Re: FMS & Dentistry

[Guest guest]

, I have had extensive dental surgery in the last few years. I have a problem with staying numb too. I had one Dentist tell me about 15 years ago, to make sure they use a block on me as I metabolize the dental anesthetic rapidly. Most of the time this works. If you need the work done and finances are a problem, there are places that will give loans out at reasonable rates and payments, that is how I got the work paid for on my dental work. Sometimes our meds cause periodontal disease which in turn causes us to have all the problems. That is part of my problem, plus hereditary traits. Sandie -- FMS & Dentistry Here's a question for everyone that I've had problems with and wonder if anyone else does and what they do about it. Whenever I go to the dentist I have a very difficult time getting numb and if I do the numbness only lasts a few minutes. Often times the dentist is working on me without Novacaine because of it wearing off while the work is being done. I'm often in tears due to the pain because I feel most of the work being done, which includes 10 root canals. I need a couple of bridges and caps and am scared to death because of this and I just don't know what to do. I've tried gas as well as tranquilizers. I can't afford to go to a sedation dentist, like most of you, I can't work and therefore don't have an income. I've always taken care of my teeth faithfully and first of all, don't understand why my teeth are so bad. Could all of this have something to do with the Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue or Neuropathy? Thanks everyone for your input. Soft Hugs H. ------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

That's very interesting Sandie, but could you tell me what a block is? I've never had a give me any information regarding a block. I went to a new dentist thinking maybe he had some answers and he wanted me to get tested for EPI to see if I was allergic to it, however, I've called many places and cannot find anyone to test me for it. Thanks so much for this information. Hugs

From: memommy1947 <MEMOMMY1947@...>Subject: Re: FMS & Dentistrydominie Date: Sunday, November 2, 2008, 1:59 AM

, I have had extensive dental surgery in the last few years. I have a problem with staying numb too. I had one Dentist tell me about 15 years ago, to make sure they use a block on me as I metabolize the dental anesthetic rapidly. Most of the time this works.

If you need the work done and finances are a problem, there are places that will give loans out at reasonable rates and payments, that is how I got the work paid for on my dental work.

Sometimes our meds cause periodontal disease which in turn causes us to have all the problems. That is part of my problem, plus hereditary traits.

Sandie

-- FMS & Dentistry

Here's a question for everyone that I've had problems with and wonder

if anyone else does and what they do about it. Whenever I go to the

dentist I have a very difficult time getting numb and if I do the

numbness only lasts a few minutes. Often times the dentist is working

on me without Novacaine because of it wearing off while the work is

being done. I'm often in tears due to the pain because I feel most of

the work being done, which includes 10 root canals. I need a couple of

bridges and caps and am scared to death because of this and I just

don't know what to do.

I've tried gas as well as tranquilizers. I can't afford to go to a

sedation dentist, like most of you, I can't work and therefore don't

have an income. I've always taken care of my teeth faithfully and

first of all, don't understand why my teeth are so bad. Could all of

this have something to do with the Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue or

Neuropathy?

Thanks everyone for your input. Soft Hugs H.

------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

I myself have never had a problem staying numb at all? I'm glad I don't haha but that sure does give a lot of you,in common to think about. That's very interesting info. Take Care,Pam.S

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[Guest guest]

I too have strange things happen with dental anesthesia. One doc gave

me 5 shots to fill a tooth and they never took - not even after we

waited 45 minutes. He finally drilled the tooth, I paid the bill, and

while driving home all of the shots took effect at once, and my head

felt like a chunk of concrete. Ugh! I always request nitrous oxide,

since I am a dental chicken (thanks for childhood experiences), but

there have been times when even that didn't work. They thought maybe

the canister was empty?? Anyway, I take excellent care of my teeth to

minimize my risk of needing work done.

Dom

>

> I myself have never had a problem staying numb at all? I'm glad I

don't haha but that sure does give a lot of you,in common to think

about. That's very interesting info. Take Care,Pam.S

[Guest guest]

I asked my husband Tom, a dentist here in Washington state, if he

could shine some light on these questions for us all:

Does fibro affect dental health?

My limited experience with fibro patients tells me that fibro does not

directly affect teeth. Having bad teeth may be due to genetics but is

probably not caused by FM/CFS. People that cannot get numb and that

have chronic pain with their teeth (e.g. 10 root canals) are often

under a lot of stress. Whether the fibro causes stress or the stress

causes fibro is hard to say. At any rate, people need to get a good

nightguard and learn stress management strategies. [He means that

doing these things will help protect your teeth and reduce clenching

and grinding.]

difficulty getting numb:

Tom uses something called Ardocaine [sp?], which he says is twice the

strength of Lidocaine/Novacaine. Says all his patients get numb, but

he only has 2 or 3 fibro patients in his practice.

What is a block?

A local anesthetic block is where the dentist places local anesthetic

in the location where the nerve that serves the teeth enters the upper

or lower jaw bone. Anesthesia of the nerve in this area will block any

nerve transmission from any teeth that the nerve serves. The opposite

of a block is infiltration anesthesia, where the dentist places

anesthetic directly over the tooth that is going to be worked on

and hopes that the anesthetic will soak through the bone to numb the

tooth.

An alternative to Lidocaine and general anesthesia... sort of.

Oral Conscious Sedation is often done using Halcyon [sp?]and Valium.

It is used to decrease anxiety. Patients need to be in good physical

condition, under 60 years old, have normal blood pressure and pulse

and not be taking more than 1 medication. Dentists with more advanced

training may take on patients that are in compromised physical condition.

What is EPI?

EPI is short for epinephrine. Epi is a common vasoconstrictor in

local anesthetics. It helps shrink blood vessels in the area where

the anesthetic is placed. This keeps the anesthetic in the area

longer so the duration of anesthesia is longer. An allergy to local

anesthetic or epinephrine are very rare. [but, as we fibromites know

too well, we tend to be in that " rare " category!]

Hope this helps --

[Guest guest]

Wow. This is all so helpful. I'm printing it out for the next time I

need dental work. - Dom

>

> I asked my husband Tom, a dentist here in Washington state, if he

> could shine some light on these questions for us all:

>