Answers to Why do some women with BI become ill & others do not?

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Answers to Why do some women with BI become ill & others do not?

Hello, Everyone~

About a month or so ago, I posted the emails below, with the question:

Why do some women with breast implants become iill and others do not?

Here are the responses from members of our support network.

Many thanks to all those who wrote to express their opinion.

God Bless,

Lany

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Good Evening, Everyone~

I have been asked a question, and would like to hear any feedback any of

you may have in reference to it. Please email me with your responses. If

you would like me to send you the answers I receive, please state so in

your reply.

Thank you so much for you time.

With love,

Lany

Dear Lany,

Can you please explain to me how this Tessy (below) could have implants

for 24 years and not have any complications? I don't understand. She

says the outcomes of the women on the Silicone Holocaust site are not

the norm.

Then she speaks about people with heart valves, knee & hip

replacements...

I am confused. Can you explain, please?

Thanks,

Posted by Tessy on April 26, 2002 at

You know complications can come from any surgery or practically anything

in your life.

I have had implants for 24 years without complications. I'm getting a

re-do now because I have gotten saggy with age. I'm 60. If you went on

the implantinfo.com site..the one Sandy suggested..you would see that

there are problems and there are very happy woman. Most problems can be

fixed. The site showing ugly outcomes are not the norm. So if what the

others are saying is true, then people with heart valves and knee

replacements and hip replacements etc. should not have it done cause it

will become a hazard for them.

I think not! You should get to know all aspects before you judge.

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RESPONSES FROM GROUP:

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I think she's lucky. Look, thing is I don't think any of us here are

ignorant enough to think every woman is going to fall ill from implants.

Fact is some do, folks should know this. It's just my humble opinion but

I don't think implants have many benefits anyway. They're not worth the

risk. It's my opinion that most implants look fake. I have only met TWO

women who's implant look good. Recognition needs to be given to small

breasts--that they are aesthetic! Larger or just plain saggy breast can

benefit from mastopexy. To me, implants are a waste of money and not

worth the health risk that SOME (albeit not the majority) suffer. Not

everyone will get cancer from smoking either, does that mean cigarettes

don't cause cancer? Of course not. Sorry, but the lady's argument does

not hold water. It's fallacious.

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Hi Lany & Ladies,

First of all, the Hip, Knee, & Heart Valve Implants, are well known

among the medical & insurance underwriting community to have to be

replaced within 10 -12 years -- period. That's as long as they safely

last!

As far as why her implants have lasted 24 years with no problems, then

why is is she now 'sagging', and having to have them replaced? Probably

because they have leaked or ruptured, which she's not willing to have

checked out, and/or admit. Other questions are; what kind of implants

does she have, how were they put in, what have been her activities since

having these implants, etc.? Did she get implants 24 years ago, then sit

on a viranda drinking lemonade and mint-juleps all day; or has she been

out bailing hay each day since she had them? Perhaps her genetics are

somewhat compatible with all the 'junk' in the implants; or perhaps

she's on of those women who's in denial about anything possibly being

related to her implants? Who Knows? And, why would any of us want to

waste our time dealing with someone like her " ? Her head is already made

up! Most problems CANNOT be fixed, so let her " do her thing " ! We have at

least 2 million women who know better, so perhaps this woman is just

'special " !

Blessings,

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I think it is because of our own body systems. Some can have them for

years, others (like me) can't. Just like some can smoke for years, and

others can't even be around it. Two people can have the same lifestyle,

diet, and one will do better. I really beileve some of us are more prone

to certain disease/problems.

I read a report about T-Cells against silicone antigens in patients with

symptoms (neurological/skin)- with pace makers,silicone eye bands,

silicone/saline implants. The showed the different elevated antibodies

in each patient. I have that file if anyone wants it. I wondered about

the knee replacement too. Is it a different kind of silicone? One day

they may have to say on the lable that implants can/HAS caused problems

in women, and not that 'the study' just shows they are not 'proven' to

cause a certain disease. (even though they may do that too) There must

be someone out there that knows the problems, and they just don't want

to admit it.

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Dear Lany,

              

In answer to the question, " Why do some women have no complications? " I

can only try to come to a conclusion from what my own body has shown me.

In 1975 I had my first child. Before his first birthday I was

experiencing horrible leg aches. My hair, much to my dismay, started to

fall out very badly. I went to several doctors, but they didn`t know

what to make of it. (Yes, I think a lot of our doctors are STILL back in

the 70`s) The pain and hair loss went on for about a year and then just

disappeared. In 1983 I was thrilled by being given a present of silicone

gel breast implants. (WHAT A PRESENT IT TURNED OUT TO BE)   When the

implants ruptured 15 or 16 years later, the long forgotten symptoms of

leg aches and hair loss, came back with great severity. I think that my

immune system was so good before I was implanted, that it put my lupus,

in remission of sorts. With silicone bombarding my body, my immune

system couldn`t protect me any longer. Quite possibly the autoimmune

diseases we are experiencing were dormant in us. We could well have gone

through life healthy, despite the dormant diseases. Possibly the women

that don`t have any symptoms, don`t have any possibility of autoimmune

disease in thier bodies to start with.

