Vitek is a company that made implants for the replacement of the
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for patients with severe temporomandibular joint
disorders (TMD). The company was started by Dr.
Homsy and sold the implants between 1983 and 1988 until they were taken off the market. They were
recalled by the FDA in 1991. The FDA states “Debris in the joint from the
implants can contribute to progressive bone degeneration of the condyle … and to
a foreign body response which could start in this area and be carried throughout
the immune system.”
My journey with the Vitek implant began in 1984. I injured my jaw at work. We needed to move a 700 lb copy machine in our
office. Unfortunately, I
gritted my teeth when I lifted and completely dislocated the TMJ disk on my right
side. I was in immediate pain at the base of my skull and went to the emergency
room. I thought I had injured my spine. They thought I might have an aneurism
and ordered an MRI. Nothing showed up so I went to my family physician.
Fortunately, he had just been playing cards with a dentist who had been
discussing TMD. My physician noticed when I opened my mouth that it had a severe deviation
to the right and sent me to the dentist.
The dentist fitted me with a splint. I also began seeing a Physical Therapist
who tried to get the right side to release. Not only did it not release, but
because of the stress from my mouth pulling right, the left disk was mutilated.
After three years of therapies and fighting Workman's Comp I finally was awarded
a settlement with the stipulation that I must have surgery to correct the
condition. This was suppose to "make me whole," but was just the beginning of my
nightmare. Workman's Comp refused to continue coverage after the surgery since they "made me whole" and were not responsible for what the implants had done.
I went to an oral surgeon who was suppose to have been an expert on TMJ
implants. In a four hour surgery he removed my disks, reshaped my skull to make
room for the implant and replaced them with Vitek Proplast Teflon
Temporomandibular Implants. He also anchored them with 8 Titanium screws in my
skull. I was not informed they were going to use metal screws. They didn't ask
if I was allergic to metal. I didn't even wear a wedding ring because of my
metal allergy and they didn't even notice. I didn't know enough to
ask.
Needless to say I had a severe reaction to the implants. Before I even
recovered from the anesthesia I was in intense pain. My head swelled up like a
monster. I was in extreme pain in my lungs, stomach, colon, and bladder. The
surgeon who had preformed thousands of these surgeries said he had never seen
anything like it. He sent me home the next day, not knowing what else to do. It
was a very painful 90 mile drive home. I began vomiting and had diarrhea. I went
to the emergency room dehydrated and spent several days in the hospital.
Within three months of the implant surgery my condyles had completely deteriorated. I returned several times to the
hospital with vomiting and diarrhea. I continued to have severe adnominal pain
and was diagnosed with chronic gastritis. My neck swelled up like I had the
mumps and I went down to 100 lbs. At the time my physician thought it was just a
reaction to the implants and not eating. Then I gained 50 lbs and was diagnosed
with Autoimmune thyroiditis from a different physician. I spent five years
trying to get relief from my constant pain and illness.
Finally in 1992 I heard about the recall of these implants. I did not receive a notice from the surgeon or the hospital. When I
went back to the surgeon he said it was not his responsibility to send a notice.
He claimed it was the hospital's responsibility. He reminded me that I signed a
release of liability and again he was not responsible for what had happened to
me. He also refused to remove the implants and basically wanted me to go away
saying there was nothing that could be done.
The hospital who provided the implants claimed they sent a notice of the
recall, but it must have gotten lost in the mail. Again reminding me that I had
signed a release of liability. I went back to the dentist who was treating me
from the beginning and he contacted the School of Dentistry. The head of the
department of Oral Surgery agreed to remove the implants in 1992. He had been
warning surgeons about these implants from the beginning. I had 30 students in
the operating room, but at least I was getting them out!
I have read about the difficulty of some people getting their insurance to
cover the surgery to have the implants remove. In the beginning my insurance
company gave me the run around. At the time my husband was working with the CEO
of the corporation and had been telling him about my condition and surgeries.
When the insurance company tried to deny coverage he called the insurance
company and told them to cover it. By this time I had gotten to know the claims
agent. The CEO had called her supervisor. She said when the CEO says cover
it...you cover it.
In 1998, my husband left me shortly after it was suggested that I might have MS. It is difficult living with someone who has constant pain and illness. He said I was going to end up in a wheelchair and he didn't want to take care of me. Amazing how he claims not to remember saying that. He was offered a job out of state and left me and my children to deal with selling the house and moving.
It all worked out in the end. I didn't have enough work credits to get SSD while I was married and he made too much money for me to quality for SSI. After he left me in poverty I was able to qualify for SSI and medicaid. He went on to start a new business and has a new wife to help him. I live in a small subsidized apartment in a senior complex, which is all I need and can take care of.
I continued to have multiple medical problems after the implants were
removed. I am in constant pain from head to toe. Just the pain alone would keep
you from functioning, but I also have difficulty thinking, remembering, and
staying focus. It takes me days to write one post. I have difficulty keeping my balance and have constant dizziness.
When I do have the strength and energy to get things done the activity puts me
in spasm and pain.
I have to lay down with a hot pack and take a break while I
am preparing food, and must rest for hours before I can get the dishes done. The
Chemical Sensitivities makes it impossible to leave my home without running into
something. Typing and looking at the monitor is painful and puts me in spasm,
yet I still need to do everything online since paper and ink brings on a more
severe reaction.
