I feel old suddenly!

Alzheimer's! I'd typed it right twice and then wiped it out! You know what I mean anyway, I'm sure.

Icanhandthemback If it was a front tooth like you, I wouldn't hesitate. It's three teeth but at the side and visible when I talk or smile but liveable with, if you want to live with it, I suppose. That's why I'm hesitating: it's a lot of money, I'm 68 (as people keep reminding me), lots of people have fewer teeth, will I get the wear out of an implant, I'm being selfish when my husband has a front tooth which needs work and he refuses to spend that much on himself.............. should I just learn to live like this?

Hang on in there mazza245, it will get better.

Big Hugs. kwest

What lovely people you all are! It's heartwarming to know that I'm not alone, everyone has their problems, don't they? I'm on this dose of chemo (for blood cancer) for the rest of my life and I'm lucky, apparently, because without it, I'd probably have a stroke or heart attack and I'm tolerating chemo quite well. You can never relax, though, and every 8 weeks I get very anxious about the next blood test as they might have to increase the chemo. I do suffer from anxiety anyway and I've always been quite proud of my appearance, not looking my age - I've got the fall now! 68 is getting too near 70, there, aren't I vain! I realise the alternative though but I wish it wasn't so painful to endure. I think about my poor mum who hardly went out, hardly ever had new clothes or holidays, looked old and grey at 60, didn't have the lovely, lovely life that I've had and then got Altheimers! And I'm feeling sorry for myself!

I will look into the product, Bouffe, sounds good. I've decided that I must, I must go back and ask the little twerp to at least cement the denture in, even though I'm throwing money away. I just wish I'd had it put back in on Wednesday but I was so upset, I wasn't thinking properly. I've got to go out tonight like this and try to keep my mouth shut, which I find impossible!

Yes, I accept the slap on the wrist about buying clothes but I'm buying less now than I've ever done, buy lots in charity shops when I can, but it does give me a badly needed lift to wear something new! Meandashy, you have all my sympathy, a crap week and then a migraine, it's just not fair. You lot can't know how much of a lift you've given me, lots of ideas, and lots of good wishes.

I spent most of last year without my front tooth whilst I waited for the implant treatment to finish because I have such a "tight bite" that the denture kept breaking. I did refuse to go out sometimes because I felt like a witch! My friends messaged me saying it didn't matter to them so just come out but it really mattered to me so I can understand how you feel. The implant was worth its weight in gold and I feel so much better. As for the extraction of the root, it was the quickest, painless dentistry I've ever had done even though there was an abscess there so try not to worry about that.
I should think that some of the tearfulness is possibly to do with the Chemo too. It takes such a toll on the body physically, it is bound to affect you emotionally. You have every right to feel a bit self pitying but looking at the positives in your life or even the beauty of nature as Spring arrives might make you feel a bit better. It won't change your physical attributes but having a more positive mindset may make it more bearable. I do hope you have a lovely holiday.

Thank you for starting this discussion. It is encouraging to realise others feel the same way I do. My hair is more wirey, my skin getting crinkles and dry and itchy. I make noises when I stand up. Wind is another issue.
Benefits.....I don't dress to please others, I'm now blonde (my choice in preference to grey), I get cheaper entry into some places, get offers seats, have a greater sense of confidence.
I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in excess of that which youngsters have. They may look at me in scorn because of my age and girth BUT....their time will come and they don't know it.
I am also blessed with pretty good health ( for the present), all my teeth and limbs.....
I had and have a big problem with the fact that the greater part of my life is behind me...but....I try very hard to focus on the four different charities I do volunteering for....all the time I can meet new people and make new friends has to be a bonus. I have also learnt that learning and creating are my two main motivations through life. I'm not blessed with children but do have nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephew and goddaughter.....and will also soon be a great, great, aunt......so I try to stay as positive as I can. Once again. Thank you, all, for sharing.

There is enough of me now two make two other people, and the teeth at the front need work where years ago a drunk client knocked the out for me..........will I live long enough to make the investment worthwhile is what I want to know.

Denstists seem very cavalier with other people's money.......and so overpriced here in the UK.

