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@jenniferhunter Thank you for your thoughtful response.
My doctors have no explanation of WHY I developed the blood clots that caused my 3 TIAs. They feel the PFO hole is HOW the clots were able to get to my brain.
I am presently on a low dose of blood thinner [baby aspirin] and have a heart monitor implanted to watch for possible AFib, the only other explanation for the blood clots. In three years there has been only one recent episode of 38 seconds of irregular heartbeat which my Cardiologist said was definitely NOT AFib. He didn’t know what it was. He had never seen anything like it before.
After my TIAs the doctors immediately wanted to close the hole in my heart. I refused after telling them I am allergic to metal, having tests ordered and done, and learning I am allergic to four metals, three of which are in the device that would be used to close the hole in my heart. No one could assure me I would not have a reaction to the devise, and open-heart surgery would be needed to remove it if it caused a problem.
I recently discussed my concerns with my Neurologist. He neither said I was overreaction nor said it was not something to be too concerned about. He said, there have been no studies done, so I should do what I am comfortable doing.
I got my two Moderna vaccines February 21 and March 21. I had a violent reaction to the second dose. I wear a mask anytime I am out of the house and there are people around, close by or not.
My decisions regarding my behavior are based on the scientific and medical knowledge I have learned, paired with logic and common sense. I will continue to isolate and teach my classes via ZOOM until I feel it is safe for me to be with people again.
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@barrybailey I do share your concerns about reactions to metals from implants, and a lot of doctors don't really consider that possibility. I couldn't prove metal allergies, but I do know that I had to give up having pierced ears because I reacted to every material I tried for earings. I also had very old dental work with crowns and root canals that caused infections and when I had those teeth extracted, my lung function improved right away. ( I have asthma.) I had been in the process of getting dental implants with non-metal materials which was recently completed. My metal free existence only lasted until I broke my ankle last summer, and surgery placed titanium plates and screws into my ankle. My asthma got worse again, and 6 months after that surgery, I started having hives in large patches. I have to stay on antihistamines or they come back. It's been more than a year now, and I plan to have the plates removed.
I had an allergic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine (probably the PEG or polyethylene glycol), so I was unable to get the second dose. It took a long for me to find the Johnson & Johnson, and I did have that a few weeks ago. I also base my understanding on science and I do have a biology degree and read research about health. Zoom sure has made it easier to stay connected remotely and is kind of fun to use.
I was aware of one lab in Chicago, Orthopedic Analysis, for testing of immune responses to medical implant materials. What lab did your metal allergy tests?