              

This is a thought I have had once in a while, when I`m crying " Why me? "

Maybe tomorrow I will throw the thought away, but it`s the one I come up

with the most.

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Hi Lany -

I thought I'd take a moment to give you an e-mail that can be forwarded

to whomever has had the implants for 24 years - without any symptoms.

Dear Silicone Defender -

I pray this messages is received as a " common sense " message -- and is

not intended to be an attack. I don't have silicone implants. My name is

xxx, and my wife had implants over 20 years ago now. Similarly to you,

my wife LOVED her implants. They were there for a reason - and she

believed silicone was inert in the body. The subject was not discussed.

That was until she became very ill. I won't start down the road of the

health issues, the tens of thousands of dollars spent, the loss of

quality of life, the loss of ability to earn an income, be a mom, and a

wife.

What I wanted to let you know is this. Please liken silicone to smoking.

We all know people who still smoke although there are warnings on every

pack of cigarettes. We also know people like Burns who smoked,

didn't get cancer, and lived to a ripe old age - outliving his doctors

who said to quit many times - as I recall he made many jokes about this.

Equally though, and more often we see those who smoke and receive

various side effects. Mouth cancer, lung cancer and soforth. The longer

you smoke the more you increase your chance of getting cancer. It's like

there's a tolerance each person's body can endure before the cancer

forms. Obviously, each person is different -- and so they " warn " people

about the possible effects.

I believe that common sense tells us silicone is the same way. Some

women can't tolerate it for 6 months without side effects. Others, like

yourself, are like Burns, and can tolerate it for years.

Comparing Silicone breast implants to knees, hips, and soforth need to

be carefully thought out. Most of these devices no longer have any

silicone -- and for good reasons. For instance they no longer use

silicone shunts to drain fluids, etc.

One last common sense item with regards to saline implants. When a

person is sick with a sore throat - they " culture " the throat with a

swab - wipe it in a dish with gelatin, and grow it in an incubator at

body temperature. The results can then be verified. To put saline in a

silicone bag- and then to put it in a woman's body is like putting a

huge mass in an incubator. If for any reason, there are the slightest

impurities in the saline, the 98.6 degree body will grow them inside the

bag. Regardless that the silicone bag is not necessarily 100% pure, and

contains other caustic chemicals - and sluffs off into you system over

the years, the inside is likely going to be " putrefied " from years of

bacteria growth. I can't imagine the health issues of having growing

bacteria, fungus, and other things inside of me - and to have it

rupture... Common Sense would dictate that a serious infection requiring

hospitalization or death could occur.

So, to have women want to warn others of likely side effects from long

term exposure to silicone is equivalent to wanting to warn people of the

dangers of tobacco. If someone is adequately warned, and still chooses,

then the consequences are previously understood and well known to

possibly occur. Once again it is a time issue -- the longer the silicone

is in the body the more likely you become to have problems. (just like

smoking)

My wife was told, as most other women, that the implants were extremely

safe for life. The were inert in the body, and wouldn't rupture - even

in a car accident. Within the first 3 months, her saline outside -

silicone inside (double lumen) implant ruptured (the saline part). A

large infection followed- but she had it replaced. Once again, she was

told all was fine, and there are not side effects. Please understand

that I am happy you are not ill, nor feel side effects from the

implants. It's my opinion that the longer you keep them in your body,

the more likely you are to have problems. I'm glad that my wife finally

can appreciate what she was born with. It was not a mistake - and even

if she had to have her breasts removed for cancer reasons - to try to

put something else there - falsely would not happen now. Once again,

from a common sense perspective - the risks are just too high.

I might suggest that when you have your surgery - you consider having

them removed - with the scar tissue (yes there is a hard scar tissue

capsule around your implants that is silicone impregnated). If you are

the lucky one, then the surgeon can " tighten up " what you have and

you'll live to be a hundred without side effects like so many other

women have.

__________________________________

Some people have bodies that are less responsive to foreign materials .

.. . (however every body does respond). Some people have a life style

that keeps the toxin load from other sources at a minimum reducing or

delaying symptoms as well.

Most other implants are made of more solid materials than breast

implants and are less likely to shed particles to be dispersed

throughout the body. Also, people receiving heart valves, joint

replacements usually are much older and less likely to live long enough

to experience the complications implant women have. Most of us did not

relate our health problems to breast implants since our breasts looked

alright.

