Past Phen-fen user denied a dental cleaning
Ok, So I took phen-fen for 4 months (god it tore up my stomache) when it was the in thing to do. Today I got my new dentist since my old one no longer takes my insurance and they refuse to clean my teeth and said I required a new EKG (though I had one a few years ago) and clearance from my PCP. Anyone ever had this happen?
And yet another perk to taking prescription diet pills!
I have. My dentist had me fill out a questionairre once that asked if I had previously taken any weight loss meds. I checked yes, and they started making me take a antibiotic 1/2 hour before my cleaning (no clear explanation as to why). The next time I was asked to fill something out, I just left that question blank. They've never bothered me again.
Hope things work out for you.
Jen
I used to be a dental assistant and it's not unusual for them to ask you to be on antibiotics if they think you have any kind of heart condition. It is for your own safety. Also they need to know because most anesthetics that are used in dental procedures use epinephrine which effects your heart. They have an alternative that they can give you if you are an at-risk patient. So, the best thing to do is go to your PCP and get the clearance they ask for. You should always answer the medical history questionnaire honestly and as completely as you can. Something that may not seem like a big deal to you if you omit it may cost you your health and possibly your life. Not a risk worth taking.
Hi Cherish,
I'm a retired dental hygienist and you need to go and kiss your dentist. He cares enough about you to make sure that you'll live through the dental procedure and not get a heart infection. By the way, don't think that if you sign a release he wouldn't be liable. He is the professional and knows the risks no matter what. I had more than one argument with a patient who had rheumatic fever or scarlet fever as a child. They were appalled that I wanted them to be premedicated with an antibiotic before I would clean their teeth. They eventually realized that I was watching out for their lives and did as I asked. The dentist isn't looking to make your life miserable. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions please write back.
Sandy
Thank you for the replies.
I am thankful that the dentist is looking out for my health. I am just piturbed that this has to happen. Another crappy diet pill the FDA approved that turned into a killer all for money. and yet some of the best medications used around the world will not be aproved here because it's too cheap and no one would make much money or the company isn't padding someones pocket or some other odd reason. Yet they hurry and push something, anything they can on the market for fat ppl because they know they will buy and it's a BIG market. Lots of money to be made there.
And here's another down side to that diet pill....I had the echo done free over 2yrs ago (thru an attorney...big MISTAKE) and their cardiologist told me I had moderate valve regurgitation going on. So now being scared to death I take the report to my pcp who explains it all to me, tells me to never let my bp get high as this would cause more serious issues for the valve trouble, and also tells me about the need for medication before dental work. So, now 2 yrs later, as part of my pre-op work-up I tell my new pcp about this and she diecides to do a follow-up echo. Low and behold.....NO VALVE PROBLEM!!! Everything is normal, thank God. The whole thing was so aggirvating.....they are all out for money!!
I took Phen-Fen and had NO complications from it. I think that it is important that your PCP or prescribing physician monitor you carefully when taking diet pills, as with any other medication.
The way I look at it.....the hundred pounds overweight that I was at the time I took Phen-Fen was going to kill me. The Phen-Fen may or may
not cause injury.
There are risk associated with EVERY medication there is. Some people
will die from a reaction to an aspirin.
It is important that we know our bodies and that we have very comptetent physicians that monitor us well. We simply must weigh
the risk vs benefit of any treatment that we choose. There are many
people who have suffered major problems up to and including death
from WLS. It is all an individual thing and what works for one does not always work for another.
(PS...I am willing to bet that if you take any segment of the population that is heavy enough to qualify for the use of Phen-Fen, but did not take it, and test their hearts, you will find that an equal number of those people have heart valve defects to those that did take Phen-Fen.The
extra weight alone causes heart problems.....and without baseline test to
confirm that people did not have the heart valve defects prior to the use of Phen-Fen, I do not think you can blame the defects on the medication. I of course have worked in medicine and know that all too many people are looking for a way to blame medicine as an industry for probems to make a quick buck. Firvilous medical lawsuits are what has put the health care industry where it is at today in terms of cost and inability to obtain live saving products and procedures.)
OK---off my soapbox. Happy Easter everyone!