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chrisTIn@
08-23-2014, 09:02 AM
I know titanium is used in lots of cases where something in the body has to be fixed, as in surgery for a broken leg and so on.
Ttitanium is a so called 'inert' material, that won't oxidate or something like that.

Is there any of you Weggies who has had surgery where something made of titanium is brought inside the body?
Did you experience an auto-immune response?

(I would like to know, because yesterday a so-called iodine seed (a piece of titanium, smaller than a grain of rice, filled with radio-active material, to locate the place for surgery) was placed inside my breast.
Next week I will have surgery for breast-cancer, and I don't want my Wegs-dog to awake.)

Dirty Don
08-23-2014, 09:42 AM
If the radioactive material is strong enough, you may want WG back again. Wife had to take it in a large dose, knocked her down really hard for a while. Best to you.

mrtmeo
08-23-2014, 11:35 AM
Anything implanted into bone will cause an autoimmune response.
Even a tooth bud that never completely grew out of the bone, but stayed in the bone as an enamel bit that is not compatable with bone, will cause an autoimmune response.

drz
08-23-2014, 02:14 PM
I have a titanium screw in my skull to snap on my osseo-integrated hearing aid (BAHA) for past two years. I have been considered in a drug induced remission since it was installed. I had to be in remission for a year before they would consider such an operation. I think their main concern was the possiblity of infection when one has a broken immune system.

chrisTIn@
08-23-2014, 10:15 PM
@Don: In this small piece of titanium the radiation is very weak, so it doesn't bother me I think. Next week they will take it out with surgery. Later on in the process I will have to face a series of radiation-treatments.
I know people can be very tired during this treatment. I sure hope your wife feels good again, please give her my best regards!

@mrtmeo: Would that implicate that in 'softer' tissue the auto-immune-response will not occur?

@drz: I am glad you're still in (drug induced) remission, and that your system showed no significant reaction to the titanium screw. I guess it's safe for me too then!

I will contact the Wegs-specialist or try to let someone do that for me.
Because when this little iodine seed is taken out, they will replace another (non-radioactive) very small piece of titanium to mark the spot.
This time it will stay in longer, for control-reasons (to mark the spot for X-rays or MRI)

mrtmeo
08-24-2014, 01:31 AM
@mrtmeo: Would that implicate that in 'softer' tissue the auto-immune-response will not occur?
)

Anything in the tissues that is a foreign body, will get attacked by the immune system and this is why they use anti-rejection drugs for transplants.

windchime
08-24-2014, 01:20 PM
I have bilateral titanium hips joints and have never had a problem with them.

Jaypfei
08-24-2014, 02:50 PM
I too have a titanium pin/screw in my skull for a BAHA. I've had no issues with it. :)

chris.wg
08-26-2014, 08:25 AM
I am speaking purely from opinion here because I have never "knock on wood" needed any thing implanted to date. But from what I gathered and we all know everyone will react different in different circumstances. You are fighting 2 very serious conditions. You need to make sure both doctors are aware of the other condition and communicate with each other. If both of them agree then put your faith in those you have chosen to make you better. Worry and stressing about something is not good for any of us. I recently read a quote I love. Worrying about tomorrow dose not rob you of its sorrow it only saps you of todays joy.

chrisTIn@
08-27-2014, 11:02 PM
The specialized nurse from my care-team will contact the Wegs-specialist on this matter.
I already talked to the surgeon, and she didn't think it would be a problem.
Thanks a lot for all your reactions.
I guess when it's safe for you in hearing aids and hip-joints it's safe for me as well. Thanks again... :smile1:

chrisTIn@
09-01-2014, 01:03 AM
I had surgery on Friday. Now it's sunday-afternoon and I feel pretty good.
The titanium clip(s) don't seem to cause problems, the 'Wegs-dog' is still asleep...

I am still quite 'black and blue', but that will heal in time.
They gave me some kind of morphinelike painkiller, it's called 'Tramadol' here.
That gave me such a massive headdache and made me so dizzy, that I decided to drop it.
When I'm in pain, I now only take acetaminophen (Tylenol).

mrtmeo
09-01-2014, 01:59 AM
I know titanium is used in lots of cases where something in the body has to be fixed, as in surgery for a broken leg and so on.
Ttitanium is a so called 'inert' material, that won't oxidate or something like that.

Is there any of you Weggies who has had surgery where something made of titanium is brought inside the body?
Did you experience an auto-immune response?

(I would like to know, because yesterday a so-called iodine seed (a piece of titanium, smaller than a grain of rice, filled with radio-active material, to locate the place for surgery) was placed inside my breast.
Next week I will have surgery for breast-cancer, and I don't want my Wegs-dog to awake.)

Hi Christin,
Anyone with an autoimmune disease or cancer would be wise to make sure their 25 hydroxy D levels are within the optimum range of 60-80 ng/mL according to the massive research out there on cancer and D.
D is an immune hormone and it modulates the immune system.
Here is a site with extensive research on D and cancer
GrassrootsHealth | Vitamin D Action - GrassrootsHealth | Vitamin D Action (http://grassrootshealth.net/)

chrisTIn@
09-01-2014, 02:36 AM
...make sure...25 hydroxy D levels are within the optimum range of 60-80 ng/mL according to the massive research out there on cancer and D.
D is an immune hormone and it modulates the immune system.


When I was diagnosed with GPA/Wegs in 2010 I consulted a well-known Wegs-specialist. He checked my vitamin D-level, and said it was within the proper range.
But thanks for the tip, I will ask if someone can check it again...