My story

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 29/09/2006 12:37:01 GMT Daylight Time,

adc1979@... writes:

Meanwhile, I found this group again. Hopefully, I'll be able to

give more than I take. I function better that way. Never hesitate

to be straight forward with me. I care. I miss nursing. 'forced'

disability/retiremedisability/retireme<WBR>nt much too soon. It's b

did CPR or started an IV or did a standard 7p to 7a.

Hi Delane,

A belated welcome to the group or should I say welcome back? I'm sorry to

hear that you are struggling so much but I'm glad you are here among people who

will know at least part of what you are going through.

I hope the Enbrel is working for you by now.

Reading on, you certainly have a lot to cope with at home with your husband

being ill, your son to look after and your daughter and grandson with you too.

It would all be difficult enough to deal with even if you were healthy

yourself but when you have to cope with your own problems on top of that? The

thing

is though, reading through your posts you seem to have a great attitude towards

it and a great sense of humour. You said that you hoped to contribute to the

group. I can see you have already done that and done it well.

I now know that you had joined a few years back so I am glad you decided to

come back in. The group has grown a bit since you were last here eh? lol

Take care,

[Guest guest]

I hear you on everything, it all adds up. Hang in there, I'm trying. You and I

both can do it!

[ ] My Story

Hello there! I am CMPete (aka ). I am 50yo

widow and I have lived in Iowa for 5 years. My

extended family (parent, son, brother and step

daughter) live hundreds of miles away. I live with a

fluffy poodle who is my furry child. I read

constantly. I listen to Jimmy Buffett. And I make

quilts. LOTS of quilts. (see my quilts at

http://community. webshots. com/user/ cmquilts)

I was just diagnosed with PA on Tuesday.

After reading some of the discussions on the group

site, I realize that I am very fortunate to have a

relatively quick diagnosis. I began feeling lousy

just before Thanksgiving 2005. I was just tired and

achy and had NO energy. I wrote it off to stress

(this was the weekend DS left for Iraq) and a touch of

the flu. The psoriasis began shortly thereafter. I

thought it was some weird diabetic thing, and kept on

going. My shoulder began to be stiff in the spring –

right after a snowfall. Well, it IS the shoulder I

sleep on all of the time – maybe that is causing it…In

July, when I wore shorts for the first time, I saw

(SAW, not felt!) that one knee is very swollen. I

finally went to Ortho when my shoulder kept me from

sewing and I was walking funny. (the knee had

stiffened some by then). He did blood tests and gave

me NSAIDS. I waited two months for an initial

appointment with Rheumetologist. (while my knee got

more stiff and very painful) His examinination came

up with the ‘usual list of suspects’ (RA, PA, FM,Lupus

and Lyme), but my psoriasis was oddly distributed, so

PA was on the list, but not at the top. Dermatologist

confirmed psoriasis and Rheum. said Eureka! He

started me on Celebrex, MTX and mild pain pills. No

side effects so far, but I’ve only been there one day!

So far, it appears that I have avoided any permanent

joint damage. In the last week, my hands are getting

a bit stiff, and the psoriasis is spreading.

I must confess that I was delighted that these doctors

did NOT say ‘Its because you are diabetic’ I am SO

tired of that bs! I swear, if I had a broken toe,

they would say it was because of my blood sugar…Being

diabetic (Type 1 ½ - which is an insulin dependent,

auto-imune thing) steroids are to be avoided. But on

the bright side, I am TOTALLY used to giving myself

shots (like 5 per day) so Enbrel type meds are not

that big a deal for me. I know that some of you do

struggle with that routine, and I absolutely

understand. In some ways being diabetic may help me

through this whole process. I cope with that easily.

I can cope with PA. I need to learn, and I need some

support, but I CAN cope. I’m not crazy about all the

pills in my medicine chest now, but I am frustrated

enough to make those pills ok.

I am VERY lucky to work for a great company that is OK

with work from home when needed (I’m a technical

writer). My boss / department are supportive to the

point that they have moved in a chair for me to use

during our daily stand-up status meeting. (we stand

so we don’t get too long winded….)

Part of me is totally freaked out and scared. Living

alone changes the color of the things that all of us

face. There is no one to get stuff from the basement,

to help open cans or to take out the trash, or put on

a blouse. Little things, sure, but the accumulation

of those tiny things can make the difference between

struggle and coping.

I'm working on postive thinking, but I have been doing

that so much of that in the past 5 years to get thru

DH's death, move,job loss, another move, adjusting to

new home, DS's deployment, etc that I am just about at

the end of my rope, and the PA feels like the final

straw!!

My biggest concern at this point is the lack of

energy. I did a slug-like thing for two months, but

finally decided that I NEED to do what I enjoy (which

is always quilt related) – and to be with people.

Power naps are all good, but the dog isn’t good about

dusting while I nap. And we won’t even GO to the

laundry chore. My brain has gone fuzzy too. At

work, in quilting and in my reading. I haven’t

enjoyed a new book since June. I’ve be re-reading old

favorites – but at least I am out of the kid-lit books

now (Betsy-Tacy which are similar to the Little House

books) and into grown up favorites like DaVinci Code

and Pillars of the Earth..

