My story started years ago while in my early teens. At the time I was not diagnosed with anything. Years later it was found I had Hypothyroidism and later in years Hashimotos. So at the age of 14 I was feeling off and had many tests. In the day Anxiety & Panic Attacks were not heard of, so it was blown off as depression.
As the years progressed I slowly got worse. By the age of 24 I had severe anxiety and a dizziness I could not describe. Due to anxiety I avoided doctors and dentists at all costs. I became agoraphobic which meant I did not want to leave the house at all. This was probably the worst thing I could have done. I only attempted to see a dentist if I had an abcess I got antibiotics and did not return. With each visit I was told my Wisdom Teeth needed to come out, but that I needed an oral surgeon to do it. The closest surgeon was 2 hours away and with anxiety I was not even going to go that route. I had no insurance anyway so I used that as an excuse.
Over the years I did get a couple of fillings and at the age of 25 I had 4 teeth removed. I had numerous abcesses through the years and some serious pain and I finally learned I could go to a local Urgent Care and get antibiotics. By the time I was 32 all of my back teeth were pretty much gone except for maybe 3 .It finally got to my front teeth and I knew something had to be done.
At this point I went in to see a dentist and I had no dental insurance so I signed up for Care Credit. I had 2 root canals and had some fillings. I was happy to have my smile back but I still did not smile big as I was missing two teeth on each side behind the Eye Teeth on top . The dentist was nice and I was comfortable with him but he bonded my my teeth together on each side from the eye teeth up to the front teeth. (this later caused some issues)
My health started going downhill slowly and when I reached 36. I was starting to get real tipsy. One evening while deejaying I tipped right over and luckily fell into someone I knew. (To this day when I start tipping over people ask how much have you drank , jokingly ? My response: "just water, but maybe if I drank some alcohol I wouldn't tip over") I always manage to joke my way out of it.
Finally at 38 I awoke one morning in September unable to see without my reading glasses on. My ears felt full and I had some hearing loss. I was so dizzy and off balance I held onto to walls to walk. I became ADHD overnight also. My legs were jumping and I was trembling on and off. I tried to think but I couldn't clearly comprehend anything. I felt WAY OUT OF SORTS. I could not walk right. I had no brain hand coordination. I tried tossing a dishcloth into the sink and it flew WAY OVER to the left away from my sink.After a minute of being too cold I shuddered as if I was out in the snow for an extended period with no coat. If my temperature rose 1 degree I felt much worse. There was a list of about 30 different things that happened to me upon waking that morning. I didn't realize prior to that morning that I had been having little things happen to me that built up to that horrible day.
Needless to say I ended up on the couch for 3 to 4 months. I could not function enough to be up. No one could figure out what was wrong, even dr's had no clue. I had every test imaginable except for MRI's & a spinal. I hated going to doctors as the bright lights in the room made me ill.. I eventually looked up the symptoms on the web and Multiple Sclerosis came up time after time along with Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I managed to do a couple gigs but I lost the spunky personality I had once had.
The following year it happened again in August. This time I had a couple more symptoms added to all the other ones compared to the year before. Once again it happened the following year in October. This time I had even more symptoms. I was deejaying a weekend long gig in the Adirondacks and I felt like I was being choked the entire time. The following week from that gig I had
to do it again. Once again I felt like I was being choked. My teeth now were all gone in the back except for one. I was using my front teeth a lot to chew (something I despised seeing people do) My bottom teeth were starting to break in the front and I seriously needed to see a dentist. It was clearly obvious I needed dentures.
