Parkinson's and heavy metals

[ElianaR]

Hello, I'm new here and I would like to share my mothers PD development, and some research that I've found. Back in January 2017 she had Lordosis surgery in her lumbar back (back surgery). Titanium screws were put on her back and since then her mobility has reduced greatly, which I think has conduced to the development of PD symtoms and lately the worsening of her Parkinsons.

As the progression of Parkinson and the lordosis surgery coincide in time, I got suspicious and made a little research finding out that there is correlation between metal implants or metal exposure and Parkinson’s, which makes me think that maybe there are some relation between the titanium implants and the Parkinson’s evolution (this is speculation of course):

pdfs.semanticscholar.org/06...

Up until recently it was believed that Titanium was a "safe" metal to use in orthopedics and spine surgery. However, this University of Oviedo (Spain) research shows that there may be degradation of this metal which could affect the health over the long term.

digibuo.uniovi.es/dspace/ha...

Soo, I would like to now if any of you have a similar history to my moms.

Thank you!

[SilentEchoes]

I don't know the answer, but I don't discount your observation that there appears to be a temporal relationship. The actor, Dick Van Dyke, is said to have experienced a reaction to his titanium dental implants. I have titanium clips from gallbladder removal 4 years prior to developing neurological symptoms and cannot make the connection, that doesn't mean it doesn't play a part in neurological injury that results in dysfunction. Have you considered the possibly that anesthetic drugs were a factor in accelerating her PD? It seems that she could benefit from a detox program and you should seek support from a qualified functional medicine practitioner. Maybe she will need the screws replaced. It's a catch 22 for doctors, stainless steel means she cannot have MRIs and so there aren't many options.

[ElianaR in reply to SilentEchoes]

Thank you for your reply!. Yes, we've been considering removing the screws although my mom is hesitant as she had a horrible experience with the last one (when the screws were put in) and her doctor does not see any correlation between the surgery and the development of PD.

And yes, I think the anesthetic has something to do with it as she is very very sensitive to medicines, and when she woke up from the surgery and the effect of the anesthetic was wearing off, she had panic/anxiety attacks where she beleived she was having a heart attack and could not breathe (her heart was fine and her oxigen levels ok) so we will have to consider that.

Maybe you can recomend some functional medicine practitioner?

[Calmom]

My symptoms started after surgery for hammertoe in which screws placed in my toes!!!

[moonswife in reply to Calmom]

Oh, my gosh....my husband's worsened about the time of his bunionectomy and pins. Had only been diagnosed with Essential Tremor before that. Curious now, must start reading.

[condor39]

I had an ankle joint replacement a year ago, and my Parkinson’s Symptoms got neither better or worse. Some months after surgery, an increase in dose of Prolopa (Canadian version of Madopar) gave a dramatic improvement in walking.

I take no supplements, and follow no particular diet or exercise program.

AS has been said before, one person’s experience is not necessarily relevant to others.

[ElianaR in reply to condor39]

Thank you for your reply. May I ask, why did you need a dose increase? did your prolopa dosis stop giving you the same benefits as before?

[condor39 in reply to ElianaR]

I was advised to very slowly increase the dose to get maximum benefit or until I got side effects. I got a very good improvement, and was back to walking half a kilometre when I got very mild dyskinesia ( mild involuntary leg movements), so I backed off the dose a little. Now I am currently on a compromise dose.

I am adamant on taking no supplements, until one is proved to work.

I should have elaborated on diet - I eat a variety of things, but only things I like, and as for exercise, I agree it helps but I am too lazy , and hate doing it, so I don’t . I may have to later, but so far, so good.

[Joshi970]

In old indian ayurvedic system they use heavy metals medicines to treat many acute diseases. It believed they improve immunity and increase physical and mental power.

[ElianaR in reply to Joshi970]

Well... ancient chinese believed mercury granted inmortality... Now we know is highly toxic

[Joshi970 in reply to ElianaR]

in ayurvedic system too mercury is used for many good medicines

[david26point2]

Hi ElianaR

I too had major spinal surgery in 2012 & 2013 for Spinal Stenosis and Scoliosis.

My spine was fused between T12 and S1 (7 vertabrae) and secured with titanium

rods, bolts and screws. Both surgeries performed under general anesthesia, the

first operation took 9 hours and the second 8 hours and each requiring 7 days in the hospital. About 6 months after the second surgery, I noticed a tremor in my right hand and a few months later I was diagnosed with PD. Shortly before the back surgeries, I had a double hernia surgery which was performed under anesthesia

and a year after the back surgery I underwent a shoulder surgery under general anesthesia. I have been suspicious that the anesthesia was responsible for my PD,

never considering the titanium as a possible cause.

Other than my surgeries in recent years, I have been extremely healthy, the back problems the result of marathon running and training (sometimes 100 miles a week)

and I have been a certified personal trainer, nutritionist & massage therapist since 1999. I have always followed a healthy diet and have no PD in my family history.

My PD symptoms have progressed sufficiently to consider DBS.

[ElianaR in reply to david26point2]

I don't know about the anesthetic, but surelly my mother did not have any PD symptoms before her mayor back surgery so that was what made me suspicious in the first place.

[2bats]

I had a motorbike accident just under 50 years ago and have had a lot of surgery over the years, including 18cm of titanium in the left ankle fusion in 2016. However, I would attribute the Parkinson’s Disease (diagnosed in 2011) to repeated anaesthesia, trauma and a high fructose diet rather than the titanium. Some of my symptoms even preceded the accident! I was extremely fit and believe intense sport delayed the PD’s onset

Best regards, Phil 2bats

[ElianaR in reply to 2bats]

Did your PD symtoms worsened or stayed the same after your ankle fusion surgery?

[2bats]

I’d say the symptoms were unchanged, but the difficulty with evaluating a titanium insert is that it is always accompanied by trauma and anaesthesia, both of which probably exacerbate PD, plus probably a post-op reduction in physical activities - ditto. My PD DX pre-dates both inserts, but I’ve had a lot of surgery from a young age... my money is on stress and anaesthesia, not Ti...

Best regards, Phil 2bats

[barnwill]

I have been wondering about this issue myself. Many years ago, I had dental titanium implants that failed. The dentist said it was a poor quality titanium, so they were removed and never replaced. Had double fusion cervical surgery, which are titanium plates, Jan. 2018. Operation stretched from 2.5 hours to 5 hours. I question whether anesthesia may have affected my well being, as well. After months of physical therapy, my issues were not improving. Upon revisiting it was determined I have PD. To be fair, I had symptoms that suggested PD previous to surgery, but neurosurgeon never mentioned PD. He determined it was compressed spinal cord, which he indicated should improve my condition. Almost two years removed from that surgery, and I never have felt like myself , both physically, and mentally. Have a disconnect as to where I am at all times. My autonomic nerve system has been disrupted severely. Take Sinemet, which doesn't work too well for me. Very short "on time". No one wants to discuss titanium rejection. Frustrated as hell!