Spinal Fusion with BMP - Side effects?

[Nairek]

I had a spinal fusion back in 2009 where I had Bone Morphogenetic Protein implanted at L5-S1.

My past two general health exams included blood work (CBC) which showed out of normal range results. I was wondering if anyone else here has experienced something similar? My physician seems to think it's possible that my body is reacting to the titanium (inflammatory response) but she doesn't seem too concerned about it. I on the other hand think that it is odd that my results have been off twice in 11 months.

[KBear]

My levels were high pre-surgery and for awhile afterwards.my physician thought that it was from my spine issues. Now that I'm out of pain, they are back to normal.

[Katie]

I had to go with non-metal fusion and ADR devices because of severe allergies to all surgical and other metals. I knew I had problems with nickel, so someone here recommended that I send my blood work off to Rush University in Chicago. www.orthopedicanalysis.com

Thankfully I had this done before surgery or the results might have been pretty catastrophic. My sensitivities were off the charts in almost every metal tested. This lab does testing for people having/had hip and knee replacements, etc.

Unfortunately surgical titanium isn't pure. It is an alloy that includes aluminum and vanadium, about nine percent in total. Depending on how sensitive you are, it may or may not be an issue.

When I was doing my research, one patient in the UK was reported to have had their ADR replaced, but there may be more.

It may well be that your system will settle down as KBear has related, but if not, you could send away for testing to see if it is the fusion materials that are giving you problems. Good luck.

[Nairek]

Hmmmm. I haven't had my SED rates tested in a long time. But they are more than likely still elevated as they have been for years considering my muscles still hurt like heck after any kind of massage.

What I'm looking at is out of range results for blood cell counts. I was told that BMP was fairly new but seemed to be safe. I was warned to avoid getting pregnant for the first year after surgery as they weren't sure how it would affect a fetus.

So now I'm wondering if I should go see a rheumatologist or a hematologist to try and get some answers. I'm just tired of always being tired and having no energy.

Thank you ladies for responding! I'll try to drop by more often. It's just tough with work and school sometimes.

Happy Easter!

[Katie]

Nairek, so nice to see you again! Welcome back

I have been dragging my butt ever since surgery, but discovered that starting Vitamin D has helped a great deal. Check with a medical practitioner for what would be right for you; a blood test to check your levels would probably be best. North Americans are notoriously low because of the amount of time we spend indoors plus the wonderful winters, at least up here

[KanRunMo]

You need to get a complete blood work-up and know exactly what the level of each blood part is and ask what is normal level for each part. Start with your primary care physician and go over your results with him/her and go from there. Iron, vitamin B, calcium and others affect energy.

[Nairek]

I seen my Primary Care Doc a few weeks ago. I had a bloodwork order that she had given me three months prior to my visit. When I called to make the appointment to see her, I mentioned that I was having issues with bruising really easily. I told her office staff that I had a bloodwork order & mentioned what she had checked off & was told by them that should cover what she needs to see if my platelet level was normal.

When I went in to see her, she said that my bloodwork looked good. Yet, there were some levels which were high, some were low, and some were what I would consider borderline low. Never once has she mentioned anemia which I suspect I have. I have been taking a multi-vitamin religiously for months now to see if I would start feeling better. I can't say that it has helped much though.

I have a reminder set up in my phone to call her office in three months for a new bloodwork order. I guess I'll just play the waiting game. Or I could just look for a new PCP who will explain things in more detail without shoving me out the door so she can see other patients. I just don't know what to make of her anymore.

[Cindylou]

Maybe it's time to make the change Karen, to a new PCP. When I finally did a year ago, it was the best decision I had made in a long time. She tends to run late between appointments, but that's because she's giving the patient before me the same undivided attention she gives me, when it's finally my turn. She has been an absolute jewel of a find. So thorough. If your gut is telling you it's time and you're feeling rushed, then it's probably time. Good luck! Cindylou

[Nairek]

Maybe it's time to make the change Karen, to a new PCP. When I finally did a year ago, it was the best decision I had made in a long time. She tends to run late between appointments, but that's because she's giving the patient before me the same undivided attention she gives me, when it's finally my turn. She has been an absolute jewel of a find. So thorough. If your gut is telling you it's time and you're feeling rushed, then it's probably time. Good luck! Cindylou

Cindylou,

It may just come down to that. I mean I'm not a hypochondriac. I am the type of person who wants to be very hands on with my care. And my PCP is aware of my knowledge with medical terminology. She even asked me how I even knew some of the terms that I used with her.

My issue is that I know I am not feeling well. I know that my general malaise isn't all from depression. But when I see blood work results which show that values are off, even a little bit, I would like reasons why this is so. If the blood work is fine in their eyes (now I have had 2 docs say this), then why do I still feel "off" and why are the results off. There has to be a reason for it.