Thanks for listening…..

CMPete

Quilts With Poodle

'.....now times are rough and I've got too much STUFF!!'

J.D. Buffett

I have a blog now!! And there is ACTUALLY stuff on it!

http://cmpetequilts poodle.blogspot. com/

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that post ... this part is worth repeating over and over:

[low dose naltrexone] My story

For most of the members, I would urge you to read the archives, read other information on LDN, and hesitate to attribute every little thing that happens in your body to your diagnosed condition or to LDN. If you did not have that diagnosis or were not taking LDN, you would ignore much of what you panic over with this group.

[Guest guest]

I don't have time to really visit right now (almost time to start school

with my daughter who's home schooled) but I saved it and I'm really looking

forward to visiting later. Thank you for sharing this with us!

-Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression)

Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs

Anxiety/Depression)

and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's)

-- ( ) My story

Hi, I had a request off list to post my life story Which I have to say is

quite impressive as no one has been interested enough in me yet to request

something as far reaching and important (and long) as my life story.

So, instead, I am posting my website for anyone who is interested. I am a 23

y/o Aspie and I write about what my life with AS is like. There are several

essays on there, but the " Growing up with AS " is the one you'll probably

want to read first.

There's also a booklist, Aspie humor and other such things

Oh yea right the address Ha. Almost forgot.

www.freewebs.com/aspiefromMaine

BTW anyone else from Maine or NH here?

Kate

[Guest guest]

Me too! I will DEFINITELY be checking out your entire website. : )

Thanks,

Marcia

On Apr 5, 2007, at 8:38 AM, Jenn wrote:

> I don't have time to really visit right now (almost time to start

> school

> with my daughter who's home schooled) but I saved it and I'm really

> looking

> forward to visiting later. Thank you for sharing this with us!

>

>

> -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression)

>

> Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs

> Anxiety/Depression)

> and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's)

> -- ( ) My story

>

> Hi, I had a request off list to post my life story Which I have

> to say is

> quite impressive as no one has been interested enough in me yet to

> request

> something as far reaching and important (and long) as my life

> story.

>

> So, instead, I am posting my website for anyone who is interested.

> I am a 23

> y/o Aspie and I write about what my life with AS is like. There are

> several

> essays on there, but the " Growing up with AS " is the one you'll

> probably

> want to read first.

>

> There's also a booklist, Aspie humor and other such things

>

> Oh yea right the address Ha. Almost forgot.

>

> www.freewebs.com/aspiefromMaine

>

> BTW anyone else from Maine or NH here?

>

> Kate

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kate, my son and I live in Maine. BTW, in case you are interested, midcoast area. Tami

( ) My story

Hi, I had a request off list to post my life story Which I have to say isquite impressive as no one has been interested enough in me yet to requestsomething as far reaching and important (and long) as my life story. :)So, instead, I am posting my website for anyone who is interested. I am a 23y/o Aspie and I write about what my life with AS is like. There are severalessays on there, but the "Growing up with AS" is the one you'll probablywant to read first.There's also a booklist, Aspie humor and other such things :)Oh yea right the address Ha. Almost forgot.www.freewebs.com/aspiefromMaineBTW anyone else from Maine or NH here?Kate

[Guest guest]

PH ~Bless your heart ! ! !

Thank you , thank you , thank you ! ! !

Love Dede

See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hi PH- Thank you so much for writing your story. I REALLY think it is

going to help a lot of women out there who are considering implants,

and some women who are having similar symptoms as yours and have just

started doing research on whether or not their implants could be

causing their problems. I know when I first started to get ill and I

was suspecting my implants, I searched high and far to try to find

stories that were similar to mine. Not only did it help me decide

that it was time to get these babies out, but it helped me feel

better that there were others going through what I was going through.

I have also had A LOT off problems with my GI tract since getting

implants. I NEVER made the connection until recently. But, I was

diagnosed with IBS and lactose intolerancy 6 months after I got my

implants. I don't think that is a coincidence at all. I've done

everything I could to try and change my diet so that my tummy is

happy, and I could lead a normal life, nothing has worked.

I hope my tummy issues get better after explant, but I imagine they

won't get much better and this, (along with other " fun " things) I

will have to deal with the rest of my life. All in the name of

beauty! It is just sad!

Thank you again, PH. I wish you all the best in your persuit to get

your health and life back.

With Love, Krista

>

>

> Hi Rogene, Dede and Krista,

>

> Well, you guys certainly convinced me to share my story, albeit

before

> my happy ending. You're right, though, if I get my story out today

it

> could possibly save many lives and really who knows how long it

will be

> before I recover. So...here it is. I'm going to email it to Ilena.

> This is my devastating story of saline breast implants. Hi, My

name

> is Perfect Health, which is not the current status of my health, but

> rather what has been vicisouly robbed from me through breast

> augmentation. I sometimes can't even believe the condition I am

in, as

> for years I worked out religiously and ate nutritiously, taking

pride in

> my health and appearance. After nursing two children, at the age

of 32,

> I felt the urge for symmetrical and slightly fuller breasts. All my

> life I have been small, yet proportionate for my body.

