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High Cobalt Chromium levels
I have a MOM THR in 2003 - Depuy Pinnacle . I'm now 70. While I knew about potentials of Metalosis, I never had any symptoms so I was never tested. Jan 2024 my hip squeaked for a week, then went away. I'm very active and no weakness or other symptoms. I went to a recommended Ortho in Chicago area - since my original surgeon retired. I was tested and Cobalt/Chromium came back 22.6/15.5 ng/mL. I also had a MRI - which showed no abnormal issues. The decision was to wait a year and test again - which I did this month- the Cobalt/Chromium came back 11/11 ng/mL. - the results went down(both were done at the same lab in NC (lab corp of america). Still no other symptoms and squeaking never came back. I haven't met with my doctor again yet - presuming we'd do a wait another year plan again. I have several questions 1) Is it logical that my Cobalt Chromium went down - without doing anything? 2) Does it matter where blood tests are done? 3) Can other things affect blood tests - I don't take any medications. And stopped my Vitamin D the week before the blood test.
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There is something causing your high levels and I would stay on top of it, my wife had elevated for 11 years and 5 revisions between both hips. He primary orthopedic surgeon declined to check her levels and expressed that he wanted to wait a year. I went to her primary doctor and she ordered both Cobalt and Chromium; cobalt was 17.6 and chromium was 9.6. She had no symptoms! The new orthopedic surgeon did intensive blood work and found two staph infection. They had to remove the complete implant and place a medicated spacer for 8+ weeks with daily IV Antibiotics and then replaced the complete implant.
She connected with this law firm in regards to a failed implant!
Bernheim Kelley Battista, LLC
617-420-1111
Because they wanted to secure the failed implant! It was a Stryker implant! Just an FYI! Lots of good luck!
Has anyone made reports to the FDA MAUDE reporting system about your failed replacements? They collect info for recalls. When I first visited their site after my first failed replacement in 1998 there were 3 reports. By 2000 (and 2 revisions later) there were thousands. Thing is they don't seem to follow up on reports . The surgeons and implant developers will not stand up in court and testify against one another (even if admitted off the record). Nobody ever seemed to address the possibility of metal sensitively. I have loads of allergies and asthma. I have read that metal sensitivity is inherited....just like my other allergies and asthma. Having had elevated cobalt. chromium, and now titanium there are no other hip implant to replace mine in the US. I have never heard about things like this in the news or on tv...people don't know about the risks for metal allergy that cause loosening, pain, infections. etc. It has been a nightmare for me and my loved ones. SOMEBODY PLEASE STAND UP FOR US!
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3 ReactionsI have 2 resurfaced hips that are cobalt & chromium. My levels were about double the normal level which I was told isn’t unusual for 2 metal hips. I started taking NAC every morning, and after acouple of months, both my levels dropped to normal and near normal.
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1 ReactionThere has been an ongoing class action law suit! Stryker was one that failed, I shared a law firm out of Florida that my wife had to go through after 6 hip replacements
I’ve had a hip resurfacing and a hip replacement and my chromium level is 3 times normal. Had more bloodwork to see if it is still going up and my cobalt also, waiting for results. From what I’ve been told only a hip revision will bring it down. What is NAC that you take every morning?
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1 ReactionHere is one study I found. Look it up online. There are many studies and other benefits.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4842352/
What is NAC? I have 17 yr MoM still in place, cobalt highest level 13 but I haven't had replacement but no dr would even order chelation as it's not a permanent solution.
Thank you
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1 ReactionI’ve been going through the same for 5 yrs! Dr’s do not acknowledge there is such a thing as toxic metal or metallosis..it’s really hard & disheartening.
I also have cadmium. Nobody cares.. I’m having chelation thru a spa setting. Unfortunately, I’m starting to think it may be too late. I think the damage has been done & it’s too late…had blood pressure at hospital @ 220/96. They just sent me home
NAC is not a permanent solution for metalossis, only removal of the offending part. First, it is only marginally effective on chromium, not at all on cobalt. Environmental specialists will usually decline to even try chelation until the implants are removed.
Waiting to long can cause organic damage from the metals, but also tissue damage that is invisible until it is extensive, and in some cases necrosis (death) of the bone holding the implant. I didn't understand how serious this was until my thyroid went out of control, I lost much of my hair, and I developed a permanent tremor. I'm still living with the tremor and Graves disease 14 years later.
I would suggest becoming well informed on offered surgeries that involve implants. Take an active role in knowing consequences of what a "replacement" or implant can give. I had no idea that I would have plates for an elbow repair and I have had a reaction to nickel. Now, currently aware of metal issues, I am very proactive on staying healthy and as accident free as possible! What works today may not work so well tomorrow. Own the process and be a part of the solution.
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