EP 36 - Crippled By Hip Replacement - Cobalt Poisoning Nightmare - Tracey's Story
Tracey O’Neill was at the pinnacle of health as a fitness instructor and in the prime of her active life prior to bi-lateral hip replacement surgery due to a sudden diagnosis of a previously undiagnosed condition: congenital hip dysplasia.
Tracey went from her idyllic life to fully disabled, in massive amounts of pain, and able to walk with only the assistance of dual walking sticks, only to find out that she was being poisoned by severe cobalt debris from her bilateral implants.
As Tracey’s condition continued to degrade, and she was gaslit by many medical professionals, she experienced a growing litany of debilitating symptoms such as swelling, pain, redness, memory loss, shortness of breath and swelling, eventually finding out that her cobalt levels were seven times normal.
Tracey has bravely endured two brutal revision surgeries to date and that was only on the first hip, with the second still to come.Tracey is now a tireless advocate running an online support group for hip revision patients with chronic pain and cobalt toxicity from hip implants.
In this episode you will learn:
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How cobalt poisoning from hip implants can mimic other chronic illnesses and go undiagnosed.
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The importance of trusting your body—even when doctors don’t.
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What kinds of symptoms may be linked to metal toxicity from implants.
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Where you can get support for your hip replacement & implant pain.
~Links and Resources~
~ Find Tracey’s Hip Replacement Chronic Pain Support & Cobalt Poisoning Facebook group HERE .
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~To read Tracey’s Article in the Daily Telegraph click HERE .
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~To see the images that accompany this episode click HERE .
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***Many WONDERFUL, supportive special-interest communities exist for metal allergies and diet, hardware issues, medical devices, etc., online and on social media. They have many resources and often act as a collective think-tank. I owe many parts of my recovery to knowledge obtained in such groups. Search keywords to join these groups and find your tribe!***

Mrs Tracey Ann O'Neill
A qualified Fitness Teacher and Executive Coach, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others grow stronger—physically, mentally, and professionally. My path hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has shaped me into the resilient, compassionate person I am today.
Living with ongoing health challenges, I’ve had to adapt and persevere in ways I never expected. But I’ve never let that stop me. Each setback became a stepping stone, each difficulty a reason to keep learning and evolving. My journey is a testament to the power of persistence, self-belief, and the will to keep moving forward.
Nature has always been my sanctuary. From hiking trails to hidden woodland paths, the outdoors gives me peace, perspective, and purpose. While I’ve had to slow down, I still make time for exploration—however big or small—because staying connected to nature is part of staying connected to myself.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple drive: to help others. Whether through coaching, mentoring, or volunteering, I believe in lifting people up and walking beside them as they discover their own strength and direction.