I do not take pain medications since they cause more pain in my digestive
system than they would help. I do take gabapentin which helps with nerve pain,
in the beginning it made me groggy, but I have adjusted. I also take
Methocarbamol and Baclofen for the muscle spasms. I have a TENS unit which helps
with the pain and spasms in my lower body. If it gets near my head it sets off
my Trimengial neuralgia. Here is a chronology of what I have been through:
1984 – Jaw injury, Trimengial neuralgia, chronic paresthesia, chronic
tendonitis
1987 – Bilateral Vitek Proplast Teflon Temporomandibular Joint Implant
severe
gastritis, degenerative arthritis, severe rapid condylar degeneration
1988 – Autoimmune: thyroiditis, gastritis, ulcers (no H. pylori), slight
hiatal hernia
1992 – Bilateral Vitek Proplast Teflon Temporomandibular Joint Implant
removal
1994 – Severe Interstitial Cystitis - autoimmune
1998 – Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, spastic colon, IBS, asthma,
multiple chemical sensitivities
2001 – Thyroid/Parathyroid Lobectomy
2005 – Toxic encephalopathy, immune deregulation,
autonomic nervous system
dysfunction
2006 – Cervical arthritis
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google Plus communities @
Vitek Survivors.
Showing posts with label TMJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TMJ. Show all posts
Rude People
What constitutes rudeness in one situation can be entirely acceptable in
another. It all depends on the culture and setting. I recently encounter a very
rude person on a TMJD group. I have been googling about the Vitek implants and
came across a link to the group. At first, they all seem friendly and welcoming.
From the beginning I had issues with the site. The background was a bright green
color, which gave me a headache. They had so many advertisements it would lock
up my computer. When I could get my computer to move around on the messages it
was difficult to follow who wrote what and I would miss comments.
When one of the members or owners, I am not sure who was what, said they had a lot of information on the Vitek implants and offered to help and share what she had accumulated. I innocently posted the following: "Lisa, Thanks for the offer of help. I am glad someone is keeping up on all this information. Would you guys consider starting a Viteck/Implant survivor community over on google plus. I really like the way communities work over there. I am having trouble with my computer locking up here and getting a little lost. Thanks again for all the information. Bren"
Patti, one of the owners of the group, responded by saying " Do you think it is RUDE of a new person coming on the site and trying to get people to go to another group? I DO!!!" Then people started placating this very rude, angry, and insecure person....we know what a heart you have for this group...no one wants to leave...she then went on to say "I don't know what makes ppl with implants think they are so special or elite they need their own group. I will NOT tolerate anyone coming in here trolling for ppl and trying to get our members to go to another group."
I then responded to Patti stating that... I do NOT have a group on implants...I was not coming on to troll for people...Lisa, was offering to share information and I just asked if she was interested in starting a group...People with implants are not special or elite, but there is a lot of information to be shared about what happened with the implants. Her response to my comment was to remove me from the group. Now from my point of view she was very rude.
So, how do you deal with rude people. They have a six step approach over at: http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Rude-People. The Bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. It is difficult not to deal with rude people rudely. I bit my tongue and wished Patti the best after I tried to explain where I was coming from. My flesh wanted to respond very differently. God calls us to respond in love.
Responding in love doesn't mean you don't feel anger or have hurt feelings, it means choosing not to respond in your flesh... it means, with the power of the Holy Spirit, rising above the circumstances. Lord, help me rise above my circumstances and respond in love. I wrote more on Love and Hatred. I just might start a group for Vitek Implants after all of this. Right now it is all I can do to blog and I need to check my spirit. I need to make sure I am responding in a spirit of love not a spirit of hate, else I might treat people rudely.
~ Update ~
I did decide to start a group/community on Google Plus. I love the way communities work on their site. Google Plus is a free social network similar to Facebook . If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us @ Vitek Survivors.
When one of the members or owners, I am not sure who was what, said they had a lot of information on the Vitek implants and offered to help and share what she had accumulated. I innocently posted the following: "Lisa, Thanks for the offer of help. I am glad someone is keeping up on all this information. Would you guys consider starting a Viteck/Implant survivor community over on google plus. I really like the way communities work over there. I am having trouble with my computer locking up here and getting a little lost. Thanks again for all the information. Bren"
Patti, one of the owners of the group, responded by saying " Do you think it is RUDE of a new person coming on the site and trying to get people to go to another group? I DO!!!" Then people started placating this very rude, angry, and insecure person....we know what a heart you have for this group...no one wants to leave...she then went on to say "I don't know what makes ppl with implants think they are so special or elite they need their own group. I will NOT tolerate anyone coming in here trolling for ppl and trying to get our members to go to another group."
I then responded to Patti stating that... I do NOT have a group on implants...I was not coming on to troll for people...Lisa, was offering to share information and I just asked if she was interested in starting a group...People with implants are not special or elite, but there is a lot of information to be shared about what happened with the implants. Her response to my comment was to remove me from the group. Now from my point of view she was very rude.
So, how do you deal with rude people. They have a six step approach over at: http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Rude-People. The Bible says "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. It is difficult not to deal with rude people rudely. I bit my tongue and wished Patti the best after I tried to explain where I was coming from. My flesh wanted to respond very differently. God calls us to respond in love.
