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Newbie with allergies

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skyyblues

new member
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May 6, 2008
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Hello - I am new to this but you all seem so close and helpful! I need a TKR according to 2 docs. The last one tried Synvisc to see if he could prolong my replacement. After the first shot I noticed a few excema blisters on my hands, within 3 days my hands were broke out all over. I am allergic to formaldehyde and Synvisc contains it! Most doctors do not give much consideration to my allergy as most people think of building materials and dead people. I am wondering if anyone has chemical sensitivities or my allergy and how it affected their surgery? I hope I have posted this in the right spot as this is the first time in a forum like this! Thank you for all of your messages as it has let me know I am not insane with the things I have been feeling for so long!!!!
 
Hi skyyblue and welcome. You posted correctly. I have some antibiotic allergies. And antibiotics are a big part of TKR, so I was pretty nervous about the fact that they were going to pump large amounts of them directly into my veins. For me they had a big pow wow before surgery where a bunch of DRs discuss and decide which antibiotic to try. obviously they figured it out. Just be sure to tell ALL drs and nurses as you go of your allergy. They work hard to make things work.
And yes, isn't the connection on this forum fantastic!? It has been a huge support throughout my recovery. Keep us posted as to your surgery.
 
You Poor Thing! I Would Have Been Scared To Death And I Can Sure Understand How You Would Be Worried About Your Surgery But Jennifer Gave You First Rate Advise. If You Keep Everyone Informed You Shouldn't Have A Problem. Luckily You Have Found This Site, You Will Find A Wealth Of Information And Support Here. I Know They Have Been A Tremendous Help To Me. Rowdy
 
I'm allergic to latex which pretty much covers a large amount of medical equipment.

When I first discovered the allergy about 12 years ago it was when I was in hospital and I was due to have surgery the following day. They had to have all the latex free equipment couriered to them before my surgery. Now I think they are more used to it and any hospital I visit they have latex free kits and every ward and in the OR.

Make sure you keep reminding people of the allergy though, the last time I was in I had a big red arm band on and latex allergy wrote everywhere but they kept forgetting. It must be habit, doing the same thing every day.
 
Thank you I feel better. I am supposed to stay away from latex also, but believe it or not it is not as high on my list as the formaldehyde. I have only had the allergy for 1 1/2 years. Do they use adhesive to bond the new knee to the bone, as most contain formaldehyde?

Thanks again to all of you for making me feel welcome!

skyyblues
 
Do they use adhesive to bond the new knee to the bone, as most contain formaldehyde?


skyyblues

My incisions were "glued" as opposed to sewn or stapled. So if that is what you are referring to, then yes. Though many here have been stapled so there are options. But I'm sure the OS wiil close you up in as safe a manor as he opens and fixes you.
 
Hi Sky, Welcome! I'm pretty sure the docs will have you tested in advance for allergies to the glue they use to insert the prothesis and to sew you up. Just make sure you tell them. I'm allergic to latex and other weird, unexpected things that break me out in hives and some that tighten my throat. Just be careful and make sure you are fully tested prior to surgery. I know there are also some prothesis that don't require glue.
 
OOOps Sorry, my DUH. You asked about the bone not the skin. They use bone cement. Like 1 J @ said, ask and tell.
 
Skyblues, welcome to our forum. I am also very pleased I found it. I was close to thinking I was going to go insnae when I found it and realised I wasn't just being a wimp, that others were also going through the same kind of pain and feelings etc. Glad you joined us and hope you will keep posting. Have you checked out some of the "Sticky" posts by Josephine yet? Check out the older posts too, around the January mark to find out what other problems we were going through at in the early stages....Sue
 
Morning - I have been going through the posts and wow!! After awhile you begin to think you are losing your mind along with everything else. This is the first time in a long time I haven't felt pathetic and alone! It is sad but it sure makes a person feel better to know there are others out there that are having the same issues you are. After developing my allergies it has been hard, I looked like a leper for a year. It took 4 different docs over 6 mos to figure out what was wrong. My last knee surgery was in Jan 06 and at that time the doc told me I would have 1 - 3 years and would need TKR. I am waiting to get in to the medical college on June 19th for my first appt. After I got the shot of synvisc and had my reaction I felt a teaching place might give me a fighting chance (I would think they would welcome a freak). Well thanks again and I will keep reading.

skyyblues
 
Thank you I feel better. I am supposed to stay away from latex also, but believe it or not it is not as high on my list as the formaldehyde. I have only had the allergy for 1 1/2 years. Do they use adhesive to bond the new knee to the bone, as most contain formaldehyde?

Thanks again to all of you for making me feel welcome!

skyyblues

An unfortunate malady, to say the least.

As for your question about using adhesives to bond the prosthesis to the bone, not really. What they use is a substance popularly called bone cement is actually a padding material that labours under the name of methyl methacrylate. This is not an broken link removed: https://www.hipreplacement.co.uk/Primary/Bonecmnt.html as such. What it does is to be a spacer between the irregularities of the bone and the smooth surface of the prosthesis. The latter fits tightly into the cast it makes in the wad of cement and on the other side, the cement is forced into all the miniature nooks and crannies of the bone. I am reliably informed that it contains no formaldehyde although some products are coloured green which is obtained by the use of trace amounts of peanut oil! So if you have any problems with nut allergies this is also something you should take into consideration.

However, there are cementless prostheses which are tried and tested so this shouldn't be a problem. Given your history, I would go for a cementless knee anway, whatever your final decision.
 
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