Hi Rrae, how did LYRICA affect your teeth?

Just now saw this!
 

:oHi Chiron, Sorry for the late reply, didn't see this til just now.

Your timing is impeccable, as I just so happened to have a dentist appt today! ha! :) I got a clean bill of health on this check up! Yeah!

RAPID TOOTH DECAY
Now, in all honesty, I cannot prove that Lyrica is the ultimate culprit here, it's just that everything was fine with my teeth until AFTER i had taken Lyrica for about 8 months. I was not aware of what was happening to my teeth, as there was no pain or sensitivity. Plus, I was all caught up in the midst of the PN battle and bloated up like a hotair baloon from this med (and believe me it was NOT from eating!!) RAPID weight gain is also a very scary thing (as in 10 pounds every 2 wks!!) I've finally dropped the 40 pounds.

What caught my attention, was that I started noticing food getting caught in this certain area of my teeth, then it gradually got to where the tip of my tongue could fit there (?!) so i figured I better check it out......
Well, that tooth was 1/2 decayed (too far gone to save, so it's been pulled) and another one in the back...same thing.......gone
ANOTHER one (neighboring the tooth that had to be pulled) was also starting to decay but it wasn't too far gone.....I was able to get filling (and thanks to Bryanna on the Dental Forum here) she coached me along with her wonderful knowledge and experience in dental.

You will find out that ANY medication that causes 'dry mouth' will be considered culprits in causing tooth decay (opioids, etc).......of which I had taken for 3 years prior to the Lyrica.....but had NO dental problems at the last checkup (about 3 months before starting lyrica).....

There are a few others here with similar stories.....
so, just beware is all I say. Lyrica does seem to work for some, actually quite well.....but the lesson I've learned is just to get frequent dental checkups as we age with this wonderful mutual friend we call Peripheral Neuropathy....

Hope this helped..... boy, I'm a windbag tonight :o

Hi Rrae:

Wow, talk about timing. I had just compiled a paper on Lyrica and teeth problems and we are going to make copies and hand it out to the Neuropathy Support Group meeting next week when we attend. We go there on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

We learn lots of things and we have guest speakers. Last month the possible and potential side effects (suicidal thoughts) were discussed about Lyrica usage. Many people at the meeting take Lyrica for their neuropathic pain.

When the members of the support group read the information, they just might be able to determine if any teeth problems they have had while on Lyrica, well, it might be directly linked to their Lyrica usage.

So thanks very much.

Melody