Re: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

[Guest guest]

This is the first time I have heard of hematoma in my 5 years in the breast implant issue.

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Heer

Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 11:39 AM

Subject: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathi" <pureheart@...>Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 12:17 AMSubject: Query regarding HEMATOMA> Dear Kathi> > I am writing on behalf of a breast implant sister here in New Zealand.> She is seeking compensation for what she feels are unusual complications> > following removal of implants.> > Briefly, her implants were removed some years ago, but when she awoke> from the surgery she was in extreme pain and it was found that a> HEMATOMA had developed in the area of the surgery. Her general> condition deteriorated with the result that she required blood> tranfusions,> and has been in poor health ever since.> > The site of the hematoma is still extraordinarily painful, and the> breast is deformed where the hematoma was sited.> > She has had an ongoing argument with Doctors as to whether hematomas are> quite common following breast removal surgery, they say they are!> > She has been unable to find any statistics on this subject, and> therefore would appreciate feed back from any women who have experienced> > hematomas and any subsequent problems, following breast removal surgery.> > > Caring and sharing> Brennan-Hodgson> Womens Implant Information Network New Zealand> E mail: elvis.nz@...>

[Guest guest]

I had hematomas in three patients in the last 10 years for explants. Two were free bleeders and one had an exacerbation of her hypertension on the way home due to stress from traffic and the fact she had not taken her blood pressure medicine as she had been instructed to by my anesthesiologist. I do not believe any of these patients needed blood transfusions. We did sort of anticipate the hematomas in the free bleeders despite drains and other precautions. .

-----Original Message-----From: ~*Patty*~ [mailto:fdp@...]Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 12:02 PM Subject: Re: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

This is the first time I have heard of hematoma in my 5 years in the breast implant issue.

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Heer

Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 11:39 AM

Subject: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathi" <pureheart@...>Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 12:17 AMSubject: Query regarding HEMATOMA> Dear Kathi> > I am writing on behalf of a breast implant sister here in New Zealand.> She is seeking compensation for what she feels are unusual complications> > following removal of implants.> > Briefly, her implants were removed some years ago, but when she awoke> from the surgery she was in extreme pain and it was found that a> HEMATOMA had developed in the area of the surgery. Her general> condition deteriorated with the result that she required blood> tranfusions,> and has been in poor health ever since.> > The site of the hematoma is still extraordinarily painful, and the> breast is deformed where the hematoma was sited.> > She has had an ongoing argument with Doctors as to whether hematomas are> quite common following breast removal surgery, they say they are!> > She has been unable to find any statistics on this subject, and> therefore would appreciate feed back from any women who have experienced> > hematomas and any subsequent problems, following breast removal surgery.> > > Caring and sharing> Brennan-Hodgson> Womens Implant Information Network New Zealand> E mail: elvis.nz@...>

[Guest guest]

How important are drains in explant and also is there any real reason to do an anchor lift any more?

thanks

----- Original Message -----

From: Dr. Kolb

Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 3:14 PM

Subject: RE: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

I had hematomas in three patients in the last 10 years for explants. Two were free bleeders and one had an exacerbation of her hypertension on the way home due to stress from traffic and the fact she had not taken her blood pressure medicine as she had been instructed to by my anesthesiologist. I do not believe any of these patients needed blood transfusions. We did sort of anticipate the hematomas in the free bleeders despite drains and other precautions. .

-----Original Message-----From: ~*Patty*~ [mailto:fdp@...]Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 12:02 PM Subject: Re: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

This is the first time I have heard of hematoma in my 5 years in the breast implant issue.

