I'm 61 years old and have used Fixodent and Poligrip for more than 35 years. I've had serious issues with foot pain and numbness in my fingers for a long time.

I have stomach problems, cramping, and difficulty concentrating for any length of time. I was never checked for excessive zinc in my body, but after reading these comments, you can bet that will be a major priority in the next few days.

As far as a good denture adhesive goes, I never had much luck with Sea Bond. Fixodent has always worked the best for me. I'm not sure what to use now.

My Grandmother just died last month. For months we couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. She had pain in her legs, joints. She couldn't eat.

In september, my Grandfather called me to come help him get her off the floor where she had fallen and couldn't get up. apparently it had happened three other times that week that we didn't know about. She thought she had a UTI for weeks because she could not urinate.

Long story short, the doctors found that she had very low copper levels and believed she had a couple of strokes. No one ever even thought to check for zinc. My Grandma was very vain about her teeth and often times would even sleep in them.

I'm sick with outrage that we had to watch her die slowly in the hospital.

I'm crying as I type this and I pray that other families will not have to go through the same horrible time that mine did.

What a nightmare this has been for me. The pain; i thought i was losing my marbles, they actually put me on downers and uppers and sleeping pills, they thought i was going through menopause, thought i had pernicious anemia. my right shoulder and between my shoulder blades hurt so bad and the pain was awful. The spacy feeling i always had it was awful, i thought am i going to be like this for the rest of my life? i could not make up my mind to save my life, i did some really stupid stuff because of this. My husband divorced me after 22 years together. He didn't understand i didn't understand. Thanks for listening

I am a 40 year old female. I have been using denture cream day and night in heavy doses for approx three years. I have experienced a large array of the problems described above but it's not my primary problem that I was searching for an answer to. I have skin pigment problems for the last two nad a half years that has progressively gotten worse. I thought I had the answer to it when I found "The Mask of Pregnancy" disease. Yet my doctor said that wasn't it. He had no idea why my skin pigment was off. These are the following symptoms that have baffled my doctor for the last 2 1/2 years. Keep in mind I have back blood tests to show that none of this was an issue until 2 1/2 years ago. A) A pigment problem that splotches my face and makes me feel like a deformed freak. B) A very low ferritin number from ongoing anemia. C) Gastro problems that appeared at first to be the gall bladder and then ulcer like. D) Rising cholesterol levels and bad HDL cholesterol levels. E) Daily migraines and neck pain. F) Continued decline in muscle strength. G) A balding and thinning of my hair. H) Stiff and sore muscles after just a few hours of lying down or sleeping. I) Numbness and pins and needles like symptoms in my hands and feet. J) Feeling cold and unable to raise my body temperature. I came across and article on the zinc in denture cream and emailed my doctor with a request to have my zinc and copper levels tested. He thought I was nuts but agreed to humor me and ordered the test. Turns out my copper is very low and my zinc is very high. He was stunned. He never thought to test my zinc or copper levels. This is his explanation as to why: "Copper is naturally found in almost every cell of your body, even people with the poorest diets have stable copper levels. It is just a naturally absorbed mineral that unless you have a patient on a known zinc increasing medication, you just wouldn't ever have to test your patient for copper levels. I am stunned to find your levels in the ranges they are at. This is unheard of but I will be researching this as I may have other patients with this condition " I strongly urge any of you who use denture cream to have your zinc and copper levels tested. If your doctor is reluctant, see a different doctor. If it turns out that your copper levels are low and your zinc high. Please research the Internet for the many law firms who are taking cases on this. I contacted an attorney immediately and were eager to add my case to the individual clients they are already representing. Poligrip and Fixodent have known this condition exists since as early as 2005. I am starting a zinc poisoning recovery group online as I fear there is not enough support out there for the frustrating medical problems we have had to endure. On a final note. Copper regulates so many different things in your body, it is the third most important mineral to your body function. It regulates your skin pigmentation, hormones, adrenal gland, thyroid, liver and so much more. It's just unheard of for a average Joe Schmo to have low copper levels. Have yours tested. Get healthy and send a message to these companies by filing your claim. Thank you. Michelle

