Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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tgik 10/29/2013

HI! I WAS JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HAD A PROBLEM GOING TO THE DENTIST? I HAVE BEEN GOING FOR QUITE A WHILE OFF AND ON. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN A WHILE BECAUSE I GOT A SINUS INFECTION AND THEN I HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE ANTIBIOTIC. THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM THOUGH.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED GOING TO THE DENTIST IT WASN'T TOO BAD. AFTER A WHILE IT REALLY HURT WHEN SHE PUT THE NOVOCAINE IN MY GUMS TO NUMB MY TEETH TO DO THE WORK ON THEM. THEN I WOULD GET HEADACHES FROM HAVING MY MOUTH OPEN FOR SO LONG. I STILL HAVE A FEW CAVITIES AND ONE OF MY TEETH IS A TEMPORARY TOOTH. I'M THINKING OF TAKING A BREAK FOR A WHILE. MY TEETH FEEL FINE RIGHT NOW. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I CAN FEEL PAIN WHERE I GOT THE NOVOCAINE AND THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH SWELLS
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ANY DENTAL PROBLEMS AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT. MY DENTIST KNOWS I HAVE FIBROMYALGIA. THAT'S WHY THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING SO SLOW. THE NOVOCAINE ONLY HURTS FOR A MINUTE BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT HURTS MUCH WORSE EACH TIME.
I APPRECIATE ANY INPUT ANYONE CAN GIVE ME. THANK YOU.
HAVE A BLESSED NIGHT. HUGS, CHRIS

deleted_user 10/29/2013

I haven't had that happen but I really hate going to the dentist. Did you share this reaction? Is there something else that could be used? Some people have to be sedated or put under for dental work if they can't handle novacaine. I wouldn't avoid going because it ends up being more painful and expensive if you wait to get work you need. This is the only thing that motivates me to keep going. I hope you find a solution.

deleted_user 10/29/2013

I have been having dental work myself, and I have learned to bring my neck pillow along so I don't put strain on my neck. As to your question, yes the novocaine really hurts while it is being injected, however, my dentist has learned to put the topical novocaine on first and wait a bit before the shot. Also, he uses nitrous gas. The gas is very relaxing and doesn't stay in the system for long and helps prevent the tightening of my muscles. I become so relaxed I don't even notice what he is doing. So, if she has the gas, use it.

tgik 10/29/2013

THANK YOU FOR THE SUGGESTIONS. I DON'T THINK SHE HAS GAS. SHE DOES PUT SOMETHING ON FIRST BUT IT DOESN'T HELP MUCH. I'LL PROBABLY WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH HAVE OTHER APPOINTMENTS COMING UP BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I WILL TALK WITH HER AND SEE IF SHE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS. I'LL ALSO TALK WITH THE PA I SEE FOR MY PHYSICAL AND SEE IF SHE CAN PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP ME. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT'S GOING ON. THANKS AGAIN. HUGS, CHRIS

skinnybinny 10/29/2013

I do OK with the shots. I have trouble holding my mouth open and wide because of TMJ. I get so much jaw pain I just feel like I can't open my mouth for another second.

I got lucky and found a dentist that has FM. She is so gentle and they give me a head/face massage after the procedure.

I don't have dental insurance and so don't go as often as I should. I need 5 crowns at the moment and can't afford them.

My teeth are kind of like my fibro nails, the enamel becomes thin and my teeth get deep vertical ridges same as my nails. Then I grind my teeth at night or when I'm in a lot of pain.

Can you take the caps off when you type so it doesn't feel like you're shouting?

WhiteDolphin 10/30/2013

I have a hard time as well with the dentist. Those shots are the worst! Then my heart races. My jaw gets so sore with my mouth open so long. The dentist uses a wedge that I bite on, on the opposite side than he is working on. I always have HORRIBLE headaches and neck pain for a week or so after the procedures. I have to take breaks between dental visits, a month or more, to give my jaw and neck a rest and allow my mouth to heal.

Skinny, I also have the long ridges in my teeth and my nails, had just started noticing that over the last couple years, but I ddin't know it was fibro-related. That's interesting!

I've had dental work a lot this year, one horrific experience in which I "whited out", it's like a black out only everything went WHITE. I think actually the techincal term is "gray out" still, everything went WHITE, I don't know how long I was passed out for. probably just seconds, the dentist never mentioned it, but I was asked a lot of times if I was ok. before I left, I just wanted OUT OF THERE and to go home! That scared me so bad, it took me a while to go back. (that was a tooth extraction without being knocked out b/c it started out as a rootcanal but it failed).
Other than that I've had 2 more rootcanals this year, so not fun, but has to be done!
Talk to your dentist and let him/her know your concerns. I'm sure there's others who have a hard time as well, and he/she probably knows of some other ways to help make you more comfortable, but those novicane shots are hell!

tgik 10/30/2013

Thank you for your replies. At least I know I'm not alone. Sorry about the caps. I can read better. I'll stay in lower case.
Like I said I will check around with my dentist and my pa to see if she can come up with some suggestions on what to do. I will keep everyone posted. Thank you again. Hugs, Chris

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