Heavily Metalled

Cheryl went in one way for routine gallbladder surgery and came out another. Prior to surgery Cheryl liked the simple things in life: Outdoor activities, board games, hanging with her kids and watching Netflix. 

Cheryl had a history of jewelry and other allergies, but didn’t think much about it, and especially when going in for emergency gallbladder surgery. The surgery went well, removing a gallbladder with 1500+ stones, but a week after surgery Cheryl found herself suddenly not able to breathe with the worst pain possible. Like she was “shredding from the inside out."

During this ordeal she actually DID stop breathing, forcing the performance of CPR by her then 18 year old daughter. 

Transferred to the emergency room, they cleared some wayward stones from her common bile duct, but then Cheryl started itching and clawing herself open head to toe. Then with no prior history, Cheryl started having Grand Mal seizures and foaming at the mouth. 

Sent home with medications and orders for follow-up the symptoms didn’t stop. Massive hair loss, unbelievable swelling to the point she looked pregnant and couldn’t see her feet. Her skin cracked open and crusted everywhere….all unprecedented. 

Placed on a major amount of steroids, Cheryl underwent several medical referrals and finally wound up at a dermatology clinic with a PA who diagnosed her systemic metal allergy. 

Cheryl’s case was presented to MANY specialty surgical groups and clinics and despite the severity of her symptoms, no one would take her case. They told her to go home and put her affairs in order. 

Finally a physician friend posted about her case in an online group for physicians and surgeons. Cheryl’s case was seen by a surgeon in Miami who knew exactly what kind of surgeon that she needed. Those connections were made and despite trying to die from sepsis on the way into her Florida surgery, she survived and was able to have the clips removed. Waking up from surgery with MANY of the symptoms exiting upon coming out of anesthesia. There was also a severe reaction in that hospital to gadolinium contrast, which many don’t know is a metal agent. 

The surgeon stated he had performed over 30,000 surgeries, many with clips and staples and now was wondering just how safe they actually were and are. He vowed to train students from that time forward.

Cheryl went home to recover and is so glad she lived to tell the tale. 

In this episode you will learn:

● Why a past history of jewelry allergies MUST be in your medical record and discussed with your team prior to surgery.

● That metal allergies show themselves as a delayed reaction for many people.

● Signs and symptoms of metal allergies and why gadolinium is a problem for those with metal hypersensitivity.

● That recovery upon removal IS possible and is often dramatic and able to be documented right out of surgery.

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.~To learn more visit HeavilyMetalled.com.

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Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

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Check out our sponsor MELISA.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

MELISA® Diagnostics is one of the worldwide leaders in Blood LTT or LymphocyteTransformation Testing for metal allergies. In Part Two of this special 2-part episode, Podcaster Shari Guess walks listeners through the process of ordering their own MELISA test start to finish. 

The test became clinically validated after an independent lab in Germany conducted a 2003 study using 250 patients and various lymphocyte concentrations. In 2006, a follow-up study treated patients based on the MELISA test results and observed improvements in health. The clinically relevant test involves confirming metal reactivity through the test, removing metals indicated by the test and further monitoring the patients health symptoms. 

A second study at Charles University in Prague selected 42 patients. 32 patients made lifestyle changes following MELISA testing. 94% reported significant health improvements. 

Shari shows how to order the test from the MELISA website, along with filling out the symptom and metal history questionnaire. She then shows how to unbox the test, once the kit arrives and shows how to confirm all paperwork and material needed has arrived.

Shari then walks through filling out all information required, creating a FedEx account for shipping and then hits the road for a blood draw. The process of the blood draw is filmed and then Shari takes the listener to FedEx to drop off the test for international shipping, and the drop-off process concludes with Shari sending the tracking info to MELISA so the shipment arrival can be monitored. 

Shari then goes through the results when the test is received and compares the new MELISA results with prior results received through another company. She also highlights some important differences between the two tests & companies. 

In this episode you will learn:

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.~To learn more visit HeavilyMetalled.com.

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Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

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Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

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Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to Heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

~

Check out our sponsor MELISA.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

MELISA® Diagnostics is one of the worldwide leaders in Blood LTT or Lymphocyte

Transformation Testing for metal allergies. In Part One of this special 2 part episode,

Linda Nelson, CEO for MELISA, shares how the MELISA test was developed, patented

and clinically validated.