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Heer

Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 11:39 AM

Subject: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathi" <pureheart@...>Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 12:17 AMSubject: Query regarding HEMATOMA> Dear Kathi> > I am writing on behalf of a breast implant sister here in New Zealand.> She is seeking compensation for what she feels are unusual complications> > following removal of implants.> > Briefly, her implants were removed some years ago, but when she awoke> from the surgery she was in extreme pain and it was found that a> HEMATOMA had developed in the area of the surgery. Her general> condition deteriorated with the result that she required blood> tranfusions,> and has been in poor health ever since.> > The site of the hematoma is still extraordinarily painful, and the> breast is deformed where the hematoma was sited.> > She has had an ongoing argument with Doctors as to whether hematomas are> quite common following breast removal surgery, they say they are!> > She has been unable to find any statistics on this subject, and> therefore would appreciate feed back from any women who have experienced> > hematomas and any subsequent problems, following breast removal surgery.> > > Caring and sharing> Brennan-Hodgson> Womens Implant Information Network New Zealand> E mail: elvis.nz@...>

[Guest guest]

Martha--

Actually, my eyes, due to a medication I was given for a misdiagnosis re

the thryoid (a real obvious mistake by a reputable endo who thought he

was so good he could skip some tests) gave me horrible eye problems

(strabismus) that not only created a need for seven unproductive surgeries but are unaligned now, and the antiphospholipd syndrome were the worst--the antiphospholipid syndrome made everything else worse, and the thryoid

diagnosis made that worse--I had TIAs every night for about six years--along

with blepharospasms and oro-mandibular spasms; there were two small

strokes and a lot of convulsions or seizures. (Recently, I was told that

the only way to "attempt" to help my eyes was with a silicone implant to replace some loss of bone from a previous "unnecessary" orbital

surgery LOL)

Something affected my ability to use the thyroid hormone on which I

was totally dependent after thryoid removal! Between that

and the antiphospholipid syndrome--it was a battle all the way--it took

about 7-8 years to get rid of problems, that I believe would have taken

about a year otherwise--maybe less, as I am an extremely healthy

individual from an extemely healthy family.

The explanting surgeon had used antibiotics when he removed the gross

ruptures, and in the previous reconstructive surgery, but '"forgot" in the

last surgery/reconstruction (polyurethane) which actually, I consider a blessing. . .otherwise, I'd be stuck with the implants in me as I lost job and insurance. Besides

the infection, the poly was in the process of disintegration when the

infection/removal occurred so much was left in my body and ate away some

fat in my butt and face. Surprise--antibiotics are considered "unnecessary"

for MANY types of surgeries and a review board (which we have in our state) will find it OK if the doc doesn't use one. . .regardless of the damage/multiple

surgeries a subsequent infection may cause! Granted, however, when it

came to the implant climate in the 90s , the "reviewers/plastic surgeons" did

everything possible to find for the plastic surgeon who had been sued. The

bottom line, though, is that I was left with infected polyurethane in my

body and the site was opened to let it travel throughout. With the very high

rate of hospital-acquired infection, it would behoove one to always start

an antibiotic a day before any surgery (and take the probiotics also)

The long and short of it, in retrospect, is that the real problems I experienced

were due to infection, sinusitis due to allergic rhintis, polyurethane, misdiagnosis and antiphospholipid syndrome--but it all started with an allergic reaction and although I haven't tested it, I feel confident that there is considerable platinum in my system, having a known metal senstivity before implants. While I had more than

half of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, I no longer do. "Brain fog" which

was totally incapacitating, began with infection--other problems were already underway

What is most interesting, is that "something" at fairly regular intervals, is still leaving my body (this is eleven years after new poly removal) through my left nostril, and the top and bottom of my spine and it is very "drying" of the surrounding skin when it does. (not to mention continuous sores and scars) I suspect this "drying" of tissue occurs first inside the body--and my records show that I reported related things to my internist eight years prior to the start of serious problems. Part of the process of silicone manufacuturing renders "hydrated silica gel" which would be essentially the same as what we find packaged in meds, leather goods, instruments, etc. I'm sure there is a connection. (There are some mild signs of a scleradermoid

syndrome on my skin--this too took years to manifest--I suspect "something" is trying to leave via the skin, also.)