Unfortunately I

> let the media and my drive for " perfection " guide me into the

dangerous

> world of breast augmentation. I researched the risks associated

with

> surgery itself, the risks associated with saline implants and

looked for

> the " right " plastic surgeon. Time and again I was told or read that

> saline implants are safe. My plastic surgeon told me repeatedly

that

> there was no proof regarding a connection between autoimmune

disease and

> implants and I wouldn't have to worry at all, especially with saline

> implants. I was told that in the unlikely event that they would

> rupture, pure saline would be absorbed into my body.

Unfortunately,

> the surgery did not go as well as hoped. I developed a hemotoma

within

> hours after surgery and so they wheeled me back in and put me under

> again. The weeks to follow involved some of the most excruciating

pain

> I have ever experienced, even with pills and a pain pump! I

seriously

> thought I might die. I was placed on heavy duty antibiotics and a

> litany of drugs. I eventually recovered (or so I thought) and six

> months later began bloating every time I would eat. I thought this

was

> odd as I had never experienced anything like it before. I went to a

> gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with IBS and said there was

nothing

> they could do, just eat more fiber. I asked him if this could be

> related to my breast implants and he said no. So, for 6 years I

> struggled with discomfort after every meal, believing that nothing

could

> be done. It eventually got to the point that my body seemed to be

> rejecting every bite. I went to a different gastroenterologist,

> explained my symptoms and asked if it could be related to implants,

> noting that my symptoms occurred within months after surgery. He

again

> said " Absolutely not " . It was determined that day that I had small

> intestinal bacterial overgrowth and was lactose and fructose

intolerant.

> I became very strict with my diet yet was still miserable. Within

a

> month I developed anemia and from there everything went downhill. I

> became so fatigued I couldn't get out of bed. I lost vision in my

left

> eye and felt intoxicated the majority of the day. I didn't

recognize

> myself at all. I went from an energetic woman with a master's

degree

> and wonderful job, to a woman who could barely dress herself. I

> fortunately found Dr. Kolb of Atlanta, who said she would

explant

> me. One thing you should know about getting implants...if you at

any

> time need removal, most surgeons refuse to explant unless you get a

> replacement. Knowing full heartedly that my illness was due to the

> implants and that I didn't want another set, I had no choice but to

go

> to Dr. Kolb 9 hours away. Dr. Kolb explained that my intestinal

> problems were indeed due to the implants, as she has seen that occur

> hundreds of times. She put me on an antifungal, removed my

implants and

> sent them for testing. The lab report came back saying my valves

were

> defective and my left implant had degraded. My bloating has now

been

> explained to me in this way. I was told that everyone has fungus

and

> yeast in their body. Because my valves were defective (a common

> occurrence), the yeast migrates up into the implant where it has the

> perfect environment to breed. It then flows back through the

defective

> valve, invading the body. Fungus was causing my bloating and the

> implants were the factories that were mass producing it. Besides

> losing my vision, my cognition, my soul and my energy, I also became

> postmenopausal. Silicone shells are responsible for increasing the

> cancerous form of estrogen which is now at a high level for me.

Because

> of this, I most likely cannot have another child. Urine tests

prior to

> explant also revealed high levels of toluene and benzene, both

> carcinogenic chemicals. You can't imagine the feeling of knowing

these

> things may still be circulating inside your body, wreaking havoc.

I

> have been explanted for 6 months and have literally cried every

day. My

> life has changed from being full of family, friends, work and fun

to a

> life where I am lucky if I have enough energy to get to the grocery

> store. I feel very disabled and miss the old me. My poor husband

and

> children have suffered in their own ways due to the hazards of

implants.

> Don't think for a minute that your surgery won't affect others.

Had I

> known the horrendous affects implants would have on my personal and

> professional life, there's no way on earth I would have done it.

For

> any of you contemplating surgery, please think twice and learn from

my

> treacherous mistake. - PH

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Krista,

Thanks for the note. Sorry to hear you're experiencing GI problems

too. Hopefully you've had a chance to look through the archives and

learn about killing the yeast and adding probiotics and fermented

foods. Also, if you have amalgams, get them removed by a mercury-

free dentist, as they contribute to the yeast overgrowth as well.

Good luck and thanks for all your input on the forum. - PH

> >

> >

> > Hi Rogene, Dede and Krista,

> >

> > Well, you guys certainly convinced me to share my story, albeit

> before

> > my happy ending. You're right, though, if I get my story out

today

> it

> > could possibly save many lives and really who knows how long it

> will be

> > before I recover. So...here it is. I'm going to email it to

Ilena.

> > This is my devastating story of saline breast implants. Hi,

My

> name

> > is Perfect Health, which is not the current status of my health,

but

> > rather what has been vicisouly robbed from me through breast

> > augmentation. I sometimes can't even believe the condition I am

> in, as

> > for years I worked out religiously and ate nutritiously, taking

> pride in

> > my health and appearance. After nursing two children, at the age

> of 32,

> > I felt the urge for symmetrical and slightly fuller breasts. All

my

> > life I have been small, yet proportionate for my body.