Linda Nelson is the daughter of Vera Stejskal, the developer of the test. Vera was an

immunologist, specializing in immunotoxicology and worked for Astra Pharmaceuticals,

also known as AstraZeneca, and initially developed the MELISA LTT test to screen

workers. It wasn’t long before Vera’s colleague, dermatologist Margaret Forsburg, proposed using the test

to detect metal reactivity in patients who believed they were being poisoned by their

amalgam fillings. Vera was granted the right to patent the test and dedicated her life to

raising awareness about metal’s effects on human health and developing scientific

tools to measure metal reactivity.

The test became clinically validated after an independent lab in Germany conducted a

2003 study using 250 patients and various lymphocyte concentrations. In 2006 a

follow-up study treated patients based on the MELISA test results and observed

improvements in health. The clinically relevant test involves confirming metal reactivity

through the test, removing metals indicated by the test and further monitoring the

patient’s health symptoms.

A second study at Charles University in Prague selected 42 patients. 32 patients made

lifestyle changes following MELISA testing. 94% reported significant health

improvements.

When asked how useful the MELISA test would be for patients prior to an implantation

surgery, it was reiterated that testing only grabs a snapshot of what is happening in

the body at the moment. It cannot predict the future sensitivities, as immune activity

can start a week, month or years after exposure.

Linda was asked if lab technicians noticed the delayed-reactivity of the cells during the

testing period and Linda responded in the affirmative, stating that is why they have to

wait at least five days before reading the test results.

Both the Stimulation Index and the Morphology methodologies were explained. The

morphology confirms or discards the allergy, when the cells are observed under a

microscope. This is one of the techniques that sets the MELISA tests apart from other

LTT methodologies.

Linda discusses the importance of studying metal hypersensitivity and the need for hard evidence to support the

removal of metals from the body. They also discuss the need for proper studies and research to understand the effects of

metals on the body.

They discuss the MELISA labs in Germany, Switzerland and Israel and Linda shares

about future plans to extend into North America to satisfy an ever-increasing demand

for testing.

In this episode, you will learn:

● How the MELISA test was developed.

● How the MELISA test was clinically validated

● The delayed reactivity nature of a Type-IV metal allergy. .

● The options and pros/cons for testing pre and post surgery.

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.

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To learn more visit HeavilyMetalled.com.

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Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page:

https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

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Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

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Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to Heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

~

Check out our sponsor MELISA.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies

and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have

many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my

recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups

and find your tribe!***

EP07 - Metal Allergies & The Low-Nickel Diet: SHOCKING

Bethany had a normal childhood upbringing but realized early on

She didn’t really worry about it, because it was just where the

She got braces as a teenager and aside from canker sores, didn’t

As she started college, things began to get more serious as she

During COVID, Bethany had a severe flare, presenting with

Thanks to the wisdom of a progressive, on-call urgent care doctor,

After discovering that there is a dietary connection to nickel

Diet is hugely important in helping to combat chronic symptoms

Metal allergy can be a dangerous and life-altering condition. It can

In this episode, you will learn:

contribute to a better quality of life.

symptoms in your home environment.

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.

Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://

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***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities

In this episode of the Heavily Metalled Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Scott Schroeder, a Doctor of Podiatry and a Fellow of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery. Dr. Schroeder is known and respected worldwide as an expert and lecturer on metal allergies, especially within the realm of surgical specialties. Dr. Schroeder was the treating surgeon who helped diagnose the baffling case of recurrent, full paralysis of our second podcast guest Dana Jeske, when even the Mayo Clinic wasn’t able to uncover the root cause of his ailments. 

Dr. Schroeder discusses not only many of his surgical miracle stories, often delivering patients with metal hypersensitivity from years and even decades of chronic pain virtually overnight, but also teaches us about galvanism: when dissimilar surgical metals act like a battery within the body, LITERALLY charging it with electric current, which also is a huge contributor to the faster speed of implant degradation and corrosion. 

Metal allergies can be serious. Even more so when the patient with metal allergies heads in for a surgical procedure. It is important to discuss ANY prior metal sensitivities with not only your healthcare provider, but the entire surgical team prior to any medical procedure, and to know the make, model & serial number of any foreign body that will be implanted during surgery. Also what you write on and how you sign surgical consents is of UTMOST importance.

We also discuss the importance of sharing stories like these to reach more people and help others going through similar struggles. 

In this episode, you will learn:

~Links and Resources~

To see Dr. Schroeder’s images that accompany this episode click HERE.

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To learn more visit heavilymetalled.com.