Responding in love doesn't mean you don't feel anger or have hurt feelings, it means choosing not to respond in your flesh... it means, with the power of the Holy Spirit, rising above the circumstances. Lord, help me rise above my circumstances and respond in love. I wrote more on Love and Hatred. I just might start a group for Vitek Implants after all of this. Right now it is all I can do to blog and I need to check my spirit. I need to make sure I am responding in a spirit of love not a spirit of hate, else I might treat people rudely.
~ Update ~
I did decide to start a group/community on Google Plus. I love the way communities work on their site. Google Plus is a free social network similar to Facebook . If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us @ Vitek Survivors.
Vitek TMJ Implant
My history with the Vitek Proplast Teflon Temporomandibular Implants began in 1984. I had a jaw injury and after 3 years of therapy it was recommended I
get the implants in 1987. I had them in for 5 years of pure hell and they were removed
after the recall. Within 3 months the implants had completely eroded my condyles and
caused an autoimmune reaction throughout my body.
When I was younger I did a lot of research and went to a lot of different physicians and therapists. I even spoke with Dr. Christensen, the inventor of the Christensen jaw implant. When I told him about my head swelling up after the implants were put in he asked if I was allergic to metal. I told him I didn't even wear a wedding ring. He said not only could I not get his implant, but that I should never have had the implants in the first place, regardless of the later recall.
I was never asked those questions, nor did I know they were going to put 8 metal screws in my skull. I finally resolved myself that nothing could be done. The oral surgeons knew the implants caused systemic problems, but they didn't deal with the rest of your body. Most physicians wanted to act like the implants didn't exist. If it wasn't in their medical training...it didn't exist. As the years went by I became more and more of a vegetable.
I have just started treatment with a new pain specialist. As I looked over the test schedule, I noticed he order a CT scan of my mandible. I am optimistic that I finally found someone who is going to treat me as a whole. After all these years I decided to look online to see what is out there. After reading several stories online I have decided to go into more detail about my experience with the Vitek implants.
8/24/15 - The pain specialist said he had never seen anything like the damage shown in my CT scan. His only solution was to prescribe Oxycontin, which I do not tolerate. I still do not have any answers. All I can offer is confirmation to other survivors that they are not alone. What has helped me is Neurontin - for the nerve pain, muscle relaxers - for spasms, hot packs and a TENS for pain. Above all, plenty of rest.
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google Plus communities @ Vitek Survivors.
When I was younger I did a lot of research and went to a lot of different physicians and therapists. I even spoke with Dr. Christensen, the inventor of the Christensen jaw implant. When I told him about my head swelling up after the implants were put in he asked if I was allergic to metal. I told him I didn't even wear a wedding ring. He said not only could I not get his implant, but that I should never have had the implants in the first place, regardless of the later recall.
I was never asked those questions, nor did I know they were going to put 8 metal screws in my skull. I finally resolved myself that nothing could be done. The oral surgeons knew the implants caused systemic problems, but they didn't deal with the rest of your body. Most physicians wanted to act like the implants didn't exist. If it wasn't in their medical training...it didn't exist. As the years went by I became more and more of a vegetable.
I have just started treatment with a new pain specialist. As I looked over the test schedule, I noticed he order a CT scan of my mandible. I am optimistic that I finally found someone who is going to treat me as a whole. After all these years I decided to look online to see what is out there. After reading several stories online I have decided to go into more detail about my experience with the Vitek implants.
8/24/15 - The pain specialist said he had never seen anything like the damage shown in my CT scan. His only solution was to prescribe Oxycontin, which I do not tolerate. I still do not have any answers. All I can offer is confirmation to other survivors that they are not alone. What has helped me is Neurontin - for the nerve pain, muscle relaxers - for spasms, hot packs and a TENS for pain. Above all, plenty of rest.
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google Plus communities @ Vitek Survivors.
Chronology of an Implant Disaster
Orthopedic Network
News, Vol. 6, No. 2, April 1995
1963,
12/28/Lancet
Charnley warns
against the use of Teflon in joints because of intense foreign-body reactions.
Describes unfavorable results of injecting Teflon into his own thigh.
1967/ WSJ (Wall
Street Journal)
Dupont sends Homsy
warning about complications caused by implanted Teflon.
1968/ WSJ (Wall
Street Journal)
Proplast developed by
Homsy at DuPont.
1970’s/ ONN
(Orthopedic Network News)
Homsy starts Vitek.
1974/ WSJ (Wall
Street Journal)
Kent started collaboration with Homsy.
1976, 5/28 FDA
Medical Device
Amendments: Premarket notification is not required for devices developed prior
to 5/28/76.
1978, 3/1 TMJ
(TMJ Association)
Earliest known
recipient of Vitek Proplast/Teflon implant.
1982, 3/30 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
Kent writes Homsy that procedures to rise to 10,000 per year
for TMJ implants.
1982, Oct JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Wolford compares
Silastic to Proplast in twelve patients. Follow-up ranged from one to four
years. No differences in comfort, mobility. Proplast had better long-term
stability than Silastic.
1982, 11/23 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
Vitek files intent to
market Interpositional Implant (IPI) with FDA.
Distribution
Begins
1983, 3/23 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
FDA notifies Homsy
that IPI is equivalent to device marketed prior to May 28, 1976.
1983 Commercial
distribution of IPI implants begins.
1983, 12/9 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
510(k) approval for
Dow Corning Silastic TMJ implant H.P. based on substantial equivalence to
Silastic sheeting marketed prior to 5/28/76.
