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Current Postings on This Page (24):
• I had three stents put in on 11/20/09 and broke
out in a terrible rash shortly thereafter. Also, my hands turned bright
red and started swelling. The itch was unbearable. I went to an allergist
and found I am allergic to cobalt. A nurse friend suggested I take Claritin,
which I did. The itching and rashes have stopped about 85 percent with
10mg Loratadine ($10 for 30 at Walgreen's for Wal-itin, which is the same
as Claritin I'm going back to the allergist tomorrow to be tested for nickel,
etc. allergy. But I think my problem is Plavix. Millions take it and 6
percent are allergic (medicalnewstoday.com/articles/144398.php)
Barbara F., Florida, USA, February 7, 2010
• Hi Chad. Glad to see at least a little progress
for you and your wife. I don't think it's feasible to test every patient
about to get a metallic implant (of any sort) -- especially when there's
an emergency situation. But I do feel that patients are not asked the question,
"Are you allergic to any metal, jewelry, nickel, etc.?", enough,
certainly
not
strongly enough, before a procedure -- which doesn't make sense since EVERY
DFU and FDA label for stents (of any type) specifically warns against implanation
in
a patient
who is
allergic
to nickel
or any
component of the stent. As for tissue regrowth, restenosis is a complex
biological process and is not merely an "allergic" reaction.
If it were, then drug-eluting stents could just be coated with benadryl
or steroids
or other antihistamine. In fact, the ideal situation is to have the stent
covered by a thin layer of healthy endothelial tissue so that the blood
flows freely and the platelets don't begin to clump. A problem occurs
when too much tissue grows, causing a repeat blockage, or "restenosis".
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, February 6, 2010
• to all who check here my wife is still going
strong. 5 of the metals she is allergic to are in her teeth. Even the silver
one. She finally found a dentist confident enough to removed them a few
at a time with her extensive heart disease history. OUCH. Needed heart
team on standby. Took 3 years and a lot of pleading but it's getting done.
YEAh!!!!
TO all that find themselves metal allergic to their stents we
need to spread the word. We need to find a way to make it mandatory METAL
allergy testing before this one Non removable implant is installed. Low
estimate is 14% of women are already allergic to nickel. Why HAVE women
passed men in heart disease? BTW, restenosis is scar tissue, not plaque
or cholesterol. Scar tissue is what the body makes up to cover an allergen.
The medication on the MEDICATED STENts is for slowing the scar tissue growth.
isn't the plavix or aspirin the med used to keep platelets from sticking
to the scar
tissue?
QUOTE FOR TAXUS DFU (directions for use)
"Restenosis is formation of tissue
ingrowth in treated area"
"Drug eluting stents are designed to deliver a drug
locally to reduce tissue ingrowth."
TISSUE
GROWTH IS ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Chad, Washington State, USA, February 3, 2010
• DT -- no reason to suspect Plavix -- it may have
side effects, but pain and the type of reactions you are describing are
not typical. BTW, you stated that you were prescribed Plavix because
you had high cholesterol, but Plavix is not a cholesterol lowering drug.
Was
there some other reason?
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, February 2, 2010
• I am allergic to nickel. In 2004 I had a bunionectomy
and titanium rods were placed in 2 toes (dr. said titanium didn't contain
nickel). In 2005, I had
a lumpectomy for breast cancer. 2 weeks into radiation I was hospitalized w/chest
pain and was told I had high cholesterol and was prescribed Plavix. Shortly thereafter
I started having joint pain in foot and back. My foot actually gets numb and
my back hurts even to the touch. Nothing has helped. In 2007, a stent was placed
in one of my arteries because again I was hospitalized w/chest pain. Periodically
I break out w/blisters on my hands. I am tired all the time and could not work
after radiation treatment. All this time I thought the problem was my reaction
to radiation treatment. Would it be the Plavix that has caused me so much pain?
I ham thoroughly confused. Please advise.
DT, Nevada, USA, February 1, 2010
• Hi, my mother was concerned about metal allergies
before she got her stent put in. Her doctor recommended her to get a
blood test for metal allergy with a company called orthopedic analysis.
It was
very easy to deal with them and apparently do this testing for all orthopedic
devices. Sure enough, she was extremely reactive to Nickel and had to
reassess the situation with her doc. I thought this might help.This is
their website
www.orthopedicanalysis.com. Good luck and God
bless.
Matt, Louisiana, USA, December 4, 2009
• I am allergic to the components of my PROMUS stent implant. Specifically
cobalt, chromium and nickel. I have not been tested for allergies to the drug
coating. My symptoms are fatigue, headache, joint pain, digestive and bowel movement
problems. I have requested the stent be removed by by-pass surgery. Three different
cardiologists recommend I learn to "live with it." Living with these allergies
is too detrimental to my health. Please advise.