Will GN organice a coach trip to Bulgaria and we can meet up and keep each other company while having our teeth fixed........

mazza I have had my hair 'system' for about 8 years. It has a mesh 'scalp' so anyone looking at me wouldn't know it wasn't my own hair (I don't think!) I can wash it, curl it, straighten it just as if it was my own hair - no difference at all. The only down side is that I have to go back to the salon (where everyone is wonderful) once every 6 weeks or so so that they can take it off and condition my scalp and also the system is put on using a special glue which sounds awful but really isn't when you get used to it. I can(and have done) go out in gale force winds and it's just like having my own hair. I won't give the name of where I go as I never like recommending things in case others are not happy with things which I am happy with. They are hair loss specialists and have several methods of helping people with hair loss. I think there are several places like mine around the UK. I found mine using Google.

I found 70 the big barrier. I was quite light hearted about being in my sixties, but 70 came as a blow, and now I've had seven years of it.
This thread has cheered me up, which is odd, as I do feel sorry for everyone having problems. I suppose it is just a case of "you are not alone"

You cry all you need to to get it out of your system. You say u are on low chemo doses so u are bound to feel like this. There is a company Look Good Feel Better that helps ladies in the same situation as u. Have been there as have had Leukaemia and a bone marrow transplant. Go on your holiday and try to forget everything. You are more aware of this than others who will like you trying to have a good holiday. When you get back stress to your Dentist how important it is to you and look into the different ways you can make your hair look thicker. Wishing u well Xxx

I am not surprised you are feeling down with all that happening in one week! Take a deep breath and tell yourself that things will feel better soon. Teeth are nothing but a pain - my gt gt niece is currently teething and my grandson has a wobbly tooth that is causing him some discomfort but the dentist doesn't want to take it out as his new tooth is quite ready to come down yet. My daughter has just had braces fitted (at the age of 38) and was struggling with them as they were making her cheek sore on the inside. When I last went to the dentist he commented that there was 'signs of wear and tear' on my teeth - told him I was almost 61 so what did he expect!! Wish we could have a new set of teeth at 50! After I lost my husband 19 years ago my hair fell out and when it regrew it was baby fine. It hasn't really got any better over the years so I am dreading it thinning but my eldest granddaughter told me I could always shave it off and wear a very glamorous turban instead! Made me giggle. Hope you manage to enjoy your holiday and that your gum heals quickly for you. Have to agree that there is definitely something very unflattering about hairdressers mirrors - they seem to show every wrinkle!

I completely sympathise with you ?
I have had a horrible week too!
Must be something in the water (works)
To round a crap week off I now have a migraine ?

willia

Respect! - as the younger generation say!!

When my bridge fell out ...of course just before Christmas ...my lovely dentist stuck it back in so well that it was really difficult to get it out! I now have a tiny denture, with 2 wires which hardly show. I must admit it took me a few days to get used to the Thing in my Mouth, but it's part of living now, as well as rapidly failing eyesight and worsening hearing, along with thinning hair and loss of flexibility ...but hey! I'm just 86!! and still active and healthy [apart from the bits which are falling off.]

Oh, mazza - you've faced a lot of "ageing blows" this week (if there is such a term) so I'm glad you've had a lot of empathy here. Funny thing about teeth - hildaw reminded me of this in her comment - I once read somewhere that nightmares about our teeth are very, very common. Teeth falling out, specifically. That's understandable, because we humans rely so much on facial expression to communicate our feelings to others, and when a full set of teeth isn't there, the effect is diminished. That said, I hope you're reassured by the good advice you've had here!

When life gets overwhelming and I feel depressed for "no reason", I sit down and write out a list of situations that have been on my mind recently, no matter how small they seem to be: unexpected bill, illness of close friend, worry over upcoming medical appointment, etc. - and once the list is completed, I have physical evidence that, yes, I've been under stress! Just knowing that there IS a reason for feeling down help me feel better... if that makes sense!

Enjoy your holiday! You deserve that.

Will you have to continue with the low dose chemo as that won't help your gums to hold any exspensive work and as you say causes hair loss, I commiserate with you about the teeth, and have to use a partial metal denture as my bite is so hard but my friends were surprised when I told them . Not sure dentistry is that much cheaper in Portugal especially for tourists.

I was a bit alarmed when you said you were spending unnecessary money on clothes etc when you will be needing a new car soon and the house needs repairs. Your hair won't look too good when you have to go out in all weathers on the bus and walking if you don't have a car, The house is your biggest investment and needs to be looked after. An all weather mac and boots isn't always the best look when you have to go somewhere smart. Start looking at the clothes you have and see if you can make new styles by mixing and matching and when you go to buy something stop and say do I really need this.