1984, 2/14 FOI
(FDA documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
Kent concerned about safety of Vitek implants warns Homsy of
“calamity of unbelievable proportions.”
1984 WSJ (Wall
Street Journal)
First animal dog
studies done on IPI.
1984, July JBJS
(Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery)
Tullos, et. al.
report thirty-six percent of forty-seven hips coated with Proplast failed after
an average of thirty-seven months. Concluded that coating had insufficient
strength to withstand normal weight-bearing loads.
Growing Concerns
1985, May TMJI
(TMJ Institute Newsletter, medical College
of Wisconsin)
First problems with
Proplast reported by Ryan. (“degeneration of condyles”)
1986, Apr CONG
(Proceedings of Congressional Hearings on TMJ implants, June 4, 1992)
(Proceedings of Congressional Hearings on TMJ implants, June 4, 1992)
First Vitek Proplast
Medical Device Report.
1986, Apr DCNA
(Dental Clinics of North America)
Moriconi et. al. “The
TMJ IPI’s should be singled out as having provided a new and more predictable
mode of TMJ reconstruction.”
1986, Jul JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Timmis et. al. report
giant cell reactions by rabbits to Proplast/Teflon and silicone implants.
“Indicate a need for further evaluation of these materials as disc replacements
in humans.”
1986, Oct AAOMS (American
Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
El Deeb reports
6 monkeys showed Proplast fragmentation with giant cell reactions after 3-12
months.
1986, Oct WSJ
(Wall Street Journal)
Vitek’s survey of
oral surgeons 91.5% of 5,070 satisfactory results. Vitek says prognosis for
IPI’s success beyond 3 years was unknown in package insert.
1987, 2/20 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
U.S. Air Force
reports problems with Proplast to Vitek, FDA (“severe painful and nonpainful
foreign body reaction with resorption of condyle and glenoid fossa”).
1987, Spring HC
(Huston Chronicle)
First lawsuit against
Vitek.
1987, DC (Dow
Corning)
Wilkes design TMJ
implant marketed by Dow Corning.
Shutdown-The
Bureaucracy Swings into Action
1988, June WSJ
(Wall Street Journal)
Distribution of IPI
suspended by Vitek.
1988, July WSJ
(Wall Street Journal)
FDA conducts first
inspection of Vitek’s plant.
1989, Mar HC (Houston Chronicle)
FDA
cites Vitek for not reporting patient complaints
through
Medical Device Reports (MDRs)
1989, May JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
El Deeb publishes
1986 findings on monkeys.
1990, 3/ 23 FOI
(documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act)
Vitek issues letter
advising docs that IPIs could fragment.
1989, Jul JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Valentine et. al.
Nine patients (14 joints) showed deteriorations, foreign-body giant cell
reaction in all joints.
1989, Dec OMSC
Yih/Merrill report
“both silicone rubber and Teflon-Proplast are not biologically acceptable implant materials in the functional TMJ.”
1990, 6/7 HC (Houston Chronicle)
Vitek files for
Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
1990, June
Oral Surgery
Marketing, Inc (OSMI) takes over Vitek products.
1990, 8/30 FDA
FDA rescinds 510(k)
for Vitek’s IPI implant.
1990, Sept
OSOMOP (Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology)
Estabrooks reports
88.7% surgical success with Proplast/Teflon implants with average follow-up of
33 months. Only 10% resulted in removal.
1990, Oct HC (Houston Chronicle)
FDA seized all
implants manufactured by Vitek, NovaMed Inc. and OSMI. (NovaMed, a sister company of Vitek, manufactured hip implants.)
1990, 12/28 FDA
FDA safety alert to
oral and maxillofacial surgeons warning of complications associated with
Proplast-Teflon.
1991, 1/7 FDA
FDA recalls Vitek IPI
(Class I recall).
1991, 10/2 FDA
FDA issues medical
alert to patients with Vitek implant.
1991, Fall ONN
(Orthopedic Network News)
Bankruptcy court
appoints JAMS to referee Vitek lawsuits.
1992, Feb JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Fontenot reports that
laboratory tests of IPIs show thatthey have a service life of about three
years. Intermediate and long-term survival of implant is uncertain.
1992, Mar HC (Houston Chronicle)
Homsy moves to Switzerland!
1992, Jun HC (Houston Chronicle)
Implant inventory of NovaMed and OSMI crushed
with a bulldozer, buried in Houston dump.
The
Aftermath
1992, CONG
(Proceedings of Congressional Hearings on TMJ implants, June 4, 1992)
(Proceedings of Congressional Hearings on TMJ implants, June 4, 1992)
Congressional
hearings on TMJ implants.
1992, Oct OSOMOP
(Journal of Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology)
Spagnoli/Kent
report that of 465 patients with IPI, 86% of implants were still in place after
an average of 32 months. 92.4% were asymptomatic, however 249 showed some
degree of condyle resorption. Project that 54% may fail.
1992, Nov AAOMS
(American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons)
AAOMS workshop on TMJ
implants. “Recommend removal of Teflon/Proplast implant and affected soft
tissues.”
1993, 1/26 ONN
(Orthopedic Network News)
Dow Corning exits the
TMJ business.
1993, April JOMS
(Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Wolford reports
revision surgery after Proplast-Teflon failure. 88% of 163 joints showed significant
osseous changes after two to 126 months.