I have had facial numbness, swollen tongue, and loss of muscle control of my mouth. I have had three MRI's, an MRA spinal tap and a lot of other tests and the nuerologist and othe doctors have said thatI have trigeminal neuropathy. Odd how that nerve is OK. I had so much pain that I could hardly take out the upper. I used denture cream for years on my uppers and just learned about the possibility of the zinc poisoning. I changed to the powder two weeks ago and the pain has about gone away. I had a test three days ago for the zinc poisoning. My doctor said that his wife has had the same problem and will have her tested and will make sure that she uses powder.

For all of you out there, research Zinc free denture adhesive. It is great. As a result of fixodent and polygrip I lost over 50 pounds. my family thought I was anorexic or bulimic. I couldn't keep weight on. I had dithers, nausea, weakness, leg pains, my muscles in my legs and feet kept drawing up. I have an excess amount of zinc in my system. Try the research I suggested and by all means use seabond in the meantime. Lisa Jordan

My daughter has been getting very ill for the major part of this year. She has pain in her feet and legs, and now is getting numbness in them. Her hands and arms then refused to work. Some doctors thought it was M.S. and some did not. This has gone on for five months. She started falling and was unable to get up from the floor. She has been in the hospital now for the past two months. She was placed into the rehab institute in St. Louis and there she had gone from bad to worse. She became comatose and was placed into hospital again. She was unable to receive any p.t. because she is unable to even turn herself in the bed. We insisted she have a 24 hour urine test and it showed a 9400 count of zinc and the normal we have been told is 200. She has used Fixodent and Polygrip for 17 years both day and night. The doctors say her condition has nothing to do with these products but how can a person get that high a level of zinc any other way? She has not been able to eat food for the past two months and she thinks she has been eating large meals. This stuff plays with the mind as well as the feet, legs, arms and hands. Help. ECollier.

I have been wearing an upper denture for about 20 years, and using Fixodent for almost all of it. Of course, I am concerned about the recent news about zinc poisoning, but I keep seeing the same types of posts here. A lot people are reporting that they have had issues that they are now suspicious may have been caused by zinc poisoning. But the only post I see that reported the results of actual testing came back normal. Has anyone else gotten tested? If so, please report the results!

My cousin has used the denture creams listed. She has slowly getting sick for about one year. It started with facial tics. In the last three months she started losing her balance and falling. She was to the point of not getting out of bed without help. She is in great pain, and pain killers will not even touch it. She has pain in her legs, and everywhere. The last straw was when she fell and laid on the floor and could not get up. Hours later a family member showed up and found her. After three hospitals and eight doctors later, we found one who may have finally listened to us "non-doctors" to check her urine for zinc levels. He said he never heard of this "Zinc Poisoning". They first diagnosed her as having multiple sclerosis --wrong! She was slipping in and out of a coma, had no food or liquids for three weeks at the second hospital. We finally spoke up, and they ran a 24 hour urine test. Well that was two days ago, and the results came back -- her zinc level was at 9000! We know that it's too late for anything to be done, so people please listen to all these other people: Stop using denture cream, and make your docotrs listen. Take them printouts of these articles. Maybe it won't be too late for someone else. My cousin is 55, a new grandma, and her life is over! -anonSTL

i have used this product for 30 years. Five years later I was maybe diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, then with a list of more medical problems and docs than i can count. i can't feel most of my body. My heart rate drops to 30 beats per minute. have doctors lost. I lost my gallbladder last week waiting on pacemaker and out of all that blood work no heavy metals test. i think i am ready to get one monday. this makes me sick to think this product is to blame. What the ----? the pain i and my family have been through is unbelievable not to speak of the thousands at least, on medical bills. I am still in disbelief. lostheart

I too have used Fixodent for many years. I am 78 years old and have experienced tingling in my legs for past six years - no circulation problems - had MRI and nothing shows up. x-rays show nothing but still the tingling sensation continues. I will have blood test for zinc on my next visit but I will guess that the Doc will not say that it may be related to zinc.