> Unfortunately I

> > let the media and my drive for " perfection " guide me into the

> dangerous

> > world of breast augmentation. I researched the risks associated

> with

> > surgery itself, the risks associated with saline implants and

> looked for

> > the " right " plastic surgeon. Time and again I was told or read

that

> > saline implants are safe. My plastic surgeon told me repeatedly

> that

> > there was no proof regarding a connection between autoimmune

> disease and

> > implants and I wouldn't have to worry at all, especially with

saline

> > implants. I was told that in the unlikely event that they would

> > rupture, pure saline would be absorbed into my body.

> Unfortunately,

> > the surgery did not go as well as hoped. I developed a hemotoma

> within

> > hours after surgery and so they wheeled me back in and put me

under

> > again. The weeks to follow involved some of the most

excruciating

> pain

> > I have ever experienced, even with pills and a pain pump! I

> seriously

> > thought I might die. I was placed on heavy duty antibiotics and a

> > litany of drugs. I eventually recovered (or so I thought) and

six

> > months later began bloating every time I would eat. I thought

this

> was

> > odd as I had never experienced anything like it before. I went

to a

> > gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with IBS and said there was

> nothing

> > they could do, just eat more fiber. I asked him if this could be

> > related to my breast implants and he said no. So, for 6 years I

> > struggled with discomfort after every meal, believing that

nothing

> could

> > be done. It eventually got to the point that my body seemed to be

> > rejecting every bite. I went to a different

gastroenterologist,

> > explained my symptoms and asked if it could be related to

implants,

> > noting that my symptoms occurred within months after surgery. He

> again

> > said " Absolutely not " . It was determined that day that I had

small

> > intestinal bacterial overgrowth and was lactose and fructose

> intolerant.

> > I became very strict with my diet yet was still miserable.

Within

> a

> > month I developed anemia and from there everything went

downhill. I

> > became so fatigued I couldn't get out of bed. I lost vision in

my

> left

> > eye and felt intoxicated the majority of the day. I didn't

> recognize

> > myself at all. I went from an energetic woman with a master's

> degree

> > and wonderful job, to a woman who could barely dress herself.

I

> > fortunately found Dr. Kolb of Atlanta, who said she would

> explant

> > me. One thing you should know about getting implants...if you at

> any

> > time need removal, most surgeons refuse to explant unless you get

a

> > replacement. Knowing full heartedly that my illness was due to

the

> > implants and that I didn't want another set, I had no choice but

to

> go

> > to Dr. Kolb 9 hours away. Dr. Kolb explained that my

intestinal

> > problems were indeed due to the implants, as she has seen that

occur

> > hundreds of times. She put me on an antifungal, removed my

> implants and

> > sent them for testing. The lab report came back saying my valves

> were

> > defective and my left implant had degraded. My bloating has

now

> been

> > explained to me in this way. I was told that everyone has fungus

> and

> > yeast in their body. Because my valves were defective (a common

> > occurrence), the yeast migrates up into the implant where it has

the

> > perfect environment to breed. It then flows back through the

> defective

> > valve, invading the body. Fungus was causing my bloating and the

> > implants were the factories that were mass producing it. Besides

> > losing my vision, my cognition, my soul and my energy, I also

became

> > postmenopausal. Silicone shells are responsible for increasing

the

> > cancerous form of estrogen which is now at a high level for me.

> Because

> > of this, I most likely cannot have another child. Urine tests

> prior to

> > explant also revealed high levels of toluene and benzene, both

> > carcinogenic chemicals. You can't imagine the feeling of knowing

> these

> > things may still be circulating inside your body, wreaking

havoc.

> I

> > have been explanted for 6 months and have literally cried every

> day. My

> > life has changed from being full of family, friends, work and fun

> to a

> > life where I am lucky if I have enough energy to get to the

grocery

> > store. I feel very disabled and miss the old me. My poor

husband

> and

> > children have suffered in their own ways due to the hazards of

> implants.

> > Don't think for a minute that your surgery won't affect others.

> Had I

> > known the horrendous affects implants would have on my personal

and

> > professional life, there's no way on earth I would have done it.

> For

> > any of you contemplating surgery, please think twice and learn

from

> my

> > treacherous mistake. - PH

> >

>

[Guest guest]

PH, Thank you so much for sharing your story! . . . You'll never know how many women you save, but you can trust that you have saved at least one woman's life - probably many more! . .. I'm so sorry you've had to go through so much! . . . You still have a way to go, but I know you're going to get there! . .. You're doing everything it takes. . . It just takes longer than you'd like! Once you get there, you're going to appreciate your good health like you never did before! Love, Rogene perfecthealth68 <perfecthealth68@...> wrote: Hi Rogene, Dede and Krista, Well, you guys certainly convinced me to share my story, albeit before my happy ending. You're right, though, if I get my story out today it could possibly save many lives and really who knows how long it will be before I recover. So...here it is. I'm going to email it to Ilena. This is my devastating story of saline breast implants. Hi, My name is Perfect Health, which is not the current status of my health, but rather what has been vicisouly robbed from me through breast augmentation. I sometimes can't even believe the condition I am in, as for years I worked out religiously and ate nutritiously, taking pride in my health and appearance. After