After discussing my issues with a friend (also a nurse) I found out my thyroid was causing the choking feeling. I went to the ER and sure enough my thyroid levels were raised. I had Hypothyroidism. Followed up by a doctor and a sonogram later I also had Hashimotos as I had goiters all over my thyroid. I also noticed that all the symptoms I was getting when I had those flare-ups also continued to stay with me permanently (on and off, when something triggered them)
Finally in 2012 I hit rock bottom, physically ! That was the worst summer of my life !!! I had opened up a shop the last couple days of May and closed it the end of June. All those horrific symptoms came back but worse than ever. Now my face was going numb, my vision was going in and out in my right eye, I could not walk right as my left leg would not work from the knee down. My right hand went numb, I was jiggling when I walked. My kids had to help me out of bed to even walk down stairs. I could not leave the house to even see a doctor except on one occasion. I was basically bed ridden. My other half was furious with me as I could not do any of my dj gigs, I could not grocery shop, I could do nothing. Sadly he took his anger out on me with his "Poor Me's" I was beside myself. I could not figure how it was POOR HIM ! One day I threw myself out of bed and screamed "May Karma Bite You In The A--" ( it did)
Finally in September the symptoms subsided and I was able to slowly return to my semi normal self. By Thanksgiving of that year, my teeth just could take no more.The bonding broke away taking with it, my good front tooth, which had broken in a verticle angle along with some from my tooth next to it.. I knew then, that something had to be done ASAP! I knew dentures were inevitable. I set up an appointment that January and could not get in for a couple months. I finally had health insurance and dental after all those dr' visits for those years of being sick, so I went in, in April . To my dismay the insurance did not cover a temporary set of teeth and a lot of the procedure. I deejayed but that was a hobby and I was lucky if I broke 100. in a month as Spring was the slow time of the year. I could no longer hold even a part time job so, I had to come up with A LOT of money ! I delayed the dentist appointments and finally it wasn't until the following year that I was mentally ready and financially ready. I had not had a flare up in a year and a half so I was ready. He was willing to do all the extractions, unless, I wanted an oral surgeon. I was so happy he could do them. I also had the option of gas if I wanted it, but I didn't want to pay more and I really wanted to stay awake, after seeing all these people on You Tube act ridiculous after having gas.
My doctors all had to sign papers. My dentist was shocked that I had so many health issues. I had a regular dr, a neurologist, an endocrinologist , an ENT, and was soon to see a rheumatologist. Finally my papers were signed with specifics and I was on my way to the dentist in March of 2014. There were a few setbacks as the denture company did not get my bottom dentures done in time for my extractions. I decided to have all the back teeth removed in one visit and all the front during the second visit so the dentures would be done by the second visit. April 11th arrived and away I went to the dental chair. I was still getting over a cold, the day I went but it was near the end so I was ok.With my phone all prepped with meditations and easy music plus a small stress squeeze ball I was ready.
THE DENTAL PROCEDURE
At 8 am the dentist came in and asked how I was " A little nervous" I replied, so he talked with me, got me calm, and put lydocaine on. Right away I started getting anxious. The anxiety started to kick in but I fought it. The shots of Novocaine came next . I was doing ok then all of a sudden my right leg jerked. Then both legs. He asked if I was ok, and I said "Just give me break from the shots of Novocaine for a moment". He had his aide check my pulse and blood pressure. My blood pressure is usually low so it was up to normal but my pulse was up. After 10 minutes I was ok. He went in and started extracting teeth. It was quick and painless. Within 40 minutes he extracted all but one Wisdom Tooth on the top left, as he didn't want to give me anymore Novocaine, as it made me jerk every time. He only had to stitch a small amount where one Wisdom Tooth was on the top right. I slowly got up from the chair and was quite dizzy so I had help getting to the car and my other half drove me home.
I was amazed when the Novocaine wore off that I had no pain. Everything he removed was roots I thought he would surely have a hard time, but had no problem whatsoever. After a couple hours I had 2 small swollen bumps in my cheeks so I put ice packs on them . At about 3 hours after the extractions I started feeling horrible. My other half also started feeling horrible. He then informed me that the people at work had the flu and he thought he caught it. After 24 hours it was clearly evident we both had the flu. I started getting a flare up. I WAS BUMMING LITERALLY ! I was back to walking with a cane and I felt horrid. I was on the couch for about a month. I wasn't sure if it was the procedure and the Novocaine & Lydocaine, or if it was the position my neck was in , as I always had little flare ups if I turned my head or had my head down. I searched the web for answers and came across what happens to MS patients whom get sick or get a fever. My fever only reached 100 but who knows what caused it.
