Anyone know if there's been metal allergy issues with Interstim?

[rjyoon]

I've had an Interstim since '04, & had it replaced in '12. Pocket pain has been an issue, with massively increased tenderness over the site (affects my sitting & my sleeping), yet the dr. says it looks fine, inside & out. I hadn't considered whether it was a metal allergy until I just read about what the symptoms can be when it's a reaction to an implant. Some symptoms really fit, others don't. I have lots of weird allergies/sensitivities, and have reacted to nickel before, which I understand can be present in titanium alloys. Does anyone know if others have had these sorts of problems before?

Here's some of what I've been reading, from http://www.melisatest.com/page/titanium-allergy (don't know how reliable they are):
"The symptoms most often observed after implantation with titanium-containing implants are varied, so they will be different in different patients. In addition to symptoms shown adjacent to implants on the mucosa in the mouth, or on the skin on the body, there may be other systemic symptoms. These symptoms are akin as those described after the exposure to other allergens, like nickel or mercury, in sensitised individuals. Symptoms arise because stimulated lymphocytes produce cytokines, which in turn affect the HPA-axis. The result is multiple non-specific symptoms such as profound fatigue, pain, cognitive dysfunction, headache, sleep problems etc. "

Thanks for reading this!

[ICNDonna]

Re: Anyone know if there's been metal allergy issues with Interstim?

I suggest you ask your physician about ordering the test for you. At least you will know --- the incidence of problems is very low, but it would be good for you to be sure.

Donna