Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 , Like many women, I had many, many tests, MRIs, x-rays, etc, before I figured out it was the implants that were making me sick. I had a slightly abnormal ANA test, too, and elevated cortisol levels, but everything else was normal. I went from doctor to doctor. My TMJ specialist was the one who suggested the connection. I had terrible TMJ but my bite was fine. He asked me if I had implants (he must've figured it out!) and said he'd seen several women with implants who had TMJ, but with no other underlying cause. He suggested I research it, and I did. That's how I found this group. My GP did not know what was wrong with me. He wasn't sure about the implants, but then he didn't rule it out, either. He was confused by my myriad symptoms, and didn't really know what to do about them. I had to take total responsibility for my health. The first doctor who actually told me that it was definitely the implants that were making me sick was Melmed. He showed me a list of symptoms and asked me which ones I had. I said, "All of them." Then he told me that I was going get my health back after explant. "You're going to be a new woman!" he said. He was so enthusiastic that I burst into tears, even though he sounded kind of dorky! He was the first doctor to tell me I would get better. I never looked back after that. It cost me about $6,000 to explant, all told. I am now exactly one year post explant and I am much, much better. I still have some lingering symptoms, but nothing like I did.(Back when I was sick, I couldn't read, drive, wash a dish-- nothing) I started having symptoms one month after implantation, but it took me almost a year to make the connection. I know how overwhelming this can be. Just take it one step at a time. There's nothing wrong with going to the rheumy, but ultimately you need to stop with the various doctors and narrow in on the one who will take them out. The others really won't be able to do much for you until you are implant-free. Good luck! Bindi When to explant... Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, "Yes, your implants may be the cause." For those who have undergone an explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 , In my experience the Dr.s for the most part don't know the problem, We have been labeled as loonies. There are thousands of women who have the same symptoms that also have implants. I told my doctors that I thought I had found what was making me sick and when I asked about implants I got a letter saying they would no longer be my doctor, strange so sudden. So I made the decision on my own based on all the other sick women who had exactly what I had, It gave me hope knowing I was not alone, I had saline bilumen for 20 years, but found out later all the shells are silicone, I did not know about capsule removal at time of explant. The left capsule was left in there so after having the explant sugery and looking great I had to go to another surgeon 1 year later to remove that old capsule, it contained blue nodules and free floating silicone. The capsules also carry mold fungus, bacteria,one of the reasons we get so sick. Terri P > > Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a > little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to > act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what > he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't > even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you > all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, " Yes, > your implants may be the cause. " For those who have undergone an > explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you > have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or > did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am > scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as > possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. > Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? > > Thanks, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 , My Gynocologist and my Endocrinologist both said that my implants were more than likely the cause of my problems. By that time, I was in so much pain all the time and so miserable that I could care less how I was getting them out, I just wanted that poison out of my body!Lynda <coss@...> wrote: Yes, a number of us have been to doctors who said the implants were the cause of our health problems. The FDA has received several hundred thousand reports of problems also.Where are you, as we may have a doctor nearby that knows how to properly remove implants. That is crucial to regain your health.LyndaAM 11/10/2006, you wrote:>Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a>little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to>act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what>he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't>even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you>all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, "Yes,>your implants may be the cause." For those who have undergone an>explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you>have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or>did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am>scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as>possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else.>Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation?>>Thanks,>>> Everyone is raving about the all-new beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Hi Lynda, I am in Austin, Tx and I know that Dr. Melmed is in Dallas and I have already emailed him. I have pretty much made up my mind that this is probably what I should do, but I just wanted some kind of medical professional to agree...maybe I am just looking for reassurance. A > > >Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a > >little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to > >act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what > >he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't > >even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you > >all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, " Yes, > >your implants may be the cause. " For those who have undergone an > >explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you > >have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or > >did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am > >scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as > >possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. > >Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? > > > >Thanks, > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Jade, There are a few exceptions, but rheumy's are usually the last to admit to implant problems. . . My suggestion is to forget about testing and get them out. the key words for explant are "en bloc" . . . removing capsule with implant still inside. Insist on drains until there is no significant drainage. . . Can save much pain. Then comes a healthy diet/lifestyle with detoxing. It probably won't happen overnight, and it requires work on your parat, but it's worth it. RogeneJade <jadecullen@...