Fixodent Lawsuit Filed Over Zinc Poisoning Caused by Denture Cream
Published: April 14th, 2009 • Comments: 40
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Another lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a denture wearer who alleges that the use of Fixodent caused her to suffer zinc poisoning, resulting in chronic pain, neurological problems and other permanent injuries.
The Fixodent lawsuit was filed on March 13, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of Sherry Mosley and her son, Aaron Mosley.
The complaint alleges that Sherry Mosley used the Fixodent denture adhesive cream several times per day for a number of years to secure her dentures in place. High levels of zinc contained in the product caused her to suffer from zinc toxicity, which caused a decrease in her copper levels, leaving her with neurological damage and injury.
A growing number of similar denture adhesive lawsuits have been filed against Proctor & Gamble over their Fixodent cream, and against GlaxoSmithKline involving their Poligrip and Super Poligrip adhesive. The use of the products have been associated with symptoms like dizziness, lethargy, paralysis, numbness, loss of sensation, tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness and other unexplained pain.
The zinc contained in the denture creams are used as a bonding agent. However, the zinc can seep into the body through the gums, or if the product is swallowed, causing high levels of zinc and copper depletion known as hypocupremia, which can cause a host of adverse health effects.
For years, Sherry Mosley complained to her doctors about vague and unusual neuropathic symptoms that left her incapable of performing many daily activities. The 45 year old mother complains that she suffers from chronic weakness, pain, discomfort and burning in her back, legs and other body parts, along with urinary, bladder and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
After she learned of the denture cream side effects causing problems similar to what she was experiencing, Mosley had her blood tested, which confirmed the presence of abnormally high zinc levels and low copper levels.
The denture cream lawsuit over Fixodent indicates that Proctor & Gamble was aware that some portion of the product would get ingested and metabolized in the gastrointestinal tract. The complaint also alleges that before zinc was added to Fixodent it was generally known and accepted in the scientific community that excess zinc in the body could have severe adverse health effects in humans.
Although zinc and copper levels generally return to normal after Fixodent or other denture creams are stopped, the lawsuit indicates that Mosley was left with permanent neurological injury by the time the problems were discovered.
Comment by George on 14 April 2009:
I too have used these denture creams and have suffered from the same side affects
Comment by Lorraine on 15 April 2009:
I have used both fixodent and polygrip for years. I have skin rashes, muscle spasms and unexplained pain. I have often wondered if there was things in these products that could be harmeful as it is swallowed as it liquifies during the day. I have constant mouth watering also.
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Comment by Gary on 19 April 2009:
I have used Fixodent for over 20 years. I am now 60 and suffer from a burning like pain over much of my body on an almost daily basis. I have sudden sharp pains in different parts of my body including toes, hands, thighs even the bottom of my feet. I also have daily back pain that ranges from moderate to quite severe. MRI’s do not show anything except normal degenerative discs and arthritis in my spine. I was diagnosed some years ago with some neuropathy. Pain meds have little effect and my MD just suggested I see a neurologist again. All of this sound so much like what I’m reading about these denture cream symptoms that it seems to me it might be what I’ve been dealing with.
Comment by Kathy on 21 April 2009:
I read this and almost fainted. I have other medical issues, including diabetes, but have been having burning pain and neropathy and back pains and hurting all over that several MRIs nor CAT scans have been able to turn up any answer for. I have been wearing dentures for at least 10 years, and never take them out except to brush them and put Fixodent on them, then they go right back in my mouth. Pain medicine has little effect on my pains, and I am miserable most of the time. I’ll ask my doctor about this.
Comment by Sandi on 24 April 2009:
I can honestly say that I have used Fixodent in the past for at least two years and began suffering from burining pain in the back and different areas of the legs and arms, with heat sensation as well. I have also noticed that I have generalized weakness in all my limbs and sharp pains in different areas that cannot be explained. My doctor prescribed meds for the pain and the neuropathy but they have litttle effect on the pain itself. I have a hard time standing for over 15-30 minutes of time without feeling excrutiating pain in my legs and back. I know that I have problems with disc and bone degeneration, but it seemed to get worse when I got dentures three years ago and started using the Fixodent adhesive, I used it ritually as my dentures did not fit as they should have. I stopped using it about a year ago, but the symtoms continued aggressively.
