POSTED TO EXPLANTATION.COM TODAY

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Osteoarthritis in the thumb joint is the most common form of arthritis in women over the age of 40, affecting one of every 4 women. I have been suffering debilitating arthritis in both thumbs and have had my left thumb, the one that is more advanced, injected with steroids twice this year with no improvement.

My orthopedic surgeon is a young highly skilled surgeon who operated on my leg and ankle two years ago when I incurred a serious fracture and almost lost my foot.

On Monday, I banged my left hand into the shower door accidentally and the pain was severe enough to leave me almost faint. Three days later, the pain was intolerable and caused me to actually vomit, something I have not done in more than forty years. I spent yesterday in bed with ice packs and two Oxycontin while I waited until today when my surgeon had office hours.

In his office, I explained to him that I have silicone implants implanted since 1974 and have recently learned that there is a real possibility that my arthritis is directly related to the silicone. He was open-minded and said that he has done no reading on this and, thus, has no opinion but is aware that the issue is controversial. We agreed that this arthritis is very common in women my age. He said that without a biopsy whereby silicone would be found, it is difficult to know whether my arthritis is caused by my implants. He agreed with my intention to pursue a rheumatologist who is experienced in this field.

I had intended to have my thumbs repaired surgically prior to my developing this theory that my implants are at cause. My orthopedic surgeon agreed with my plan to delve further.

Regrettably, my crime victim status leaves me in a position where explantation is simply not a possibility until the end of 2007 unless entirely reimbursable by Medicare and my secondary provider. Despite my unsatisfactory response from Dr. Melmed, I prefer his surgical technique and am most inclined at this early juncture to favor him.

I will have my hand injected with steroids again once the current inflammation subsides. Until then, I will be taking Percoset and hoping for a reduction in the nearly unbearable pain, inflammation and swelling. I am currently without any use of my left hand at all.

I had him take some films today because I wanted to see the extent of the joint deterioration. I do not believe that to be reversible even if migrated silicone is at cause.

My very wonderful dermatologist very much wants me to see highly regarded , MD, the NYC rheumatologist who has extensive experience in the correlation between implants and illness. Unfortunately, his consult fee is $550 and he accepts no insurance. My dermatologist wants me to see him anyway. It's just not a possibility. I will search for another rheumatologist who may have some experience.

I'd like to hear anyone's experience who knowledge of others with OSTEOarthritis. Having had my implants longer than most, I feel like an aberration. Sherry

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Not Medicaid - I have Medicare as my primary and another good company as my secondary. BIG difference.

Sherry

Re: POSTED TO EXPLANTATION.COM TODAY

Few doctors take Medicaid, but I do think Huang in Denver does, at least she did when she operated on my daughter, who was then on Medicaid.LyndaAt 05:34 PM 5/12/2006, you wrote:>Sherry,>>I know that Dr. Kolb takes insurance. I pray you get these your >implants out of your body. I bet you will improve after that. I >know the cost of going from Dr. to Dr. for me has been exhausting >and I am going Bankrupt. I have no medical insurance at all, I >really never went to the Dr. before my implants. I have had Saline >Implants for one year and 3 months and I am totally sick. I have >the joint pain and muscle weakness like you are describing here. I >get my implants out May 24th and I will let you know if that helps >me. I do know that there is a lot of women with implants >silicone/saline that have the same symptoms. I know my right arm >and my neck feel like its gonna break in half at times. I know it's >the implants because I talked to another lady with the same implants >as I have and we have the exact same symptoms to the tee. Symptoms >we never had before implants. I wonder how me and her could become >twins after implants. I have a clone and she make me want these >things out even faster than May 24th. I simply can't wait til the >surgery and being on my way to recovery. I am so sick of being sick >and I am 37 with all these 33 symptoms I have are driving me crazy >with aches and pains and muscle twitches. I am sick of being >sick. Please get your implants out. Call Dr. Kolb's office and see >if she takes your insurance. It's worth a try. If you wait til >2007 your symptoms could triple if not more quad drupel. I know I >have 33 symptoms within a little over a year. I can't imagine how >sick I would be if I wait another year.>>Sincerely,>>Donna>>>Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given >by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or >licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment.>>"Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians >mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own >decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a >better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, >Chemistry; 1963, Peace)>>See our photos website! Enter "implants" for access at this link:><http://.shutterfly.com/action/>http://.shutterfly.com/action/>>

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Thanks, Rogene.

I don't actually expect that explanation would alleviate many of my symptoms. Actually, I expect that only my skin rash is likely to improve.

Sherry

Re: Fw: POSTED TO EXPLANTATION.COM TODAY

Sherry,I have Medicare with a secondary . . . I've had noproblem getting virtually full coverage on all myrecent medical expenses. . . If you can get a doctor to say your surgery ismedically necessary and find a doctor who acceptsMedicare (most non-plastic surgeons do), you shouldn'thave a problem.I am concerned if there isn't something going on withthe joints other than silicone though. To myknowledge, nobody has found silicone in inflammedjoints - I don't know of anyone who has looked though.My theory is that the body becomes so worn down infighting the implants that it starts attacking itself.Arthritis in only one of the illnesses that result.It's very hard to find a knowledgable rheumatologist.Most of them can only speak the "party" line . . .i.e. breast implants are safe! Hugs,Rogene