Irmgard A., Newmarket, New Hampshire, USA, October 5, 2009
• Visit www.orthopedicanalysis.com to
get tested for metal allergy though a blood test. It is a laboratory based
in the
U.S. that has provided metal allergy testing for the last 5 years. You
get results in 10 days. [Editor's note: this submission was sent in
by an employee of the testing company.
Posting
does not constitute an endorsement of the testing or the company and Angioplasty.Org
urges interested parties to thoroughly read the company's website, disclaimers
and price lists.]
MC, Chicago, Illinois, USA, September 17, 2009
• About 4 weeks ago I had a drug-eluting stent and
was prescribed the usual Plavix and aspirin. I was doing quite well until
yesterday when I noticed a very
red, rough rash on my chest. Itches a little, but bearable. I wonder if anyone
can advise me if this might be a sudden allergy, either to the stent or to
the Plavix, after this amount of time. I did a vigorous one-hour workout
yesterday,
so I had a good sweat, and I thought the that and the meds might have caused
the rash. Can anyone tell me if this is dangerous? Since it is the weekend,
my cardiologist is not working, and I would hate to bother him anyway over
something
that could be only minor. Is this something that can be cleared up using creams
and antihistamines. I would be most grateful if anyone can offer some suggestions.
Thank you.
Jan Finley, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, August 30, 2009
• I had a stent placed in my LAD artery for a 90%
or better blockage in August 2004. Not too long after that I started having
what I thought was a terrible "crick" in my neck. The pain just kept getting
worse, and after going thru a cervical disectomy and fusion to stop the
pain, the pain got much worse. I was finally dx with Cervical Dystonia
which is a neurological condition caused by some type of problem or blockage
in the basil ganglia of the brain. I never had any type of neck problem
until this and i just wonder if the stent had something to do with the
misfiring of the basil ganglia in my brain? It is a long shot ... but who
knows?? I am also allergic to nickel. I am just searching for answers.
Regina Van Etten, Elko, Georgia, USA, August 18, 2009
• forum,
no we haven't -- They are now giving us the run around on finding
allergist (non seem to know how to check him). I have given the dr print
outs of the melisa.org and they are trying to get him into a cardio at
a mayo clinic. I don't understand why this is taking so long draw blood
send it to melisa.
Amanda, Patterson, Georgia, USA, July 22, 2009
• Amanda -- (also posted
in Forum
Topic on Plavix) -- have you determined whether or not your father
is allergic to nickel or stainless
steel (which
contains nickel). ALL Stents, DES or bare metal, contain nickel and the
official FDA-mandated Directions For Use (DFU) included with each stent
specifically warns that stents should not be implanted in persons with
a known hypersensitivity to any of the components.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 21, 2009
• Chad I am sorry to hear of all this but I think
I may have a loved one suffering like your wife. I would like to hear
more of her story.
Amanda, Patterson, Georgia, USA, July 16, 2009
• hello! My Father-in-law has been allergic to a
DES in 2006 it was removed with bypass. It stayed in for two months before
Dr's could figure it out. It
caused damage! He had a pacemaker placed. No testing for any allergies done.
Dr's didn't send him anywhere to be tested! Last Fri. had to have a cath done
blockage found and they put a BMS in and he is reacting to it. The stent dr.
wants him to tough it out and see if tissue will cover it and symptoms go away.
Does that sound right to any of you. We are all frustrated cause this Dr. was
the one who placed the first stent and was reminded of this before placing
the second!!!!!!!! Can anyone tell us what to do! He is having chest pains,
chills,
shortness of breath, hives on chest and back!
Amanda, Patterson, Georgia, USA, July 16, 2009
• Lori -- this Forum is devoted to devices used
in stenting coronary arteries, but many surgical implants are made of alloys
that contain nickel. Have you been tested for a nickel allergy? Have you
discussed your pains with your surgeon -- your physicial therapist??
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, July 15, 2009
• I had a Rotator Cuff/Shoulder surgery about 8
weeks ago. I have been in agonizing pain ever since. All of my joints hurt.....my
muscles ache....run a low grade fever constantly. I do not feel well at
all. Does this sound like I
could have an allergy to the "Nickel Pins" the surgeon implanted in my shoulder?
Thanks
for any info!!!!
Lori Lyle, Arizona, USA, July 12, 2009
• THANK GOD, I did a lot of research, i need to
have angioplasty and stents but when i found out they contain metal /
nickel which i am highly allergic to, the Dr said it was a no go. Had I
had the
stents put in, I would have suffered extremely bad to them. I think this
is the case with many of you that have problems with the stents, NO MATTER
WHAT KIND, because they all contain NICKEL!
