TEETH

Hi Bluebell22,

I'm post mastectomy and then level III clearance,  and so far have only had one session of EC, but really struggled for the first 10 days or so with my teeth.  I presumed that it was causing reflux, which was the problem, but it was odd. Every night i'd wake every couple of hours and rinse my mouth as it felt coated.  It would taste like sherbet, and when I spat out it was milky white and my teeth felt like the enamel was gone. I'm dreading the next 3 cycles if it continues as I'm not sure of I'll have any teeth left!!

Did your dentist say that there was anything women could to to prevent teeth problems? I've been using mouthwash to stop my mouth getting sore,  and initially wondered if that was causing it,  but I'm still using it and my teeth feel better and no coating on my mouth anymore.  X

Good luck at the dentist:/   xxx

Hi Londonmumof2

No she didn't give any advice about prevention.  I think it's just one if those things unfortunately.

I used Corsydl Daily Mouthwash and was lucky that I didn't get many mouth sores.  Treatment can cause your mouth to get dry and not produce much saliva so causes cavities (mine are mainly near my gum line).

Good luck with the rest of your treatment x

If you're taking anodronic  acid make sure your dentist knows 

Thanks Bustysuzy,

That comes at the end of my chemo. I had them checked and polished a few weeks ago before starting and they were OK then.....

After I had finished treatment, the enamel broke from six of my teeth!  My dentist said it's really common after chemo. I had a quote for treatment......3000€.....which luckily I didn't have because a new dentist started a practice at our health centre and he managed to do the work on the health service. He is young, polite, sensitive to a dental phobic and slovakian! Almost worth going to the dentist for....Almost!

What chemo did you have? I've had a round of EC so far, and my oncologist wants 4xEC, 4XT. Not sure about the T after getting some neuropathy in my legs already, but worried about my teeth and might ask her to reduce the dose as round one has affected nerves, teeth and bladder.

Things have changed a bit ...even in 3 years. I had 3x FEC and then 3x T.  Just as my chemo finished they were dropping the F as it was seen as too harsh for it's  benefits. Certainly I was very unwell during my chemo.

If you have neuropathy already, I' m  sure you oncologist will take this into consideration before continuing with the Taxotere. Although I suspect four doses might be gentler than three. Discuss it with him/her. Pregabalin can help although don't be tempted to take too higher dose too quickly. It does lose it's effect over time needing increasingly larger amounts and it can cause weight gain.

I think there can be lots of mouth problems. I didn't know I would lose the enamel until afterwards but I was glad I didn't get mouth ulcers. The mouthwash at least twice a day probably prevented those. I lost my taste.....or at least lots of tastes changed so I didn't  like things I had previously loved. However, in the long term these are minor things as my cancer is still clear.

Thanks. I looked at the NHS Predict website, and the T only adds c.1.4% benefit over 10 years for me over me using the EC as second generation chemo. I'm fortunate in that respect, so not sure I want the risk. I'm seeing her next week so will ask then.

Good luck at the dentist. How do they repair the enamel in France?

Some sort of filler! I couldn't afford to question it but it's  still ok one year later. The expensive dentist thought he would do implants.....but he thought without our bank balance and Brexit!

As you will have seen I am triple negative.....I had to accept whatever was offered.

I know the options are limited with triple negative. Mine is ER+ 8/8 and PR+ 8/8, so will have the 'pleasure' of 5-10 years on Letrozole too after this:(