Reaction to titanium

[rierie12]

I had Titanium rods in cervical and lumbar spine for disc degeneration surgery in 2006 and have developed severe nasal and throat problems. Although I have had a history of nasal and throat problems for years; this is completely different. My throat and nose are so dry I can hardly speak and nose is so dry it crusts all the time. I go to the doctor and he says everything is fine; there is nothing wrong with my throat. I have difficulty swallowing which they attribute to a stroke which has never been a sympton of the 2 other strokes I have had. I went to the throat doctor October 31st of this year with these symptons and he said my throat was fine 'keep up the good work" He gave me an antibiotic Ceftin which I have taken before and I broke out with a rash on my forehead which has never happened before  . I also had flu-like symptoms.I have never had a reaction to Ceftin before.Twenty-one days later I had a stroke. My left side of body was affected which made it a right side of brain stroke.My previous strokes w ere attributed to a medication I was on. My only other allergies have been to penicillun, sulfa, erytromycin and apricots.
My only suspect in this current stroke is Titanium. Ihaven't been right since my surgeries. Stokes were in 2000,2001 and 2002. neck surgery and back surgery 2006 and current stroke Nov 2008. Can anyone make any sense of this.??

[tschock]

I'm sorry to hear of your plight. How awful for you.

I'm not sure how many people will respond to your question though. This is an older post, started in 2008. Perhaps you may want to copy and paste this into a new thread. People very often skip past older posts...leading to the last person posting getting their question over looked and unanswered.

Hope you get your answers soon.

[KimmieLM]

I had my 5th back surgery Dec/09 in which they put a titanium cage from L2-L4. I am now fused fro L2-S1. Within 72 hrs of surgery my right leg started shaking uncontrollably and when discharged on day 5 both legs were shaking. I was told that this should go away. 6 months later my whole body was in seizure like tremors(I am fully aware of what's happening but can't stop them). I've been to the hospital many times, seen all the doctors they've asked me too and nothing. One actually had the audacity to say that he thought I had been sexually abused or traumatized as a child after a 20 min examination! The seizures got so bad in 2011 that Iost 20 lbs and was down to 119lbs. I can no longer stay on my own in case I'm unable to walk without assistance or fall. I find when the tremors are bad(they can lay me up for 5 days) that chewing and swallowing become very difficult so I have to drink Ensure. I now have a walker which I use when needed. I should mention that in 1993 they put metal in my back and 4 yrs later I had to have it removed because of the pain I was in from it. I was great for 10 yrs before the discs above the fusion(L5-S1) started to go. My life has taken a total turn around. I am now housebound for about 4-5 days a week because of these tremors which affect my whole body. Sometimes sounds become to loud, almost like a tinging inside my head. At times it feels like electrical shots through my body. I'm starting to get tingling almost like a numbness in both arms that started last August 2012. I've had MRI's of the brain, CT Scans which won't read properly because of the titanium. I've suspected all along that my body is allergic to titanium. When I gave the name of the Melisa test to my Dr. he said he never heard of it and wouldn't do it. I've asked for over 6 months for a PET Scan and still he won't do it. When applying for disability 2 1/2 yrs ago the Dr's said on the form that they expected my condition to worsen over the next 5 yrs. How can they say that when they don't know what's wrong with me and seem to have no desire to find out. I've had my medical records sent to a neurolosurgeon at a very good hospital and he called me himself to tell me that he wouldn't do surgery and didn't know of any neurosurgeon that would touch me because of the extent of work done to my back. What I do know is that I wasn't like this before my surgery!! Why won't they listen to me? Why won't they help me? I am losing my independence slowly and they won't do a thing to help...I am 52 yrs old and know my body..I have 2 teenage boys and a single mom..I may have to sell my house and move in with my mom and have to leave my boys with their dad as I am unable to care for them , myself and our home. My life in no longer mine as I never know from day to day or minute by minute when these tremors will hit and how long they will last. Last week I had 2 1/2 good days. This week so far (today is Thursday) I've had 3 good days but I'm completely wore out as I take advantage of them and went and got groceries and did laundry. I am wondering if anyone here has these symptoms as well. I am waiting to see another neurologist and still no word in for 2 months. I was told it could take 6-12 months to get in. I feel I don't have that long to wait and told my Dr. that. My condition isn't as severe as when they first started but are more constant in my day to day life. When I have my functional tremors I'm able to drive. As soon as all pressure is off my body, my head against the headrest they slow right down. Then when I get out of my car to walk they're there again. I find that sitting without proper back support they hit me without warning. I may get feeling of my muscles getting tight but not all the time.There have been times that I've been nauseated while these tremors hit. After a few days of tremors through out my body I'm completely worn out and my body aches and like I said before no energy. Please I need some direction and help as the Dr's won't. I would like to know what's wrong, if it can be fixed or if this is how I'm going to be for the rest of my life. I was very active before my surgery...skated every week, went hiking, went for walks , hung out with friends and did things with my boys. All that has stopped. I wish I had never agreed to another surgery but when you're in so much pain you will do almost anything to have it gone. Well I went for it and now my life as I knew it is gone....
Thanks Kim
If anyone has these symptoms after having titanium put in them please contact me .
It would be nice to know that I'm not alone in this.

