Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: rebelyell on May 14, 2015, 02:54:57 PM
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Am floored once again by massive health anxiety. Was OK for a couple of weeks after coming off ADs and just taking oestrogen but now have teeth/gum anxiety again. Can feel a small lump on inside of bottom gum at front - probably just an infection due to badly receeding gums but have gone into complete overdrive, particularly as my gums have started bleeding again at the back. When I had major tooth issues last year I thought I would be fine and dandy when I found out they were treatable, but instead I just focused on other health issues. Now I am unable to put my teeth into perspective [or into anything else as this leaves me too anxious to eat!!!].
Spoke to doctor today for check-up after AD withdrawal - she was quite dismissive and says all my anxiety is in the mind. Have also started reading CBT stuff in advance of appointment only to find I am constantly feeding my fear [feeling/touching lump/googling symptoms/posting on websites....]. I think she wants to say 'go away and leave me available for people who are really ill'. I must admit part of me thinks she is right... How self-indulgent health anxiety is.
Just need somebody to tell me I'm not mad - am I???
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No you just need a :bighug:
It's difficult to get things into perspective when something goes a bit wrong. You obsess over your teeth, I obsess over my stomach issues.
I try to keep my mind busy and that helps a lot.
It's the first thing I think about when I open my eyes in the morning and I seem to be constantly monitoring how I'm feeling, wondering if today will be a good or bad one.
I do understand as do many of the ladies on here.
I can't really suggest much but just wanted you to know your not on your own and your not mad.....well no madder than me ::)
Honeybun
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You are not going mad at all. I have health anxiety and it is awful. Constantly thinking I am seriously ill. It is not self indulgent. It does take over your life, but you don't choose to be like this therefore it is not self indulgent. I hope the CBT works for you :)
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Thanks for the kind words. I also think of my bloody teeth first thing in the morning - it is a wonder I have any tongue/gum left the amount of checking I do...
OH says false teeth would actually be a good idea, but I can't bear the thought of losing them. Am having first implant in a couple of months, although already worrying that despite what he said last time, dentist will now say I am not suitable...
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I have gum problems :-(
How many of us have had the real dreaded nightmare of our teeth falling out ? Many at some time or another and when that nightmare becomes a possible reality in real life it's obvious anxiety will kick in, unless you're a Jeremy Kyle participant and don't give 2 hoots about your appearance
I've calmed down quite a bit about now, I inow I do all I can to stop this but if it beats me there's really not a lot I can do, as much as I dread the thought of partial or full dentures I do know people who have and they lead happy lives
Annie
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Hi your not going mad, I suffer from this too and the doctors arnt v patient make me feel like Im wasting their time and my work colleagues just think Im a hypochondriac which I suppose I am but it awful x
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You ain't going mad at all.
About your teeth - Your dentist has said he thinks you are suitable for implants, hopefully things won't have changed too much since then. But even if they have, your Dentist will advise you on the best way forward. They really don't want their patients lose their teeth any more than we do.
Would it be possible to see another GP?
The one you've described sounds like a pain, are there other GPs at the practice who would listen. It doesn't necessarily have to be female, just somebody nice.
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Lumpy - this G P was fine until last visit. I may be being over sensitive. She was completely dismissive of the idea of seeing a menopause consultant. Apparently there are only for major issues and I am not one!
Am kicking myself for making dentist appointment for Monday as think lump on gum is infection and will have imagined major surgery by then! Think I will try and get emergency appointment in the morning to put my mind at rest.
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If it brings it into proportion.
My little niece who is 7 was at the dentist this morning with a sore mouth. She had an abscess and it was drilled and drained without an injection. She held onto her Grandpas hand as mummy was at work.
She got the day off school but managed party food tonight as her big brother was 13 today.
Sometimes we have to stand back and reasses.
One of my daughters school friends has just been diagnosed with MS....she is 21....brings my problems into very sharp focus.
Honeybun
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Lumpy
Lumpy! I know I've put a bit of weight on but............
Limpy xx
HB really hope your daughters friend is Ok :hug:
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Lumpy
Lumpy! I know I've put a bit of weight on but............
Limpy xx
That made me laugh ;D
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Lol Limpy that did make me laugh !
Annie
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She is not so good Limpy to be honest. My daughter keeps in touch through Facebook as they haven't seen each other since school three years ago.
Think her friend wants a get together over the summer which my daughter will go to.
She is so young....as I said it brings my silly issues into very sharp focus.
Honeybun
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You're so right honeybun. And sorry for the name slip up lumpy!
Will focus on positive stuff and count my blessings.
Xx
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Sometimes just takes a little reminder that perhaps things are not as bad as we think.
That's for my benefit and not yours.
I knew this girl and she was the best badminton player in the county....she beat my daughter numerous times. And my daughter fought really hard.
