Patti - Hydrogel Implants & Symtoms

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

Thank you for your reply!

About four months ago, just after we moved house I started having

swollen hands in the morning and put it down to having carried to

many heavy boxes. The swelling gradually wears off during after a few

hours, more or less anyway, then I am left with an almost constant

arthritic/ rheumatic type pain and stiffness in hands, fingers, feet,

ankles etc.

There is also a before unknown amount of fatigue, increased headaches

(used to be very rare), lack of concentration, bad short-term memory.

I need a lot of eyedrops to make my eyes comfortable and white. I

seem to have lot a little weight and cannot gain any.

Apart from that I have a burning sensation in my boobs, and those

little pains that never really went away after surgery. I got used to

them. Occasionally there is and has been big pain on both sides.

There is a lot of visible rippling, one looks quite a bit smaller

than the other, yet it doesn't seem to be deflated, the old bras kind

of fit. Apparently the boobs swell up when hydrogel escapes.

They never felt comfortable to the touch, are uncomfortable when

doing things. I cannot imagine swimming with them, or playing tennis.

The muscle squishes the implants too much to be comfortable.

A month ago I went to my gp, had a bloodtest and was told all was

normal. At that time (having tried to diagnose myself and eliminating

all sorts of things) I finally remembered that it could be the

implants giving me trouble (how could I forget!). When I mentioned

them to my doctor it was like a door closed - perhaps I should not

have come prepared with the printouts of the latest unsatisfactory

hydrogel findings.

I do wonder what the hydrogel ingredients really do to the body. Even

if they do nothing, the silicon shell is bad enough.

I had an appointment for explant with my original ps today. Although

I want the implants out as soon as possible, I could not let him do

it. He was too off-hand, uncaring, telling me that they rarely do

explants (I guess to show me what a great clinic that is). He says my

boobs are fine, look normal etc. Of course he would take them out if

that is my wish and 2000 Euros please.

I want all taken out, and possibly examined.

It makes me very angry that it is hard to find an experienced

explanter and that it is hard for most people to find the money.

There should be a foundation of some sort that helps to fund all or

part of explantation.

Should have had therapy instead of plastic boobs...

Have a good day,

Sunday

[Guest guest]

Sunday,

I know it is hard....I wish there were more doctors out there who understood what is going on with us. I think in England should be a good source for support for you there. You were so smart not to go to the original p/s! Rarely do they take our complaints seriously and with the appropriate amount of concern for what has happened to us. I've often felt that we are dirt they want to sweep under the rug.

Especially with the fact that these hydrogel were withdrawn from the market, I would think you would have access to some knowledgeable doctors, but then again, here in the US silicone gel were banned for general use, and nobody believes these are dangerous either.

What a world we live in....

Let us know if you are successful in making contact with over there.

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Sunday

Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 1:27 AM

Subject: Patti - Hydrogel Implants & Symtoms

Hi Patti,Thank you for your reply!About four months ago, just after we moved house I started having swollen hands in the morning and put it down to having carried to many heavy boxes. The swelling gradually wears off during after a few hours, more or less anyway, then I am left with an almost constant arthritic/ rheumatic type pain and stiffness in hands, fingers, feet, ankles etc. There is also a before unknown amount of fatigue, increased headaches (used to be very rare), lack of concentration, bad short-term memory. I need a lot of eyedrops to make my eyes comfortable and white. I seem to have lot a little weight and cannot gain any.Apart from that I have a burning sensation in my boobs, and those little pains that never really went away after surgery. I got used to them. Occasionally there is and has been big pain on both sides. There is a lot of visible rippling, one looks quite a bit smaller than the other, yet it doesn't seem to be deflated, the old bras kind of fit. Apparently the boobs swell up when hydrogel escapes. They never felt comfortable to the touch, are uncomfortable when doing things. I cannot imagine swimming with them, or playing tennis. The muscle squishes the implants too much to be comfortable.A month ago I went to my gp, had a bloodtest and was told all was normal. At that time (having tried to diagnose myself and eliminating all sorts of things) I finally remembered that it could be the implants giving me trouble (how could I forget!). When I mentioned them to my doctor it was like a door closed - perhaps I should not have come prepared with the printouts of the latest unsatisfactory hydrogel findings.I do wonder what the hydrogel ingredients really do to the body. Even if they do nothing, the silicon shell is bad enough.I had an appointment for explant with my original ps today. Although I want the implants out as soon as possible, I could not let him do it. He was too off-hand, uncaring, telling me that they rarely do explants (I guess to show me what a great clinic that is). He says my boobs are fine, look normal etc. Of course he would take them out if that is my wish and 2000 Euros please.I want all taken out, and possibly examined. It makes me very angry that it is hard to find an experienced explanter and that it is hard for most people to find the money.There should be a foundation of some sort that helps to fund all or part of explantation.Should have had therapy instead of plastic boobs...Have a good day,Sunday