1993, 4/26 ONN
(Orthopedic Network News)
Class action lawsuit
filed against Dow Corning and Dupont on behalf of both Vitek and Dow Corning
Silastic TMJ recipients.
1993, 8/31 WSJ
(Wall Street Journal)
Article about TMJ
patients.
1993, Sept-Oct/
20/20, American Journal,
Current Affair segments aired on ABC TV.
Current Affair segments aired on ABC TV.
1994, 12/20FR
(Federal Register)
FDA reclassifies TMJ
implants as Class III.
1995, 4/1 ONN
(Orthopedic Network News)
Claims against Vitek
exceed 2,200, excluding about 500 patients who received $1,000 total
reimbursement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
AAOMS=Annual meeting
of American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgeons
CONG=Proceedings of
Congressional Hearings on TMJ implants, June 4, 1992
DC=Dow Corning
DCNA=Dental Clinics
of North America
FDA=Food and Drug Administration public releases
FDA=Food and Drug Administration public releases
FOI =Food and Drug
Administration Documents obtained under
Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of Information Act
FR=Federal Register,
December 20, 1994
HC=Houston Chronicle
articles of September 10, 1990, April 1, 1991, June 23, 1992
JBJS=Journal of Bone
and Joint Surgery (American)
JOMS=Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
JOMS=Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
ONN=Orthopedic
Network News
OSOMOP=Oral Surgery
Oral Medicine Oral Pathology
TMJ=TMJ Association,
Ltd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TMJI=TMJ Institute
Newsletter, Medical College of Wisconsin
WSJ=Wall Street
Journal article of August 31
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google + Vitek Survivors.
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google + Vitek Survivors.
Joey's Vitek Story
Hi Brenda / hope your doing well / they have cut me 4 times an each time
the teflon proplast had failed / last time tbey put n stainless some
many yrs back / u can see the screw heads n xray /it stays swollen an
pain is daily / I was told an husband when they put n stainlesss the
propkast was n uncountable small pieces an n my brain an n bloodstream /
they even cut my jugular / iv had giant cell tumors n my breast - my
knee twice / the woese is when one came up many yrs back n my gum an I
lost all my top teeth one at a time going daily to oral surg.
Who didn't believe n more than one pain pill a day tho he was going as deep as possible removing pieces of proplast said he couldn't believe it was so painful / my husband came n the room with me saw how I was being treated an was there to speak for me / to make things worse iv had over 25 plus major operations due to growths / complete menapause by 22 couldn't take hormones would throw pulmonary to lung end up n icu r ccu / so I'm eat up n spine with osteo an rheumatoid arth. / they took bone from my hip to rebuild lumbar to no avail / now its from top to bottom / both knees most all joints / I have big knots on my finger joints an one knee an toes / they said I could stand up an a bone coild break that was over ten yrs ago.
They said my internal organs r that of a person 20 yrs older as they have zipped me open navel allthe way down about 15 times/ I had to learn to catherize myself an retrain my bladder / so many more things due to proplast / my sight has been effected my one ear closes up when joint swells an i can't hear / headaches last for days with dry heaves / iv had part of intestines removed as they were perforated an I had a duodenum ulcer an bleed out 2 pints an almost died / iv had 2 major strokes as I went to bed normal each time woke up knew no one couldn't eat by myself r walk / but I fought hard as I'm ambidextrous an they believed
It made a huge diff. An I'm very stubborn / Brenda I read the dictionary entirely played tv hand games for coordination / before my strokes I rode my bike 10 miles a day as difficult as it was / I can't do it anymore but I set my mind to find other things / I made it thru two very long hard strokes / 2 yrs ago Christmas day I had a heart attack but I made it thru again / Brenda if u have any doubts of my history I have documented papers I have to carry for emergency reasons / there is much more but I won't bore u anymore (lol) // iv been married 45 yrs had 3 very healthy kids / I lost my first born my son a yr ago this past aug. / he was healthy his entire life had a bump come up on his neck / went to Dr. N days he was told he had a rare fast moving cancer an it had already spread from his head to toes an no meds to treat it 6 mo.
Later he was Gods angel /my oldest daughter was diagnosed with lupus the day b for my son was told he was dying / she has to retire as she has put n 20 plus yrs n military / did her time n Iraq / at one time she wss Deputy Commander for state of Tx. N homeland security / on top of raising 5 children which 3 r adults now with 2 grandkids an her an husband got real estate lis. An started their real estate co. Which they had to give up due to her health / lupus has hit her hard / my son also joined military as they were so close n age he graduated an waited till she graduated the following yr so they joined military together / my son left 2 children a daughter that's grown an a son 12.
Anyway Brenda I have refused to give up with much pain every day so I started rescuing animals about 12 yrs ago as I love them all an someone has to speak an care on their behalf / iv learned to give iv's - shots an so much more an my reward has been being able to show them love an the love they give back is priceless / I have no living relatives no brothers r sisters aunts r uncles / my husband other than my daughter with lupus is my family / but Brenda my inner strength all these yrs who has never left me down / has shown me what direction to go when iv lost all hope an didn't think I could stand another day of pain mental an physically has ALWAYS ALWAYS been GOD !!
