Sandy,
Thanks for the reminder!! I had the skin-patch allergy tests done about 4 years ago, and that's when I found out that I was allergic to any acrylate/methy methacrylate. I also showed some sensitivity to nickel so I will be sure and discuss that with the doctor. I'll admit the reaction I had to nickel crossed my mind when I first started seriously thinking about a TKR, but the acrylate allergy has consumed most of my research/thoughts/worry. I know the reaction to the nickle was not as severe as the reaction to the acrylates, but I picked out all of my favorite earrings (costume) and had the posts and backs replaced with gold. I was tested for, but did not react negatively to gold (yea!!). All of my more expensive earrings already had gold posts, and I have noticed I don't have anymore problems wearing the earrings on which I had the posts replaced. My dermatologist was pretty thorough in the skin-patch testing. (I have had the allergy skin testing for environmentals before - but no one ever tested for acrylates, gold, nickel, latex, - geeze, I dont' know how many things he tested me for!!)
Anyway, I was glad you mentioned the nickel allergy. I will be sure and look into that further.
Thanks, Sandy!!