nursing two children, at the age of 32, I felt the urge for symmetrical and slightly fuller breasts. All my life I have been small, yet proportionate for my body. Unfortunately I let the media and my drive for "perfection" guide me into the dangerous world of breast augmentation. I researched the risks associated with surgery itself, the risks associated with saline implants and looked for the "right" plastic surgeon. Time and again I was told or read that saline implants are safe. My plastic surgeon told me repeatedly that there was no proof regarding a connection between autoimmune disease and implants and I wouldn't have to worry at all, especially with saline implants. I was told that in the unlikely event that they would rupture, pure saline would be absorbed into my body. Unfortunately, the surgery did not go as well as hoped. I developed a hemotoma within

hours after surgery and so they wheeled me back in and put me under again. The weeks to follow involved some of the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced, even with pills and a pain pump! I seriously thought I might die. I was placed on heavy duty antibiotics and a litany of drugs. I eventually recovered (or so I thought) and six months later began bloating every time I would eat. I thought this was odd as I had never experienced anything like it before. I went to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with IBS and said there was nothing they could do, just eat more fiber. I asked him if this could be related to my breast implants and he said no. So, for 6 years I struggled with discomfort after every meal, believing that nothing could be done. It eventually got to the point that my body seemed to be rejecting every bite. I went to a different

gastroenterologist, explained my symptoms and asked if it could be related to implants, noting that my symptoms occurred within months after surgery. He again said "Absolutely not". It was determined that day that I had small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and was lactose and fructose intolerant. I became very strict with my diet yet was still miserable. Within a month I developed anemia and from there everything went downhill. I became so fatigued I couldn't get out of bed. I lost vision in my left eye and felt intoxicated the majority of the day. I didn't recognize myself at all. I went from an energetic woman with a master's degree and wonderful job, to a woman who could barely dress herself. I fortunately found Dr. Kolb of Atlanta, who said she would explant me. One thing you should know about getting implants...if you at any time need removal,

most surgeons refuse to explant unless you get a replacement. Knowing full heartedly that my illness was due to the implants and that I didn't want another set, I had no choice but to go to Dr. Kolb 9 hours away. Dr. Kolb explained that my intestinal problems were indeed due to the implants, as she has seen that occur hundreds of times. She put me on an antifungal, removed my implants and sent them for testing. The lab report came back saying my valves were defective and my left implant had degraded. My bloating has now been explained to me in this way. I was told that everyone has fungus and yeast in their body. Because my valves were defective (a common occurrence), the yeast migrates up into the implant where it has the perfect environment to breed. It then flows back through the defective valve, invading the body. Fungus was causing my bloating and the

implants were the factories that were mass producing it. Besides losing my vision, my cognition, my soul and my energy, I also became postmenopausal. Silicone shells are responsible for increasing the cancerous form of estrogen which is now at a high level for me. Because of this, I most likely cannot have another child. Urine tests prior to explant also revealed high levels of toluene and benzene, both carcinogenic chemicals. You can't imagine the feeling of knowing these things may still be circulating inside your body, wreaking havoc. I have been explanted for 6 months and have literally cried every day. My life has changed from being full of family, friends, work and fun to a life where I am lucky if I have enough energy to get to the grocery store. I feel very disabled and miss the old me. My poor husband and children have suffered in their own ways due to the

hazards of implants. Don't think for a minute that your surgery won't affect others. Had I known the horrendous affects implants would have on my personal and professional life, there's no way on earth I would have done it. For any of you contemplating surgery, please think twice and learn from my treacherous mistake. - PH

[Guest guest]

Rogene ~

Is there a place on our site that we have all the girls stories?

If not, is there a way to do that? I think it would enhance

our site......

I am working on getting all the girls stories for Ilena's site

cuz I am hopeing to stirr up things again and decide on our

Awareness day and announce it with a bang.....

Power comes in numbers, and we have the numbers, so we

need the real people with their real stories to be posted, so that

people can see the truth about it all.

My list of contacts is out dated and many addresses are now

incorrect, so I need to update it.

Love ya Lady ~ DedeSee what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for asking Dede. . . I found it! . . . Somehow I knew it existed, but I'd never opened the folder. It's the first folder in the "Files" archive! /files/A%20Real%20Look%20at%20Life%20with%20Breast%20Implants/ I hope everyone will add their story to this folder! Rogene DGRAHAMA@... wrote: Rogene ~ Is there a place on our site that we have all the girls stories? If not, is there a way to do that? I think it would enhance our site...... I am working on getting all the girls stories for Ilena's site cuz I am hopeing to stirr up things again and decide on our Awareness day and announce it with a bang..... Power comes in numbers, and we have the numbers, so we need the real people with their real stories to be posted, so that people can see the truth about it all. My list of contacts is out dated and many addresses are now incorrect, so I need to update it. Love ya Lady ~ Dede See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Kewl Rogene ! ! I think if we put all the

stories on here and Ilena's site, it would

be good ! ! Thank you ! !

Hugs DedeSee what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage.

[Guest guest]

Sandy, this is tragic, but a good story

to put on Ilena, Gretchens , and Rosies sites.