Symptoms such as sleep disorders, peripheral neuropathy, asthma,

multiple chemical sensitivity, cognitive problems, muscle and joint

pain, fatigue, depression, allergies, chronic cough, digestive problems,

memory problems, lupus, scleroderma, Raynauld's, thyroid problems, mood

swings, yeast infections . . .

I'm willing to bet the lady with the 24 year old implants is

experiencing a combination of these problems. . . . and when her

implants are removed, the implants will be in bad shape. I have one

friend who has had her implants about that long . . . she has a host of

problems . . . however, she is in complete denial about any of them

being connected to her implants. She intends to keep them as long as she

lives. Her doctor told her that the risk of removing them is greater

than that of keeping them! . . . That's what she wanted to hear, so

that's what she believes!

I do agree that the ugly outcomes are not the norm if a woman has not

had a gross rupture (outside the capsule), and she uses a surgeon that

knows how to remove them properly (en bloc) and uses the best incision

(lollipop). Then, if her body still have the ability to heal properly,

she should look alright . . . if one doesn't mind a few fine scars. When

all is said and done, if a woman puts more importance on her boobs than

she does on her life, that's her choice. I feel sorry for those who love

her.

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First of all what does she mean by complications? How do we know if this

woman with these very aged implants is sick or has other health problems

which she may just attribute to age whatever. There is some chance that

some women don't get sick from implants, not every smoker dies of lung

cancer right?

Anyhow that is my feeling, it doesn't mean any thing that she isn't

having complications, she may and not even know it, or they may go

undetected for years, just realize that no one is the same or built the

same etc etc.

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Lany,

Perhaps they just don't recognize the problems?? In 1988 I was awakened

in the middle of the night with horrible chest pains, was admitted to

the hospital and kept " all wired up " in Intensive Care for 3 days, when

it was decided that I had not had a heart attack.. It was not until I

felt that same horrible burning when some of the chemicals moved from my

collapsed breast into my arm pit that I understood what had

happened..Hiatal hernia?? I think not -- I have had one of those for

many years, and there is a big difference in that pain..When I inquired

about the possibility of problems with the breast implants, I was

assured by the doctor that it could not be that, " because the silicone

would have stayed in the scar capsule - in no way could it have reached

my heart " . As I developed joint problems, I just shrugged it off --

attributing it to " age " ; after all, I was tall, thin, exercised, ate my

veggies, did not drink or smoke, so I thought I was pretty well

protected - what a fools paradise!

After I found my collapsed breast, and started doing some research

(praise G-d for Ilena and others who maintain the web sites!) that I

finally realized what had happened. I believe that all women, in time,

will have problems, but because doctors refuse to attribute the problems

to leaking breast implants, it just takes longer for them to realize the

origin of the problems. Valuable time is lost, and more physical damage

results because of this delay. My implants were in for 28 years - had

been getting hard, and harder for at least 10-12 years - I went for my

yearly checkups at the plastic surgery clinic, as was told each year

that everything was " fine " . With such lies, we are led " down the garden

path " and we deceive ourselves; none of us WANTS to be sick, or to have

surgery..we just want to live our lives, and be of service our families

and others to the best of our abilities.. Why does it take longer for

some women to develop serious problems?? I believe it has to do with the

individuals immune system; as I told one neurologist (a nonbeliever)

that if I had had a really good immune system, I would have gotten

necrosis right away, the chemicals would have been contained in the

bags, and gotten out of my system before the poisons spread throughout

my body. He was astounded that I would think that way -- after all,

isn't the " party line " that silicone is inert and can cause no problems?

The refusal of doctors to admit the dangers of silicone compounds the

problems.. Every woman, upon implantation, should be given a pamphlet

detailing the problems that silicone can cause, so that as problems

occur, they can be laid at the doorstep of the true culprit..

Sooner or later, all women will develop problems - I believe it's just a

matter of time..

Please let me know the results of your study..

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1) It can be the genetics; it can be luck; it can be that nothing will

ever happen.  But I bet it does with her next surgery--if she is

for real.

2) She doesn't say whether they are silicone or saline, does she?

3)  She hasn't ruptured--if they are 24 years old, she was implanted

in 1977-8--which manufacturer?  They were probably a thicker envelope.

 As Leroy Young MD wrote, implants differed from batch to batch and

lot to lot.

4)  Could be a fake/plant; why is she looking at the website if she's

OK; why is she even writing to you?  Sounds strange to me.  I'd be

real cautious about how I answered her.

5)  Knew a woman a few years ago, who was about 60 also; don't know

how long she had her implant due to

cancer/mastectomy but she didn't think

she had a problem either.  She died the following year--both her left

breast/implant and something that was implanted for her heart (?) were

infected and it was never determined which infection came first and

probably caused the other..