Comment by Marlana on 5 May 2009:
My mother has had dentures for almost 3 decades…She only will use fixodent. She has cronic unexplained pain, dizzy, if not even stroke like sometimes of legs not working right. It comes and goes and she has been tested from a-z. I am scared after reading all of this and I am printing out this for her to read.
Comment by Peter on 6 May 2009:
Been using Fixodent for about 5 years now,most recently adding a bottom denture to which I also apply Fixodent. At this time,I am not experiencing the problems allegedly associated with these creams.
I will be mindful of the information however.
Are there any creams without zinc that will bind as well? Do keep in mind that in the event this lawsuit as described above generates into a class action suit,the only winners are the lawyers who generally eat up most of the awarded cash in fees for their billable hours.
Comment by Ed on 6 May 2009:
I have used Fixodent for 25 years. Over the course of the last five years, I have been diagnosed with two regurgitating heart valves and degenerative disease in my spine, having resulted in surgery nearly 2 years ago, and still suffer extreme pain which my surgeon believes to be neurological. I have been further plagued with constant, chronic diarrhea and malabsortion for 4-5 years, having been treated by two internists, two gastroenterologists, and had two colonoscopies–the cause of the diarrhea remains idiopathic. Each of these conditions are listed as common side effects and symptoms of Copper Deficiency and Zinc Poisoning–two of the primary effects shown linked to the use of Fixodent. Attorneys representing clients in the Fixodent debacle, however, appear only interested in patients suffering Neuropathy–nothing more. I find this difficult to understand, given the complex medical issues that could be associated with the use of this product. My life has been hell for five years, with little or no explanation why….quite possibly all linked to the innocent use of what I thought was a trusted product. My doctor has ordered Zinc and Copper toxin panels–it will be interesting to see the results.
Comment by Jamice on 11 May 2009:
I was sitting at home one evening and saw commercial about lawsuit and didnt react right away, until i decided to call law firm. the guy i talked to begin to read off possible symptoms that where associated with high copper/zinc levels. I almost passed out because what he said is what i been feeling for last 3 yrs. i am tired alot and unexplained pain in different parts of my body and most of all the TINGLING AND NUMBNESS in feet, toes and hands, it just blew me away and now im going to get my blood checked tomorrow.
Comment by Rosemarie on 12 May 2009:
Now, now, I am finally getting some real answers to my physical ailments! I have been suffering with off and on pains in my legs, excessive edema, which I have had ultrasounds and other blood tests done, but no one seems to know why. I have been using this denture cream for more than 10 years. I am experiencing all kinds of pills with amino acids, and vitamins trying to figure out where my defiency lies, but no results. I had no idea that these conditions could possibly be connected to something as simple as my denture cream. If this is the reason for my condition, someone must advocate for the sufferers.
Comment by Robert on 22 May 2009:
I have been using dental adhesives containing zinc for many years and have experienced many of the symptons of zinc poisioning..I have only been aware of this problem in about a month or two. I have been tested for ZP and test was negative. I have stopped using creams. My concern is could the use of these creams have any bearing on onset of Alzhiemers disease since it strikes primarily in the age group of those who significantly use them .
Comment by amanda on 24 May 2009:
i hae been using fixodent for about 6 years now and i feel the burning in my legs and arms and also dizzy to.i have also been feeling musel spells to.
Comment by patricia on 25 May 2009:
i have been useing fixodent for 40 years.
Comment by sharon on 26 May 2009:
she has all the symptoms weakness ,numbness ,loss of sensation , nerve symptoms
Comment by Laurie on 1 June 2009:
I too have suffered all of the same pains and discomfort. I have had MRI’s and x-rays with no real reason as to why I am going through this much pain. I have been put on pain killers with no relief.I have been using fixodent for about 8 years. I too have often wondered if it is good for us to be putting this in our system but what other choices do we really have. I am tired of the constant pain and would like to have my life back.Between the dizziness, the pain, numbness, tingling, in my legs,arms,hands and feet it is making life a real challenge.I am unable to travel for even short distances without having to stop and get out and stretch my legs because of the pain.It feels like some one wearing cleats is kicking me in my lower back and causing my nerves to go crazy with spasms.
