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Thursday, May 24, 2012

# 122 - Dreaded Dentist is My Friend!

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who relished going to the dentist. However, since I began receiving treatment for Addison's disease, my dental health went to the dogs.

My deteriorating dental condition is probably the mixed result of becoming seriously ill for an extended period of time, from steroid treatment that does take a toll on the body, whether it is replacement value or not, and maybe a tad of it is age. However, after my Addison's diagnosis was made, my mouth quickly became a battlefield. Before my Addison's diagnosis, I simply enjoyed yearly cleanings with minimal intervention. Afterward, it's become so bad that I've learned to use the over-the-counter temporary filling fixative to create my own fillings when necessary; I can't live in the dental chair.


Fortunately, my dentist has been our family dentist for about twenty years. Everyone in our family goes to him. He's a brave man who is not afraid of hard work and he has a lot of experience under his belt to keep putting out the fires in my mouth. Over the years, I have spent time, a lot of pain and too much money with getting second and third opinions...all other dentists would have simply been pulling teeth to avoid the hard work necessary to help me keep my teeth together for a longer period of time. My dentist does everything imaginable to help each tooth last for as long as possible, even if the methods are unconventional, they are workable solutions that my teeth and body respond positively to. I'm thrilled that my dentist has helped to keep my jawline intact for a longer period of time.


Regardless, I am never thrilled about going to the dentist, family friend or not. I've had so many root canals that it seems I should have a canal named after me.



14 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh.....boy do I sympathize. Do you double your dosage for dental work? Dental work sure does a number on me. That's great,that you have a dentist that you like!

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    1. I have "found" through trial & error what dose I need for dental work. Unfortunately about 2 years ago my "goal" switched from restore teeth to remove all teeth & it has been a very S-L-O-W process. *MY DENTIST has truly been a God send. He is so caring & compassionate & has gone out of his way to investigate Addison's and all the different meds I am on for other health issues as well.
      I have found *FOR ME* I have to stress dose even for cleanings ( well used to I don't have cleanings anymore--as I have 3 left on top (front) & 7 down bottom (front, no molars left anywhere) bottom teeth have been easier to remove & have healed faster too. *FOR ME* I need a minimum of 100 mg "on board" for the extractions.
      As a side note about 2 years AFTER I started stress dosing to have ANY dental work done an article came out in a dental journal of medicine that YES some with AI/AD need to stress dose to have dental work done, (before that article came out most Ad/AI sites & info said you did not need to stress dose for dental work) I brought the article in to Dr. Morgan & he laughed at it & said, well "WE" learned that the hard way huh. I was having 3 fillings done on the same side & about 3/4ths of the way through the procedures I felt a twang of pain & I looked at my 16 yr old daughter & said one word--steroids. At the time, stupidly , I carried my steroids in a bag in the car. My daughter went to get them, by the time she got back to me, my eyes had rolled back in my head, I was barely conscious, I was visibly uncontrollably shaking & jerking in the chair & freezing cold. My daughter put 3 (20 mg)tablets in my mouth & made me swallow (with water)--later when I relayed the story to my endo, she said in that instance I should have used my 100 mg solu-cortef shot, live & learn.-- within 15 minutes I was back, fully aware,warm back to me. & ready to finish the work. After that, Dr. M has always asked, you take your meds already? and stops frequently during procedures to ask, how are you doing? do you need more meds?
      I have to stress dose for a few days AFTER the extractions as well & that 100 mg is just FOR the extraction NOT my daily total for that day. I have taken 100 mg prior to extraction, then during the 30 minute ride home, taken 30 mgs more (10 mg at a time) I try HARD to listen to what my body is telling me it NEEDS & I go with that.
      Go by **YOUR** body, listen to it, it WILL tell you what you need.

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  2. If I know that I'm going to be getting injections and having to undergo drilling, etc., then I do up my meds. For each person it is different, according to what you need to get through it. I've found that on a regular visit with drilling and fillings, I need about 25-40mg extra. Then, if I am going to have a root canal, I do up it to probably 50-65mg extra, depending on how long and involved the procedure turns out to be. Also, for about two days after a root canal, I need to increase to a stress dose as well. My dentist always prescribes anti-biotics for every root canal; it seems I succumb to infection much easier since I have Addison's. The UK adrenal website actually has a dental stress dosing recommendation list...very, very nice to have. My dentist has become a pro at treating a patient with Addison's. I also ALWAYS make sure my injection is on top of my purse (carried in ziplock baggie) just in case something goes awry. Making sure your medical staff knows that this injection is not always available onboard an EMS bus is critical. It's better to be over-prepared than to be caught off guard and floundering in the midst of a crisis while surrounded by people who are clueless to your condition. Just so you know, there are some dentists who refuse to treat patients with this Addison's disease due to fear of complications.

