I am so happy I found this thread. My husband had a stent (nickel & cobalt chromium) placed in his heart in 2009. The day after, he came home with a small rash on his chest. Needless to say, two years later, he is head to toe with red skin, blisters, rashes, severe itching and burning skin. This man has not had one day free of these symptoms. We have been to every specialist, and no one knows what is wrong with him. We've tried every lotion & potion the dermatoligist suggested, Prednisone therapy for a month, twice. That kept the symptoms to a dull roar, but never took them away completely. We all know what long-term prednisone does to internal organs.

He has an appointment with an allergist tomorrow, and we are hoping to find out if he is allergic to nickel or cobalt chromium. I suspected a nickel allergy a year ago, and was told by cardiologist that it never happens. However, on the website of the company that makes the stent, they have a disclaimer about potential nickel allergy with the stents! After doing a lot of research, I am finding all of my husband's symptoms fit with a nickel allergy. When I mentioned my thoughts to the cardiologist & what happens if he is allergic to nickel or cobalt chromium, he dismissed it saying that they NEVER remove stents, that my husband will just have to learn to live with it. After two years, my husband is exhausted, drained, doesn't sleep, in constant pain, has no quality of life, and really doesn't want to live too much longer with this. Honestly, I don't know how his body will hold up under such constant inflammation. Again, if the stent stays in place, how does he cope?

Will post again when I find out for sure. Good information on this thread. Thanks so much.