Is this possible? Will you mind sending them

your story? I believe all stories should go on all

sites.

This would be good warning to save lives...

Loveya ~ DedeSee AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

Sandy, thanks for telling us all your story; I can relate to a few of

your symptoms, and it's a warning to me to act quickly, as I still

have the time bombs in my body. Can I second Rogene's suggestion that

you post your story wherever you can? I think everyone should (I plan

on it, but am waiting to include what the explantation process is also

like). Hugs to you,

Devon

>

> Sandy, this is tragic, but a good story

> to put on Ilena, Gretchens , and Rosies sites.

> Is this possible? Will you mind sending them

> your story? I believe all stories should go on all

> sites.

> This would be good warning to save lives...

> Loveya ~ Dede

>

>

>

> **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes

> (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

>

[Guest guest]

Devon ~

You can tell your story, then add the

explantation part........

Hugs DedeSee AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

Well, write your story and send it to :

Patty , email @ glory2glory1401@... , site:

to post here in the files

then to Ilena for her site @ ilena.rose@..., site: http://www.humanticsfoundation.com/

and to Gretchen for her site: email : boobtruth@..., site:

http://www.myimplantstory.com/stories.html

I am waiting to hear back from Gretchen to see if she wont mind

having stories without pictures......

This is great ! ! !

Hugs Dede

See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

Oh, ok! Where do I post again?

>

> Devon ~

> You can tell your story, then add the

> explantation part........

> Hugs Dede

>

>

>

> **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes

> (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

>

[Guest guest]

Oh bugger, don't even answer that one; my brain is reallly foggy

today. I see that I can post it right here. OK, I might as well jump

in, with the caveat that I may have to change things as I remember

better, okay?

I got the idea for breast implants almost before I was out of high

school. Everyone around me was getting bras, and since my Mom saw no

reason to do otherwise, I was still wearing " girls underwear " , as JC

Penny's catalog put it - kind of like a sleeveless teeshirt and always

white. I was flat, and I dreaded gym class, where we had to change in

front of everyone, and my already low self-esteem (my household was

always a war zone) went to rock bottom when I started breaking out in

acne all over, not just my face, as well as having no discernable

chest shape. Girls were supposed to be pretty, why was I so ugly? I

cried myself to sleep every night for the next 5 years. Home life

wasn't supportive, to say the least - my parents were battling each

other,and I was always battling with either my two older sisters, or

my younger brother, or one or both of my parents or all of them. It

seemed no one liked me (not that I was exactly acting likeable - an

angry, sad, moody teenager). I decided women were never to be

trusted, due to my experiences with my family and girls at school and

although I did make two close friends in school, one of whom is my

very best friend to this day, I decided to turn my back on my own

kind. I figured my friends were exceptions to the rule that other

women were only to be competed with, and I could never win.

So, I set out to please men. How to do this? Be as pretty as I

could. I began riding the starvation diets/overeating seesaw, the

trying (and trying and TRYING)to get contact lenses that I could wear

without my eyes feeling like they were made of red jello after just a

few hours, wearing clothes that hid me, but in bright colors to

attract attention. I just plain didn't know who I was, being so busy

to mold myself into someone that a guy would love. I figured if I

could get someone handsome to marry me, then I had some worth - it

wasn't until just a few years ago that it finally dawned on me that

this is disturbing, controlling behavior, but there I was, doing what

I thought would work so I could survive in this world. Some where in

there, I attempted suicide a few times, towards my final high school

years. Half-heartedly, thank God. There was the usual reckless

behavior, like hitch-hiking across the states and doing some drug

experimentation. I never once thought of anyone else but me and how I

felt. Anyway, I finally " snagged " a man and settled down into

domestic bliss, or so I thought. My first husband really was a kind

person, and I just never appreciated that fact. He took great pains to

try to raise my self-esteem but I never believed anything he said that

was positive about me. In fact, I came to be scornful of him for

trying to do so, I was so convinced of my ugliness. If any book from

the library, catalog in the mail or magazine came into the house with

a nude, or overly pretty (to me) woman in it, I went ballistic! And

yet, I was fascinated with it. It caused me such intense pain not to

fit in, that it is hard to describe, but was just so real to me. It

didn't help that my first husband's sister was a model, either. I

hated family functions because it just made me miserable. I tried

therapy, but unfortunately, my therapist suggested that this was my

husband's fault, and even though I knew deep down that I actually was

the one with the roving eye,(I thought then if more men thought me

attractive, then I would feel better - how sick is that), I left him

when our daughter was in college. I immediately hooked up with

another man (a real " Man's Man " - tall, muscular, deep voice, rode a

motorcycle, etc.) from work, and when he didn't show any physical

interest in me, I panicked. I tried everything, and got as skinny as

I could, ran 8 miles a day (ruined my knees in the process), and it

still seemed like he wanted to marry me, but wasn't interested in

being intimate. We got married, as I had no earthly idea what love is,

and I ended up just thinking it was all my fault that he had such

little interest in me. We sort of co-habitated for 6 years. Finally,

I went onto the Internet and found one of the more popular breast

augmentation sites. It didn't take long to convince me that THIS was

what I needed to do - it would all come together if I had an

attractive shape. I didn't listen to that voice in my heart that was

saying " So why does he make fun of you when you look in the mirror, or

catches you practicing smiling at yourself, or asks you why your skin

is still breaking out? " Nope. Now I will know better when I get my

medical records back from the plastic surgeon in NYC, but it was

roughly Aug/Sept. of 2004 that I went down and had IT done. The week

following was painful, but I was prepared by reading about others'

