Dental Work ?

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:04 pm

Hi everyone - I tried doing a search about dental work, but couldn't find what I was looking for. I have read in the past that having dental work can affect our MC symptoms. I am going for a basic cleaning and believe I will need further work which will require a local anesthetic. Can someone tell me what (if anything) I need to know before going?

Thank you.

Paula

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:27 pm

Hello Paula

My recommendation for MC'ers having dental check up, clean or any procedure is to take the H1 and H2 antihistamine blockers about an hour before hand.

Anesthetics trigger Histamines /Mast Cells for me.
also whatever they use for the cleaning process, has given me an itchy tongue.
Since taking the H1 and H2 before any appointment, i have managed to have reaction free visits. (woo hoo!)

Hope the appointment goes well and there is not too many fix-ups needed.

PS: if you have dry mouth issues and they try to sell you the rinse to help, ask to check the ingredients first and buy later.
In the ones that they offer in Aus, all of them (so far) have at least 2 ingredients that will aggravate allergies/intolerances etc
rather than have the discussion on the spot why I wont take it, I have found asking for a copy of the ingredients and will come back if it is AOK - appears that i am taking interest in their recommendation.!

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:41 am

Hi Paula,

I am one who HATES going to the dentist, and I have had plenty of practice doing it! LOL. Gabes' suggestion about the antihistamines is a good one. Certain local anesthetics cause undue histamine release, exactly what an MCer does not need. I can't remember the specific names of the worst offenders, but I think one is carbocaine, a long acting local anesthetic. I always ask my dentist not to use it. There should be an old post in the archives that mentions these anesthetics specifically.

Good luck!

Polly

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 3:27 pm

Gabes, thank you for your response. Even though I have tested different types of antihistamines during the day, and then Benedryl at night, I never noticed any improvement with my symptoms. In this case, however, I will use H1 and H2 antihistamines as I don't want to "rock the boat." I hope you are doing well, Gabes.

Paula

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:44 am

I decline on the fluoride. Don't forget to ask for the thyroid shield if you are having x-rays, not all dentists use them and I've read that some have them in the drawer but sometimes the technician "forgets" to use it.

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 9:00 am

Polly - don't know how I missed your response when I was on yesterday. I also HATE going to the dentist. Although I generally went twice a year, I haven't been to mine in 2 years. I know I should have continued with the exams and cleanings, but everything was good on my last visit. I was feeling so sick with my MC symptoms that I have focused all my energy in learning about MC and my food restrictions so I could rid myself of the foggy thinking, balance issues, major fatigue, and of course to get D under control. I have had great improvements. Unfortunately I now have noticed possible problems with at least one tooth so I can no longer avoid going. So... I'll see what consequences I have to pay for waiting so long. I felt so bad (as many here have or still do) that I thought I was dying - so I justified to myself why I didn't have to go to the dentist (lol). Actually I didn't think I'd be able to sit in the chair long enough for the cleaning, exam, etc., because I was always running to the bathroom! Well, lo and behold, I'm still here! Now to learn more in this area. I'll try searching for the list of local anesthetics you mentioned.

Deb - I had never heard of the thyroid shield, but will definitely request they use it. I am not certain if I have thyroid issues. I have been tested, but the test came back negative. But...I know that doesn't necessarily rule it out. I also have an appointment scheduled to see my PCP for an annual routine exam. I'll be taking notes from what I learn here to both my dentist and PCP. I hope you are finding improvements for yourself, Deb. I know you've been through a lot. Have you noticed improvements since having your thyroidectomy?

Thank you both for your input.

Paula

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 12:37 pm

Paula,

Did they just do a TSH test? If so that is not a good indicator of thyroid dysfunction. You also need to have your Free T3 and Free T4 tested. Go to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com I finally have a doctor who checked mine and found my Free T3 low and am now on NP Thyroid. A generic for Armour thyroid. It seems to be helping and I think I have had symptoms for a very long time. My previous doctor only checked TSH and it was normal. I am also on LDN. I will find out next month when he checks my levels again.

