Exchange City

bcincolorado:

I almost forgot what else I was going to post!  My exchange was done today....I'm sore and even brushing my teeth was aggravating my incision with the arm movement.  I'm taking pain meds & PS rxed Valium for muscle spasms, (which I learned here will help prevent the implant from shifting....thx again ladies!!)  My boss scheduled me off all next week, but I know she's secretly hoping I'll show up sooner!  Made several comments that this surgery would be a "piece of cake"...no, she's never had this surgery or a mastectomy either!  She also loves to point out "so and so worked when she had her chemo"....sigh.  I plan on taking one day at a time and not rushing back too soon.  I've been through too much to return to work and do something impulsive and undo my PS's handiwork!!  I have the time saved to be off all next week, so if I need it, that's what I'll do.  I've spent years at that job going to work when I really should have stayed home and I feel that this is my life and my future and those outcomes depend on how I take care of myself at all times now.  Wow, that was a long Part 2, wasn't it?

Colorado.. good deal.. get in there and get that mouth looked at.. it will all be good!

Congrats Psalm121... good job! And I am not sure how long ago you were hear reading.. but I posted a long time ago about teeth and anti-biotics.. ( when I was going through all this..)... pass it on to all your BC friends.

Deborah.. how are you sweety? Have not seen you posting much. I hope your spring is going well!

Hi ladies ~  All this talk about dentistry...thought I would copy & paste what I posted on another forum.  It was way too much for me to re-post this.

As far as premedicating before a dental cleaning...PLEASE check with your surgeons.  To my knowledge it is not indicated that we do this.  If there is any discussion or question please, please check with your doctors.  Unfortunately, doctors and dentists are not always on the same page.  Someone mentioned Mitrovalve Prolapse?  The AHA association, since last year, does not no longer recommend premedicating prior to dental treatment.  If a repair was made for the MVP then this is another issue.  The best advice I would recommend is to talk to your surgeon & get the facts.  We certainly do not want to build up a resistance to antibiotics.

 Hi Ladies~

I thought I would comment on your posts.  I am a Registered Dental Hygienist.  I will say please do not stop flossing and do not replace flossing with a waterpik!!!  These two are two different things.  Another important note is...you need to floss below the gumline...not just between the contacts.  Continue to brush thoroughly...with a soft brush.  All brushes are not the same even though it may say soft.  Using an electric brush is useful.  I highly recommend the Sonicare by Phillips.  Make sure that you are brushing at a 45 degree angle (referred to as BASS method) to get along the gumline.  Even if you have some bleeding, do not hold back on your brushing & flossing.  The healtier you keep your gums, the better for your overall health.  Bacteria travels through your circulatory system.  If your gums remain red & especially puffy, have your dentist Rx Periogard or Peridex (Chlorhexadine Rinse).  Also, if you have chemo/rads as treatment, make sure you are brushing or rinsing with a fluoride product from your dentist~~~not OTC pastes/rinses.  When you have chemo/rads it reduces your salivary flow thus you may experience dry mouth syndrome.  Having dry mouth causes everything to stick such as plaque/food debris.  When this occurs this sets up for rampant decay as it weakens the enamel.  I put my patients on Prevident or Gel Kam products all of which can only be Rx'd by your dentist.  If you are experiencing dry mouth, OTC products such as Biotene can help by moisturizing your mouth.  This item can be found retail.

I hope this FYI helps!!!

NAE

Hey Laura:  thanks so much for the congrats, I so admire your spirit, which really comes through so well in your posts!

Thanks, Nedeza:  for the dental info....I had a dental cleaning 1 month after finishing chemo and my dentist was very pleased with my dental health.  I used the Biotene faithfully and was really careful to clean gently.  Why did my gums & tongue bleed so easily, even though I was so pro-active with mouth care?  But, come to think of it....even if I got a paper cut or hang nail, that bled really easily, too....just curious if anyone else had that....   Also, my dentist insisted on pre-meds and she was fully aware (as was I) of the new recommendations.  She is a perfectionist and so patient-oriented that she said considering that I still have mitral valve prolapse and history of low-immunity, she wanted to not take that risk.  I love my dentist!  She & her staff sent me cards throughout my surgery/treatments and were such an encouragement!  Also, regarding pre-meds, I read somewhere that they are recommended to women who have had lymph nodes removed because it will help prevent bacteria from being introduced and causing infections in mastectomy/surgery arms.  Had you heard of that before...was news to me til just this past week and was glad to learn it as i had my exchange today and PS treated me with antibiotics as well.

Thanks, again, ladies.....your advice is much appreciated as is you warm welcomes!

Thanks Terri!  I am feeling much more encouraged with everyone's feedback.  My hubby and I went on another walk tonight!  We're taking advantage of the beautiful weather before it gets to be over 100 degrees here! 

Hello ladies, just sitting here at 4:50 am waiting to go to the hospital for my exchange!  Yippee Squishy!!!  Just want to say to Judy, hope all goes well and happy healing today!   And anyone else having surgery, treatments or appts, hope everything is wonderful!

