Would anyone be able to tell me what metallosis symptoms are?

@april0608 The type of implant and all components are part of your surgical record. Every piece is identifiable by a serial number, and both the doctor and hospital will have this information, as wee as the type of cement (if any) or fixation hardware such as screws.
I don't think what you are seeing is metallosis in the usual sense, which as defined as excess chromium and cobalt ions in the blood. Metal on metal hip implants have not been used for a number of years. The diagnostic tool for metallosis is a blood test for those metals.
But, you could have sensitivity to one or more of the metals in your implant. (titanium, nickel and I believe chromium are still used - just not in such a way as they rub against one another and cause shedding of ions.) If you did not have a cementless implant, it is possible to be sensitive to the bone cement used. The way these are tested is different. All components used must be identified, then sensitivity tests (usually skin pricks) are performed to check for reactions.

Do you know which hip implant you received?
Sue

Thank you for your reply. I do not know which hip implant I have, but I do have an appointment with my surgeon in the morning due to hip pain. I will definitely find out for sure in the morning.

While I wait for the results of my metals testing, could anyone tell me if the intensity of the metallosis symptoms wax and wane?

Not in my experience. They just got worse week by week until both hips were replaced and my body began to eliminate the excess metal
Sue

Hi, @april0608. Information on metallosis and what the symptoms are and how to diagnose it are all still in the process of being studied. As you can imagine, and as I am sure you are already aware, it is hard to find concrete information on this condition. Here a few resources you can look through, although they may not directly address your direct question:

- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/metal-metal-hip-implants/information-about-soft-tissue-imaging-and-metal-ion-testing
- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/metal-metal-hip-implants/information-orthopaedic-surgeons

@april0608, it does sound like you were able to get your surgeon to test for metals in your body, which is a great start. Were you able to confirm that you have a metal on metal implant?

I got metallosis from a two level disc replacement. Blood testing is not the best option. 1. You are going to want to get a 24 hr heavy metals urine test
2. A LTT test from Orthopedic Analysis or a Melisa test.
3. You can get an ion count test from Orthopedic Analysis which may be valuable depending on the metals used in your implant.
4. Heavily Metalled has a YouTube podcast on metal poisoning. Very valuable information.
Symptoms are systemic. I’ve developed white spots on my brain in a non MS Pattern- no MS, headaches, brain fog, vision and hearing changes, mouth sores, swollen tongue, burning arteries and veins, chest pain/pressure, memory issues, reactionary high blood pressure, poor circulation, vasodilation/ vasoconstriction, swollen lymph nodes, erthymia in my rt lung and stomach lining, polycythemia Vera, rashes, flushing, low lymphocyte counts, high neutrophils/Eosinophils, elevated d-dimer, elevated troponin and more.
In my experience my symptoms ebb and flow. I believe it depends on your body’s ability to get the metals out.

Thank you so much. A strange question maybe, but does you diet affect how you feel?

I've been struggling with this on and off for a while after having had a MOM hip replaced 8 years ago. I had a rash that has never gone away completely that I always suspected was due to the MOM device. Fast forward to a couple of months ago and I had a full-on, systemic reaction to something.
Doctors were all stymied by it and couldn't figure out what was causing my reactions - brain fog and fatigue beyond belief, sensitivity around all of my surgical sites from the last 8 years, blurry vision, swollen lymph nodes, symptoms of thyroid issues even though I had a partial thyroidectomy in April. After looking at my calendar, I was the one who identified that my problems started just a few days after I had a new dental crown put on. I got the info on the crown and the cement from the dentist and discovered the cement has "antimony nickel titanium oxide yellow" in it. I then had sensitivity testing done by Orthopedic Analysis and discovered I am highly reactive to nickel.
My replacement hip is titanium but I know it probably contains nickel as well so now, we have to see if it will settle down and this "flare up" is a reaction that will go away over time or ??? I hate the thought of removing anything that contains any nickel, especially my hip as it was surgery #5 on that one, but I also know the brain fog and fatigue have been excruciating. No life. Work is suffering. Marriage is suffering.
Good luck @april0608 and don't give up.

Thank you so much!

Wow, I am so fortunate that my hyperreactive inflammatory/ immune response, acquired from the metallosis 12-13 years ago (both hips) hasn't extended to the surgical metals in my thumbs or to my recent crowns.
Bad enough that every little bug, cut or bump sets it off - at least those are transient.
I hope they can find a way to desensitize you.
Sue