6)  The National Library of Medicine speaks often of inflammation,

migration and replacement of all manner of joint prostheses

7)  The National Institutes of Health (per their Consensus Statement)

knew in 1982, there were problems, and the meetings participants agreed

that they needed to improve the " solvents. "  Dow Corning rep and Garry

Brodey MD, plastic surgeons were participants. The solvent used in

breast implants, and supposedly

evaporated in the making, is Chlorothane, made by Dow Chemical, aka

1,1,1 trichloroethane.  It's in the docs. In that report it states

that contour implants, such as breast, have to be even better than other

implants. Excuse my suspicious mind, but I know of too many things that

have already occurred. . .nothing would

surprise me.

PS  People with heart valves and knee replacements are subject to

bacteria and mycobacteria just as breast implant patients.  Heart

valves are a necessity; knee replacements can be a necessity, although

there are stories of those who are just as much in pain from

inflammation as they were prior to the implant--from inflammation.

Insurance pays for their necessary installation and possible necessary

replacement.

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Please Send My Answer To Everyone!!

I am so angry that I could bite nails in half regarding that woman's

statement. For her information I AM ONE OF THOSE AS SHE PUTS IT " NOT

NORM " PEOPLE, my picture is posted on that site and how dare she say

that about me!!!! I have been to hell and back because of these implants

and until she walk in my shoes she has no right to speak for MY picture.

My breast look just like everyone's else's until I had these implants

taken out 6 months ago and I got a terrible infection because the

ruptured implant that I did not know I had harbored bacteria. That

infection ate my breast away and left me NOT NORM!!!!!!! Tessy better

pray that hers isn't ruptured because what happened to me could easily

happen to her if she is going to have surgery and have a redo as she

puts it. Also, I put odds that one or both of her are ruptured just

because they have been in her body for 24 years.

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This has puzzled many ppl...how can one woman w/ BI be so darn ill and

another not?

In comparison to the Gulf War Syndrome, some soldiers became seriously

ill, while others did not.

Dr. Haley of Texas, was hired by Ross Perot to study the GWS. He

found that the soldiers were exposed to several different toxic

chemicals, including Sarin Gas, Pesticides from flea collars some

soldiers wore to rid sand fleas, and finally, Gov't issued insecticide.

Haley's findings are interesting. He found that the human body has

certain genes that produces an enzyme that aids in detoxification of

various chemicals.

He also found that some people have this enzyme and some do not. The

soldiers that did possess this enzyme were able to detoxify the harsh

insecticides, while the soldiers who didn't possess the enzyme could not

detoxif the toxins, and thus became ill.

Theoretically, this can be applied to silicone, too. Some of us have the

enzymes that will detoxify the chemicals, and others do not. The ones

that cannot detoxify the toxins become ill. There is absolutely NO

research to back this up for BI women. It's only a hypothesis.

So...genetically, some ppl are more apt to detoxify certain chemicals

when others cannot.

And,I would speculate that any set of implants that are 24 yrs old, must

have a heck of a lot of scar tissue surrounding them that would aid in

keeping the chemicals from invading the body. Some have speculated that

some women have an allergy to the silicone whereas others do not.

Acutally, there are no answers because no one has done the research.

I've even written Ross Perot and asked him if he would extend the study

to include silicone..but, I have heard nothing in return. I figured that

he has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the ground work

for GWS, why not go ahead and apply it to SBI? I guess because there is

a huge law suit involved. And, because the oil industry is involved in

the manufacturing of BI, too, that it isn't a field he wishes to get

involved with.

I'll bet if his wife or daughter had implants, the study would already

be done.

This is a point that the BIManf attys love to debate. Since we do not

have any studies to quote, we can't really debate it.

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Hi, Lany,  I have a theory that all implant recipients have problems

but, because the medical profession usually denies the evidence, their

problems are attributed to something else.  One friend has a knee

replacement, another has saline implants and one has the jaw

implant.  I see them suffering with a lot of the same symptoms I

started out with.  Of course, the doctors do not blame any type of

implant and these women have complete trust in the medical

profession.  Who would think implants would cause the face to break

out and not respond to treatment and chronic sinus infections that would

not clear up?  Who would think severe stomach problems could be

connected and who would ever know their bones were deteriorating at age

30 much less realize silicone was the reason.  So many of these

symptoms are masked and the rest are denied.  These people really need

to be educated on the symptoms.  When I began getting sick, I had no

idea for several years what was causing it and would have never

connected it to the implants because the doctors said they were safe. 

Thank God for Ilena, Kathy Nye and all the wonderful women at this

site.  Sadly enough, we can only help those who want help enough to

open their minds.