You may want to seek the advice of a holistic doctor who can deal with heavy metal poisoning. I have heavy metals from my amalgam fillings, but it doesn't show up on a typical blood test. You have to get a hair analysis, which western doctors will tell you it isn't accurate because they don't know how to go about it. There are holistic doctors out there to help, just stay away from doctors who don't know how to eradicate the heavy metals.

I've worn my false teeth, day and night, for over 40 years. I've suffered a *lot*. Heart trouble, leg pains, knee replacement, throbbong in my neck, etc. I have for 3 years had mini implants, but still used Fasteeth or Super Poligrip for a tighter bond. I quit a couple of days ago whem I read about the dangers of zinc poisening. I had in the past also taken zinc suppliments and used zinc oxide ointment for rash and sunburn protection. It makes me mad that what I thought was a good thing turns out to be such a bad thing. I called my doctor and his nurse said I don't need a blood test. Only men are affected. A shotage of zinc affects their sperm count. I couldn't have explained it any clearer. I wawsn't worreied about a shortage of zinc or a loss of my sperm count. I'm a 73 year old *female*. But in November he will do a zinc and copper count, if I still want one! Of course I do, I'd like it *now*.

I just recently heard about this and have most all of the symptoms: recently numbness in my tongue along with a metal taste in my mouth and lose of taste, my feet hurt, not very stable when walking and no stamina. I have used polident since 1998. Will be heading to the doctor next week. This is really scary.

if my brother has problems walking at nite and is feeling numbness of the legs and it hurts to walk, does that mean that he could have zinc poisoning?

Hello all, I had been using polident and fixodent for about 9 years. I have been complaining to my doctors for a couple of years about my unexplained muscle aches and extreme fatigue. I never told them about the neuropathy in both my feet as I thought it was due to my age. I stopped using polident and fixodent a little over two weeks ago.

I also stopped taking my one a day vitamin as it contained 15mg of zinc which is the RDA for a day.

A week after I stopped both items, I first felt sensation in my toes for the first time in two years or so. No muscle pain or unsteadiness that I also complained about to the doctors. This is not 100 percent but I feel better than I have felt in quite some time. I had a blood test this past Wednesday for zinc poisoning but have not received the results as yet. There is a denture cream out there without zinc. It is advertised as so and is not too bad. Google for it. I won't give the name as the other posters here will think I am shilling for them. Bob L.

I have used poligrip and fixodent for about 9 years. I too sleep in my dentures and have noticed a lot more blurry vision in the past 2 years and tested for rheumatoid arthritis then osteo then fibromyalgia. my fingers and toes sometimes feel like a bite or sting suddenly. Hot spots on my back but at times I feel unexpected tiredness and attention span is not what it used to be. I am 52 years old and have EKGs for the chest pain I suffer and excruciating back pain sends me for tests year round.

well i have written here several times, and have been very concerned about the whole fixodent/copper/zinc issues. if you take further note, you will find that low copper can also cause aneurysms and other blood vessel related issues. i have used fixodent heavily for several years, and the pain in my feet is absolutely excruciating at times. i got my lab results back today. my copper is 102 in a range of 80-155 and my zinc is 95 out of 60-130. so all the stress and worries that i went through several times a day while brushing and using more fixodent was totally unfounded. i urge all of you to go have your blood tested and don't worry until the results come back! i will always have issues with my feet, and Lord willing will continue to walk when i'm 60, but at least now i know for sure its not from fixodent which can cause a plethora of other issues! good luck to you all and hopefully you will find that the causes of your problems lie elsewhere --its also stressful to find out what else works that has no zinc in it!

i heard about the problem that fixodent is having with zinc i stopped useing the product, but probably too late! i used it for 5 years or more! The doctors said my pain was because of my back surgery. after a few months of not using fixodent, the pain i felt in back stopped! i also had spots in my back that felt like they were hot as fire and i would cry if it was touched! now i have something going on with my bowel and my hands, also i get dizzy and can't drive. is there a doctor who is willing to help use the little man!