I am 70+ and the shock when you see yourself in a shop window. But people enjoy a nice smile and a sunny personality much more than anything else.

Heavy rain in Portugal at the moment but should be better next week - it is only March and it has been a dry winter so the rain is needed,

I always thought I looked younger than my 72 yrs. But today whilst using my phone it went onto camera and suddenly I could see myself as others see Me. It was quite a shock. But it's better than being dead.

Not everyone is suitable for dental implants.
You have to have healthy gums and bone health, otherwise the implants won't take.

A reputable dentist will xray your mouth and assess this.

I sympathise with all the posts here, I lost my teeth after having my children , they robbed me of calcium , so my dentist at the time said, a dentist I changed to later said he could have saved my teeth , and that the other dentist just wanted a quick job done for ££££,s the money,but my children were worth it,
As for Jalima,s post on hairdressers mirrors , I agree, I hate it when they say "put your head down"while they do the back of my hair, Where did those chins come from!!?
We all have off days but Mazza you have had a tough time,and I am so sorry, but we are still here, so on with the makeup , a new lippie, new earrings and a cheerful scarf , it always does it for me , doesn't have to be expensive,Primark do lovely cheap scarves and jewellery, I hope you soon feel better, enjoy the sunshine this weekend , ?? sending hugs too xx

I so agree with all the posts on here today, my horror is thin flat hair but I've found the solution for me perhaps others would like to give it a try, it's a product called Bouffe, it's a spray of fine fibres, not like those heavy bits but undetectable at close range, just brush your hair upwards, spray and wait a moment then brush as normal, it can be bought on line Boots, Amazon and is £5.99 a can, lasts a long time, comes in many colours, a life saver for me.

You have my sympathy especially with the teeth my front tooth which had a veneer attached came out two weeks ago my own fault opening a packet with my teeth she was unable to cement it back so I'm now the not so proud owner of a palette with a false tooth at the risk of sounding dramatic I feel I've aged ten years I sound different I'm embarrassed eating in front of anyone and I'm reminded of my parents who both had a full set of false teeth from about the age of forty I'm sixty next month and as it gets closer I'm wallowing deeper

mazza I am with you completely here; it is a horrible shock when things start to deteriorate and yes, they do tend to do it all at once! I lifted may arm and saw a wrinkled, sagging area between elbow and wrist that belonged to an old lady - it really shook me. I have never been beautiful but old photos show a reasonable face and a slim body; a very different story now, but I do try to keep a good upright posture, always have shiny clean hair, a little make up and to wear modern clothes (I never try to be fashionable!) My hair has noticeably thinned, I am going deaf, and yes it is so depressing as I can't do a thing about any of it, but you are not alone in having a wallow, we all do it. Please do try hard to enjoy your holiday and remember that the things we fret about are sometimes not even noticed by others. There are lots of products out there to give volume to thinning hair and Boots were doing the Tresemme range on special offer recently. Have a relaxing break - and for whatever help it is, many of us are feeling just the same. x

I wear a partial denture and although it looks fine i dont really like it. I am consious of the plate on the roof of my mouth and the fact that my mouth always feels dry. I hate that it collect food underneath when eating and i have a phobia about being taken ill and it being removed and lost. No one apart from the dentist has seen me without it in place and i would hate to be lying in a hospital bed without it and my husband, children family and friends to see me that way. I wish they would hurry up and work on stem cells to regrow a third set of teeth for when we get older!!!!

i lost all my teeth (advanced gum disease) last year. I now have both upper and lower dentures People who dont know about this insist "I have had work done" as I look so much younger! The whole process took about a year and I had temporary plates while the healing took place and was never left without teeth for more than 24 hours.

I had a real fear of the treatment but couldn't afford implants but now its finished it looks so much better and I have adjuusted and I smile a lot more

I'd go back and insist on a temporary plate - you will alo then have a spare in case of breakages. My dentist did the temporary on the NHS even though the rest of the work was private

I take off my glasses in the hairdresser's and think I look pretty good. Then I put my glasses on again and there's an old woman in the mirror. I've lost a satisfying amount of weight in the past 6 months and people compliment me on it, but my face is so much thinner that the wrinkles show up more than they did on my chubby cheeks. Can't have everything! An underactive thyroid has made my hair thinner - although it's always been fine - and my eyebrows somewhat patchy. BUT, I'm enormously blessed with my family and friends and I've had a really interesting and rewarding (not financially) life.