Endodontist said can't do a root canal, referred to dental surgeon....who felt that w/all my 'issues' patching what's there is better than taking that small % risk of not healing and infection-that could occur. He did not feel that the Fosamax in tablet form was the big issue more that the auto-immune issues and possible infections or calcium issues from the cancer & seizure meds were the big problems. The surgeon is holding his cards so to speak that I might be in the .06% who might encounter healing problems....long term ones.
Soo, everything's on HOLD...I'll see my dentist to discuss where we go from here, if anywhere.
Sooo, Monday an update on the current state of confusion will be added to this state of confusion.
I do believe I will be even more confused then. Isn't life wonderful?
At least I met one dentist to whom I did NOT have to explain all my medical issues. He looked at my summary sheet and went: HUMMM!
I suppose that part was refreshing compared to visits with many MD's, on the other hand, I have to ask: Why aren't MD's as up-to-date as the dentists? - j

hi dahlek,
I've been away for awhile, but I did get your private email...... thanks for the kind words :-))

I understand what the dentist is saying about patching this tooth. You have a very compromised immune system and the meds you are on cause their own set of problems. So there is no way to know how the extraction site would heal if this tooth were removed. The real concern with this or any other tooth, is infection. It really needs to be monitored closely, as do all of your teeth.

You ask the question about MD's not being as up to date as dentists....... actually, both professions know little about the other one. The only DR'S that know both medicine and dentistry are those that have sought a combined degree and/or have spent alot of time learning on their own. I always say that all MD and DDS/DMD degrees should be dual degrees making it mandatory for all physicians and dentists to learn about both. Doesn't that sound like a good idea??

I know this is very confusing, but try to remain positive and just keep asking these dentists questions until you are comfortable about making a final decision.

Please keep us posted!
Bryanna

a matter of deciding what options [if any] are the lesser of the potential evils. Probably maintaining status-quo for a while and patching as best possible will be the safest route.

Well, I was impressed by both the endodontist and the oral surgeons as they seemed more versed in autoimmune issues than most docs I meet. Thing is, I suspect they see folks who haven't gotten their teeth cleaned 3-4 times a year as I regularly had in an effort to always try to keep my teeth . I've been diligent about these things for decades and I'm no better off than if I'd just neglected them totally.

Needless to say, I believe I am more than a bit peeved rite now. It's good to have a knowledgeable touchstone such as yourself to help preserve one's sanity!

As for dentists and docs talking to each other - I guess it's equally difficult to get docs in different fields to become a bit more 'interdisciplinary'. Just a teeny bit of knowledges about other fields and the conditions they treat and where fields meet and intersect would be ultimately OUR lifesavers, or at least knowledge of the meds we take and how they affect our other medical conditions could save us all a lot of problems down the road. Sigh!

Onward now to muddle onward! - j