Good day ladies!

Paula

Congratulations Psalm 121....love hearing about good outcomes  Gives me hope

Paula I hope your day is going well and you outcome is exactly what you hope for and painless too

I go in for my last visit to my PS today before my exchange surgery in 10 days! woohooooo!  I am looking forward to getting the final surgery over with....my TE's and I are not friends...so tired of being poked!

I do have to admit to some anxiety.....I thought I was completely relaxed until I had a dream two nights ago.  In my dream I woke up form my surgery and had huge Dolly Parton boobs!  I was walking around trying to hide them and in tears. So I guess I am pretty scared of the final outcome...it's scary to go under anesthesia....wake up....and see what this has all come to.  So deep cleansing breath....deep breath....relax...think of a happy place......phew

Healing, comfort and strength to all,

Laura 

I'll third the recommendation of Biotene mouthwash. I used it faithfully during chemo because my mouth was so dry that I choked on all food,and everything stuck to my gums and teeth. When I finally was able to get my teeth cleaned, they had less plaque than usual! Even after a year of not seeing the dentist! (I had been almost due for a cleaning when I started chemo.)

I didn't know about the antibiotics before dental work but it makes sense. My father-in-law had a heart problem, and almost died from having his teeth cleaned. The bacteria got into his heart. My husband has a total knee replacement and must use antibiotics before he has dental work. So I'll just join the family club.

Good luck today to our surgical ladies!

Judy & Paula  & Jenweg~~thinking of you all and wishing wonderful outcomes and mild symptoms!

JizoLaura~~These next 10 days will fly by and you'll be "yippee squishy" before you know it, sooo happy for you!

Mornin' bcincolorado!~~I'm doing very well, thanks for thinking of me.  Some soreness, but not too bad and I keep having to remind myself of PS's instructions of no lifting/pushing/pulling!  I feel that good!  Did have some muscle spasms early this morning, so will plan on taking the Valium as prescribed to help with that....don't want this implant to shift!  Take care & talk to you soon!

Psalm~

I am totally impressed with your dentist!  I want to add that yes...if you do have questionable conditions such as being immunosuppressed then additional measures are taken..such as premedicating.  Every medical doctor has his own protocol although there are guidelines.  Some with MVP want their pt. to take premeds forever each time.  The most important thing is to be safe! 

NAE

Nae, thanks for your input!  I've been hoping you'd weigh in here!  What to do when the surgeon says something different the the hygenist?  I had some amox left so I did premedicate even tho surgeon said I didn't have to, it just seemed too close to exchange, and I am still sore on one side (when does that stop?!).  My hygenist said to premed every time.  Would 4 x 500 amoxicilin hour before cleaning every six months contribute to the too much antibiotic problem? 

I've also been thinking of the added alloderm as another foreign object along with the implants.  But just didn't want to go into all that at dentist office.  I still don't like telling people what I'm going thru.  I know I should have but didn't mention my new dx to them. Wish I could go to you NAE!

Kristinka, did you have fun college touring?  We loved doing that with our daughter!  And did you really mention bra shopping on the trip, or am I imagining that!  We're headed out your way to see her, bring on that CA sunshine!!

Lilah!  Yes, I think we are all a bunch of nervous nellies here before procedures!  I had such major anxiety but took nothing for it, not even a drink, silly me when I think about it.  A glass of wine or a valium sure would have helped! Sometimes a wrong procedure number is given to insurance companies, hope that's all it is and will get straightened out. 

Psalm are you writing right after surgery?  What are you on!  Glad it went well!

Katey -- thanks and much appreciated reassurance!  In my rational moments I know it will get worked out (the insurance thing) but if I let myself go I start worrying they are going to try to make me pay for stuff I'm not supposed to pay for.  I think this just means its time for me to call and be the sand that makes the pearl.

 Hello to all the EC ladies.I am new posting on this thread but I have followed it for awaile though. I will be having my exchange on the 28th. I am nervous but I know with all Deborah's help I will be fine. I have to say reading some of your post at times make me laugh and cry on the same day

Rebecca

Ooooofffff.......my last fill today.......I swear my TE's are up under my chin =o\  Will be sleeping with valium tonight.  I only want to be a B....I can't imagine how full my fills would be if I was wanting to be a C or larger...the mind boggles....

My ps is happy with how I'm looking and ready to meet me a week from Monday  I'm anxious and happy at the same time.  I told him about my Dolly Parton dream and he laughed telling me please don't worry....I'm not going to look anything like Dolly ;o) he did think it was pretty funny.

Hope everyone is doing well...home from surgeries safe and sound.  

Judy I sure hope you get a limo when they let you return home.....you deserve it

Strength and healing,

Laura 

Ok to those wondering about premedicating for dental treatment including cleanings..my PS suggests premedicating since it is not any different from someone needing to be premeded after having an artificial joint replacement.

NAE