The flare up tapered off most of the way within a month. I was thankful it was not a 3 to 4 month stretch like it usually was. I was scheduled to return on May 8th. This time my friend went with me.
I got up in the chair at 8 am (I always make early appointments, because that is when I feel the best) The Lydocaine went in along with that a quick little jerk of the legs started and then the Novocaine. This time I was REALLY anxious! This was in the top of the mouth and it made me feel so weird like a flare up does to my face but worse. When the stuff dribbled down my throat I would panic and jump. The dentist continually scolded his aide for not catching it before it hit my throat. My legs were kicking, not just the typical jump but as in jolts. (I think my anxiety did that) Once again I was hooked up to monitor my oxygen and blood pressure. My pulse was up again and my oxygen was a bit low. It was low because every time I got a shot and felt a pinch of pain I held my breath. Well he decided to put an oxygen mask on me. I was down right cranky at this point! I had had about 20 shots so far and I wanted him to get the damn thing off my face! They said they had smelly scents I could smell while the oxygen was going . I told them I DON"T WANT IT ON MY FACE! (I normally do not talk like that) so my friend took it upon herself to tell them give me a Strawberry scent. I wanted to choke her. I just wanted those teeth out and that damn mask off. They said my color was coming back so I didn't have to have it on much longer and I promised I would NOT hold my breath anymore. I really did not know that I did this, but thinking back in years, when I had my kids, I used to hold my breath when labor pains kicked in and was scolded by the nurses to breathe.
He started on the one Wisdom Tooth in the top. I heard a loud snap,(unlike the roots when they came out).He then said "surgical equipment out". I then got a bit nervous. They said it was ok, that he just needed more instruments. My teeth were giving him a bit-- of a time ! He had not expected that it was going to be such a problem. He was upset that the prior dentist bonded my front teeth as it made things difficult. The progress was slow and the novocaine would start wearing off and I would get another shot. Another shot meant my legs jumping and me getting all fidgety until the Novocaine kicked in all the way. My teeth were making loud snaps and my front teeth were breaking bone as they came out. The pain was not bad, it was the pulling. I felt pressure on my scalp from it. I just hated the entire procedure of it and wanted it over. I kept telling myself it will be over soon. I was having an exacerbation through the entire process which made it all the more hard. When he got to the area where the bonding broke in the front and where the root canels were, he had a harder time. He had to literally sand down my jaw bone before stitching it. That area is still tender and I have had a some bone spurs work their way to the surface in that area only. Finally after 2 1/2 hours the top were all extracted ! I was exhausted and wanted to just go home. I said forget about doing the bottom right now I cannot handle anymore. He attempted to put the top dentures in but my mouth was too swollen and I was not about to wait longer while he kept sanding the denture down. I had prepacked a bag with a water bottle , ice packs a wet rag and Kleenex for drool for the ride home. After a half hour after extractions my head started to ache and I was prepared with Ibuprofen in my purse. I laid my ice packs on my face also. Finally I was able to leave.I was to return the following day to be checked out. The room spun when I stood up. I held onto my friend Kim whom walked me out and drove me home.
I was traumatized . I cried on and off most of the day. Not due to pain, but rather because I was unleashing all the stress. I was EXHAUSTED, I felt sorry for my teeth that got thrown away (I was not really coherent haha) I sat in the recliner most of the day. My ears were so tight and plugged. My jaws felt tight and the exacerbation kept making life hell. I think I should have waited longer after the first exacerbation had completely gone from the first procedure before returning for more extractions. I slept sitting up in the recliner for 3 to 4 nights as I was afraid my head would swell too much. I was so unsteady on my feet and dizzy, and had serious pressure in my sinuses and ears. I lived on Ibuprofen for a month. I refused to take the script he wrote for Tylenol because it was not the pain I suffered from but rather pressure from inside swelling of the sinuses.I made an appointment with my doctor as I felt HORRIBLE. I talked with my mother daily to update her. I took a You Tube video of how I was walking and functioning and had my mom watch it (she lives in NC and I in NY) She ordered me a little cart with wheels to push around for balance and a Hurry Cane for easier days. Being an Occupational Therapist she clearly saw that I had some neurological stuff going.Doctors still had not diagnosed MS, but he clearly stated this has to be MS as you look like my patients who have progressive MS. He scheduled me for an MRI & more bloodwork for my thyroid levels and special Lyme tests.