Has anyone been tested for hemoconcentration? I'm in a peristent state of it--and

my ADH is putting out just fine. To keep the internal environment moist and blood at an acceptable flow level at least 50ozs spring water a day is necessary--if one

can afford the Penta water, it's wonderful.

BTW, re another post you made Martha, my docs believe me re my silicone--while

they may have doubted it at one time, they watched me and my problems from

the time I started downhill till I came back uphill again--they are also aware of a misdiagnosis re the thryoid; comments/actions of the early 90s indicated to me

they realized a misdiagnosis as continued unrelated symptoms presented; conversations now confirm it ( the fear of litigation closes a lot of doctors mouths)

I feel that staying with the same doc is probably the best way to show him/her

that implants (silicone or saline) are the problem, if that is your desire. They can see the changes occur after explanatation. . .to me, it didn't matter if that doctor believed the implant caused the problem. . .the treatment was going to be for the problem it caused, once explanted. Taking them out is the decision of the patient--not the doctor's--one doesn't need a "medical opinion" to explant--one only needs her own opinion, insurance and/or money. Unfortunately, there are those with the

opinion/knowledge only. . .

I don't know what a doctor "on retainer to Dow" is. . .I know that the original

doc who erroneously removed my breasts for alleged "fibrocystic disease" in 1975 was a "Dow consultant"--he did not tell me this then--and I've seen quite a few published papers by him, along with Dow researchers since. Why do you

assume that possibly this was a positive thing? Do you think the Dow docs were more cautious re explant? I mean, do you think they knew something that the rest of the docs didn't? A few of us crashed a meeting for mastectomy patients, back

in 1993 in a hospital in Costa Mesa, CA, and the panel was Dow witnesses/plastic

surgeons (I remember Jack Fisher was on it) and Don McGhan--I did not get the impression that these guys knew diddly--they sounded stupid and the fact that they

expected these women to believe them says to me, that they think the patient

is stupid also. The mastectomy patients had excellent questions and we found during intermission, that they weren't buying the panel's explanations--they didn't make sense.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Oh PS--you are correct, my best interests were not on my plastic

surgeon's mind--apparently, the money was though. The insurance

company paid $14,500 for a quoted $6500 fee--he charged to remove

the implants also--separately as both he and the facility made out

a lot better that way. He billed each of his claims separately and high.

My attorney said he was very "shrewd."

I did inform the insurance company they were double-dipped by

him and by a hospital--they didn't seem to care. . .this was

BC/BS.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

Obviously, I was totally 'unclear' with my message which I think you are responding to below. Either I wrote it 'upside down' and "bas-awards", or that's the way you interpreted what I was 'trying' to say. Anyway, I will try again Sunday, when I'm not so very tired!

A doctor 'on retainer' with any of the pharmaceutical companies is not a 'good thing' --- as, that means the doctor is on the pharmaceutical company's payroll, and his first alliance is to report all kinds of things to that company --- not a good thing for BI Ladies to be treated by these particular doctors!

More later!

Blessings,

MM

PS - 'Sorry for the confusion!

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message -----

From: Bos@...

Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 12:26 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMA

