New Group Member

[Guest guest]

Hello,

This is all very new to me and I am not sure how to navigate this site

properly, but I feel I need to just write as a starting point. I had

silicone implants implanted in 1983 with the reassurance that they

would last a lifetime, I always wondered what lifetime that was. In

reviewing the messages here I saw one from Kathy in Fairfax,

GMCLady98. I am in Falls Church and would like to hear from you if

you would consider it.

I never really had any problems that I knew to be problems and was

very happy. Last Spring (23 years later) while driving, I had a

terrible sharp pain in the side of my breast, then a clammy, cold

feeling with the impression that I was going to pass out. When I got

home I took my blood pressure as I was sure I had had a heart attack.

It was elevated, but in hindsight I think that was due to the stress

of what had happened and worrying all the way home.

These pains came and went for several days, with my blood pressure

steadily climbing. I made 2 trips to the emergency room, the second

trip in an ambulance at 3:30 in the morning with blood pressure of

190/111. The cardiologist assigned to me performed every test

possible, right down to a heart cathiterzation and found nothing wrong

with my heart. He put me on blood pressure meds, I was sent home and

told to pursue the symptoms with my primary care physician.

Almost immediately I went to my plastic surgeon as I finally figured

out where the problems were coming from, my left implant was

collapsing. I had the silicone implants removed and replaced with

saline. All my symptoms disappeared, even the allergies I have had

for years.

It is now 1 year later and my symptoms are creeping back. I went to

my plastic surgeon last week and told him what I was feeling. It was

implied that if you get an infection, say from dental problems, that

the infection will go to the implants as the weakest point of the

body. Since I have a cracked tooth, soon to be repaired, I thought

this made sense. I was given a prescription for a hefty dose of

Prednisone which I find is not necessarily for treating infections so

much as preventing rejection of the implants. I was told that the

older one gets the more likely it is for the body to not tolerate the

implant anymore (I am 60).

I am experiencing lightheadedness, shakiness, shortness of breath,

palpitations, and am in a very nervous state. My blood pressure is

fine unless I get myself too agitated which isn't too difficult right

now.

I just had a physical, and a checkup with my cardiologist and all is

fine. Since there are no distinct tests that I am aware of to point

in the direction of the implants how do you really know what is going

on and what kind of doctor do you go to? My husband travels a lot and

I am very concerned at the thought of being alone and having a problem

with no idea of what direction to turn. If I should have to go to the

emergency room they will continue to treat for the heart.

Thank you for your time, it was good to write this.

Respectfully,