when all this began, it was my thumbs that bothered me. I saw my GP and she thought i had injured myself, sent me to PT and gave me splints. she thought it strange that it was both hands, but one can hurt from doing the work for the other. Then a few months later a lump was found in my breast, they biopsied and put a titanium chip where the lump still is. Thankfully it was benign. I am extrememly allergic to all metal. I can't where jewelry or even carry change in my pocket. I place band-aids on all my snaps, can't even sit in a metal chair for long. I've had no local reaction from the chip, but I have never had metal on the inside either. The doc that did this procedure was afraid I would react the chip. A few months later is when my ankles, knees and shoulders joined in the party. I am sero-negative. I keep asking if the chip could be triggering all this, and the response is always "no" from all my docs. I still wonder, and they won't remove it. I read that we have genetic markers and there are environmental triggers for RA. Does anyone have any info on this or advise? everyone here has helped me so much with all my queries.
could a implant cause RA
Definitely not the implant! Esp. if you had parallel sore thumbs before. It is genetics and usually some kind of stress or abuse. Although, my cousin got JRA at one and half years, because she had the genes on both sides of the family - and wonderful, loving caring, parents who still care for her.
Lots of reasons, but you have to accept it is just you! That is what is part of who you are, for better or for worse. So let go of the titanium issue, and learn to fight back against the disease, not against any real or imagined causes. You can't go back. Even if it was the implant, removing it wouldn't stop the disease. I understand the latest research is directed to turning off the genes which trigger the disease. but that is not available yet. I am convinced that a bad whiplash injury in a car accident triggered about 6 autoimmune diseases in me. My sister just was diagnosed with MS, which started after a car accident. However, both of us just have to learn to deal with it, with the best possible drugs, food, etc. etc.
I am doing very well - I just had to have reconstructive surgery on my right foot, but that was damage done at the very beginning, before I got on the right meds. I gained 80 lbs on prednisone, and lost it, and now I work out daily (even with the cast on, I do upper body and left side things, sit ups etc.), I plant a garden (on one foot - it is challenging), I play flute, I write, I am working on a Master of Divinity. Life goes on - time to look forward. I know the pain is just devastating - I just had to go off my meds during the surgery, and that was worse than shaving and cutting the bones. People just can't understand that. But if you can find the right combo of meds, you can get most of your life back. Life isn't perfect. We all do the best we can. It is not a RIGHT to be happy. It is a privilege, given by God. You can even find peace and be happy and be a quadrapalgic! (Of course, at least they don't suffer the pain.)
So my advice, after 10 years of this disease is - treat it holistically - any and every way you can. Deal with the spiritual issues - forgiveness, and letting go of the past. God is good, and He is in control Seek Him and He will help you, regardless of the circumstances.
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Hi Nan,
I don't know, but if your thumbs were already bothering you before the chip, I would say no. I know with me, it all started in the balls of my feet. That went away for several months and I didn't give it another thought. Then the progression of symptoms started. I wasn't until the balls of my feet started hurting again that I remembered the first episode. So what I'm trying to say (sorry for being long winded) is that it had already begun before the chip.
My Mother has one of those chips and she is very allergic to some metals (nickle in particular) and when she expressed concerns, she was assured that the titanium wouldn't cause a reaction. It's been years and she hasn't had a problem. I would imagine that if you're not having a local reaction to the chip, it's not doing you any harm.
Just my thoughts.... but as I keep saying lately, what do I know???!
I hope you're having a wonderfully pain free day!!
Ish
thanks Ish.