Martha-- Actually, my eyes, due to a medication I was given for a misdiagnosis re the thryoid (a real obvious mistake by a reputable endo who thought he was so good he could skip some tests) gave me horrible eye problems (strabismus) that not only created a need for seven unproductive surgeries but are unaligned now, and the antiphospholipd syndrome were the worst--the antiphospholipid syndrome made everything else worse, and the thryoid diagnosis made that worse--I had TIAs every night for about six years--along with blepharospasms and oro-mandibular spasms; there were two small strokes and a lot of convulsions or seizures. (Recently, I was told that the only way to "attempt" to help my eyes was with a silicone implant to replace some loss of bone from a previous "unnecessary" orbital surgery LOL) Something affected my ability to use the thyroid hormone on which I was totally dependent after thryoid removal! Between that and the antiphospholipid syndrome--it was a battle all the way--it took about 7-8 years to get rid of problems, that I believe would have taken about a year otherwise--maybe less, as I am an extremely healthy individual from an extemely healthy family. The explanting surgeon had used antibiotics when he removed the gross ruptures, and in the previous reconstructive surgery, but '"forgot" in the last surgery/reconstruction (polyurethane) which actually, I consider a blessing. . .otherwise, I'd be stuck with the implants in me as I lost job and insurance. Besides the infection, the poly was in the process of disintegration when the infection/removal occurred so much was left in my body and ate away some fat in my butt and face. Surprise--antibiotics are considered "unnecessary" for MANY types of surgeries and a review board (which we have in our state) will find it OK if the doc doesn't use one. . .regardless of the damage/multiple surgeries a subsequent infection may cause! Granted, however, when it came to the implant climate in the 90s , the "reviewers/plastic surgeons" did everything possible to find for the plastic surgeon who had been sued. The bottom line, though, is that I was left with infected polyurethane in my body and the site was opened to let it travel throughout. With the very high rate of hospital-acquired infection, it would behoove one to always start an antibiotic a day before any surgery (and take the probiotics also) The long and short of it, in retrospect, is that the real problems I experienced were due to infection, sinusitis due to allergic rhintis, polyurethane, misdiagnosis and antiphospholipid syndrome--but it all started with an allergic reaction and although I haven't tested it, I feel confident that there is considerable platinum in my system, having a known metal senstivity before implants. While I had more than half of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, I no longer do. "Brain fog" which was totally incapacitating, began with infection--other problems were already underway What is most interesting, is that "something" at fairly regular intervals, is still leaving my body (this is eleven years after new poly removal) through my left nostril, and the top and bottom of my spine and it is very "drying" of the surrounding skin when it does. (not to mention continuous sores and scars) I suspect this "drying" of tissue occurs first inside the body--and my records show that I reported related things to my internist eight years prior to the start of serious problems. Part of the process of silicone manufacuturing renders "hydrated silica gel" which would be essentially the same as what we find packaged in meds, leather goods, instruments, etc. I'm sure there is a connection. (There are some mild signs of a scleradermoid syndrome on my skin--this too took years to manifest--I suspect "something" is trying to leave via the skin, also.) Has anyone been tested for hemoconcentration? I'm in a peristent state of it--and my ADH is putting out just fine. To keep the internal environment moist and blood at an acceptable flow level at least 50ozs spring water a day is necessary--if one can afford the Penta water, it's wonderful. BTW, re another post you made Martha, my docs believe me re my silicone--while they may have doubted it at one time, they watched me and my problems from the time I started downhill till I came back uphill again--they are also aware of a misdiagnosis re the thryoid; comments/actions of the early 90s indicated to me they realized a misdiagnosis as continued unrelated symptoms presented; conversations now confirm it ( the fear of litigation closes a lot of doctors mouths) I feel that staying with the same doc is probably the best way to show him/her that implants (silicone or saline) are the problem, if that is your desire. They can see the changes occur after explanatation. . .to me, it didn't matter if that doctor believed the implant caused the problem. . .the treatment was going to be for the problem it caused, once explanted. Taking them out is the decision of the patient--not the doctor's--one doesn't need a "medical opinion" to explant--one only needs her own opinion, insurance and/or money. Unfortunately, there are those with the opinion/knowledge only. . . I don't know what a doctor "on retainer to Dow" is. . .I know that the original doc who erroneously removed my breasts for alleged "fibrocystic disease" in 1975 was a "Dow consultant"--he did not tell me this then--and I've seen quite a few published papers by him, along with Dow researchers since. Why do you assume that possibly this was a positive thing? Do you think the Dow docs were more cautious re explant? I mean, do you think they knew something that the rest of the docs didn't? A few of us crashed a meeting for mastectomy patients, back in 1993 in a hospital in Costa Mesa, CA, and the panel was Dow witnesses/plastic surgeons (I remember Jack Fisher was on it) and Don McGhan--I did not get the impression that these guys knew diddly--they sounded stupid and the fact that they expected these women to believe them says to me, that they think the patient is stupid also. The mastectomy patients had excellent questions and we found during intermission, that they weren't buying the panel's explanations--they didn't make sense. Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Wanda--