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Hi Lany:

I'd experienced symptoms almost from the beginning of getting implants -

and it wasn't until a few months ago, after being sick for 5 1/2 years -

that I even connected it all. The PR firms convinced me - That, and the

fact that over everything else...my unconscious desire was to keep my

breasts. If you would have seen me at any of these times you would not

have known I'd been having difficulties with my body - nor would I have

let on or told you. I'm a private person. As well, I blamed all the

difficulties I was having on PMS (for which I had a

hysterectomy/ooverectomy), working too hard [which was true], too much

stress...still hadn't gotten over that last flu....you name it. A

friend, the other day, reminded me that she had said something to me

about the implants being a problem. I said I didn't think so...and went

on, going on! At this point, I don't even remember the conversation. All

I can say in retrospect is...that I may have been one of those women who

said, " Everything with the implants is ok. " I can't say that All of

those women are like I was...but I wonder if Drs. have ever asked the

specific questions like, " How do you sleep at night?...Do you have joint

pain, headaches...........?

I would have answered, Yes to all of the above - and many more symptoms

for many years before one day in front of the computer, seeing the

symptoms...and breaking down crying...I certainly didn't want it to be

me.

I also think genetics would play a part, stressors on the body, impacts

on the body, the kind of implant would play a part, rupture/no rupture

would play a part...When they ruptured (ie: did it happen before a

capsule formed?), How long did it take for the material to get through

the capsule to the rest of the body...etc.. Until someone Really makes

an effort to do a Long Term Study with integrity, we can all only guess.

In the meantime, thanks for all you do.

Much Love and Many Blessings,

__________________________________

One Woman's Theory

About Silicone Disease

RESPONSE TO 706 EXPERT MEDICAL PANEL

We do not need to prove the statement " Breast implants cause systemic

disease " . We do not need to make the statement " We need to wait until

there is sufficient funding to do the research " . Nor do we need to be

disappointed the judge-appointed panel-of-experts could not conclude

there is enough evidence to prove breast implants cause systemic

illness. All that is needed to show injury, and most importantly, to

inform women of possible risks, is to change our perspective. This

altered perspective is not new. It is basic, fundamental science, easy

to observe, easy to demonstrate and already proven. This theory ends the

drama as it answers the questions, " Why do some women get sick from

their breast implants and others do not? " , and " Why do some women have

similar symptoms that do not have breast implants? " This perspective is:

Until the moment of death, the human body attempts to heal body tissues

and balance the complex chemistry of the body. Each person's immune or

autoimmune response to an invasion or trauma is unique and highly

individual. Countless environmental and genetic factors contribute to

the uniqueness of each individual's response to disease. No disease is a

disease in and of itself. All diseases are the effect of the body's

response to an event. This theory deals with the subject of breast

implants in relationship to the basic, fundamental, scientific

principles.

For example, a decayed tooth root that is not extracted will be

reabsorbed by the action of the immune system. The reabsorption process

(the body's attempt to remove decayed, dead tissue, or to remove a

foreign substance) is a common observation in dental science. Obviously,

a surgical steel pin, rod, or plate cannot be broken down as readily as

a decayed tooth root. Hard, medical grade silicone is also resistant to

body enzymes. However, the soft silicone envelope of a breast implant is

readily broken down for absorption.

Whereas absorbing a decayed tooth will not stress the vital organs, all

organs are overburdened and stressed when the body attempts to

breakdown, absorb, and excrete silicone.

The body attempts to encapsulate silicone with a collagen capsule to

keep silicone away from direct exposure to body enzymes and immune

properties of the blood. In the case of free-floating silicone in the

body, the body attempts to encapsulate the silicone particles throughout

the body. These appear as granulomas. In the case of unresolved

infections, encapsulation walls-off infection by forming a cyst-like bag

(capsule). Each silicone granuloma found during surgical exploration is

an example of the absorption process.

We must cease trying to prove that silicone causes CLASSIC SYSTEMIC

DISEASE. Symptoms women with breast implants have are the effects of

their individual and varied responses to silicone coming in contact with

the immune properties of the blood. Some women with breast implants do

not have symptoms of organ stress, experience rejection or absorption

into their bodies. However, many women with breast implants experience

organ stress symptoms such as non-viral hepatitis, nephritis, colitis

and otherwise unexplained skin irruption's, muscle pain, joint pain,

night sweats, fatigue, et cetera. These women are experiencing the

effects of their body's effort to absorb and excrete the silicone. Some

womens' organs will be stressed to the point of failure. This is an

individual response. The risks can be calculated only if a endless

number of factors are taken into consideration regarding the woman's

lifestyle, environment, general health, genetic make-up, et cetera.

Because countless factors are different within each individual's body,

lifestyle, and environment, science cannot conclusively predict the

eventual outcome of an individual's attempt to heal a wound, destroy a

viral or bacterial invasion, remove decayed or necrosed tissue, excrete

poison or a foreign substance. Science stipulates that the person with

healthy organ function, has a better prognosis for healing. With this

scientific principle in consideration, it is doubtful that anyone can

prove that breast implants cause systemic disease. Continuing the

attempt to prove causation of systemic illness by reviewing statistics

gathered from subjective questions, or performing laboratory tests will

not work. We fail to prove that breast implants cause disease because

each person's body responds uniquely to the event that manifests disease

symptoms in the body.

