i know this is going to sound weird but…….

[jeeves19]

Guys. Ever since I had the DBS I’ve had rhinitis, itchy eyes, itchy skin. I assumed that I needed to hoover up etc, get my dogs bedding changed etc. I’ve done all of these but I’m still symptomatic. I thought to myself the other day: this started pretty soon after the DBS. So: could I be allergic to the electrodes or maybe some nickel that’s inside me? When I was a teenager, I remember wearing a watch that caused a rash on my arm. My gp told me I was allergic to nickel, so I know that I have suffered from this at some stage. Any thoughts?

[pdpatient]

Hi Jeeves. How come this didn't come up during the pre-op eval? Hopefully, you're able to resolve this with antihistamines. How are you doing otherwise?

[park_bear]

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

" In neurosurgery, allergic reactions to implantable neuromodulatory devices are rare, and we summarize 13 cases published to date. Such allergic reactions generally present as local dermatitis, erythema, and pruritus, which can be difficult to distinguish from surgical site infection. "

[park_bear in reply to park_bear]

Another possibility to consider is instead of allergy to the implant, that something about the implant has triggered allergies. Why that might be I have no idea. Or it could be coincidence.

[jeeves19]

I don’t think it’s something that ever gets discussed. It’s rare that this happens but it is possible. I’m doing okay thanks for asking. Voice is still a bit dodgy but it’s great to be able to turn In bed, get out of the bath and bed unassisted et c. If only I didn’t itch and sneeze so much!

[CuriousMe12 in reply to jeeves19]

I'd suggest that you use this to avoid contact with housework where you're disturbing dust and allow your wife/partner the opportunity 😉

[jeeves19 in reply to CuriousMe12]

Good call but I’ve dusted every bit of it out of the house! It must be the cleanest house in the U.K. now.

[Hikoi]

Hi Jeeves

This does’t read like an implant problem. I think you may have hayfever symptoms. I have them too. The optomtrist, yes thats right, told me that antihistamines worked better if taken regularly and since then I have taken one every night. It has been a success. I no longer wake up with itchy inner ears itchy soft palette itchy eyes and a blocked nose. However I did develop puritis and my whole body was itchy. I changed antihistamine and voila, i stopped itching. (I also have a nasal spray to control nasal polyps.)

Before this I would have inhalations and nasal washouts but they are now a thing of the past. We have to celebrate the little achievements don’t we!

PS I still sneeze, very loudly

[CaritaP]

Have you checked your vitamine B levels? B6 toxicity? Not that know how it’d be connected to the DBS.

[jeffmayer]

So would you still have it done

[jeeves19]

yes because the good outweighs the bad?

[JeanieBeanie]

It's strange Jeeves but I am exactly the same just recently as if there is something in the air. Itchy then sore eyes, itchy scalp and skin and sneezing though it can't be hay fever. Thinking of having an allergy test. My HWP has never experienced this after 18 years of DBS.

[Hikoi in reply to JeanieBeanie]

Why do you say it cant be hayfever Jeanie?

[JeanieBeanie in reply to Hikoi]

Because it's Autumn here but I have just read the other replies.

[jeeves19]

hi Jeanie. Interesting. Thanks for letting me know. One thing I’ve realised is that I have no symptoms from the neck down. Curious stuff.

[Hikoi in reply to jeeves19]

Isnt it odd that hayfever symptoms appear from the neck up. It gets curiouser and curiouser.

[jeeves19 in reply to Hikoi]

Sorry Hikoi. Just did the same as you and lost an essay that is written back to you. Forgive the brevity of the second! Pleased that the anti histamine works so well for you: I take two of these and am still reactive. This is as well as eczema cream, betnovate scalp applicator and nasal spray. Whatever it is, is a real pain. I expect Jeanie said what she said assuming that hay fever is a complaint of summer months and not an English winter. It’s particularly unpleasant this year btw, loads of rain and dullness.

[park_bear in reply to jeeves19]

Ragweed!

kleenex.co.uk/advice/pollen...

"Although hay fever season has taken a hike, autumn allergies in the UK can be triggered by pollen. Ragweed releases pollen well into October, causing the classic sneezing and itchy eyes. About 75% of us who are allergic to other types of pollen also have a sensitivity to ragweed. So if you find yourself feeling irritated by hay fever symptoms in autumn, this could be the culprit."

[jeeves19 in reply to park_bear]

Wow

[JeanieBeanie in reply to jeeves19]

Wow. Will have to google that. Thanks.

[healthabc]

My adult child has metal allergies; we had gone to a special allergist who had an extensive skin patch metal panel of approx 16 metals. She reacted to several, ESPECIALLY GOLD (severe). She was told she could never have metal implants. Perhaps go see an allergist?

[jeeves19 in reply to healthabc]

That’s really interesting. Thanks for that.

[rebtar]

If you go to melisa.org , you can order a blood panel that will ID sensitivities or allergies to metals. Good luck!

[jeeves19 in reply to rebtar]

Thank you Rebtar

[Esperanto]

Don't just focus on the allergic form of rhinitis, although there is certainly a relationship with PD. However, there is also a non-allergic form that also has hay fever-like symptoms.

The most common form of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) is associated with (change of) weather conditions such as fog, rain, humid weather, strong temperature changes or cold air. Normally, the transition from summer to fall is a critical period as are winter conditions. Due to the long late summer, the reaction is even more intense than usual. The body seemed to get used to the very steady weather conditions of last summer. It is not clear why I also belong to the chosen ones from this ailment. It is bizarre that this is the case with all three my diseases, NAR, PD and my peripheral neuropathy (PN) and for no one a cure exists. However you can try to keep the conditions as good as possible, any change of the air can be a trigger again. Cleaning is one of them, but also polluted air, smoking, pollen, just like with the allergic rhinitis. The weather you can't change. However, you can look for more stable weather. I leave in a few hours with our old Eriba to the east coast of Spain. Olé!

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[jeeves19 in reply to Esperanto]

Thanks for your contribution 😊

[bookish in reply to Esperanto]

Mast cells can be triggered by changes in weather, especially pressure dropping and windy weather (in my case). Being 'first responders' for the immune system, they can be easily overreactive in autoimmunity, without being a full blown mast cell disease, but you can calm them down. Hope Spain helped!

[Esperanto in reply to bookish]

Thank you for sharing your experience with mast cells and how weather can impact your symptoms. I have finally found ways to calm them down and find relief especially with Ibuprofen (always my last savior) and a Spanish anti-histamine medication although there is a non-allergic rhinitis. It seems like the stable and beautiful ☀️ weather on the east coast of Spain has also contributed to my well-being, which is a blessing!

[bookish in reply to Esperanto]

Glad it is helping. I use quercetin as a supplement as well as quercetin-containing foods, plenty of vit C, aspirin, magnesium, ginger, low histamine diet and avoid triggers (chemicals, perfumes etc). Stable weather is brilliant!

[jeeves19 in reply to Esperanto]

Thanks for this excellent and lengthy contribution. I think that you’re onto something (and I think another poster pointed in this direction too?). It’s certainly the case that these symptoms presented in October and have lately died down. Interesting 🧐.

[4grandbabies]

I have thw same itchung since DBS, and I expeced more relief

[jeeves19 in reply to 4grandbabies]

What’s it given you and what hasn’t it given you?