Comment by Deana on 6 June 2009:
This is interesting, my dad is 87 yrs old and lives on fixodent and polygrip to the point he keeps a small tube in his shirt pocket at all times, now here lately his back and legs hut so bad, he reverted to using a walker and his cane and taking daily pain medication. He did not have all this pain prior to the new polident I will ask my dad home health nurse to approach the subject with his doctor next week
Comment by Amalio on 15 June 2009:
Now this IS Interesting,I suffer from Spinal Spondylosis (C4-C5) wich causes weird pains and sometimes numbness on hands toes arms etc..
However lately I’ve been having Dizziness??…I never had that before?
will certanly check with my doctor about this next week.
Comment by Dawna on 20 June 2009:
Good luck checking with your doctor….mine refused to order the bloodtests for zinc and copper. She insisted that I had had a stroke and ordered a cat scan, which turned up negative. she says my blood pressure is high at 155/80 and I am diabetic with sugar at 131. I suspect the two are a result of the zinc poisoning. as I have never had any other problems in my 70 years of living.
Comment by Debra on 22 June 2009:
My Mom has idiopathic neuropathy. (unknown reason for burning pain and numbness in feet and hands.) I saw the report on Good Morning America and it was the same as her story. She also uses a lot of Fixodent. We are getting a blood test tomorrow.
Comment by wendy on 30 June 2009:
i have been using fixodent for 25 years now and im starting to have symptoms of numbness in my hands and feet also i had to have a neuroma removed from my foot that means they took some of my nerve out of my toe and its still bothering me and now at night i have numbness in my hands and some times my feet and i have weakness and i have pain in my joints but the doctors can not find any thing . im going monday and have blood test done to check my zinc and copper in my blood.
Comment by evelyn on 9 July 2009:
i,ve been useing itfir almost 5 yrs, i,ve been having troubl for about fours , consant pain heat and pain in my back ,my med,s want even help a times. dr said it was my back where i had surgery! but , i keep having to take a lots of pain meds. when i heard about the troublewith fixident i stopped useing it ! !but after 2 months with out useing it some of the pain has stopped !but, my right and left arm is heavyness-pain in wrist my thumb feels like its broke! when did they let the public known about this?
Comment by Glendolyn on 11 July 2009:
i been using fixodent for 16 years ,and i have a lot of these symptoms and the one thats got me about to go crazy is Paralysis.I was in bed one day about 1year ago and i couldn”t get up i couldn”t move my hands,feet,legs,arms nore could i talk for about 5mim. and the same thing happen again about 2moths ago i never been tested cause i do not like to go to Doctors but now i know i have to take better care of myself cause you cant turst anything anymore whats safe to use.
Comment by Margarette on 12 July 2009:
I have used Fixodent for several years. I’ve recently been diagnose with degenerative neropathy in my right jaw. My dentist confirmed what looks like an adequate diagnose by my primary care physician, but added that it involved what is known as the “Trigeminal Nerves”. It is very painfull to say the least. I intend to request the necessary blood works, etc. to see if there is a connection between that and the use of Fixodent.
Comment by Linda on 29 July 2009:
My mother has these same symptoms , she asked her doctor to do the blood test and was told that it was 300.00 dollars and medicare would not cover it. She just wants to get better, but does not know what she should do next.
Comment by bonnie on 10 September 2009:
I recently heard a commercial from a local law firm regarding neuropathy being caused by denture paste useage. I have had neuropathy since 2006 from a spinal cord compression caused by a herniated disc in my neck. Surgery was performed in 2007 to prevent my symptoms from getting worse; however the pain, burning , shooting pains, ataxia, and numbness in my arms and legs have become much worse . This was suposed to be a static (non-worsening) condition postoperatively. Been wearing dentures since 2004, using Super Polygrip and occasionaly Fixodent .My neurologist says there COULD be a connection to the denture paste causing a worsening in my condition. I have contacted a local Georgia law firm; have completed their paperwork , and will be in on their class-action lawsuit. I am totally disabled from the neuropathy.I now have to get the blood and urine labs done. which won’t be easy as I have no insurance, and so far, no Medicare. I have been made aware that Medicare won’t cover these test, so I will have to do some investigating into getting it done as cheaply as possible.
Comment by Colleen on 10 September 2009:
I used fixodent for about 4-5 yrs. I experienced lower abdominol pain. It became unbearable. My Dr. tested me for everything from ovarian cancer to bowel cancer. The pain was debilitating. I had to stop working as a nurse, collected medical E.I. for the 16 weeks that they allow. I then moved to the city my daughter lives in to be near her convinced that I was dieing of cancer. I also experienced unexplained dizzyness, which made driving impossible.