This is true of all so-called diseases whether it is cancer, polio,

arthritis, arteriosclerosis, head colds, et cetera. For example, science

cannot prove what causes multiple sclerosis. Neither can science prove

why some people have MS and others do not. In the case of cystic

fibrosis, science cannot predict conclusively if a child will have CF

even if both parents carry the genetic factor. Science can only gather

statistics and inform parents of the percent of risk for their children.

In the case of tobacco, it is obvious every smoker does not develop lung

cancer. And it is equally obvious that some people who have not smoked,

nor breathed second-hand smoke, will develop lung cancer. How does

tobacco cause disease? Can it be proven? This theory suggests that a

person's body immune and autoimmune response to the inhaled tobacco

smoke may cause organ stress and failure. Or, failure may occur from the

mutation of developing cells because of repeated, direct exposure to

foreign material. This is demonstrated when the body ceases to replicate

functional cells. This example does not suggest that silicone is

carcinogenic. However, tobacco related illnesses are an example

demonstrating that " hard " science is not conclusive. To further

demonstrate the uniqueness of each individual's responses, consider the

common cold. Science does not conclusively know why only one of three

exposed persons will catch a cold. In fact, research to cure the common

cold has revealed that the rhinovirus itself does not cause the cold

symptoms--the symptoms are caused by the body's response to the

rhinovirus--the body's attempt to eliminate the virus. It is interesting

that new cancer treatment research is proving the efficacy of vaccine to

stimulate the immune system of cancer patients to dissolve (absorb)

malignant tumors.

If one remains skeptical that the immune system attempts to breakdown

the silicone and remove it from the body, consider the organ transplant

patient. Ask them about the immune-suppression drugs they take for the

rest of their life. Or ask the family dentist what happens to a decayed

tooth root that is not extracted.

Consider the microscopic lab reports of body tissue surgically removed

with a ruptured implant. There are hypertrophied cells, thick collagen

tissue with a blood supply. In some women there are frank tumors in the

axillary area (arm pit), near the clavicle bone, and throughout the

fatty tissue surrounding the breast glands. These symptoms of body

stress are not localized only to the breast area. There is a systemic

effort by the body to remove the foreign silicone. The immune system is

complex and the effects on an individual's body will vary. This

fundamental scientific observation is undeniable. The immune/autoimmune

response is a total body response, not a local response. It may appear

that a festering wooden splinter in the hand is localized, but that is

not true--all immune responses come from a complex, chemical systemic

feedback system. This fundamental scientific fact explains why some

women do not become ill when the silicone comes into contact with blood

or lymph and while others do. Just as some persons have no complications

from a splinter while another does. NO totally inert material has been

developed for the breast implant envelope. The silicone shell of a

saline implant comes in direct contact with the blood and lymph system.

It is unlikely that the protective collagen capsule will remain

flexible, pliable, and never tear. Of course, saline from a saline

breast implant will be reabsorbed into the body and excreted just as an

I.V. infusion of normal saline. Assuming the saline solution is

uncontaminated, the saline will not cause an immune response. However,

if the saline is contaminated with mold, fungus or bacteria, the body

will mount its defenses. If a woman chooses to leave a ruptured saline

implant in her body (obviously empty and flat), collagen will wall-off

the foreign substance (silicone envelope). Then roll of the dice begins

to see if her body will absorb the implant envelope and stress vital

organs.

In the 1970's, Dow Corning received letters from numerous surgeons

regarding the degraded appearance of breast implants after explantation.

Dow Corning continued to manufacture and sell the implants, disregarding

their responsibility to advise surgeons of risks or to resume research.

Dow Chemical's role in this litigation issue is clearly explained in the

record of Mahlum v. Dow Chemical, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1994. We can

factually state that women's systemic injuries are the results of a

repeated, failed immune response to prevent silicone from coming into

direct contact with body enzymes. Scientists know that each persons'

immune system varies in its ability to defend against invasion of a

foreign substance and ability to protect cellular integrity when foreign

substance are introduced. Repeated attempts to absorb or remove a

foreign substance may cause excretory organs such as the lungs, liver,

kidneys, skin, and colon to become stressed. When excretory organs are

stressed, debilitating systemic symptoms are experienced. The long

debate over breast implants must end. Women with breast implants and

those considering breast implants, must be fully informed before getting

implants. The FDA has mandated that women receive comprehensive informed

consent before getting implants. This information can be found at

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/breastimplants/index.html. Women should realize

that, when they chose to get implants, they assume total responsibility

for their decision and that they are unlikely to have any legal recourse

should they become ill.