experiences on the BA site, so got through it. (I should mention that

I left my second husband and moved across the state just before doing

so. I had, at this point, been with this guy for 6 years of marital

hell. Also, since I was always the one who had to pay all the bills

except the mortgage, I was heavily in credit card debt. Yet, a

Cosmetic credit plan gave me a loan, and I was estatic. I thought

that yet another relationship, boobs and being away from husband #2

would be the cure this time. I had just begun to see another man,(no

surprise there) and I truly think God intervened this time, as I

literally walked around a corner at work several times and ran right

into him. He was extremely happy with the way I was, but was

supportive of my doing " whatever makes you happy " , so I went ahead

with it.)

I was on a very low carb diet at the time, and had been for a year,

so I blamed my hair loss on that. My stress levels were huge, as I was

still working at the same place as husband #2, and he allowed the BA

rumors to fly, so I thought the other symptoms which have appeared

over these past few years were all caused by stress. My knees and

fingers began to get stabbing pains, and my hands and feet are usually

very cold. In fact, I chill easily all over now. My vision, which I

had improved by Lasik during the rein of Husband#2 on one of my credit

cards, was failing. I could no longer drive at night without glasses,

and it was getting blurry during the day as well. I have blinding

headaches on and off, seem tied to the common sinus troubles that have

been plaguing me as well. I still break out, but add to that odd

rashes and extremely dry skin on the backs of my hands and the soles

of my feet, even when I slather on the best dry skin creams and wear

gloves to bed. So bad that sometimes my knuckles will crack and bleed

in the space of a few minutes. My nails are ridged, looks odd, maybe

that's a deficiency of something, but will note it. I walk into

things - I was never able to walk that straight anyway, but into

things? I often forget where I was going in a conversation (this is

difficult now, and I apologise if it is meandering), and will several

times a day find myself in a spot wondering what I meant to do there.

I went to our local doctor several times for the sinus problems, and

when they kept coming back, I thought I must just have polyps. I

don't like going to the doctors' so I just generally ignore things

until they get too painful to deal with. Also, my breasts have begun

to feel terribly heavy, and I have constant discharge that is making

me think I have a yeast infection. My skin is itchy often, all over.

These things had gotten so bad that my husband #3 (and the last one,

please God), took out some loans so I could leave that work situation

this year to do my art and lose some stress. He has been incredibly

loving and supportive, and we were both happy when I started to laugh

and lighten up, yet the symptoms still are here. With the stress

pretty much gone, what was going on? I just had this nagging feeling

that my chest was the center of this, and started surfing the web to

get some answers. When I found the Saline Support Group, via

Explantation.com, I was drop-mouthed at the symptoms described by

others. And scared. Not unlike having a ticking bomb walking around

with me. This is where I am right now: trying to find out everything

I can, identifying with a lot of what I read, trying to forgive myself

for such colossal life blunders, and trying to get up the courage to

move on and thrive as best as I can. I have started the ball rolling

to get the explantation done during the first four months of this

year, if we can afford it. I am terrified we won't be able to, but am

trying to trust the right thing will happen. I am so glad to have

found that women really are safe to be around sometimes. I am

finally, at 52 years old, realising that I am beautiful as I am, and

I have done myself a huge disservice, believing what I have been told

by outside influences in my life. It will be a very long road, as I

have a lot of emotional scars to heal, but I am exactly where I am

supposed to be, I believe that, and I feel like I am waking up.

-- In , " DEVON " <devonandbob@...> wrote:

>

> Oh, ok! Where do I post again?

>

>

> >

> > Devon ~

> > You can tell your story, then add the

> > explantation part........

> > Hugs Dede

> >

> >

> >

> > **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes

> > (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I Am so Sorry the FDA has Approved this device.... Sorry

God Bless You and Your Son

Your Story is well Implants...

~See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

Wow Devon,

You really have been through the ringer! . . .

The best part is that you're probably seeing things more clearly now than you ever did - That's the first step to getting your life, and your health, right side up.

We've been discussing much of what you need to know lately, so I won't repeat that . . . I do think that you would benefit from swabbing Lamisil (jock itch ointment) as far up your nose as possible. It worked wonders for me and for some of our other ladies!

Caprylic Acid is a really quick way to get the fungal/yeast issues under control . . .

Silva Mind Control would be a good way to start erasing those old tapes. . There is a free mini lesson online. The full CD course is about $130 . . One of the best buys (aside from getting those implants out) you could want!

Our ladies are INCREDIBLE! We know what you're going through . . . And we know you can get your life back! . . . It's not easy . . . not cheap . . . but worth every bit of whatever it takes!

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Welcome, ! I'm so sorry to hear that you have PA so bad but I'm

glad you're diagnosed now and that you're taking a DMARD medication.