Eventually.unhappy with my ill fitting dentures, I got new ones that fit perfectly. Suddenly like magic I stopped using denture cream and my symptoms went away. I wish I could get those yrs. back but I’m happy just to be alive. I still live with my daughter and seeking employment once again.
Comment by ROGER on 12 September 2009:
I HAVE BEEN USING FIXODENT ABOUT THREE OR FOUR YEARS A SMALL AMOUNT FOR PARTIAL PLATE. I NEVER USED IT UNTIL MY DENTIST GAVE ME A SAMPLE AND SINCE I HAVE LOTS OF INDIGESTION AND TERRIBLE BACK PAIN. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I BEGAN TO READ THIS WEBSITE. THERE ARE TIMES I GO WITHOUT THE CREAM FOR A WHILE AN T THE PROBLEMS SUBSIDE. I ALSO HAVE HAD SLEEPING PROBLEMS AND NIGHTMARES. MAYBR THATS A CONTRIBUTARY PROBLEM. IAM OFF THAT STUFF RIGHT NOW AND I WILL SEE IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE.
Comment by Jan on 15 September 2009:
Oh my! I definitely have these symptoms! I have been using Fixodent for 10 years. I hated the taste in my mouth after it broke down and would clean my dentures and put in more. I can’t afford to go to the doctor anymore so I just live with the symptoms. I will not use this product anymore.
Comment by ADA on 18 September 2009:
I have been using fixodent for over 20 years. All of sudden I was experiencing some pain that doctors couldn’t figure out what it was. My last doctor diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia but now I’m experiencing numbness on my right cheek that goes down my right shoulder and upper arm. Then about 7 years ago i noticed that when i pick up a glass of water to drink with my right hand it shakes uncontrollably. I can’t even stand for more than 30 minutes. Doctors can figure out why. Now i wonder..
Comment by Linda P on 18 September 2009:
I have been experiencing intermittent periods of vertigo, nausea, vomiting and extreme tiredness. I have been using fixodent for about 7 years. Of course, without a blood test who knows what the real cause may be, so I will ask for one. In the mean time, no more of that stuff for me.
Comment by julia on 10 October 2009:
I have worn dentures and used fixodent for over 40 years.the numb areas and trumatic pain that moves about I just thought was because of my axcendent in 2000 my court case was lost due to the fact they assumed I wasn’t looking I wonder if as happen now with frequency was my leg just went out from under me.
I found this due to looking up severe nerve damage that I was just told I have,
Comment by Michael on 19 October 2009:
I have been using fixodent and poligrip for almost 10 years. About 3 or 4 years ago I started having nerve tingling shoot down my legs (mostly my right one) in to my foot. It would hurt llike hell as it felt like getting an electric shock. A lot of times I would just get a real sharp tingling burning sensation right on the end of my toes on my right foot. When I told my Doctor about it he just sort of shrugged it off and no tests were done as I said it was unpleasant but I could live it. Here lately, I have stopped using these products but still have the pains in my toes. I do have muscle pains, mostly in my right thigh and left arm from time to time but have always chalked it up to the lipitor I take. Not one to complain so I just live with it. From reading some of the other posts it sounds like I am a little luckier than most but still I don’t appreciate the sharp pains in my toes which make my feet want to kick.
Comment by les on 3 November 2009:
I have been to my doctor for every test and they have found nothing. I am now going to a chiropractor. My symptoms are loss of feeling in my legs and numbness. I have used fixodent for quite a period of time now. I am 83,. I will see about getting a blood test at my doc. as soon as I can.
Comment by C.L.Williams on 13 November 2009:
I lost my mother 10-6-09. She started using these products approximately 20 yrs. ago. She has been having urinary tract infections for yrs. A year and a half ago her circulation became poor causing puple splotching on her back. At the time I thought it was because she was staying in bed to much. She had lost her eye sight about 4 yrs. ago, and became reclusive. She became to weak to care for herself. She would fall just walking to the restroom. She was admitted to the hospital on 9-10-09 with urinary tract infection, irregular heart beat and aspirating pneumonia. She had fallen again, and dad was unable to pick her up. We believe she had a stroke, however the hospital never checked. They thought she was having respiratory problems. She had asthma and allergies. Her body would not respond to treatment. She was hooked to machines for almost a month in and out of a coma. She had a massive stroke and wasn’t treated for it. She lost all movement of her left side. She could not speak, but she let my brother a I know that it was time to let her go. She never came home. She died at the age of 68.
