Guest guest Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I am a 57 year old breast cancer survivor who had a saline breast implant with reconstruction June of 08. Starting in July, I began to experience symptoms of muscle, tendon pain and burning and have been unable to sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night and night sweats, dry eyes and dry mouth. All of my symptoms have been getting progressively worse since last summer and I have decided to have my implant removed even though I cannot find a doctor who thinks this will make any difference in my health. I have been given the diagnosis of fibromyalgia but I just have a feeling that the implant is the cause of my symptoms. My surgery is set for monday April 6th and the procedure is listed as Periprosthetic Capsulectomy with Removal of Breast Implant. Is this the proper procedure to have done to insure that they " get it all'? Reading the stories of the ladies in this group has given me the courage to get this done in spite of the fact that all the health professionals I have seen and talked to think I am nuts. Thanks for the site. I only hope and pray that I will some day feel like my old self again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Hi and welcome to our group, I am so glad we could offer you some hope and courage in your current situation. I am really sorry to hear of your cancer, but pleased you are a survivor and now we've got to make you a breast implant survivor as well! Some women have stated that it wasn't the cancer that nearly killed them, but the implants. You are doing the right thing. I have always thought it was a horrible burden to place upon a woman who is already ill with cancer, to place an implant that will affect the immune system negatively. I know that not all women react badly, but if you do, life can be so miserable. So, you can have hope that with a proper explant you have a good chance at getting better, and hopefully we can help share our knowledge of a healthy lifestyle that will promote healing and health recovery. We've seen it happen over and over again. It does sound like you are getting the proper procedure for explant. You just want to make sure that the entire capsule is removed, and the terminology used suggests that this will be done. You will want to get your operative report when you can after the surgery and read for yourself the discussion of the excision of the entire capsule. They will follow the perimeter of the capsule to completely excise it. You'll be free soon! It certainly sounds like your reactions are from the implant. Symptoms often start within the first year or so, if you look at our polls from women who have answered when they first started getting ill. Healing the immune system can take many months, so don't be impatient for immediate healing...give your body the time it needs to overcome its immune dysfunction. You are not nuts....we know the doctors often think we are, but we are not. We're smart, proactive, intelligent and on-the-ball women who know what we need to do to take charge of our health. I'm proud of you! Patty > > I am a 57 year old breast cancer survivor who had a saline breast > implant with reconstruction June of 08. Starting in July, I began to > experience symptoms of muscle, tendon pain and burning and have been > unable to sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night and night sweats, > dry eyes and dry mouth. All of my symptoms have been getting > progressively worse since last summer and I have decided to have my > implant removed even though I cannot find a doctor who thinks this will > make any difference in my health. I have been given the diagnosis of > fibromyalgia but I just have a feeling that the implant is the cause of > my symptoms. My surgery is set for monday April 6th and the procedure > is listed as Periprosthetic Capsulectomy with Removal of Breast Implant. > Is this the proper procedure to have done to insure that they " get it > all'? Reading the stories of the ladies in this group has given me the > courage to get this done in spite of the fact that all the health > professionals I have seen and talked to think I am nuts. Thanks for the > site. I only hope and pray that I will some day feel like my old self > again. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 Patty Thanks for your encouraging words. I am so anxious to get the implant out.... I can hardly wait! I am having it removed by a different surgeon than it was placed by because my original plastic surgeon said he did not remove the capsule because it was "just scar tissue that would grow back anyway" and the PS who is doing my explantation says he always removes the capsule and he does a lot of removals without replacement. He told me that everything he removes will be sent to pathology because I have had breast cancer. Hopefully, this means they will examine it for anything and everything and not just cancer. Thanks for the advice to request a copy of the operative report. I will let you know how things go. C From: glory2glory1401 <glory2glory1401@...