My daughter has a neuropathy but doctors are unable to diagnose the cause. I use denture cream but she does not. could she have zinc poisoning as a cause for her neuropathy and if so, what else could cause this? i am concerned as she is getting worse and it has been 3 months and still not diagnosed,

yours truly, Linda Ochenduszko, Dedham, MA

we have zinc countertops in our house is that unsafe?

I am 33 years old and I started using denture cream in January 2009- I immediately suffered serious health problems as a result of the zinc poisoning from the product. I suffered intestinal distress and in March 2009 I had to have my gall bladder removed due to the damage it caused to my gall bladder. In May I developed Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and have suffered from nueropathy and facial paralysis since. there is no telling what else I will have to endure as a result of using the denture creams containing zinc/ copper but the products need to be recalled and the makers should list the dangers associated with the use of product and the product should inform consumers that it contains zinc and copper. The denture cream products that contain zinc and copper are dangerous and anyone using the products should have your zinc and copper levels checked often for metal poisoning and if you use denture cream with zinc and copper and have had chicken pox you are at risk for developing Ramsay Hunt due to the fact that zinc weakens your immune system and can cause a dormant virus to reactivate.

After seeing the polygrip info I have been searching the web for info and stumbled in here. Been reading all of your stories and am sitting here crying. Because I am tearless from an autoimmune disorder though, even *that* brings little relief. I think *many* of my problems are from using Polygrip for 6/7 years up to a few months ago. Throughout this time I have been diagnosed with various serious problems, including heart disease. I had angioplasty at the age of only 52-they believe the knotting was possibly caused by autoimmune disorders, one of which is Lupus. I have tingling/numbness in my hands and feet and leg pain as well as twitching of my hands/legs at times. I have trouble walking any distances and feel very weak. I am on 12 different meds daily. I wake almost daily crying from the pain in my body and it takes a while to be able to get up. I also have sleep apnea, angina, Sjogrens, fibromyalgia, Lupus, osteoarthritis, RLS, interstital cystitis, kidney stones and GERD. At one point I was dealing with extremely low blood pressure as well. I have basically lost many of my teeth over the last 6/7 years and polygrip was used through it all. Much of the time *overused* to try and hold bridgework, or dentures in my mouth. I assume since I stopped using the polygrip that when I get my bloodwork done it won't be off/high anymore. Not sure what steps I need to take but am hoping there *is* help for me. Good luck to you all as well....

i am 43 and i have numbness,pain and tingling in my hands and feet.i have lumps on the top of my feet. i have joint pain but i have no health insurance.please help, how do i get a diagnosis without health ins. and do you think i would be a candidate for disability. some answers please.

I have used Polygrip and Fixodent for many years. I have Cerebral Neck Tumors and a restless leg syndrome. Would this be caused by the Zinc in the Denture Cream.

When I saw an article about zinc poisoning/toxicity a few weeks ago, and what the related symptoms were, I thought to myself "Aha - Now I know what has been causing my neuropathy's, numbness, dizziness, etc.!!". I had been using Fixodent, on a daily basis, for about 8 years, and the related symptoms started a couple of years after that.

I had a zinc and copper level test done last week (it was supposed to be done a week after stopping use of Fixodent but the lab screwed it up!!), and am awaiting the results. I'm seriously thinking about going ahead with litigation procedures against Proctor & Gamble (maker of Fixodent) - it depends on what the lab test results show.

I found that "Sea Bond" denture adhesive (the "paper wafer with adhesive") works fairly well, and *does not contain any zinc*, so you all might want to look into trying that.