    Lana

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  3. Hi Lana,
    My dentists partner is one of those dentist who "refuse" to see patients with Ad--In fact he didn't really know (or understand)about the Ad/AI He refused to treat me when he realized I was steroid dependent. Which I am So very grateful he did, because his partner *MY* now dentist IS the greatest. He truly looks after me & takes incredible care of me. He also does research,more than even my endos have. I could sing his praises all day. I am so lucky to have him.
    I carry my Solu-Cortef kit with me always as well (one of them anyways, I have several) I put mine in a hard shell eye glass case that I marked on the outside with a red cross & wrote in red on medical tape Solu-cortef shot. It carries one vial & 2 needles.
    did you by any chance go to the Adrenal disease united website and sign the petition to get all states to require Solu-Cortef shots in ambulances & all EMV for all EMT's http://adrenalinsufficiencyunited.org/AIU/Welcome.html
    https://www.facebook.com/AIUnited
    they also have groups set up for each state as well so you can join the main group & your state group as well. They are doing great work at raising awareness for Adrenal disease.
    once again Lana we could be telling each others story, we are in the same row boat, sorry you have to be here but I am glad for the company, I hope you feel the same way knowing that you are not alone, I am here with you :)
    Dannielle

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  4. Dannielle --- I hope everyone reads these comments because you gave some great info! I love the part about the clear eyeglass case holding the syringe/solu-cortef, and marked!! Very good idea that I will use as well. I will go sign the petition. Thank you so much for writing your comment; you'd be shocked at how many people are reading the comments as well -- we all need to provide such information to each other.

    Thank you!!!!!

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  5. By the way, "Farm Life Lessons" is also "Finding Lana."

    Happy reading to everyone!

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  6. My dentist is the daughter of an old friend, so I feel as comfortable as possible when I am there....PLUS her Grandfather had Addison's! How perfect is that? I just give her my emergency kit when I go in, and I do up-dose when I go there.

    Lana, Can you put a "subscribe by email" link on this blog? I hate when I miss something!

    I have started taking florinef (even thought I am secondary) to possibly help me through the summer heat better than last year. I have been taking it a little over a week, and I am feeling better. I hope it lasts. (I am taking 1/2 of a .1 mg pill)

    mo

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  7. Lana, I’m so sorry to hear about your health problems! I admire your courage and your bravery of living with it and sharing your experiences with us on a regular basis. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be because of all the dental appointments you’ve had to make. It’s a good thing that your dentist is someone close to you because it’s easier to be comfortable with him. I personally wouldn’t recommend doing your temporary fillings yourself though. Maybe some of those can be replaced with permanents now.

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  8. Lana, I’m so sorry to hear about your health problems! I admire your courage and your bravery of living with it and sharing your experiences with us on a regular basis. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be because of all the dental appointments you’ve had to make. It’s a good thing that your dentist is someone close to you because it’s easier to be comfortable with him. I personally wouldn’t recommend doing your temporary fillings yourself though. Maybe some of those can be replaced with permanents now.

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  9. Cody - Thank you for your sweetness. Sometimes, we must be brave because there is not an alternative. I do share because I want others to know that it is possible to go through these things and still have a fascinating, rich, full life. It might not be as easy, but the goodness will be even more precious to those who struggle.

    As for my own temporary fillings, you are right, it is not so great to do my own, except for when I am in a pickle. Dental work is something many people with health issues must face on a huge level. One area where health decline can be evident is in our teeth, as if they take the brunt of illness. Having good dental care is such a priority...plus, I had two teeth knocked out in separate surgeries that required intubation and general anesthesia. It appears that waking up with a collapsed lung will make you combative. I don't remember it, so that's good. Oh well!

    Lana

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  10. Your dentist sounds amazing with his work! I like how he does everything to get the work done, even going to the extent of using unconventional methods. Anyway, with your amazing dentist, you won’t be worrying much about your dental health anymore. And you can focus taking care of your Addison’s disease.

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  11. Oh dear. I totally feel you. It's really hard to try manage your dental appointments and problems without the added burden. It’s a good thing that you’ve had such a trustworthy dentist by your side to help make it easier for you.
    Nishan Halim

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  12. I’ll pray for your speedy recovery, Lana. Btw, does your dentist recommended over the counter temporary filling? Over-the-counter kits are big no-nos for me. I never attempt to buy any formulated dental kits without any go signal of our cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills. He takes very good care of our teeth.

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    1. My dentist is horrified by my own attempts at self-dentistry. Lol. But, I have had so many issues that I have learned to "duct tape" the teeth until I can get to the real expert. Lol.

      Lana

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