[dahlek]

I am grateful as I've suffered lots of calcium loss due to both the anti-seizure meds and anti-cancer meds I am now on.

Having CIDP/PN, the ability to brush, even using an electric one, I find compromises my 'thoroughness'.

Strangely, the teeth calcium loss manifested itself exactly at the time I was in the process of my cancer diagnosis.

Stranger still, none of my many docs: Neuro, Ocon and GP are overly concerned, even tho I feel as If I'm chomping calcium pills like they are candy. {EXCEPT for the times before surgeries or tests}

Thing is when one goes from 1-3 little cavitiy/patches per year to SEVEN [last year] and an anticipation for more. 3 of the 7 involved crown replacements and it's getting to a decision of: PULL them or what? The options are open...

Untimately, good people.. Have or are any of you in a similar situation? IF so, what/how do you deal with it all?

I've always been a diligent cleaner/cavity treater till now. I am getting afraid as to what kind of road I will have to take in the future. Soo many times, places and boards simply do not address this aspect of our NEURO conditions. It's good to know I'm not alone in this corner as well as the other corners posters are so kind to help me with - j

[Bryanna]

Hi J,
It is amazing how frequently physicians, even specialists, seem to have little concern about their patients oral health. It's not, but perhaps it should be, a major part of their medical school curriculum??

Many people are of the thinking that the more calcium you supplement with, the stronger your bones should be. Well, actually there's a few significant issues with that. One is, calcium taken in large quantities <over 1500 mgs per day> do not increase bone strength but it will cause the kidneys to work harder to get rid of the excess. Excess calcium intake can also deplete the maganesium that is stored in the body. Secondly, calcium comes in many forms and some are more readily absorbed than others. Thirdly, calcium is only one component of several that work synergistically towards our bone health.

I don't know what other supplements you are taking, but it's always a good idea to research what supplements compliment each other so you get the best absorption rate possible. Some combinations of supplements can actually decrease or eliminate the effectiveness of certain ones. Others will interfere with certain medications.

For calcium to work efficiently, it is ideal to supplement with other nutrients such as vitamin D3, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A and phosphorous for ultimate absorption. Before supplementing with anything, it is best to research what could interfere with your current health conditions and/or with the meds you are on. For instance .... someone with hypoparathryroidism should not supplement with phosphorous. Other supplements that help with the absorption of calcium are the B vitamins, an amino acid called Lysine and essential fatty acids.

In your research you may find that for proper assimilation, calcium should be taken twice a day with food. I know many people who pop antacids or some type of calcium chew things throughout the day. However, this can only lead to excessive calcium in the blood and in some people, kidney stones.

I know it's frustrating to deal with the tooth decay situation and with your difficulties with tooth brushing. Since the best line of defense against tooth and gum problems is adequate tooth brushing, it may be helpful for you to brush more frequently and be very careful with you diet. Using oral products that contain Xylitol are also very helpful in preventing tooth decay.

Hope this information was helpful to you........ please keep in touch with us!
Bryanna

[dahlek]

Rose and Mrs D, I'm intaking [I sure HOPE] as much of the better combos as I can tolerate. I have to carefully watch all my vites as many sneak in lots of B-6, which I've found aggravates my neuropathy aspects. I stopped all vites for a month as a trial to see if there was sensory improvement,...there was substantial [I think] increases in 'feeling' things. Before I took the break..I'd counted 8 times the normal dose of B-6 in all my supplements.

Getting back to the teeth tho, I agree that docs, when they prescribe meds don't take into consideration that one s/e such as possible calcium loss, combined w/other meds that cite the same issue CAN well add up! All of my daily meds cite calcium loss as either a common or uncommon s/e. Add to that some other meds I take occasionally...as needed, well, in combination they DO take their toll.

I guess it's just good to have a corner of the boards to VENT about this issue. I believe the issue pops up in many categories to different degrees. I am just glad to know I'm not alone, and that should anyone come up with brilliant ideas I sure would like to know about them. I just wish I could get my docs to be a trifle more interested/concerned about the issue. It's getting old [AND EXPENSIVE] rapidly.

Thanks! - j