Best of luck to everyone suffering from this. -George

I would strongly consider having my dentures remade or refit so that I wouldn't need adhesive at all, or mini-implants to hold the dentures are a good option. I would give up adhesive that way.

amazingdoc~

im sorry you hurt so much! i am going thru similar things, i swear the top outside of my left foot is broke! i've gone thru one foot surgery, that was enough. i've got neuropathy now, from what i understand using dental cream with zinc in it raises your zinc lvls to dangerous proportions, stripping away the protective sheathing on the outside of your nerves, giving you neuropathy. no cure for this either. ppsshhh on disability, i've been thinking the same thing.

i also was a waitress, that is where the beginning of the end waas for me~ i'm not sure where to turn to for help but google it and you might get some more info

Without health insurance I have not been able to confirm or be diagnosed with anything. I just know how I feel. I also know that ever since I've had dentures, I have had health issues.

Weather this helps you or me is up in the air. Is there anyone that can share what process I should use to get a diagnosis? I have alot of lumps in my feet that make it unbearable to walk many days. Being a waitress, these make it impossible for me to work.

I have been turned down for any type of disability as they tell me I haven't worked and earned my "quarters" but can't work with feet this way. Been unable to work/maintain work for over 12 years. Also had five surgeries on my right foot and now they are popping up on my left foot. Like walking with rocks in my shoes. Podiatrist calls it fibrosis or something like that. But always comes back after surgery so I quit havin these operations. These are also on my hands/fingers. But no one can/will diagnosis. Can't afford any more doctors that cannot fix problem.

I have been using Fixodent for about 15 years. Last fall I had some bottom teeth pulled so my old plate does not fit. I have not used Fixodent or any other adhesive for months and have had more stamina. I have TMJ and have had torticollis, but I have felt okay lately. I am forty but in the past I have gotten out of bed and walked like an 80 year old woman. This has also been improved.

annilyn, ty for responding! i don't know what to do either. i called the number on the tv, they are sending me a package requesting release of info from my dr, also for a blood test that will test for copper and zinc lvls. i was told that there were other products that were zinc free, and that i would get a list. however, if i change before the blood test, the results will be altered. i am just ill thinking that i will have foot trouble all my life, but so happy that there may be a reason for it!

u can't change neuropathy, but perhaps the IBS and other stuff will go away when we stop using it~although it prolly works the best out of what is on the market! there are days when getting up is so painful i hobble like a 90 year old and it just makes me cry thinking that i'm still so young~what will i be like when i'm not? end up in a wheelchair? pity parties do no good, but sometimes they are needed!

i'm not even concerned about any type of settlement, i am more focused on how to fix it from getting worse. and if this is true, what a miracle to find out the root of the problem. now every time i use it i cringe like you!! have a beautiful day and ty again!

I don't have a lot of numbness. I do have foot pain mostly the right foot. I'm at a loss as to what I should do. Sadly and stupidly I am still using the stuff. I don't seem to have a choice. I'm really at a loss as to what I should do here.

wow! i'm a 43 year old woman, with a top plate now for about 7 years. i was shocked when i saw the ad on TV today. i have swallowed wads of the stuff, like all of you have, and i was wondering what the long term effects would be of not wanting to look like a toothless wonder!

i have been diagnosed with neuropathy in my foot, now it is both feet, they are at times numb on the right foot clear into my calf! that, and of course fibro again, although my blood tests show positive for SLE, they say it's not active in my system.

anyone out there with neuropathy please send me a tell! i've not really talked to anyone about it, and am curious what you think of the zinc poisoning thing. thanks!

I just heard about zinc in fixodent. I have been using it for decades. Like others who posted here I keep my dentures in 24/7 and am quite sure I have ingested quite a bit of it..

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, ibs, and carpal tunnel among other things.. now I am wondering if zinc plays a part in my health problems. I am in constant pain and have been prescribed a nerve blocking medication so that I can function...

My dentures don't stay in without fixodent... is there another product on the market that is safer?

I mean... I have to eat.. I can't eat with out my teeth... what do I do now??

Do you know if zinc poisoning can interfere with previous surgeries? I have dentures but only use fixodent on my lower plate which I just got 8 months ago, but have to constantly keep putting more on to keep them in place. Recently my neck, toes and hands have started to go numb and ache all the time. Is it possible that it could be linked to the zinc?