=====================================

From the author of " One Woman's Theory About Silicone Disease " I have

received many responses from women who have read 'One Woman's Theory'. I

would like to explain how it differs from other published, peer

reviewed, papers.

" One Woman's Theory " is addressing that no area of medical practice, no

specific discipline of science, has come forth and stated the basic

physiological response of the body regarding the long term implantation

of pliable, soft silicone. Looking at post operative organ transplants

recipients, demonstrates that rejection of a foreign substance is a

systemic process not isolated to a local area of the body. There is

nothing " exotic " about the body seeking homeostasis. The theory might

belong sitting beside published articles that have resulted from studies

done regarding silicone toxicity, but the purpose of the article is to

put basic common sense back into our issue regarding the systemic

disease symptoms of some breast implanted women. Thank you all for your

comments.

__________________________________ 

There are a few ways to answer that question: First of all, breast

implant complications are much higher than most implants -- certainly

much higher than hard implants like hip replacements. Having a gel or

liquid-filled implant makes it different from other types of implants,

because it can break and the gel can migrate to other organs or through

the nipple or skin. And of course, people who have heart valves and

other life-saving implants have a different standard of satisfaction --

they aren't so worried about cosmetic problems and they haven't been

promised that implants last a lifetime. The benefits clearly outweigh

the risks if the implant has saved their life.

Also, the earlier breast implants -- from the 1960's and early 1970's --

had thicker gel and thicker envelopes, and were less likely to break. As

a result, the gel was less likely to migrate. I'd be surprised if her

implants weren't quite hard, however. Whether she calls that a

complication or not, is her individual decision. And, there are a range

of outcomes from breast implants. Some women are happy, some are

miserable. Women need to decide if it is worth the risk of being

miserable.

Sincerely,

__________________________________

 

In my case, I had symptoms of auto immune disease, memory loss and

confusion, interstitial lung disease, body aches, stress and severe

depression,but thought they were flu, marriage and family complications,

etc. I worked for myself and couldn't tell that I was slipping.   I

couldn't remember what " healthy " felt like, plus my doctor told me

" implants are safe and become a part of your body " . I was ignorant as to

what would happen, I expected something remarkable in the implants

themselves, not in the entire body. Eventually one became rock hard, the

other remained soft, it took the explant 15 years later to find the soft

one had totally jel bleed into my pectoral muscles. The hard one had

encapsulated and had moved toward my armpit. This experience was and is

a total nightmare as my entire system has been compromised.

__________________________________

 

Maybe like myself... they don't know that they are sick? It was not

until I started looking on line after I was diagnosed with Atypical MS

and peripheral neuropathy did I see " Implant sites listed " and then it

took me seeing them 4 different times before I thought to look at

them........ when I did I was shocked....... still not believing that my

implants could be the cause of my problems....... so I posted a message

about my own problems and or symptoms " Has anyone had any of these

symptoms? " .......... It was not until I got the replies from tons of

different women with the same symptoms and so forth did I realize that I

too was sick and then believed that my implants had everything in the

world to do with my illness!!!!!!!!! I asked my doctor he didn't think

so, I asked other women and kept reading and sure enough then I got the

truth!!!!!!!!

My symptoms became my " NORMAL " way of life and after 21 years of them

what was one or two more symptoms?

I personally believe that if someone like me with a medical background

who was married to a medical doctor for 15 years of my medical problems

didn't know that I was sick....... how can we expect for others to know

that they are sick??????????? As well I think that some of us are more

pre-disposed to becomming ill and others are not.... look at smokers

some get cancer, some get COPD, some get high blood pressure, some get

heart problems, some have strokes....... and some... well they just keep

on puffing and nothing happens to them. Why does the Surgeon General

think that smoking is bad and yet continues to allow women to be lab

rats? Go figure?

__________________________________

Hi Lany, from what I understand... she must have the first generation of

implants which were made of a much stronger shell. They were designed

not to leak silicone. They made the shell's thinner sometime in the late

70's early 80's because of women complaining of the implants getting

hard. The manufacturer's believed the thinner shell would prevent

hardness, which of course they discovered this was not the case. I've

heard this explanation before of why early implants seemed to be less

problematic for women.

Just my thought of why she could have them so long without problems.

__________________________________

Dear Lany:

Any woman who keeps breast implants long enough will have complications.

For years I though I had no complications. All the time I was trying to

find out why I was so fatigued all the time. All the doctors told me it

was stress. I didn't even know the symptoms of breast implant illness. I

had them for 22 years. By the time I had them for 15 years I was really

starting to feel the effects of the fatigue big-time. I had been

experiencing it all along but the progression of this illness for me was

very slow, subtle, and insidious. I suspected the implants early on but

was so naive as to believe that because they are inserted in women who

have had mastectomies, then they must be safe. How very foolish of me. I

should have gone with my instincts, but at the time I didn't know just

how many women had implants and I was ashamed that I had them and didn't

want friends and family knowing about it. Evil always thrives in secrecy

and the dark.