There is much more of events that impacted my life like the loss of my home of 30 yrs / a hurricane a major car wreck which started my first tef/proplast implant due to a kid on drugs running a red lite pinning me in / all which forced us to starting from ground zero / I believe There is ALWAYS something to learn no matter how bad r negative the situation an if you put ur faith in GOD no matter the situation r how bad the pain GOD will give you ALL the strength you need an I'm honestly living proof // I hope I haven't bored you with a brief synopsis of my life but my reason is my sharing may help anyone to seek faith an trust in GOD every day an to NEVER give up r lose the direction that the light is shining on especially if it seems its shine has gone behind the clouds temporally as that's the key its temporary the light is still there / I'll remember you n my prayers Brenda an I'm always here if you need an ear Sincerely m.j.williams
Who didn't believe n more than one pain pill a day tho he was going as deep as possible removing pieces of proplast said he couldn't believe it was so painful / my husband came n the room with me saw how I was being treated an was there to speak for me / to make things worse iv had over 25 plus major operations due to growths / complete menapause by 22 couldn't take hormones would throw pulmonary to lung end up n icu r ccu / so I'm eat up n spine with osteo an rheumatoid arth. / they took bone from my hip to rebuild lumbar to no avail / now its from top to bottom / both knees most all joints / I have big knots on my finger joints an one knee an toes / they said I could stand up an a bone coild break that was over ten yrs ago.
They said my internal organs r that of a person 20 yrs older as they have zipped me open navel allthe way down about 15 times/ I had to learn to catherize myself an retrain my bladder / so many more things due to proplast / my sight has been effected my one ear closes up when joint swells an i can't hear / headaches last for days with dry heaves / iv had part of intestines removed as they were perforated an I had a duodenum ulcer an bleed out 2 pints an almost died / iv had 2 major strokes as I went to bed normal each time woke up knew no one couldn't eat by myself r walk / but I fought hard as I'm ambidextrous an they believed
It made a huge diff. An I'm very stubborn / Brenda I read the dictionary entirely played tv hand games for coordination / before my strokes I rode my bike 10 miles a day as difficult as it was / I can't do it anymore but I set my mind to find other things / I made it thru two very long hard strokes / 2 yrs ago Christmas day I had a heart attack but I made it thru again / Brenda if u have any doubts of my history I have documented papers I have to carry for emergency reasons / there is much more but I won't bore u anymore (lol) // iv been married 45 yrs had 3 very healthy kids / I lost my first born my son a yr ago this past aug. / he was healthy his entire life had a bump come up on his neck / went to Dr. N days he was told he had a rare fast moving cancer an it had already spread from his head to toes an no meds to treat it 6 mo.
Later he was Gods angel /my oldest daughter was diagnosed with lupus the day b for my son was told he was dying / she has to retire as she has put n 20 plus yrs n military / did her time n Iraq / at one time she wss Deputy Commander for state of Tx. N homeland security / on top of raising 5 children which 3 r adults now with 2 grandkids an her an husband got real estate lis. An started their real estate co. Which they had to give up due to her health / lupus has hit her hard / my son also joined military as they were so close n age he graduated an waited till she graduated the following yr so they joined military together / my son left 2 children a daughter that's grown an a son 12.
Anyway Brenda I have refused to give up with much pain every day so I started rescuing animals about 12 yrs ago as I love them all an someone has to speak an care on their behalf / iv learned to give iv's - shots an so much more an my reward has been being able to show them love an the love they give back is priceless / I have no living relatives no brothers r sisters aunts r uncles / my husband other than my daughter with lupus is my family / but Brenda my inner strength all these yrs who has never left me down / has shown me what direction to go when iv lost all hope an didn't think I could stand another day of pain mental an physically has ALWAYS ALWAYS been GOD !!
There is much more of events that impacted my life like the loss of my home of 30 yrs / a hurricane a major car wreck which started my first tef/proplast implant due to a kid on drugs running a red lite pinning me in / all which forced us to starting from ground zero / I believe There is ALWAYS something to learn no matter how bad r negative the situation an if you put ur faith in GOD no matter the situation r how bad the pain GOD will give you ALL the strength you need an I'm honestly living proof // I hope I haven't bored you with a brief synopsis of my life but my reason is my sharing may help anyone to seek faith an trust in GOD every day an to NEVER give up r lose the direction that the light is shining on especially if it seems its shine has gone behind the clouds temporally as that's the key its temporary the light is still there / I'll remember you n my prayers Brenda an I'm always here if you need an ear Sincerely m.j.williams
My Disability
After a jaw injury I had vitek proplast-teflon implants placed in my face. They were defective, contaminated, and recalled by the FDA. Not only did the implants fail, but the company used industrial grade Teflon instead of medical grade which contained unknown contaminants.
There is documentation that this company knew these implants would cause devastation of catastrophic proportions. In some people it actually ate through their skull and became embedded in their brain.
Within 3 months the implants had eroded the bones in my face and gone through my bloodstream affecting my entire body causing an autoimmune response. The implants were removed after 5 years, but not before the toxins devastated my body.
I have a lot of pain in my head, neck, back, and arms from the instability and inflamed nerves in my face. I have pain, inflammation, and erosions in various organs especially the digestive system and bladder. The biopsy of my bladder revealed that 3 layers of tissue had been eroded. My thyroid has been removed. I had a breast lumpectomy.
I have constant dizziness and nausea from the vertigo cause by all the damage to the TMJ and surrounding tissue. My entire head is covered in scar tissue from when they removed my face twice and sawed off part of my skull to fit the implants.