There were a few things I'd had for years (chronic nasal drip)

that told the ENT it was "allergic rhinitis: cause unknown"

but it wasn't until sinus infection that he realized it--even

then I didn't have symptoms--it was an ophthamologist who

saw sinusitus on my films. Had already had allergy tests

(-0-) and never had a cold. I didn't take any meds--had surgery and have been fine since. It is my understanding

that the surgery cleans out the infection--I had six infected

sinuses (there are eight) I am 100% in favor of this surgery

as opposed to any other treatment as tt cleaned out fatty

polyps also.

I too had the noises (snapping and buzzing) but I don't

think they are directly related--mine seemed to be

coming from an area above the palate--that area is

very vascular in the center of the face.

And I too have a swollen nose upon awakening, but it is

very mild now and goes away within a couple of hours.

Having a clogged blood flow (which an allergy affecting

the mucous membranes in the nose generally does) can

do a lot of things--there is no set pattern. I'm not surprised

at the nightime problems (most of mine happened then) as

bloodflow slows naturally when lying down. And I wouldn't

be surprised if your restless sleep is a result of this also.

Re the eyes--anytime there is a sinus problem, there can

be problems with the lacrimal apparatus of the eyes; while

I suppose optic neuritis is possible, I would tend to think

it is due to something else (like the antiphospholipid syndrome

which is often misdiagnosed as MS) My tears flow most, but not

all, nights, when falling asleep--it seems they now have no

where to go as the drainage system is screwed up somehow.

I have not been diagnosed with optic neuritis (but something has happened to my optic tracts) but I did have retinal degeneration

and tears that caused me to see bland colors for years. Is

yours OK now?

The jerking can be due to a lot of things--as I said, compromised

blood flow can do just about anything--it could also be a compressed

muscle/nerve--it could be myclonus, which is a symptom of fibromyalgia--

it could be, it could be, it could be. . . ..but start trying some things

to get rid of it--and make your sleep rewarding as it should be.

The first thing I would tackle if I were you would be the antiphospholipid

syndrome--are you taking anything for it? Do you know about it? It

would make the bloodflow even more difficult if it is active now. Do you

have the antibodies now? If so, it's probably active. You

can read about it at www.hughes-syndrome.org. This one is easy--

a Bayer Children's aspirin a day makes the blood thinner. At this

juncture, I'm not sure you would be comfortable with Niacin/B3--in

the future, please consider it.

I suspect your TIA's (or whatever) may resolve with the better

bloodflow. Mine resolved , not with the sinus surgery--but with

an even better bloodflow due to a different thyroid hormone.

Do you have photophobia in the morning also? Have you

been told that your eyes are dry? Have you had any pigment

problems--particularly eye color? these things too could be

due to a lot of things, but a lot of things can result from

a compromised bloodflow.

Also, suggest a lot of water. . .spring water. . .50 ozs or more

daily--this too helps the antiphospholipid syndrome. . .whether

it's because we are subclinically dehydrated (this syndrome is

associated with dehydration) or because water gets into the

blood, I don't know--but it really helps.

Do you know if you have a sensitivity to metals? Some are very

allergic and some of us just sensitive--we found out when we had

our ears pierced. . .usually this is to nickel.

My suggestion, is of course, to have the surgery. . .any pill (chemicals)

one can avoid, the better as far as I'm concerned--we have no idea what

those chemicals can do to a compromised system or how they

can keep from acting because of poor flow, or how they may

be stronger in the body due to a lack of water. Nor do we really

know what part of silicone might be in us to cross-react with a chemical we put in there too.