>Subject: Re: Saline implant removal Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 5:04 PM Hi and welcome to our group,I am so glad we could offer you some hope and courage in your current situation. I am really sorry to hear of your cancer, but pleased you are a survivor and now we've got to make you a breast implant survivor as well!Some women have stated that it wasn't the cancer that nearly killed them, but the implants.You are doing the right thing. I have always thought it was a horrible burden to place upon a woman who is already ill with cancer, to place an implant that will affect the immune system negatively. I know that not all women react badly, but if you do, life can be so miserable.So, you can have hope that with a proper explant you have a good chance at getting better, and hopefully we can help share our knowledge of a healthy lifestyle that will promote healing and health recovery. We've seen it happen over and over again.It does sound like you are getting the proper procedure for explant.You just want to make sure that the entire capsule is removed, and the terminology used suggests that this will be done. You will want to get your operative report when you can after the surgery and read for yourself the discussion of the excision of the entire capsule. They will follow the perimeter of the capsule to completely excise it.You'll be free soon! It certainly sounds like your reactions are from the implant. Symptoms often start within the first year or so, if you look at our polls from women who have answered when they first started getting ill. Healing the immune system can take many months, so don't be impatient for immediate healing...give your body the time it needs to overcome its immune dysfunction.You are not nuts....we know the doctors often think we are, but we are not. We're smart, proactive, intelligent and on-the-ball women who know what we need to do to take charge of our health.I'm proud of you!Patty>> I am a 57 year old breast cancer survivor who had a saline breast> implant with reconstruction June of 08. Starting in July, I began to> experience symptoms of muscle, tendon pain and burning and have been> unable to sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night and night sweats,> dry eyes and dry mouth. All of my symptoms have been getting> progressively worse since last summer and I have decided to have my> implant removed even though I cannot find a doctor who thinks this will> make any difference in my health. I have been given the diagnosis of> fibromyalgia but I just have a feeling that the implant is the cause of> my symptoms. My surgery is set for monday April 6th and the procedure> is listed as Periprosthetic Capsulectomy with Removal of Breast Implant.> Is this the proper procedure to have done to insure that they "get it> all'? Reading the stories of the ladies in this group has given me the> courage to get this done in spite of the fact that all the health> professionals I have seen and talked to think I am nuts. Thanks for the> site. I only hope and pray that I will some day feel like my old self> again.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 C ~ I am excited to hear about your upcoming explant and journey to a healthy life. In your note to Patty, you said : " Hopefully, this means they will examine it for anything and everything and not just cancer " To Insure this......you will need to request exactly what you want to be done, or tested for. I would contact Dr Blias and ask him what all tests you should request. I am sure bacterial and fungal cultures would be a couple of them....I would think that the fluid inside the implants, the shell of the implants and the scar caps should all be tested..... PIERRE BLAIS, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Chem., F.C.I.C. , and Pierre Blais Ph. D. http://www.info-implants.com/Blais/pb.html Again, congrats on your upcoming explant ! I hope this is some help to you ! Dede **************New Low Prices on Dell Laptops – Starting at $399 (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220631247x1201390185/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B213540506%3B35046329%3Bx) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 , We would love to add your doctor to our list of good doctors if you think this is a doctor you would recommend for explant. It sounds like he is careful, and that is what we are looking for! Sending best wishes your way for your upcoming surgery. May you have a successful surgery, and an outcome that leads to great healing for you! I'll be thinking of you, Patty > > > > I am a 57 year old breast cancer survivor who had a saline breast > > implant with reconstruction June of 08. Starting in July, I began to > > experience symptoms of muscle, tendon pain and burning and have been > > unable to sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night and night sweats, > > dry eyes and dry mouth. All of my symptoms have been getting > > progressively worse since last summer and I have decided to have my > > implant removed even though I cannot find a doctor who thinks this will > > make any difference in my health. I have been given the diagnosis of > > fibromyalgia but I just have a feeling that the implant is the cause of > > my symptoms. My surgery is set for monday April 6th and the procedure > > is listed as Periprosthetic Capsulectomy with Removal of Breast Implant. > > Is this the proper procedure to have done to insure that they " get it > > all'? Reading the stories of the ladies in this group has given me the > > courage to get this done in spite of the fact that all the health > > professionals I have seen and talked to think I am nuts. Thanks for the > > site. I only hope and pray that I will some day feel like my old self > > again. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 hi dede; do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or if not, do you know of anyone else who might? thanks much. gg Re: Re: Saline implant removal C ~ I am excited to hear about your upcomingexplant and journey to a healthy life.In your note to Patty, you said : " Hopefully, this means they will examine it for anything andeverything and not just cancer "To Insure this......you will need to request exactlywhat you want to be done, or tested for. I would contact Dr Blias and ask him what all testsyou should request. I am sure bacterial and fungalcultures would be a couple of them....I would thinkthat the fluid inside the implants, the shell of the implantsand the scar caps should all be tested..... PIERRE BLAIS, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Chem., F.C.I.C. , andPierre Blais Ph. D. http://www.info-implants.com/Blais/pb.htmlAgain, congrats on your upcoming explant ! I hopethis is some help to you ! Dede **************New Low Prices on Dell Laptops – Starting at $399 (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220631247x1201390185/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B213540506%3B35046329%3Bx) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 GG, We have this in our message archives. You might want to call them. Quest labs 1-800-336-3718 IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A SILICON ALLERGY TEST!!! I SPOKE WITH THEM A FEW MINUTES AGO. YOU MUST SAY " SILICON ALLERGY TEST " NOT HYPERSENSITIVITY TEST. IF PEOPLE DO NOT REQUEST IT THEY WILL STOP RUNNING IT. PLEASE REQUEST THE TEST You wrote: do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or if not, do you know of anyone else who might? thanks much. gg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 dede; i just spoke to them - they said they dont run that test -theysaid they used to do it thru natl. med. svcs.., but that they no longer do it either. i've dealt with this lab before in my state and have never found them to do anything with silicone. am i suppose to be talking to someone in particular? i just asked who answered the phone at the no. you gave. thanks. gg Re: Saline implant removal GG,We have this in our message archives. You might want to call them.Quest labs 1-800-336-3718 IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A SILICON ALLERGY TEST!!!I SPOKE WITH THEM A FEW MINUTES AGO. YOU MUST SAY "SILICON ALLERGY TEST"NOT HYPERSENSITIVITY TEST. IF PEOPLE DO NOT REQUEST IT THEY WILL STOPRUNNING IT. PLEASE REQUEST THE TESTYou wrote:do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or ifnot, do you know of anyone else who might?thanks much.gg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 am wondering how i reach the message archives? thanks. gg Re: Saline implant removal GG,We have this in our message archives. You might want to call them.Quest labs 1-800-336-3718 IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A SILICON ALLERGY TEST!!!I SPOKE WITH THEM A FEW MINUTES AGO. YOU MUST SAY "SILICON ALLERGY TEST"NOT HYPERSENSITIVITY TEST. IF PEOPLE DO NOT REQUEST IT THEY WILL STOPRUNNING IT. PLEASE REQUEST THE TESTYou wrote:do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or ifnot, do you know of anyone else who might?thanks much.gg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 What is this test for???Sent from my iPhoneOn Apr 2, 2009, at 11:55 AM, "glory2glory1401" <glory2glory1401@...> wrote: GG, We have this in our message archives. You might want to call them. Quest labs 1-800-336-3718 IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A SILICON ALLERGY TEST!!! I SPOKE WITH THEM A FEW MINUTES AGO. YOU MUST SAY "SILICON ALLERGY TEST" NOT HYPERSENSITIVITY TEST. IF PEOPLE DO NOT REQUEST IT THEY WILL STOP RUNNING IT. PLEASE REQUEST THE TEST You wrote: do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or if not, do you know of anyone else who might? thanks much. gg = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 3, 2009 Report Share Posted April 3, 2009 In a message dated 4/2/2009 1:42:27 PM Central Daylight Time, glass3311@... writes: hi dede; do you know if dr. blais does any silicone sensitivity testing, or if not, do you know of anyone else who might? thanks much. gg Hello GG ~ I dont think Dr Blias does that, he does investigate implants though Sorry, I dont know where they do silicone sensitivity testing.... They used to several places, but took it off the market......I was surprised by that though because there is silicone used in all kinds of things that are implanted that people have adverse reactions to like silicone tubing, shunts, and the grafts they used to repair hernia's with , and the list goes on....... Wish I could help you ~ Dede **************Hurry! April 15th is almost here. File your Federal taxes FREE with TaxACT. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220714320x1201367638/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.taxact.com%2F08tax.asp%3Fsc%3D084102950001%26p%3D82) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2009 Report Share Posted April 4, 2009 gg, To access the message archives, you must go to the website, and on the messages link, there will be a search box. You can plug in any word or words and it will go through all the messages and pull up those with those words. You may have to scroll through several pages and give it time to do the search; occasionally it will say it has timed out or whatever, but just go back and hit the button again; it will straighten itself out and you can sift through all the messages all the way back to the first one. Patty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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