
A class action lawsuit does sound like a good idea, there is no way the maker of Oxy didnt know about this major life-changing, and extremely expensive side-affect. Damn rights they should be sued, its not like they cant afford it and we all definitely need our teeth back. If you come across any info please post it to this page and convo ok? I will also.......

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Posters,

All of the opioids cause dental erosion. In short with the fabulous dental work being done today if you can get restoration (I too have provided proof to the insurer and will do so again about this phenomenona) you can get implants in just two areas for example with a bridge to pop in and out.

Attempting to save teeth that have suffered erosion is futile. Those teeth once identified are likely no longer capable of holding up and rather then suffer infection which can also kill you, restoration at many of the large groups in major cities can get a full mouth done in several days perhaps giving you a better smile than before. Many groups also offer financing since so many just cannot afford $20 to $40,000 on a full mouth restoration.

Do not let the teeth rot to the bone or restoration with say 4 implants and 2 bridges is impossible. Your bone underlying the eroded teeth must be stable enough to hold an implant. So try to get this handled before it's too late.

My top pain specialist recommended full restoration for me in 2010 and in the Court Orders which so many have read about on my case (see update in trending post on 'who prescribes pain medication') I must get a new evaluation. However, here is the kicker with legal suits, first of all those who have real intractable pain get high cortisol levels; it is like being in constant fight or flight response and this also causes it; so the IP causes dental deterioration as well.

Hope this helps and hope all are doing well...

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kkh, if you were indeed a medical student you would know this is epidemic and pain in and of itself causes high cortisol levels which initiates the deterioration of your teeth, and also bone (leading to renal stones and the like) and Methadone causes this as well being one of the top LONG ACTING opioid pain medications created by Hitler's medical scientists and used for many years only for dope fiends in the U.S.

If you are medically inclined get some heart, the people here are at their last bit of hope and with government intervention in our opioid therapy we are all suffering.

Get some empathy here...

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Methadoneaddict,

Yes dry mouth is secondary to the opioid effect on the cerebral cortex which essentially all points to the same chemistry. An excellent top dentist told me no matter what a pain patient does with dental hygiene this will occur. Restoration is the key.

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Lissy,

Let me give you some lay person education dear. I too believe in God and the Book tells me man is never to judge man that includes you judging others here who require opioids due to biological intractable pain.

As a licensed professional the pain patient evolves biologic or physiologic tolerance.

The addict who sports a DSMIV diagnosis has addiction which is psychologic causing him or her to continue putting anything in their vein or mouth or nose to 'feel different.' An addict cannot take a prescription of pain pills as directed; a pain patient MUST and will do so for the small decrease in pain he or she will acquire. A pain patient HATES sedation, euphoria and feelings of disconnect (not being self) because the most WE want is to reduce the pain for higher quality of life. An addict needs quality of life but needs mental and psychiatric help (interventions) to learn what life is, how to behave with others in life, and to stop being a VICTIM.

I hope that helps and God bless.

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