It could be if you employ some of the above suggestions, you may find the surgery unnecessary. If you develop infection in

the sinuses, however. . .this is nothing to wait around on. . .an

infection can get into the brain through the sinuses.

Hope this is of some help--please ask questions if it sounds

unclear to you. . .

You are the first person I've heard from whose problems mirror

mine in many ways. . .

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, your posts are very informative and interesting. Four years post

implants I had my first flare with allergic rhinitis and sinsus infection

- so severe that I spent the night at a hospital on an IV drip. It has recently

developed again. As before, every morning when I get out of bed - my

nose is swollen to twice normal size and nothing I try helps. What did

you take for your allergic rhinitis? I also have positive anticardiolipin

antibodies as well as TIAs or something similiar - but only at night. Last

night my head jerked dozens and dozens of times - waking me up - and I could

hear a snapping noise in my head or ears. Every time I felt like I was dying

- half asleep - half awake - trying to make some sense of the weirdness

- but before I could figure it out - I either went back to sleep or passed

out - only to go through it all again what seemed like only minutes later.

I am very tired and drained today. I have also had a lot of eye problems

and was diagnosed with optic neuritis in 1993. At that time, everything

white looked to me to be in some shade of gray - from light gray to dark

charcoal depending on the brightness of the white.

Wanda

Bos@... wrote:

Martha--

Actually, my eyes, due to a medication I was given for a misdiagnosis re

the thryoid (a real obvious mistake by a reputable endo who thought he

was so good he could skip some tests) gave me horrible eye problems

(strabismus) that not only created a need for seven unproductive surgeries

but

are unaligned now, and the antiphospholipd syndrome were the worst--the antiphospholipid

syndrome made everything else worse, and the thryoid

diagnosis made that worse--I had TIAs every night for about six years--along

with blepharospasms and oro-mandibular spasms; there were two small

strokes and a lot of convulsions or seizures. (Recently, I was told that

the only way to "attempt" to help my eyes was with a silicone implant

to replace some loss of bone from a previous "unnecessary" orbital

surgery LOL)

Something affected my ability to use the thyroid hormone on which I

was totally dependent after thryoid removal! Between that

and the antiphospholipid syndrome--it was a battle all the way--it took

about 7-8 years to get rid of problems, that I believe would have taken

about a year otherwise--maybe less, as I am an extremely healthy

individual from an extemely healthy family.

The explanting surgeon had used antibiotics when he removed the gross

ruptures, and in the previous reconstructive surgery, but '"forgot" in the

last surgery/reconstruction (polyurethane) which actually, I consider a

blessing. . .otherwise, I'd be stuck with the implants in me as I lost job

and insurance. Besides

the infection, the poly was in the process of disintegration when the

infection/removal occurred so much was left in my body and ate away some

fat in my butt and face. Surprise--antibiotics are considered "unnecessary"

for MANY types of surgeries and a review board (which we have in our state)

will find it OK if the doc doesn't use one. . .regardless of the damage/multiple

surgeries a subsequent infection may cause! Granted, however, when it

came to the implant climate in the 90s , the "reviewers/plastic surgeons"

did

everything possible to find for the plastic surgeon who had been sued. The

bottom line, though, is that I was left with infected polyurethane in my

body and the site was opened to let it travel throughout. With the very

high

rate of hospital-acquired infection, it would behoove one to always start

an antibiotic a day before any surgery (and take the probiotics also)

The long and short of it, in retrospect, is that the real problems I experienced

were due to infection, sinusitis due to allergic rhintis, polyurethane,

misdiagnosis and antiphospholipid syndrome--but it all started with an allergic

reaction and although I haven't tested it, I feel confident that there is

considerable platinum in my system, having a known metal senstivity before

implants. While I had more than

half of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, I no longer do. "Brain

fog" which

was totally incapacitating, began with infection--other problems were already

underway

What is most interesting, is that "something" at fairly regular intervals,

is still leaving my body (this is eleven years after new poly removal) through

my left nostril, and the top and bottom of my spine and it is very "drying"

of the surrounding skin when it does. (not to mention continuous sores and

scars) I suspect this "drying" of tissue occurs first inside the body--and

my records show that I reported related things to my internist eight years

prior to the start of serious problems. Part of the process of silicone

manufacuturing renders "hydrated silica gel" which would be essentially the

same as what we find packaged in meds, leather goods, instruments, etc. I'm

sure there is a connection. (There are some mild signs of a scleradermoid

syndrome on my skin--this too took years to manifest--I suspect "something"

is trying to leave via the skin, also.)