MO, New York, USA, June 11, 2009
• Chad and Tana plz respond here, you are from Spokane and I have some questions
for you and maybe some helpful information.
Cheryl, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, May 15, 2009
• I have been allergic to nickel/metal for years..
I have just recently worn a heart monitor with hypoallergenic electrodes.
Was suppose to wear it for 20 days, but I have broken out in sores and
blisters at the electrode sights had to take the monitor off after 10
days.... I have low grade fever and constant nausea and I know it's from
the reaction.
Been having problems with heart rate being to low and irregular for approx.
3 years now. I have been curious about stents and pacemakers with these
allergies.
Helen, Albany, Georgia, USA, April 22, 2009
• In response to a query from Angioplasty.Org, Dr.
Marc Feldman of San Antonio, Texas, who is currently conducting a research
study on allergic reactions to drug-eluting stents, replied:
"Nickel allergies
are a different type of allergic reaction than what we are investigating.
There
was a paper
published
earlier
in this decade about pts with Nickel allergies developing increased
intimal hyperplasia and restenosis with bare metal stents, but there
were no reports
of eosinophilic reactions."
I believe the paper Dr. Feldman is referring
to is titled, "Nickel
and molybdenum contact allergies in patients with coronary in-stent restenosis",
and was one that Chad from Washington linked to below. We've been researching
other studies, but they have been very few.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 5, 2009
• I know stents are small. But
keep one thing in mind: it's
still bigger than a peanut or a bee sting. If you are allergic it doesn't
matter how small. You can't see a flu bug but it will kill ya.
I've sent you two must reads. I'm sorry that they are a bit of a read.
I have tons more:
I went to a web site: It's where we got her blood allergy
test done. After all aren't we talking about an implant in the blood, not
on the skin. Skin
patch test is inconclusive.
I have spoken at length to their head scientist both
in Europe and here. Long story short, I got them to questioning things.
They have confirmed that if the metal is not removed, my wife's systemic
allergic reaction will only get worse.
We knew of the allergy to nickel, we were surprised to learn of the others
(molybdenum and platinum) she is allergic to in all
11 coronary stents. If you knew my wife's medical history your heart would
go out to
her. If
there is one person allergic, there are more, count on it. I don't
want to stop stents from being used (yes I do). I do understand that they
help most. But not all.
Chad and Tana, Washington State, USA, February 13, 2009
• my name is Tana. I'm 34. I have had 15 heart caths,
11 stents placed, a triple bypass and my sternal wires removed because
I am allergic to metal, 8 of them to be exact. My symptoms. Fibromyalgia,
Ibs, chronic fatigue syndrome, swelling and pain in all my joints similar
to arthritis, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, and manic depression.
The worst of all of them are the flu like symptoms, fever, nausea, aches.
Those are pretty constant. On a happier note I still get to wake up and
smile everyday. with my incredible kids and husband of almost 17 years
so its not all bad, i
am luckier then most, have a great day.
Tana, Washington State, USA, February 13, 2009
• J.J. from UK -- here are some references to warnings
about implanting stents in patients with metal allergies. The FDA warning
is for all metal stents (bare and drug-eluting), not just the examples
quoted here. The same language is in both the Instructions
For Use (IFU) for the CYPHER drug-eluting stent (page 4) and from the Directions
for Use (DFU) for the TAXUS drug-eluting stent (page 2): "Patients
with a known hypersensitivity to 316L stainless steel may suffer an allergic
reaction to this implant." and so on. The part of the stainless
steel alloy that seems to cause the allergy is nickel. (Also, many metal
surgical devices are made with Nitinol, a nickel-titanium alloy). The tricky
part here is the phrase "with a known hypersensitivity." How
such a condition becomes "known" is dependent on the patient
communicating this knowledge to the physician. Patients are supposed to
be questioned about allergies before a stent (or pretty much any medical
procedure) but this query ("are you allergic to metal?") often
gets lost in a long list of questions. Moreover, many patients may not
be aware of their condition. Does this mean every potential stent patient
should be given an allergy skin patch test?
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 20, 2008
• Dear Forum -- Thank you for your support so far.
I am still trying to find out the make of stent that my mother had fitted
and also to convince the specialists that there is the possibility of metal
allergies and stents. In your post of 5th May 2008 you referred to the
FDA-mandated package inserts for All stents that urges caution against
implanting stents in patients with known allergies to nickel and chrome.
Could you please give me a reference for this info – i.e. a document on
the web that I can research further and pass on to the specialists? My
google searches so far have not been able to locate anything (this could
be due to me struggling because of my medical ignorance!). Your support
and advice is much appreciated. Many many thanks.
J.J., United Kingdom, May 19, 2008
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