Question to those with metal implants

Hey my wonderful peeps! Hope everyone is having a low pain day...

I read on a few posts...so I apologize for not remembering exactly all the names...but those whom have had their metal removed because of issues of allergic reactions or other reasons..

I am curious to know what types of things were going on that they attributed to the metal itself..

I have titanium...and a lot of it because my last cervical fusion was not just the two levels...but they went in anterior and posterior so I am plated on front and back...and rods and screws..

I have noticed that I have many tiny slightly red bumps all over my face, neck and very upper back all around the incision site. They don't itch...and it's not acne...as I wash my face twice daily and have never had this issue before ....But they seemed to have developed in the last two years...

I was thinking that I was having reaction to the water in my apt. building...but it doesn't effect the rest of my body...but I thought maybe because of washing my face...But now the last year I live in a different place with a different water supply...still there...I tried a bunch of different lotions...shampoos..etc over the years thinking it might be this..

But now..I'm wondering if it may be the titanium and my body just having enough? I haven't asked the Dr. yet as I see him next time in Sept. (every 3 months) and will do so then...but it really didn't occur to me until now when I've read about those having their metal taken out.

While it's very frustrating and embarassing..it looks like a rash almost...but again..no itching..

So anyway...just wanted to see thoughts and what others who have had theirs removed and why.

Thanks so much!!

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 8/3/2011 3:55:55 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks Nini!...Are you talking about your SCS implant? Or are you getting other metal removed from your lumbar surgery?

I hope that you will be in a good place by your daughter's wedding next year...What a fun thing to plan and look forward to:)

Snowbunny

I suppose it could be the  hardware that is causing the rash on your face and back of your neck but I think it very unlikely. Since your hardware is internal I would think that if you were having a reaction to the titanium then it would be more a systemic type of reaction rather than such a localized one like you are having. It is possible, I guess, but I would just about bet it is something else. Anyway unless the pins and rod and brackets really need to come out, I know for myself I am leaving them in, I know what I went through getting them put in and I do not want to go through anything even if it is not close to that to get them out! I have had enough surgeries on my neck! You know Snowbunny you might want to have a dermatologist take a look at the rash and see what they say.  Just a thought????

 

I do wish you well and hope that this works out for you!

 

White Beard

Thanks everyone! I knew I could get some great advice on here! Yes...the dermatologist is my next step after I figured out whether it could be the metal or not...

And I agree WB...that even if they did say it was the cause...it's not a big enough reason for me to take it out as after the two failed fusions...I don't think my neck would stay upright without it! LOL...

I was thinking more along the line that if they found this to be why...they could give something that possible counteracted the rash...

Jaguar...I am lucky that they don't itch at all...they are just very tiny, tiny red spots everywhere...

The only other time I had a rash on my trunk and neck was when I got Dengue Fever from one of my mission trips to Africa...But that was with a very high fever and was on death's door...so I'm blessed this is something minor!

Again...thanks so much for the help...I just was trying to see any correlation before I see my Dr. and make an appt. to the Dermatologist..I don't have insurance so I need to save up for that visit in the next months..

Hugs to you all (( ))

Thanks Betsy for sharing your story...I'm glad that they were able to figure it out and it ended up better by taking out the metal..

I am definitely going to save up in the next months to see a Dermatologist.

Hope you are having a low pain day!