I have also been diagnosed with having toxic encephalopathy, severe chemical sensitivity, Trigeminal neuralgia, Autoimmune: thyroiditis - interstitial cystitis - gastritis, Fibromyalgia, and CFS. Several doctors have suspected MS, but I have chosen not to get a muscle biopsy.
I have difficulty walking not only because of the muscular problems, but because my mother had surgery on my feet when I was a teenager after my father was killed in a turbine explosin. They said I might need surgery when I was 40.
In the shock of my Father's tradgic death she was only thinking I have 30 days of insurance...not that I would have my own insurance in my 40's...actually I didn't have insurance in my 40's after my husband left.
Most people find it difficult to believe what I am dealing with since I usually have a smile on my face. Trust me it is far less painful to be joyful than negative, bitter, and focused on your pain.
I choose to be thankful for what I have and not to be complaining about what I do not have or can not do. Yes, there are days I am sad and lonely, days when I am delirious from the pain, days I don’t have the strength to feed myself…let alone make it to the store if I am out of food.
Yet, with all this I choose to be joyful and content in the Lord. For…the joy of the Lord is my strength. Every day is a struggle, but I will continue to praise the Lord.
In His presence there is joy. In His presence there is peace. In His presence there is freedom from pain. It’s a choice and even though I might be crying on the outside…in my soul there is joy.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
- Update -
I want to clarify that not all jaw implants have been recalled. Not only did the implants I had fail, but the company used industrial grade Teflon instead of medical grade which contained unknown contaminants. Even though not all jaw implants have been recalled, long term analysis has shown that any implants in the jaw are not an effective solution. The jaw is just too complex of a joint and the face has many complex nerves and functions. My injuries were extensive. This was not just a case of TMJ dysfunction, not to dismiss anyone with this painful condition.
The disk in my right joint was completely dislocated, my face was distorted and the right side of my face wasn't functioning. The pain was so severe they thought I had a brain aneurysm. I spent three years in physical therapy trying to get the disk to relocate. In the meantime, the stress of my right side not working caused the left disk to become completely mutilated. Not only was the surgery considered my only option it was mandatory as part of my Workman's comp settlement. It was recommended by my doctors and physical therapist who were specialist in TMJ disorders. The physical therapist sent me to the same surgeon his wife went to and assured me he was one of the best in the country.
I thought I was making an informed decision. It was before all the documentation came out about the implants. I was young, it's been almost 30 years now, and didn't understand the consequences of foreign body reactions. I also didn't understand, nor did my surgeon I hope, the consequences of putting 8 metal screws into the skull of a person with metal allergies. My surgeon who had performed thousands of these surgeries had never seen anything like what happened to me. My head swelled up like something out of a freak show and I immediately was in severe pain in my lungs, stomach, colon, and bladder...not to mention my joints and muscles. As mentioned before, within 3 months it had completely eroded the mandibular condyles in my face and my neck swelled from autoimmune thyroiditis. I looked like I had the mumps.
I didn't think about having a metal allergy before the surgery. Back then I just assumed doctors always had your best interests in mind. I knew jewelry burned and caused a rash. I never thought about it...I just never wore jewelry. I was also never told they would be putting 8 screws in my skull. I would have thought the surgeon would have noticed I didn't even wear a wedding ring. Years later I contacted a surgeon who was doing reconstructive surgery with titanium implants. The first thing he asked was do I react to metal. When I said yes, he informed me that not only could I not have reconstruction, but I never should have had the original implants, not that they were good for anyone.
Having a metal allergy wasn't the only preexisting condition that complicated my recovery. I had celiac disease, hypoglycemia, and multiple chemical sensitivities. so my body was already set up for a major reaction not only to the implants, but to all the chemicals and drugs I was exposed to. I ended up back in the hospital several times with dehydration because I couldn't eat, drink or keep anything down. I am still terrified of throwing up, because I have too many memories of not being able stop and ending up in the hospital. I am however; grateful I had a preexisting faith in the Lord and loving friends who hold me up in prayer.
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google Plus communities @ Vitek Survivors.
There is documentation that this company knew these implants would cause devastation of catastrophic proportions. In some people it actually ate through their skull and became embedded in their brain.
Within 3 months the implants had eroded the bones in my face and gone through my bloodstream affecting my entire body causing an autoimmune response. The implants were removed after 5 years, but not before the toxins devastated my body.
I have a lot of pain in my head, neck, back, and arms from the instability and inflamed nerves in my face. I have pain, inflammation, and erosions in various organs especially the digestive system and bladder. The biopsy of my bladder revealed that 3 layers of tissue had been eroded. My thyroid has been removed. I had a breast lumpectomy.
I have constant dizziness and nausea from the vertigo cause by all the damage to the TMJ and surrounding tissue. My entire head is covered in scar tissue from when they removed my face twice and sawed off part of my skull to fit the implants.
I have also been diagnosed with having toxic encephalopathy, severe chemical sensitivity, Trigeminal neuralgia, Autoimmune: thyroiditis - interstitial cystitis - gastritis, Fibromyalgia, and CFS. Several doctors have suspected MS, but I have chosen not to get a muscle biopsy.
I have difficulty walking not only because of the muscular problems, but because my mother had surgery on my feet when I was a teenager after my father was killed in a turbine explosin. They said I might need surgery when I was 40.
