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    Default Lost lots of teeth from prednisone

    Quick history : diagnosed with GPA Jan 2014 with biopsies taken from both ears during mastoidectomies. Have been on so many of the pill therapies (cytoxin, methyl, imuran, prednisone 100+mg now down to 15mg daily since Dec 2015) and going to do my 5th Rituxan in May (been doing it every 4 months) and still have not been in remission once....and too much to explain that has happened in between to type out (smh)

    Was told by my rheumatologist that steroids can cause gums to recede. Because of that, lots of my teeth broke off and fell out at the gum line. I can still see what's left of them in the gums. I didn't want to go to my dentist yet because they're still falling out, I'm not in remission yet. And I have to be honest, I'm so scared because I'm probably going to have to get dentures and do lots of work on my gums that I'm going to beg to be knocked out.

    Has anyone else had /have this experience and know what kind of options I have? Thanks for taking the time to read this 👍😷 I'm so embarrassed...

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    Sorry I can't help with experience in this issue of wegener's, but I want to assure you that you don't need to feel embarrassed. We have all been through a lot and understand how you feel.
    Arleta

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    ----Arleta




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    thanks Arleta ��

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    Yes, Had, I do! I must point out, wegeners itself can wreak havok on the teeth and gums, and bone... Its hard figuring out, what's what, but I can do this easy, because I'm not on pred! I am however on my own natural pred, due to a adrenal disease, so a little history... My destruction was purely wegs, and it took out my bottom teeth, with the gum and bone! I envy you, you still have bone and gum... I however could never do a denture, as there's nothing to adhere to... Thank God, my top are all there! For now... Also thankful for a small mouth, though that's up for debate! Jax, it could be a combo here, but in my opinion only, its more the way the disease is presenting itself... I feel for you, it really bites! Pretty soon, I may not be able to! Mine all happened in about eight months, so very rapid... Like to point out, I was ocd about my teeth, and had professional cleanings every six months, sometimes more! Thank God, I have my records to prove this all... Never had a tooth issue in my life... I predicted this to my doctors and dentist down to the detail... Good luck, I feel ya, here... Debra...
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    Thanks Debra! It helps knowing I'm not alone. I lost a dozen teeth and have 6 left in bad shape. It doesn't help at all that because of wegeners, when I catch an infection of some kind, nausea and vomiting are right around the corner. And I have a tracheostomy since Dec 2014 so acid reflux is an issue that doesn't help. When I got diagnosed I was in the middle of getting 2 implants in my upper right so I have 2 titanium screws in there waiting but I don't think they're any good because there's no tooth now to anchor it and make a bridge..... I rarely leave the house to avoid infections but when I need to see my doctors I do, and I cannot stand the way people stare at me. Sadly the adults are worse than the children! Oh yeah I have osteoporosis, aortitis, cataracts in both eyes, gained 100lbs but lost 75 all because of steroids too. Yet it's the only thing helping to keep my sanity while my wegeners is active because without it and my pain meds for my ears, my ear pain can get down right brutal when there's inflammation in there. But I'm very fortunate that I was diagnosed rather early and haven't had organ failure nor my nose collapse phew like I said, thank you for sharing your experience with me. I'm grateful. And I hope it turns out well for you ��

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    Jax, youre very welcome... I thank God for leading me to this forum, back just about four years now, and when i read teeth problems i was connecting the dots, along with every weird symptom, finally being validated! Validation is huge! I felt nuts... Most here from what i read where associating any teeth problems with the meds, and all the while i was thinking its the disease. To be fair, its both... Seeing i was on no meds it was pretty easy to decifer... Jax, there are only a few with mouth involvement here, and just knowing youre not alone, helps alot... Congradulations on youre weight loss, thats awesome! Jax, you have vompany here and i feel ya, totally... Best to you... Debra...
    Live,love,and laugh...

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    Many years ago when I first developed wg my teeth got very loose , gums inflamed and my tongue turned black. With treatment my mouth improved. I hope yours heals up soon with the treatment you are getting. When I was at my worst my doc sent to a dental school to get looked at and get worked on. My insurance does not cover dental and this was less expensive than other alternatives.
    I know what it is like to be embarressed by what wg and the meds have done. Hopefully you have family and friends to spend time with. Of course , you have this forum too

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    Jax, for better or worse, I now have false teeth cuz of the pred doses early on. Like you, I had large ones in the hospital, then backed off, then weaned off over a course of 3 years. In the duration, my teeth started going from just OK (years of soft water!) to breaking & falling out. I opted for false teeth cuz of the risk of infection installing separate teeth, especially the uppers as holes can be poked from the insertion of the new teeth into the jaw line and into the sinus area...NO infections. The false teeth are still a work in progress, but no more broken teeth or such. Best to you.
    Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who only know what to think. -NdT


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    Hi Jax,
    I feel for you too! Wegs has changed many people's appearances...
    I was on pred (60mg) from Oct 2014 until I tapered off in May 2015. During this short time I noticed that my front lower teeth had changed shape. My first visit after my diagnosis confirmed my fears and in the fall of 2015 my dentist installed an appliance (almost like reverse braces) behind my lower front teeth and secured it to my bicuspids (eye teeth) in order to strenghten my front teeth. My dentist assured me that with today's technologies there are a lot of options when disease or meds affect teeth and gums (as long as you have the $$$!).
    I understand your embarrasment! After my diag I gained a lot of weight with pred and when I glanced at a mirror I was shocked for quite a while because I looked so bloated!! I didn't recognize myself. When I went back to work I was really self-conscious, but the puffiness finally receded and the weight is slowly (and I mean painfully slowly!) coming off. I was very fit before being diagnosed so the new normal has been difficult to adjust to... I've now started to slowly work-out and still trying to lose more weight. My outlook on life has changed - I really enjoy the simple things and cherish the support I've received over the last year from my family and friends. The support here is great and people understand what you are going through. Stay strong! Erin

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    Dental problems are common with Wegs. I have had many (most) teeth capped, lost one to infection, and am also getting cavities under the crowns as the gums recede. I also have diabetes which along which causes dry mouth which started wrecking havoc with my teeth even before Wegs and pred increased the damage. The problems with calcium absorption even with the Fosamax and extra calcium seem to make the teeth brittle and they often just disintegrate while eating something soft. I have been told by my dentist that implants are out because of the risk of infection and poor jaw bones now. Gum problems and sores in mouth are also very common with Wegs. I was told to find a good dentist and see them often so I average about six or seven visits a year for cleaning and repair work. Since good dental insurance is very rare, my dental costs are usually more than my umpteeen meds since they have some drug coverage to help.
    Knowledge is power! Wisdom is using it to make good decisions!

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