Comment by Garnell on 17 November 2009:
I’VE USED FIXODENT AND OR POLIDENT FOR AT LEAST TWENTY YEARS, AND I SUFFER FROM CRONIC BACK PAIN, SERVRE DIZZYNESS, FINGER TINGLEING WITH NUMBNESS, CONSTANT NUMBNESS OF THE TOE, TIRENESS,AND WEAKNESS. I’M GOING TODAY TO GET THE BLOOD TEST FOR COPPER/ZINC.
Comment by Lori on 22 November 2009:
Four months ago I had all my remaining teeth extracted and got dentures. The dentures were extremely poor fitting and the dentist agreed to make me another set. However he never was able to fashion a set that fit me, so I am now with another dentist. But I was forced to use the ill fitting dentures the past 4 months, and they were way too large to fit my gums, and could only be held in place with huge amounts of Polident or Fixodent, and I had to re-apply every time I ate anything…4 or 5 times a day. I was naturally, swallowing huge amounts of the paste during this time. I started having wildly irregular and and racing heartbeat. I read that the heartbeat symptoms could be related to a copper deficiency created by zinc overuse. I stopped using those 2 products, and found what is stated to be a zinc-free adhesive at Wal-mart; their store-brand; called Equate Firm Hold….a product rep at the Walmart site verified that it is indeed zinc-free. And guess what?….it HOLDS WAY BETTER than poli or fixodent…even though I have yet to recieve my NEW dentures, I only need to use this zinc-free formula twice a day.
My symptoms have not subsided yet, but I read that it takes a while for a zinc overload to leave your body, so I am waiting to see, and also taking some copper supplements.
I will post back if and when this symptom does dissappear, and also wanted all to know how much better of an adhesive the Wal-mart brandis, in ANY case! It also does not make a slimey mess of my saliva like the other 2 did.
Although I am not sure if this symptom is related to the 2 products, I highly suspect them, as I never had anything like this before, but my insurance also will not cover the testing, so only a time of not using them will tell.
No matter what, I will NEVER again use Fixodent or Polident, and hope that those this has caused damage to get better, or at least receive compensation for Glaxo-Smith’s and Proctor&Gamble’s gross negligence in not warning consumers of this risk.
Comment by Lori on 22 November 2009:
Lori again….PS: Also have been experiencing EXTREME exhaustion; causing me to sleep many hours a day longer than normal….also, all previous heart function tests (done during a complete physical just 6 months prior) were perfectly normal, btw.
Comment by nancy on 9 February 2010:
I had my upper teeth out last year in march 09.i had dentures put in right after they took them out,the dentures were temporary ones and then i finally had the real ones ready and put in in july.My dentures fit good but do not stay in place and were hard to eat with them in.i started using fixodent injuly 09 and a few months after that i started feeling different,my mouth always hurts when i have the teeth in and i am insevere pain and my ears ache all the time.i have funny feelings in my feet and i have falling down a few times,sometimes i have dizzyness,pain in my neck chest and back.So i have been wondering what has made me feel different,so i started looking up reasons why my mouth and ears hurt so much and if i might be allergic to the dentures,and then i started looking up information about the fixodent and that search has lead me to this information on fixodent..much to my surprise i found that this information is so much like my symptoms that i will be asking my doctor to run those blood tests on me as soon as possible and if i am right i would be very interested in joining your law suit..fixodent was what i had discussed with my daughter,i said to her i wonder if this stuff can make you sick because you do swallow some and that must not be a good thing.I will not ever use this product or anything like it again no matter if my dentures fit or not,my health is not worth the risk.i only hope that i have not found out to late,because my pain in my face ,jaw and ears is un bareable..please write back as soon as possible..nancy merchan t…ps i found this information on my own from your comments from other users and i am so thankful for all of the information the different people have told to the public and made available.I hope i don’t have perminate damage from it,because the pain is so constant and severe i just can’t stand it..thank you again.nancy .
Comment by joyce on 23 February 2010:
You can call your local county health department and request this test
for zinc and copper,in our county they quoted me 50.00 for the zinc
test.and 15.00 for the blood draw.I go there to get my cholesterol checked for the sum of 20.00 Sure beats the 75.00 they charge at the Dr’s