In the shock of my Father's tradgic death she was only thinking I have 30 days of insurance...not that I would have my own insurance in my 40's...actually I didn't have insurance in my 40's after my husband left.
Most people find it difficult to believe what I am dealing with since I usually have a smile on my face. Trust me it is far less painful to be joyful than negative, bitter, and focused on your pain.
I choose to be thankful for what I have and not to be complaining about what I do not have or can not do. Yes, there are days I am sad and lonely, days when I am delirious from the pain, days I don’t have the strength to feed myself…let alone make it to the store if I am out of food.
Yet, with all this I choose to be joyful and content in the Lord. For…the joy of the Lord is my strength. Every day is a struggle, but I will continue to praise the Lord.
In His presence there is joy. In His presence there is peace. In His presence there is freedom from pain. It’s a choice and even though I might be crying on the outside…in my soul there is joy.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
- Update -
I want to clarify that not all jaw implants have been recalled. Not only did the implants I had fail, but the company used industrial grade Teflon instead of medical grade which contained unknown contaminants. Even though not all jaw implants have been recalled, long term analysis has shown that any implants in the jaw are not an effective solution. The jaw is just too complex of a joint and the face has many complex nerves and functions. My injuries were extensive. This was not just a case of TMJ dysfunction, not to dismiss anyone with this painful condition.
The disk in my right joint was completely dislocated, my face was distorted and the right side of my face wasn't functioning. The pain was so severe they thought I had a brain aneurysm. I spent three years in physical therapy trying to get the disk to relocate. In the meantime, the stress of my right side not working caused the left disk to become completely mutilated. Not only was the surgery considered my only option it was mandatory as part of my Workman's comp settlement. It was recommended by my doctors and physical therapist who were specialist in TMJ disorders. The physical therapist sent me to the same surgeon his wife went to and assured me he was one of the best in the country.
I thought I was making an informed decision. It was before all the documentation came out about the implants. I was young, it's been almost 30 years now, and didn't understand the consequences of foreign body reactions. I also didn't understand, nor did my surgeon I hope, the consequences of putting 8 metal screws into the skull of a person with metal allergies. My surgeon who had performed thousands of these surgeries had never seen anything like what happened to me. My head swelled up like something out of a freak show and I immediately was in severe pain in my lungs, stomach, colon, and bladder...not to mention my joints and muscles. As mentioned before, within 3 months it had completely eroded the mandibular condyles in my face and my neck swelled from autoimmune thyroiditis. I looked like I had the mumps.
I didn't think about having a metal allergy before the surgery. Back then I just assumed doctors always had your best interests in mind. I knew jewelry burned and caused a rash. I never thought about it...I just never wore jewelry. I was also never told they would be putting 8 screws in my skull. I would have thought the surgeon would have noticed I didn't even wear a wedding ring. Years later I contacted a surgeon who was doing reconstructive surgery with titanium implants. The first thing he asked was do I react to metal. When I said yes, he informed me that not only could I not have reconstruction, but I never should have had the original implants, not that they were good for anyone.
Having a metal allergy wasn't the only preexisting condition that complicated my recovery. I had celiac disease, hypoglycemia, and multiple chemical sensitivities. so my body was already set up for a major reaction not only to the implants, but to all the chemicals and drugs I was exposed to. I ended up back in the hospital several times with dehydration because I couldn't eat, drink or keep anything down. I am still terrified of throwing up, because I have too many memories of not being able stop and ending up in the hospital. I am however; grateful I had a preexisting faith in the Lord and loving friends who hold me up in prayer.
If you are a Vitek TMJ Implant survivor please join us on Google Plus communities @ Vitek Survivors.
About Me
After my divorce I tried to pursue a Masters in Computer Education. I have a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University. My goal was to equip adults with the technical skills necessary for returning to the modern workplace. Unfortunately, I became too ill to continue in the Masters program. After years of struggle it became necessary for me go on disability. I live with constant pain and illness.
I had vitek proplast-teflon implants placed in my face after a jaw injury . They were defective, contaminated, and recalled by the FDA. There is documentation that this company knew these implants would cause devastation of catastrophic proportions. In some people it actually ate through their skull and became imbedded in their brain. Within 3 months the implants had eroded the bones in my face and gone through my bloodstream affecting my entire body causing an autoimmune response. The implants were removed after 5 years, but not before the toxins devastated my body.
Most people find it difficult to believe what I am dealing with since I usually have a smile on my face. Trust me it is far less painful to be joyful than negative, bitter, and focused on your pain. I choose to be thankful for what I have and not to be complaining about what I do not have or can not do. Yes, there are days I am sad and lonely, days when I am delirious from the pain, days I don’t have the strength to feed myself…let alone make it to the store if I am out of food.
Yet, with all this I choose to be joyful and content in the Lord. For…the joy of the Lord is my strength. Every day is a struggle, but I will continue to praise the Lord. In His presence there is joy. In His presence there is peace. In His presence there is freedom from pain. Even though life is a struggle, I know I can endure when I am walking close to God through His son Jesus Christ. That is where I find peace, that is where I find love, and that is where I find contentment. I might be crying on the outside, but in my soul there is joy...
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
I try to blog and share when I have the strength. I write two blogs, Bren's Blog and Journey of the Heart. I contribute on HeartCry and Bren's Recipes.
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