Metal implants could poison you if you are allergic to nickel
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SOUTH OGDEN — Jody Saunders was healthy until she broke her arm and surgeons placed an implant that contained nickel.
"It didn't heal. I had this big, swollen arm and tons of pain," Saunders said. "I got sicker and sicker."
Saunders, who lives in South Ogden, learned she was allergic to nickel. "I loved hiking up on the trails every day and I can barely walk to the car right now."
Swelling from the allergy worsened a condition that obstructed the main vein to her heart. Doctors removed the implant and replaced it with pure titanium. But now, Saunders needs three coronary stents — tiny steel tubes — to unblock her vein.
"I'm dying," she said.
The coronary stent ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter. They're made with varying amounts of nickel. Because Saunders is so sensitive, none of the stents in the U.S. would work for her.
"It's unbelievable," Saunders said. "I just need a stent."
Nickel-free alternatives are easily found outside the U.S., in countries like Canada and Germany and popular places for medical tourism like India and Mexico.
"That's very frustrating because I know they're out there. I know they're available," said Jody's husband, Peter Saunders.
The FDA tests medical implants submitted by manufacturers. The process can take years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 10 to 20 percent of the general population in the U.S. are allergic to nickel.
With such a high percentage, why aren't nickel-free coronary stents available for her? "It's a good question you ask. I don't know," said University Hospital cardiologist Dr. Theophilus Owan.
The stent could save Jody Saunders' life. But Owan said allergies vary in severity and the percentage with a reaction as severe as Jody's is small. Owan said cardiologists don't routinely have patients tested for nickel allergies before placing coronary stents because they contain only 1 to 5 percent nickel, so reactions are rare. Testing everyone, Owan said, wouldn't be cost-effective. But the FDA doesn't require manufacturers list the percentage only a warning.
They found a quicker "compassionate use" option for life-threatening situations. In some cases, it can take as little as a day for approval. But in Saunders' case, they found it was a complex process that can take months; time she doesn't have. So, they're exploring options abroad. But she'd need a medical flight.
"The minimum is $100,000 just to fly there," Jody Saunders said.
According to experts with the Arthritis Foundation, if you've had a skin reaction to metal jewelry in the past, you should be tested before implant surgery. Symptoms of a systemic allergic reaction include pain, loss of function in the implant area, weakness, diarrhea and headaches.
Saunders continues searching for answers, relying on strength and an iron will.
A spokesperson with the FDA said it's up to manufacturers to make more options that are nickel free so they can test them. The takeaway? If you have a metal allergy, get tested before implant surgery.
