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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Seizures, Constant Headache, Rashes, Dry Eyes. Had Neck Surgery, Cervical Discectomy And Fusion With Titanium. Reason?

hi, i had a neck surgery cervical diskectomy and fusion in 2005 with titanium (and nickel) hardware plate which has always bothered me. i am allergic to most metals which i did explain to the MD. Lately i have developed progressive symptoms up to...constant headache, severe itch, rash, dry eye, loss of hair, memory loss, confusion, ticks, and now grand mal seizures. Is this possibly a symptom or related to titanium poisoning? It is NOT epilepsy, not anything else. I have been through the ringer of testing for all kinds of tests, and the seizures are lasting a long time and now, very strange come and go, not typical.
posted on Thu, 18 Jul 2013
Twitter Fri, 19 Jul 2013 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 23 Jul 2013 Last reviewed on
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Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.

Metal allergy is a very rare clinical presentation.

Symptoms of metal allergy to implanted devices usually causes pain around the site of fixation of plates and screws though some systemic symptoms & signs may also manifest.

The Systemic signs & symptoms that are caused by allergic reaction to titanium include physical weakness and tiredsomeness , decrease in mental abilities, migraines and muscle pains.

EPILEPSY has not been documented as an allergic reaction to titanium.

The only way to deal with the problem is REMOVAL OF TITANIUM IMPLANTS. As it has been more than 8 years, there is no purpose served by the plates and screws inside now. So they can be safely removed.

Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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Seizures, Constant Headache, Rashes, Dry Eyes. Had Neck Surgery, Cervical Discectomy And Fusion With Titanium. Reason?

Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. Metal allergy is a very rare clinical presentation. Symptoms of metal allergy to implanted devices usually causes pain around the site of fixation of plates and screws though some systemic symptoms & signs may also manifest. The Systemic signs & symptoms that are caused by allergic reaction to titanium include physical weakness and tiredsomeness , decrease in mental abilities, migraines and muscle pains. EPILEPSY has not been documented as an allergic reaction to titanium. The only way to deal with the problem is REMOVAL OF TITANIUM IMPLANTS. As it has been more than 8 years, there is no purpose served by the plates and screws inside now. So they can be safely removed. Hope this information is helpful. Good day