If you've only been on the MTX for 3 months, you should still see

more improvement with time. Especially since they are still working

you up to the full dose. I'm pretty sure you will continue feeling

better as time goes on. I've been in treatment for about 18 months

and I feel like I'm still slowly improving.

You sure have a lot on your plate! Stress is a big problem for those

of us with PA - it really affects our flares. Anything you can do to

slow down will be helpful. You can't try to be supermom - at least

not until you get this disease under control. You need to rest as

much as possible.

Be sure to let your rheumy know if you are not satisfied with your

progress. Be honest about your pain level and about how seriously PA

is limiting your life. They can't help us properly if we try to

be " brave " and downplay our suffering. Many of us with PA struggle

with depression. It's normal to be depressed when your life is

suddenly turned upside down by learning you have a chronic, incurable

disease! If you think you may be in or near depression, be sure to

tell your rheumy. They can prescribe good meds for depression and/or

sleep aids if you are having trouble sleeping.

Stick with us - you will learn so much here and will always have a

whole bunch of understanding ears to vent to!

best,

sherry z

[Guest guest]

great story.

may you have many years of good health

>

> Where do I start with my 'story', it could take quite a while, but

I shall try and condense it as much as possible. My name is Celia

and I live in Scotland, I am in my 50's, so not exactly a spring

chick - but hey - working on it!!

>

> May of 2006 gave me shocking news, that I had a chest full of

cancerous lymph nodes, tears and grief were the most prevalent,

grief for the life I may not have, and for those I would leave

behind. The primary tumour was never found, but I am 'treated'

as 'lung' and thus recieved palliative care only, eight doses of

chemo, followed by 12 doses of radiation, it was expected I had 6 -

12 months of living to do.

>

> I also have/had the following - mild lupus, IBS (so bad sometimes

I dare not go out) , Diverticula, COPD, thyroid problems (had

partial thyroidectomy years ago) osteo arthritis, high blood

pressure, high cholestrol, chronic fatigue.

>

> After my conventional treatment, the Onc was amazed when I went

into remission, he assured me this would not last, that I had less

than 1% of making it. Not for me to accept that! Treatment did not

seem to be forthcoming after that initial work, it was a case of

watch and wait, I will not wait, I will not watch, I went in search

for anything that might help me.

>

> Of course I went on the usual supplements, but knew this was not

enough, changed my diet, but not radically, red meat I could not

eat, and my diet consists mainly of eggs and fish - plus veg and

fruit. I have also discovered a penchant for the darkest chocolate

I can find, at least 85 - 86% cocoa. I read about B17 and went to

one of Philip Day's lectures, I started taking this almost every day

in kernel form. In January 2007 I had a very bad excacerbation of

COPD which landed me in hospital, I came out on 02 and steroids.

>

> I then learned about Iscador, a derivitive of the Misteltoe, and

fortunately as there is a homeopathic hospital not too far from me I

got a referral and now use Iscador series two, on a regular basis.

Still I searched the net, and lo and behold came across LDN after

never hearing of it before, it seemed like a miracle, I had to have

it, I fought for it and got it on the NHS so it costs me nothing. I

got my first bottle but did not dare take it, I was on steroids

regularly for my chest, and had to have my hip replaced and was thus

on pain killers. Each night I looked at the bottle, and each night

I thought - shall it be now? As soon as my hip pain began to

diminish, and I could come off the steroids, I counted the days -

and then on day ten I took my first LDN! Don't know why, but I was

frightened of it....

>

> My first feelings on LDN were as though I was on a bit of a high,

I felt great, I had some disturbed nights, not too many strange

dreams, and have worked out by now when it is best for me to take

it. This is usually about 9 - 30 pm, and as I take sleepers an hour

later this seems to be working for me. At the time of writing -

(1st June 2008) I have been on LDN for about eight months.

>

> Very soon after staring the LDN I found I did not need the 02 for

my COPD, I only need to nebulise maybe once a day - if that, and

today I walked the furthest I have been able to for what seems ages,

it was a miracle, still can't believe I did it! One thing I noticed

early on was that I was not spending half my life in the loo.... I

had been referred for another sigmoidoscopy but cancelled it, to

this day I have never had the bowel problem like I did before

LDN....

>

> My energy began to return, I had had chronic fatigue for many

years, but slowly I am getting more energetic, I was fit enough to

have a hip replacement about six months ago - oh the relief!! My

last X ray shows no signs of the cancer which was supposed to have

killed me over a year ago, my blood pressure is now normal after

being too high for a few years, I had to come off BP medications, my

lupus does not bother me at all.. I have a good appetite and am

gaining weight, I feel quite good all things considered, and I

recommend LDN to everyone!

>

> Celia

>

> This may be used in any publication whatsoever......

>

>

>

>

> Celia, Scotland.

> celia@...

>

[Guest guest]

Celia,

I'm so glad that you did NOT give up or give in! You have a

wonderful story. I hope you continue to improve your health and that

you live optimally.

Best wishes....

Jann

[Guest guest]

AMAZING! What an inspiring story and a truly blessed miracle. I hope the BEST

for you!