Fw: Breast Implants and Scleroderma

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Please respond to Tammy at her address listed below if you can offer some advice, information or encouragement. Also, please invite her to join our group!

Patty

----- Original Message ----- Tammy Fennell

Cc: kathi ; kathynye ; patty ; lany ; rogene

Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 7:01 AM

Subject: Re: Breast Implants and Scleroderma

Tammy ... I am so glad you wrote. I am out of the country currently and am forwarding this to some wonderful women who are maintianing our support group. Your questions are VERY important ... I believe you will get some good responses from the women in the group. Best to you, Ilena http://www.breastimplantawareness.org Tammy Fennell <tammy4wyo@...> wrote:

Dear Ilena,

I just read an article you had posted on the web regarding silicone breast implants and Scleroderma. I am a 36 year old woman who underwent implant surgery the first time in early March '95, then because I felt too big (size D, when I had requested a size C), I decided for a redo. My doctor told me since I was planning to have the surgery for the second time, that I would qualify for silicone implants, much better, he said, than the saline ones I had. So, in March 2000, I had the new and improved implant surgery. In February 01, I began having aches and pains that I couldn't explain, especially when I woke up in the morning. My fingers would turn white when exposed to the cold, and I just didn't feel right.

After months of doctor visits, and feeling crummy, my PCP referred me to a Rheumatologist, who indicated that from blood work results, that I have early signs of Scleroderma. I'm scheduled to see this Dr again this Thursday, and plan to ask him his opinion of breast implants and Scleroderma. To me, the timing is very coincidental, if not the cause of this. I am scared to death from what I read on the internet, as it appears I am only seeing the very beginning of this horrible disease, that more than likely may kill me.

My question to you - Based on your research, do you find that women who have Scleroderma have improved conditions if the implants are removed? I'm to the point that if that's what it takes, then these puppies are gone. If I have destroyed my body and there's nothing I can do to turn it around, then I guess that's something I'll have to live with, but for now I must remain hopeful.

Whatever happened to the Playboy bunny who felt this was her problem? Can you let me know what she discovered?

Thank you,

Tammy