one more MS great - NOT
 

I have never had great teeth, my parents couldn't afford to take us to the dentist when I was young and when I had children they came first.

Well, a few weeks ago I broke a tooth - one of my front teeth. When I went to the dentist they asked for my past health - I explained about my MS and how I have been on steroids the last 2 years about every 3 - 4 months. She explained to me how bad the steroids were for my bones and how your teeth are very similar to bones but she certainly understands that I need them for other reasons.

I started today having my first tooth removed. In two weeks I have more teeth that need to come out. I have $6000 in work that needs to be completed - not all I can blame on the steroids but my dentist did say some of it is caused by them.

Why is it a medicine that makes you feel better in one way can cause so much damage in another?

aww sweetie, I feel for you. I am so overly protective of my teeth. When I was growing up, we were beyond poor, but momma worked extra hours to pay for basic dental care. I have kept up the treatments, and worked hard to make my teeth a priority. I have fought (pardon the pun) tooth and nail to keep them healthy and in place.

Hugs for you. :hug:

Sorry you're going through one more thing, Char. I hear you about the meds. Every time I do a shot or take a pill of some kind, I wonder what the bottom line will be someday.

I don't know, Char, but I think that Big Pharma should have to pay our large dental repair costs. :mad:

(((Char))) Sorry to hear about your teeth. :hug::hug:

I try to stay off as many meds as possible. In fact, I am only on 3 meds and all 3 are for MS. It is sad when 1 med helps you only to take away something else. It is a trade off sometimes.:mad:

Oh wow that sounds painful and expensive! I am so sorry. I didn't do good on steroids, so the neuro has banned them. But they never told me it destroys your teeth and bones too! Sheesh!

Sorry to hear this, Char. I refuse steroids, much to my Neuro's disappointment, for this very reason. He tells me that I could recover from a flare much faster but I counter with my fear of broken bones. It's such an unfair trade-off we have to deal with.

I'm sorry to hear this Lambchop. :hug: I also have teeth issues because of lack of care when I was a child and it's one reason I avoid steroids now. After two massive treatments of IVSM and prednisone, I broke my foot, and have osteopenia now.

My mouth is full of fillings from my childhood and I dread hearing they'll need to pull a tooth. :(

I hope they'll get you all fixed up with a shiny smile soon. I'm so sorry about the cost. :hug:

Holy carp! What a drag, Lambchop. :mad:

Ohhh. Hope you have good dental insurance.

~ Faith

Sorry you have to go through so much dental work then have to pay the bill on top of it. I'll never understand why a medication helps us but can hurt us at the same time.
(((HUGS)))

Bigtime Bummer, Char. I feel for ya having to go through all the pain and $$$$ of the dental work. I too, worry about meds. My Boniva IV's are to save my bones (or at least try) but one possible side effect is jaw necrosis. :eek:

Hello???? It just doesn't seem fair that in order to feel well, sometimes we have to deal with the nasty side effects. Sure hope the dental work goes ok.. will be thinking of you. :hug:

***I once worked in a dental office, so understand all the mess you will be going through... take care.:hug:

no dental insurance - I don't even have health insurance! The cost is going to be very expensive but I did get a credit card - CareCredit to help me endure the cost.

Dang it! Is the interest rate low? Man, if I had the money I would help you out. I just hate to see you go in to debt and pay even more for the costs.

I haven't had dental insurance in years up until I got dropped from Medicaid and had to get a Medicare Advantage plan. So, I haven't been to the dentist in a long time.:o

hugsss and sorry! I know I have no dx, but now have a ENT, asking me if I have been tested for MS.. due to this new vertigo flare up.... He was surprised when I laughed when he asked... since MS is serious... I said not lauging at MS laughing to not cry cause you are the 6th dr other than any neuros that ask if been tested for MS.... lets see a PT, a Opthamalogist, A neuropych that did my memory testing, on and a endocronologist that I was sent to that wondered why they sent me to him.... said.. you need a neuro... maybe MS....

so I keep wondering if this group of drs will call a neuro and say hey wake up lol


anyhow..sorry rambled.... the med side effects can be terrible and I hate that too.. I have slowed down amount of my baclofen seeing how I can do without as much... I am on gabapentin, baclofen, and now if vertigo or dizzy low dose valium.... ugggggg now looking into possibility of finding out if I can get a Med MJ id card... due to the spasticity... maybe... if I do... then I would slowly try that more and baclofen less. I know someone who has it for her fibro and arthritis and she does use it vaporize way to avoid the smoking of it...

anyhow..sorry about your dental woes... good luck, sarah

If you are paying cash for services, most places will discount if you ask in advance. They dont have to waste office staff on billing, and insurance companies, and it normally nets at least a 10% discount. I would ask them for a break in price. :hug:

Great suggestion, Dej!

Many places do that and you may even be able to do a payment plan with a certain amount down. That way you aren't paying interest.;)

Oh Char, I am so sorry. Jim has lost all his teeth. They say it was a combo of issues. The main problem was dry mouth from all the meds. He had perfect teeth in perfect health at one time. He's currently being fitted for new dentures. He almost went for inplants but the side effects and surgery bothered him too much.

:hug:

Jim says get something that helps with dry mouth. And use it. He didn't use it as often as he probably should have. Do you have a dental school in your area? If it's a good one, they should be cheaper and the "real" dentist sticks around and monitors the work being done by the student.