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To check out the Heavily Metalled Resource page click HERE: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

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Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to Heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

~

Sponsor page: MELISA.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

Frances Scott, a mother of three and a former network news anchor in Raleigh, North Carolina, at a very young age, experienced nagging hip pain and after consulting with twelve different doctors in multiple states, decided to have both hips replaced in one surgery with the now off-market Johnson & Johnson-DePuy Metal-on-Metal Hips.

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To see Frances testify before the FDA click HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o86QfyBjDdk&feature=youtu.be

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To see the "Billion Dollar Baby KABC news segment click HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON9DgGkSQ8M

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~To learn more visit HeavilyMetalled.com.

Metal allergies can be serious. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and to discuss ANY prior metal sensitivities with healthcare providers prior to any medical procedure. 

Metal allergies are an often overlooked but serious health issue. In some cases, metal allergies can even cause paralysis. This was the case for my guest today Dana Jeske, a mechanical engineer from Washington State.

At age 49, Dana woke up one morning and found he was paralyzed. He lost feeling from the bottom of his feet, to his hips and from his fingertips to his arms. He also lost feeling in his core and even his head. He was unable to feel anything, including heat or pain.

Due to a fortunate medical coincidence, Dana had the metal removed and made a remarkable partial recovery. He was subsequently tested for a metal allergy, which confirmed the diagnosis. At this point he had additional metal removed and FULLY recovered, never to experience another paralytic episode. 

Dana's story is an example of just how serious metal allergies can be. Metal allergies can cause paralysis, as well as other serious health issues. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of metal allergies and to seek medical attention if you experience any of them.

In this episode, you will learn:

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.

~

Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to Heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

~

Check out melisa.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

TRANSCRIPT: 

In part 2 of my story, after being bedridden and in excruciating pain for years, I finally connect all the dots.

After experiencing a full-blown meltdown, realizing I was reacting to recently implanted metal hardware that could not be removed and fearing a life-sentence imprisoned in pain, my pain management doctor suggested getting testing. I found Orthopedic Analysis, a company that provided Lymphocyte Transformation Testing. The results revealed a significant allergy to nickel, molybdenum, and iron.

After having surgery to remove a large amount of metal, immediately 60% of the pain in my legs was gone and MANY chronic symptoms resolved. It was absolutely a modern miracle!

My goal is to make living with metal allergies better for myself and others also suffering from metal hypersensitivity. It is time to change the medical narrative surrounding metal allergies!

In this episode, you will learn the following:

1. How to test for and detect metal allergies.

2. What the Low Nickel Diet is and how it helps to empty the histamine bucket & reduce chronic pain.

3. How metal clips, staples & biopsy markers are often implanted during routine surgeries without knowledge of the patient.

4. Why advocating for your health is important.

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.

~

Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to Heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

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Check out Gonino Center For Healing: http://www.GoninoWellness.com/

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Check out LymeStop: http://lymestop.com/

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Check out The Dynamic Neural Retraining System: https://retrainingthebrain.com/

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Follow Dr. Kim D’Eramo on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKimDeramo

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Watch Dr. Scott Schroder’s FDA presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYa5nb1xjvg

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Check out melisa.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

Welcome to the very first episode of the Heavily Metalled podcast! I'm so excited to have you join me on this journey deep into the hot-button topic of metal allergies.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing my journey uncovering the hidden dangers of implanted medical hardware.

Metal allergies often fly under the radar of medical professionals and symptoms can include systemic pain, neurological issues, autoimmune diseases, and more. Metal hypersensitivity reactions are type IV, cell-mediated delayed hypersensitivity reactions that occur in response to exposure to a foreign substance, such as a metal. These reactions are antigen driven and characterized by a delayed onset, typically occurring days, weeks or months after exposure.

I found out I had a metal allergy after a series of surgeries and life events, after which I endured eight years of chronic illness, 3 completely bedridden, before finally finding the correct diagnosis and treatment. I am now greatly recovered!

"Many patients are unaware that during routine surgeries and tests such as colonoscopies, appendectomies, hysterectomies, thyroid and gallbladder surgeries, biopsies and more, that metal clips, staples, and biopsy markers, just to name a few, are routinely left inside them without their knowledge.”

In this episode, you will learn the following:

~Links and Resources~

To see images that accompany this episode click HERE.

~

Check out the “Heavily Metalled” resource page: https://www.heavilymetalled.com/p/patient-resources/

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavilyMetalled

~

Follow Heavily Metalled on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavilymetalled/

~

Subscribe to heavily Metalled on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeavilyMetalled

~

Check out melisa.org

***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***