And now :-\
I'm just very sad and have administered myself a very large kick up the bum
Here's me at nearly 55 and really not that bad and she is 21....it's so very sad.
Honeybun
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It's so hard but you're not going mad! When I went to cbt he said if you can't change something, don't worry about it - give yourself 5 minutes a day to think about it, then let it go! It's hard to do but if you practice hard it gets easier! You are doing all you can so just try to let it go. I have crummy gums and teeth - I have broken 3 teeth just eating food which is awful but now I don't care. I see the hygienist every 3 months and do all that I can to look after them, but if they fall out, then they do.... I still will have a good life with people who love me. My brother was diagnosed with heart failure at 45 and dealt with it so well. He was in hospital with young men of 30 who had had numerous heart attacks and who were all still smiling and joking... If they can cope with this then I can cope with crumbly teeth and crappy gums - so can you!!
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Bit devastated as dentist did x-ray and I have serious bone loss - unfortunately it is front bottom teeth and one/two will have to go soon. Need to check on bone graft for implants - other wise it is partial denture.
I know others have far bigger woes and I will come to terms with it, but just feel shitty today as am on anti-biotics for the infection and had persuaded myself that it was just my health anxiety that made me think the worst. Am also mystified and a bit cross as never missed a dentist appointment and nothing was said at check-up last June, but by December my whole mouth appears to have fallen apart.
Moan over, although will moan more later as tablets come with big 'NO ALCOHOL' warning...
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It is sh*t - no doubt! I have had significant bone loss for years and have also never missed dentist appointments. The good news is I have a great dentist, my gums and teeth have been reasonably stable for years I.e. I have bone loss but the teeth are still in there for now - I have 2 that are wobbly and have been for years but he says if they come out he will find a solution. Has he referred you to a peridontologist yet?? There are lots of options so don't panic just yet! Also if the teeth are not causing you pain then I wouldn't rush to have them removed just for the sake of it! Even with bone loss they can remain in place for many years....
I'm wasn't trying to minimize the way you feel about this at all - it is a shock when it all happens, but life will go on and you will get through it ...
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Thank you so much Suzyq, that has really helped. I did ask about seeing a peridontist [or whatever they are called!] but he was a bit unsure about what one would actually do for me. Have you seen one - and if so, did it help? I am going to a private dentist aswell for my implants so can at least get a second opinion on the situation.
Am not going to rush in to having the front tooth/teeth removed straight away, will see what happens when swelling has gone and see what implant dentist has to say.
Thanks again, I appreciate the support.
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I probably shouldn't ask but why don't you have the lot out and have false teeth.
Many many years ago that's what they did. My mother had hers out years ago and had private treatement and a good set made. She has had the same ones for over thirty years and they still look natural and good.
Why put yourself through all this if it's going to be a degenerative process.
I am the biggest coward but I would be able to admit when enough was enough. If they found a cure for bone loss then great...but they haven't as yet....this could potentially go on for years.
Honeybun
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Rebelyell - what a bu--er, even more so, given you've looked after your teeth and never missed a dentist appointment. Totally agree about not rushing to get any teeth removed straight away.
See what your implant dentist says, he may have some good ideas.
It may be worth seeing another dentist anyway, they could have useful things to say.
Do you have a dental hospital close to you? Again, they are a good source of information..
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Thanks Limpy. Am going to treat implant Dentist as a second opinion and see what he says in early June. At the moment I am considering going back on ADs if I can't get rid of the anxiety this latest 'toothgate' has induced. Am trying desperately to tell myself that I am being selfish and self-indulgent as there are people in far worse situations. But health anxiety is difficult to kick.
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Far from self indulgent Rebelyell !
If it's worrying you it's worrying you.
we all cope differently with different things. I cope well , with some things that other people I know would fall apart with, and vice versa. I am sure you are the same.
Once you finish the antibiotics , your dentist can make a proper assessment. There are loads of alternatives these days in the teeth department.
Sometimes just having a diagnosis, helps.
I think that many women at this time of life get all sorts of things going haywire/ wrong/ shrinking/ blowing up/ it's hardly surprising we worry.
I spent years without visiting my GP and now we are on first name terms !!
Like I say, far from selfish and indulgent, perfectly understandable actually.
Peppermintyxx
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Just been for check-up and dentist numbed my bottom jaw and 'cleaned out' my gums. Within minutes of leaving the surgery the pain started - hoping ibuprofen will kick in soon. He must have missed a bit with the injection...
Prognosis not too bad so hopefully can keep anxiety at bay for a little while [well a month until I see implant specialist!]. Top set of teeth at least look like I can keep them long-term and bottom front might last another couple of years. Hopeful of seeing 60 without dentures!!
Thanks, as always, for support on here. Feel like I am whinging about nothing, but I guess you all know what the old anxiety monster is like...