Pat

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 3:04 pm

Pat,

Thank you for your suggestion on thyroid testing. I'll read more of this and take notes for when I see my pcp early April.

Paula

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 5:27 pm

Hi Paula, everyone should use the shield if possible to help protect the thyroid from radiation exposure. Better safe than sorry. I'm doing so much better than when things (thyroid) started going downhill fast two years ago. Yes, it took that long and I thought I would never find answers. I'm sure my issues started long before that but my health took a speedy nose dive and I thought I was dying. It only goes to show we can't give up even when the doctors tell us there's nothing wrong. I almost gave up but found everyone here.

It's been a very long six months in which things got much worse before they got better. I almost ended up in the looney bin trying to convince my endo to add T3 meds. I'm not at the right dose yet but will have labs in a few months so I will ask to tweak them then. I am looking forward to kayaking and riding my motorcycle this summer. It's been such a long time since I've been active, I can't wait. I still tire out faster than I should but my endo reminded me it takes time.

Good luck with your dental work. That has always been one of my least favorite places to go.

ant · Post by **ant** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:39 am

I'm sure my issues started long before that but my health took a speedy nose dive and I thought I was dying. It only goes to show we can't give up even when the doctors tell us there's nothing wrong. I almost gave up but found everyone here.

I am looking forward to kayaking and riding my motorcycle this summer. It's been such a long time since I've been active, I can't wait.

Deb, thanks for proof positive... "You can get your life back"

best wishes, Ant

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:53 am

DebE13 wrote:Hi Paula, everyone should use the shield if possible to help protect the thyroid from radiation exposure. Better safe than sorry. I'm doing so much better than when things (thyroid) started going downhill fast two years ago. Yes, it took that long and I thought I would never find answers. I'm sure my issues started long before that but my health took a speedy nose dive and I thought I was dying. It only goes to show we can't give up even when the doctors tell us there's nothing wrong. I almost gave up but found everyone here. It's been a very long six months in which things got much worse before they got better. I almost ended up in the looney bin trying to convince my endo to add T3 meds. I'm not at the right dose yet but will have labs in a few months so I will ask to tweak them then. I am looking forward to kayaking and riding my motorcycle this summer. It's been such a long time since I've been active, I can't wait. I still tire out faster than I should but my endo reminded me it takes time.

Good luck with your dental work. That has always been one of my least favorite places to go.

So glad things are going better for you. Another motorocycle rider here. I have a Victory that I almost sold when I was at my worst. I was so weak that I didn't want to ride it anymore. My husband encouraged me to keep it and that I would ride again and lo and behold, he was right! What do you have for a bike?

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 8:26 pm

I seem to be having issues with getting notifications to threads I've posted to. I tried clearing cookies but it didn't help. ..?.

Ant, when I first joined this forum I was told our issues was like peeling an onion and that describes it perfectly. I've put my MC on the back seat for the past six months and have been coasting at 3mg entocort about every 4-5 days with a rather limited diet. But that alone is big progress for me. I still have WD so I know there's more for me to work on when I'm ready. I have always suspected histamine issues too but haven't chosen to focus on it yet because the whole thyroid deal was overwhelming. I do feel like I've gotten my life back and look forward to having the energy to work on it even more and it's all due to the Potty People. Thank you all!

CathyMe, I'm glad you kept your bike. I think I only rode mine twice last year because I felt the same way. Too weak to ride and afraid I would crash. The year before that I didn't ride much either. I have a little Yamaha 250 V Star. Funny story though, I originally talked my husband into getting me a 883 Harley Sportster that I fell in love with before we got our licenses. I was determined to ride it. It didn't turn out so well for me and was a lesson learned not to pick out your bike on looks alone. It's my husbands now.

It was too big of a bike for me and I wasn't comfortable at all on it and it would have taken some modifications to have it lowered since I'm only 5'3". My image of being a cool Harley chick went out the window.

I absolutely love my Yamaha and wouldn't give it up- it fits like a glove. The more sensible side of me knew I needed a bike that I felt safe on.