[Serbin]

Get in touch with all of us on the titanium/vanadium/aluminum dental implant site.

Lots of discussion about titanium, and the problems people have been having with it.

See you there.....

Maryann (Serbin)

[deb55118]

I had L5-S1 back surgery in May -had MSSA staff infection in stomach incision-was on intervenious antibiotics twice a day and on 5th week was running high fever and rash. I was hospitalized and finally diagnosed with DRESS syndrome with high eosinophilia. My kidneys started to shut down , legs swelled ,and skin started to just peel off me. I had sores in my mouth and throat and could barely eat or drink. I was started on 60 mg of ,prednisolone and released after two weeks- I have had a itchy rash mostly over my whole body but worse on the trunk- every time I try to wean off the steroids I get worse and have to go back to at least 12mgs. I have been allergic to nickel all of my adult life and questioned the surgeons before surgery of my possibility of being allergic to the titanium they were going to implant! They assured me no one has allergies to titanium! I took the Melisa blood tests to see if I was allergic and the results came back negative-even to nickel! The steroids and antihistamines I am on most likely gave the tests a false reading! I can not wean off the meds to take the tests over! Meantime I am dealing with chronic fatigue,back pain,heart palpatations,sweats that make the rash itch worse,and now also depression! My primary doctor has sent me to Derm and Internal Med specialists and no one can seem to help! I have an appt in 2 months to see doctors at Mayo. I truely pray that they can help me because I cannot live like this! I also had titanium screws put in a foot 2 years ago. I am trying to get my surgery records to see if they truely put titanium in my back!I am not taking their word for it! Help does anyone have any ideas?                  Deb in SD

[Serbin]

what kind of problems have you been having with your ears....any buzzing or ringing
sensation??

[Serbin]

I had a titanium tooth implant put in in September.  I haven't felt right since then.

I sent my blood to Melisa.  It came back mild allergy to titanium.
I have have miserable joint pain, headaches and now ringing in my ears.  No one can figure it out.  

I had breathing problems with most medicines all my life, but doctors couldn't understand why.  Til my new allergist figured out, after 15 months on Plavix and trouble breathing that I am possibly reacting to Titanium.  Stopped the Plavix and after 3 weeks  I was breathing so much better.  

Then had the implant put in and all the other problems started, only to find that it is straight titanium.

So  on Wednesday, I am haved finally made a decision, the titanium implant is being taken out.  I am hopeful, that I will start to improve after the removal.  I will keep everyone informed and hope that this information can help a lot of you out there.
Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing also.

[LOUCRETIA]

i too had titanium rods placed at L-4&L-5 in nov. of 08.since then i've had problems with my ears.can the rods be the            problem?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           LISA

[Surejell]

I had titanium hardware placed in L-4 and L-5 in 2004, I had complications such as joint pain, at first then I became allergic to magnesium, in medications, afterward allergic to magnesium in food, and soon after allergic to chemical and cosmetics.  I started to notice all of the allergies, and the Holy Spirit instructed me to pull all of my medications, and see what you notice that are consistance.  I found magnesium in all white form of tablets.
I made an appontment with my surgeon, and had the hardware removed on 9/26/08, I immediately nocticed a difference in food allergies.  The next day, I was not burning and swelling as usually.  Several weeks later I discovered I was allergic to latex, nickel, aluminum, metal, polyester.  I had the same symptoms which you spoke of, and latex will dry out your mouth, and will make you cough especially at night,and definitely make your heart palpitate, or when your body gets hot.  My Allergist call my symptoms allergic rhinitis, I am scheduled to be test by blood on 01/13/09, to find out  for certain everything I am allergic to, and to start getting shots, to build my immune system back up.  I am now wearing gloves, daily, I had to replace my latex mattress, and the covers, pillows,and etc., cotton underclothes, get rid of the costume jewlry, cosmetic replaced with fragrance free, sponges, eye glasses, replaced with non-titanic, and the titanium partial removed, almagam silver filling replaced with non-titanium.  
This titanium had changed my life completed, I would not advised no one to ever have back surgery, and allow people to use titanium hardware.  
I hope some of the information will help.

Surejell

[rierie12]

Thanks so much for your response.

[ampky]

I, too had a titanium implant and had difficulties from it with most docs saying, "People don't have problems from that type of metal".  Even if you can find an allergist to do titanium testing, it is probably done only on the surface of the skin.  A blood test is needed because titanium reacts differently when implanted.

You can talk to your doc to find a test (I didn't have much luck and frankly just wasted time) or order a MELISA test yourself (which is what I did) that will tell you if you're allergic to titanium and other metals you choose (that will help if you have the implant replaced with a different material in the future). I received the results a few days ago and it determined I AM allergic to titanium. I'll be taking the results to the surgeon for removal/replacement.  More info is avalilable at www.MELISA.org
Best wishes!