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Question for CP-peeps having dental issues

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/13/2012 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hello my fellow CP peeps! I have a question for ya's. Since I've been on my CP meds, I haven't had to have any major dental work done (just a filling here and there) but I need to have a tooth pulled. It's in the way back so it's not visable, filling from childhood expanded and shattered the tooth... it's gross. LOL Anyway, I'm assuming a pulled tooth is going to hurt, and being on CP meds, what is going to happen? I've been on vicodin 5/500 4 times daily for 10 years now and it treats my fibro pain quite well most of the time. Are they going to assume that my existing med is going to adequately treat the new pain brought on by the tooth being pulled? (granted it's short term, oral surgeon said it will hurt for 5 or 6 days) Or will the oral surgeon give something to help with that specific pain (just for the short term)?? Right now, the pain from the tooth is NOT helped at all by my meds, so I imagine it won't be much help when they yank it out either. LOL

Just wondering. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences in this area. :)
Posted 8/13/2012 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
That is a really good question, and I would like to see other member with this experience chime in on it. One thing I do know, is that if you are under a contract with your PM, then you will need to call in advance and ask them what you are to do. If you take med's from the dentists without the PM's knowledge and get caught…I have seen it be an automatic boot out the door. So be careful if you have a current contract.

Take care,

SE wink
Posted 8/13/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
When I have had dental work such as this done, back in the early days of Lortab this is what the oral surgeon would have rx'd, since I was already on it he did not give me anything. He said it would take care of the pain which it did. Pretty much that is the standard for dental work.

I hope it goes well for you.....Susie
Posted 8/13/2012 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have had several teeth worked on and pulled since being in PM this time, and from my experiences, I called my PM doctor, and asked them what they wanted me to do regarding any extra dental pain I might have after the procedures. My PM doctor, had my dentist prescribe whatever med I might need in addition to my current PM regimine. That being said, once the extraction is done, your pain should decrease considerably and you may find that anti inflammatories, coupled with ice and heat suffice far more than any additional pain medications.
Posted 8/13/2012 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I had a root canal back in January, the dentist drilled out the tooth, and left me with an exposed nerve for 2 weeks while waiting on the oral surgeon. I didn't have a contract with a pm at that time, she gave me a script for norco, which didn't help at all, I called her the next day, and she gave me a script for neurontin, that made it alot better. You might be able to call up your pm and discuss some kind of option to get you through this. I know those exposed nerves hurt. Your pm would probably have a better handle on the pain than the dentist anyways. But yeah, I didn't need anything after they did the root canal. It felt great.
Posted 8/13/2012 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have four broken teeth right now:( Because my PM has set up my prescriptions for days I have greater pain in general, I have break through medication to take as needed.

But as mentioned, with any type of dentist stuff in the past, it's usually ibuprofen, an antibiotic, and some cold compresses that help the best.
Posted 8/13/2012 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with snowbunny, usually Ibuprofen should be enough to handle the pain. I've had numerous teeth pulled and i can honestly say that the pain BEFORE the tooth is pulled is way worse than after. a spray, like chloroseptic can help with the surface pain.
Posted 8/13/2012 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Another option for pain after its pulled is to swish some whiskey. I know it sounds funny but it will numb the area. Just make sure you do NOT swallow it, that would be very dangerous because of your pain meds.
Posted 8/13/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advise! I'm allergic to nsaid's, so I can't use them for intermediate pain. I will call my rheumy (who is my prescriber) though I'm not on contract. My dentist has a list of my meds as well. Not trying to scam meds from the dentist at all. Just was worried how the process would go since this will be a new experience for me. :-) Thanks to all for your replies. :-) Hope all goes well today!
Posted 8/13/2012 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Kris tie, I would contact you dr to be on the safe side but I had one pulled not long ago and once the tooth was out the intense pain left with it. Then ice and my daily pain meds were all I used. Hopefully you will have the same.
Posted 8/13/2012 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Another thing you could look into, most pharmacies sell a do-it-yourself, temporary filling kit. My mom has been waiting for a month for a root canal and she swears by that stuff, says she doesn't have any pain once it's covered up.
Posted 8/14/2012 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Kristie I am in the process of getting allot of dental work done, I have already gotten an new bridge and a root canal and crown, and I have had previously a couple of back teeth extracted. I refuse to be put out or have to take anything that will prevent me from driving and having to have a driver. (( Even when I have epidural steroid injections in my back, I refuse to take any of the meds that makes you drowsy and make you unable to drive.)) So all the work I have had in my mouth, has been done under Novocaine shots. To control the pain afterwards, I just use my percocets that are prescribed for my break through pain. It was OKed by both my oral surgeon and my PM. So far it has worked pretty well for me along with ice packs which also keeps the swelling down! I still have another crown to get and a removable bridge plate,to replace the two back teeth (one on each side on top that they removed). But the bad stuff has been done and I have had no major problems with pain. I would definitely talk with your PM and let him know what your having done and ask him what you can take. He may very well let you take what ever your dental surgeon prescribes to you. But it is best to have all that taken care of before you get the work done.

Good Luck to you and I hope it all works out well!

White Beard
Posted 8/14/2012 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
My situation is a little unique - because I have CRPS, any trauma - including dental surgery - can potentially induce further chronic pain issues, as well as cause difficulties with controlling acute pain.

I had to have all four wisdom teeth removed late last year - and made sure it was done by an experienced oral surgeon who was happy to talk with my PM. Because of my pain issues and great difficulty in sitting/lying still for any period of time (plus the impacted teeth) it was also done under general anaesthetic.

For ongoing pain relief I just continued on my usual meds - Oxycontin and Endone (IR oxycodone) after surgery... but my anaesthetist gave me a combination of fentanyl, ketamine and cortisone in addition to my anaesthetic drugs.

Whatever you do - the key I think is choosing a good dentist or surgeon who is happy to consult with your PM doctor - especially important for you guys in the US I think to make sure there are no issues with who is prescribing what pain meds and so forth.

Laura
Posted 8/14/2012 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
MammaKiKi,

Just wondering how the procedure went. When you feel p to it, let us know how your doing.
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