This why I say many women are now experiencing minor symptoms and they

will slowly progress over a period of time until the woman reaches a

crisis. For some it has taken 30 years for others the time was much

shorter. I think it has a lot to do with the type of implant and whether

rupture occurred, etc. Some women also go back every 5 years and have

new implants put in. I suppose if they don't have any rupture, and the

implants are removed en bloc every few years and there is no spillage,

this might buy them some time but I believe sooner or later they will

become ill.

__________________________________

 

Lany

I have a friend who has had saline implants (so she says) for 22 years

now. She has not had the same symptoms I ad with my Dow silicone

implants. She also has a glass eye. The only " symptom " I see in her ( &

I've known her for 15 years) Is some mental problems. Especially in the

last 2 years. She has memory loss & bad mood changes. She also talks in

different voices(accents) each day. Voices range from " country " ;

" seductive " " very sweet " to " normal " . She also recently told a co-worker

about how she too care of her " mentally handicapped sister " named

" Susie " growing up. She doesn't have a sister anmed " Susie " ...in fact,

" susie " is HER real name. Even Her husband says she's " not the same girl

he married 5 years ago " .

I just don't get all this stuff on how alot of women didNOT have

reactions to the BI & some of us did.

__________________________________

 

I think is in our genes.  According to my doctor if women wishing to

get implants were first tested if they had the gene that will

predisposed them to get sick then many women would not get the

implants.  So, she thinks some women have the gene and will get sick

and others don't.  That is it make sense???  I don't know.  Please

send me the answers you get....

 

__________________________________

Maybe Tessy should consider that she is not the norm. And thank God that

she has been so blessed. Manufacturers of drugs/implants etc are in the

business of making money. They should have done the research necessary

to insure that side effects were identified and then the information

given to women considering implants with full disclosure, maybe I could

agree with Tessy. But we know that isn't so.

__________________________________

Dear Lany,

I've certainly given this much thought, as I hear of  the diversely

varied problems we endure, and also thier differences, being confusing,

indeed.  It seems to come down to the condition of our individual

immune system capabilites.  Some of us may have a more vulnerable

nervous system, for example, and greatly suffer in this area.  Others

may have vulnerable lymph systems, and so on.  There are other

chemical considerations as well.  Implants are not all equally

damaging to one area of the body.  The different chemicals have

different moleculer weights, and different manufacturers have included

different chemicals as well.  With my particular implants, they

affected my feet immediately, and caused Granuloma Annulare.  Gravity

had much to do with that along with my prior slight circulatory

weakness, being hereditory.  Before long my hair began to fall out, I

presume, being caused by lighter molecular weight chemicals seeking

their own natural (to them) levels of existence....the pressure in my

head was presenting a feeling that the chemicals were trying to lift my

head right off my shoulders, and to explode.  What actually did happen

was that the chemicals literally blew my scalp off the top of my head,

and I lost 4 large patches of hair and scalp on the very crown.  I

hope I haven't confused you with my opinions on this.  These words

come after years of consideration and I hope they are helpful.  Hang

in there sister. 

__________________________________

 

My mom had knee replacement surgery several years ago, with titanium and

" plastic " . I don't know what the plastic is, but I know that she is now

fighting fibromyalgia and is in pain every day. She has other similar

complaints that I had when I got sick from my implants, but I feel so

sorry for my mother.... the knees she has now are going to have to be

with her the rest of her life, and I don't know what kind of hope I can

give her for getting her health back at this point.

__________________________________

 

Lany, We are all uniquely put together and a different individuals, so

we heal different and our bodies would react to toxins some more severe

than others. But I do believe the original health of the person at time

of implant, their age, type of implant, term of implant is in. and The

skill of the original PS, and the skill of the explant PS. I also think

your mental stability has a large role, since stress and psychological

health has a great deal to do with the whole cycle of our ordeal, which

I think is not mentioned enough. I hope this helps. I would like to view

other comments.

__________________________________

 I feel its a combination of reasons : One that I feel very strongly

about is woman like any other addictions do not want to see it is their

implants ( the source ) that is making them ill. So they will say the

allergies, rashes, the soar muscles, swelling is some kind of result

from exercise, disease.. go to the doctor ( who WILL agree and give them

drugs for the darn system ) Its more of a problem than we would like to

see. Two, It may be less abrasive and take time for others. All I know

is the implant is what it is and its very toxic - there are no ways of

getting around this. Many woman rather look like they have two stuffed

breasts than be healthy and our ( Western Med ) health care system

rather make MONEY than heal. Hard to believe but a fact more than we

like to admit !

__________________________________

 

I find it hard to beleive a woman with implants over 24 years does not

have a scar capsule?  This would be a holy emaculate conception.

__________________________________

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