I have used poligrip and fixodent for the past 40 years. I was diagnosed with Lupus about 13 years ago. In the last 2-4 years I have suffered with joint pain, tingling and numbness in legs, feet and sometimes hands. Has also had times when my face felt numb and mouth would twist.

I have been using both denture adhesives for many years, though not as often as some of you.

I have been diagnosed with Lupus which at first they thought was Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Lately I have what appear to be tremors but only in my neck. These are not always present but they cause a lot of discomfort and embarrassment in public. Anyone else have this problem?

For the last 15-20 years, I have had almost constant explosive diarrhea, fairly frequent migraines, and severe cramping, bloating and flatulence in the abdominal area. I also got my first dentures about 15-20 years ago. Gee, think it might be related?

I just viewed an advertisement soliciting users of Polygrip and Fixodent concerning a lawsuit alleging zinc poisoning by these products. Since these are the brands of denture adhesives I have used frequently for years. How much info do you have on zinc poisoning and its symptoms? Obviously my wife and I are interested.

Is denture powder (used for denture adhesive )also

responsible for Zinc poisoning?

i am scared to death and don't know what to do. i have had a stomach ache for a month now. i have a bladder infection and was just diagnosed with neuropathy.

so now after my mother in law asked is it from my fixodent i was freaked out when i read about it and the er dr. had no clue y my belly hurt nor did he ask if i wear dentures.

i have had them about 15 yrs and have worn them day and night for years. what should i do now? should i ask the er for a blood test?

I know I have ingested a lot of denture adhesive with ill fitting dentures. It is always gone when I go to brush my teeth. Does anyone really know how to counteract against this zinc ingredient?

I have been using fixodent & super poligrip for about 20 years. I have chronic pain in all of my joints & have had just about all of the tests done to try to find the problem except testing for zinc poisoning. After I saw the lawsuit that is underway against the makers of poligrip & fixodent, the next test is going to be for zinc poisoning. I will keep everyone updated.

Does anyone have any info about using fixodent or poligrip? I have been using both for about 25 years. I have constant pain and am being treated for arthritis and lupus, but I saw a commercial and am wondering if it might be something different!!

thanks for any info anyone might have.

I use fixodent 24 hours a day, I never take my dentures out and have not for the last year and a half. I even sleep in them, do you think I should have my zinc levels checked? I know I have digested plenty of fixodent.

is excessive zinc intake ever fatal?

decades ago when i worked in heavy metals research, we were unable to induce any symptoms of zinc poisoning in rats receiving 1 % of their diet as zinc. they were smaller and had lower copper levels and lower hematocrits than the controls. zinc is often labeled as toxic, when there are other toxic heavy metals are present, eg. cadmium.

Cancer is usually caused by genetic abnormalities. Carcinogens and mutagens can alter a persons genetic makeup (one of the ways this is done is by methylation). Zinc supplements are very unlikely to cause such effects, heavy metal poisoning is caused by interference of natural biological processes.

Excessive ingestion of zinc may suppress the immune system.

I read that zinc poisoning can be caused by using poligrip or fixodent with dentures. Is this really true??

I was shown some very nice raised garden beds that were made with galvanized steel metal roofing on the walls which were framed on the outside with 4x4" posts that I'm considering building for a vegetable garden. I am interested in any research, data, comments concerning the use of this or aluminum roofing in the context of corroding and leaching into the soil and/or contaminating the food, as we are organic proponents.

My son somehow accidentally got a galvanized nailed punched all the way through his hand at work. Does anyone know if it is poisonous in that way?

There seem to be a couple of investigations into this published around the web. If anyone thinks that this sounds familar, contact your doctor.

there is a report out of dallas, texas about two specialist at southwestern medical center who have diagnosed zinc poisoning from the use of super poligrip causing nerve damage(neuropathy). this discovery is of a critical nature since there are millions of denture wearers.

my father-in-law has wilson's, and is treated with zinc supplements. he was recently dignosed with cancer, but the doctors are not sure now, and said it could have some thing to do with the amount of zinc he has taken. does any one know any thing about this?