For the next 2 weeks I returned to the dentist 7 more times. The first 2 weeks I could barely walk I was so dizzy and did not want to be there. I walked with a cane WHICH I HATE PEOPLE TO SEE IN PUBLIC ! Somehow I managed to force myself to dj every Friday night though. After almost 2 weeks I started feeling better and the swelling had gone down enough to be fitted for dentures. I was determined to get the dentures in as I had done a wedding reception with no top teeth. LUCKILY the mother of the son getting married, worked for a dentists office, and she understood why I did not talk all that much that day. I was bumming I had to dj with no upper teeth and determined that that was not going to happen again. LUCKILY I still had swelling so when I kept my mouth closed I looked normal.
On my May 21st the tops were in and I felt so much better ! I could not stop looking at myself in the mirror as it had been 20 years since I smiled and looked semi normal ! I was lucky to have had no bruising on the outside and I looked much better! It was at that point I felt it was all worth it !
I did get a bit depressed over the fact that I could not eat with the dentures and it did take some getting used too. I had no bottom back teeth for them to make a bite, so I would take them out and at times use my finger to push the food down on my bottom front teeth. (in private & not fun). I was still tender a month later but at least able to chew on the gums with semi softer foods. It obviously was not too traumatizing as I had not lost weight haha.
My first reline was fabulous! I did not hurt if I bit down anymore and the teeth stayed in place . The follow up taste in my mouth from the reline was not all that pleasant. The taste stayed at least a week. (They say if you soak the teeth in Coca Cola or mouthwash it will go away faster) Once more swelling went down and I noticed what seemed to be a root still in that upper Wisdom Tooth area. I did not think this was a bone spur as I could feel deeply inside the root area. After a couple weeks the second reline was to be done. I mentioned it felt like a root so he checked it out (though he was believing it was a bone spur) Sure enough it was a root that got left behind. I knew it was a root ... afterall I lived 20 some odd years with them being roots and I knew what it felt like! He said that it would need to come out but decided when I did my follow up for the bottom front teeth extraction.
He did the reline and added heighth to the front. He also did not take out the old reline as he was hurried with a surgical procedure. He said it would feel different and sent me out to the waiting room. Finally a half hour later I put them in and they felt off. I left the office not at thrilled. Got halfway home and turned around. I went back in but he was so busy I had to come back later that afternoon.I was getting cranky with that heavy clunker in my mouth. When I returned I explained that the denture was scraping the back top part of my tongue and there was a gap between the roof of my mouth and the top of the denture. He looked and said it looks ok, you just aren't used to it, try it out a couple of weeks and come back. Pissed off I got up and left.I had to dj the next day for another wedding ceremony and reception. How was I going to talk? I will be truthful at this point I was disgusted with the dentist how many more screw ups were there going to be?!?! The day of the wedding June 21st I started ripping out some of the reline so I could talk. The top still has a gap between the roof of my mouth and tongue and I am NOT AT ALL THRILLED. I had a follow up appointment Tuesday the 24th but had such a stomach ache I had to cancel... As of now today June 25th 2014 they need a reline done correctly and I have to reschedule today.