> wrote: Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, "Yes, your implants may be the cause." For those who have undergone an explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Jade, There are a few exceptions, but rheumy's are usually the last to admit to implant problems. . . My suggestion is to forget about testing and get them out. the key words for explant are "en bloc" . . . removing capsule with implant still inside. Insist on drains until there is no significant drainage. . . Can save much pain. Then comes a healthy diet/lifestyle with detoxing. It probably won't happen overnight, and it requires work on your parat, but it's worth it. RogeneJade <jadecullen@...> wrote: Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, "Yes, your implants may be the cause." For those who have undergone an explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Hi , I was lucky to have doctors who did believe the implants made me sick. I went to a rheumy and she had been involved in the Dow trials. She totally believed in implant illness, although her specialty is now Lyme disease so I don't think she's gone in another direction since the days of Dow. My gynecologist also believed in implant illness, and I was devastated when he retired. My counselor was a hard sell at first, but once she heard about this support group and all the women who had the same symptoms as me, and that there were actually plastic surgeons who specialized in removing implants from sick women, she totally changed her thinking. When I told her that I was in my original plastic surgeon's office (the one who implanted me) and another woman was in his office that same day, sick with the same symptoms, crying and asking the surgeon to remove them, she was really sold. Of course I've also seen a few doctors who told me " it's not the implants " , and tested me for everything under the sun, too. My regular MD has never come out and said that she believes they made me sick, but I can tell that her mind is open to the concept - especially since the nurse in that office has a friend who was sick from salines, and got better after explanting. I made the decision on my own, by the way. It's my body and I knew that I was normal before I got implants, and very quickly I became ill once I got implants. My husband was the skeptical one, and he wanted a doctor to tell him it was the implants. He actually thought the plastic surgeon who put them in would confirm that the implants were causing my problems. Sis > > Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a > little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to > act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what > he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't > even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you > all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, " Yes, > your implants may be the cause. " For those who have undergone an > explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you > have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or > did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am > scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as > possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. > Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? > > Thanks, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 -Lenya, Yes I did SHE was a neurologist in Nevada. When I started putting two and two together I sent her stuff from the support group and then about two weeks later, I got the letter, She just said she could no longer be of help to me, it was weird because for the 8 month sshe had been treating me she had said we are going to get to the bottom of what is wrong with you, I mention implants a nd get the letter. Terri P -- In , Leyna <leyna1964@...> wrote: > > Terri, > You actually had a doctor who sent you a letter stating that he would no longer be your doctor? WOW! > > Peake <peaketeresa@...> wrote: > , > In my experience the Dr.s for the most part don't know the problem, > We have been labeled as loonies. There are thousands of women who > have the same symptoms that also have implants. I told my doctors > that I thought I had found what was making me sick and when I asked > about implants I got a letter saying they would no longer be my > doctor, strange so sudden. So I made the decision on my own based on > all the other sick women who had exactly what I had, It gave me hope > knowing I was not alone, I had saline bilumen for 20 years, but found > out later all the shells are silicone, I did not know about capsule > removal at time of explant. The left capsule was left in there so > after having the explant sugery and looking great I had to go to > another surgeon 1 year later to remove that old capsule, it contained > blue nodules and free floating silicone. The capsules also carry mold > fungus, bacteria,one of the reasons we get so sick. > Terri P > > > > > > Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a > > little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to > > act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see > what > > he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't > > even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have > you > > all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that > said, " Yes, > > your implants may be the cause. " For those who have undergone an > > explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did > you > > have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation > or > > did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am > > scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as > > possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something > else. > > Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Access over 1 million songs - Music Unlimited. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2006 Report Share Posted November 11, 2006 Yes, a number of us have been to doctors who said the implants were the cause of our health problems. The FDA has received several hundred thousand reports of problems also. Where are you, as we may have a doctor nearby that knows how to properly remove implants. That is crucial to regain your health. Lynda AM 11/10/2006, you wrote: >Thank you for everyones quick response and support. I am feeling a >little overwhelmed with what I should do and how quickly I need to >act. I think that I am still going to see a rheumatologist to see what >he has to say, but I know I am going to be disheartened if he won't >even consider the implants as a possiblity for my symptoms. Have you >all encountered this or has anybody been to a doctor that said, " Yes, >your implants may be the cause. " For those who have undergone an >explantation did you have quite a bit of testing before, and did you >have any support from doctors to go forward with the explantation or >did you have to make that decision on your own? It is not that I am >scared to take a chance, but I guess I just want to be as sure as >possible that this is the cause of my symptoms and not something else. >Also, was it incredible expensive to have the explantation? > >Thanks, > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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