July 1st 2014 - I went into the dentist at 10:30 and had quite the wait. Almost an hour passed in the waiting room so I had to get up as my legs were getting a bit crampy. Finally I made it back into the dentist chair. Another hour long wait... The positioning of the chair, made it not so comfortable. My right eye started feeling numb and a quarter of my face was tingly.( that is my cue to move around before a pseudo exacerbation kicks in)I felt a bit unbalanced so I stood up for a bit then sat sideways on the chair so my neck was not in that position causing more issues. Finally he came in and took most of the old reline out and added the new soft reline. He said he would make it thinner so they fit better . He inserted the top denture with reline in it and had me hold it, being sure to push with my fingers on each side in the back . Being as there are no back teeth, I had to push up on them. After 10 minutes he needed to microwave them and trim excess stuff off. I went outside and walked around for 15 minutes then went back in and they felt FANTASTIC ! On the downside of things he had to push my bottom front extraction date, back by 3 weeks :( Now the new E-DAY is Aug 13th)
I will keep everyone posted on updates of relines and the bottom extractions
August 12th 2014 - WELL TODAY IS THE DAY BEFORE E-DAY ! My last 6 front teeth will be removed (along with the wisdom tooth root he overlooked before) I will admit I AM A BIT NERVOUS ! Not so much about the procedure but rather over if I will have an exacerbation or not. I keep telling myself I came down with the flu the same day prior so I don't have the flu this time around THANK GOD ! WELL nothing can be done at this point... I am putting it in God's hands right now. I will post more after the extractions
August 19th 2014 - YAAAAAYYYYYY My teeth are all out !!!!!!!!!!! I had no setbacks nor did I have any exacerbations !!!! It was indeed because I caught the flu and it was NOT the dental work !!
So my story was as is... I went in on Aug 13th at 8am. I sat down and asked the dentist if I could get up and move around while the Novocaine kicked in and he was fine with that. Once the Novocaine went in my legs started to jerk a bit. He had to add more as I still could feel some. Then the extraction process began. IT TOOK 1 and a 1/2 MINUTES TO EXTRACT THE LAST 6 TEETH !!! I was so thrilled that it was FINALLY over AND QUICK AT THAT ! No teeth broke coming out and there was not one feeling of tugging whatsoever . I wish the entire dental process was that easy!
He placed the dentures right away but they felt tight. The following day I was to return to the dentist for a check up. He filed the bottom denture down more but it still hurt. I took them out when I got home and figured I would leave them out until my return visit today ( Aug 19th ) So I returned today and he took a stick that resembled a wooden match and outlined my gums where the denture was tight fitting. He filed it down and told me to put them in . WOW THEY FIT THEY REALLY FIT !!!!!!!!!!!! I have NO PAIN WHATSOEVER! TODAY WAS A HUGE MILESTONE FOR ME ! It is the first time in 15 years that I was able to eat with my back teeth ! The only little hiccup I have is I still need the reline redone on the top denture so I can bite down and it is even ... but I have a return visit this Thursday at 1.
August 24th 2014 I had the stitches removed today. They needed to come out as they started pulling out on their own and I had a long string I could not cut. It feels so much better !
Sept 7th 2014 I returned to the dentist and had a full reline on the uppers and lowers done 4 days ago on Weds Aug 3rd. My bite is perfect perfect now. Now if I could only hold my jaw straight. lol I got used to having my bite off. The gums are shrinking quickly and already I feel like I am going to have to go back in for another reline. I had an MS flare up yesterday that only lasted about 2 hrs, but I did notice when I have them that I take my teeth out on and off. With flare up's my teeth don't feel comfortable in and after being out a short while, they feel uncomfortable being out. Soooooooooo basically I take them out for 5 mins put them in for 5 mins . I found Ibuprofen takes the swelling away quick so I a able to be comfortable after it kicks in. It is not only teeth that are uncomfortable but also my glasses feel wrong too, so I take them off and put them back on all the time too.
I noticed that I am biting my cheek now that the dentures are lined up right and fitting perfect. Something many of us go through from what I have read. I do have sore spots in the bottom front so I have to bend my reline back and fit them over my gums on the bottom then push down in the back to fit them in. I do see where people say the bottoms move more than the tops. I found that to eat right now I need to use an adhesive or they come right up and slide off the gums. (something I did not experience with upper dentures) It could be because the gums are still shrinking.... time will tell