Has anyone been tested for hemoconcentration? I'm in a peristent state of

it--and

my ADH is putting out just fine. To keep the internal environment moist

and blood at an acceptable flow level at least 50ozs spring water a day is

necessary--if one

can afford the Penta water, it's wonderful.

BTW, re another post you made Martha, my docs believe me re my silicone--while

they may have doubted it at one time, they watched me and my problems from

the time I started downhill till I came back uphill again--they are also

aware of a

misdiagnosis re the thryoid; comments/actions of the early 90s indicated

to me

they realized a misdiagnosis as continued unrelated symptoms presented; conversations

now confirm it ( the fear of litigation closes a lot of doctors mouths)

I feel that staying with the same doc is probably the best way to show him/her

that implants (silicone or saline) are the problem, if that is your desire.

They can see the changes occur after explanatation. . .to me, it didn't

matter if that doctor believed the implant caused the problem. . .the treatment

was going to be for the problem it caused, once explanted. Taking them out

is the decision of the patient--not the doctor's--one doesn't need a "medical

opinion" to explant--one only needs her own opinion, insurance and/or money.

Unfortunately, there are those with the

opinion/knowledge only. . .

I don't know what a doctor "on retainer to Dow" is. . .I know that the original

doc who erroneously removed my breasts for alleged "fibrocystic disease"

in 1975 was a "Dow consultant"--he did not tell me this then--and I've

seen quite a few published papers by him, along with Dow researchers since.

Why do you

assume that possibly this was a positive thing? Do you think the Dow docs

were more cautious re explant? I mean, do you think they knew something

that the rest of the docs didn't? A few of us crashed a meeting for mastectomy

patients, back

in 1993 in a hospital in Costa Mesa, CA, and the panel was Dow witnesses/plastic

surgeons (I remember Jack Fisher was on it) and Don McGhan--I did not get

the impression that these guys knew diddly--they sounded stupid and the fact

that they

expected these women to believe them says to me, that they think the patient

is stupid also. The mastectomy patients had excellent questions and we

found during intermission, that they weren't buying the panel's explanations--they

didn't make sense.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

The sinus problems with silicone need to be treated with a combination of antibiotics and antifungals. The holistic methods outlined in the book Sinus Survival by Ivker, M.D. are very good as well. The most important treatment is getting the implants out. .

-----Original Message-----From: Wanda Simison [mailto:wan6922@...]Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 2:57 PM Subject: Re: Fw: Query regarding HEMATOMABonnie, your posts are very informative and interesting. Four years post implants I had my first flare with allergic rhinitis and sinsus infection - so severe that I spent the night at a hospital on an IV drip. It has recently developed again. As before, every morning when I get out of bed - my nose is swollen to twice normal size and nothing I try helps. What did you take for your allergic rhinitis? I also have positive anticardiolipin antibodies as well as TIAs or something similiar - but only at night. Last night my head jerked dozens and dozens of times - waking me up - and I could hear a snapping noise in my head or ears. Every time I felt like I was dying - half asleep - half awake - trying to make some sense of the weirdness - but before I could figure it out - I either went back to sleep or passed out - only to go through it all again what seemed like only minutes later. I am very tired and drained today. I have also had a lot of eye problems and was diagnosed with optic neuritis in 1993. At that time, everything white looked to me to be in some shade of gray - from light gray to dark charcoal depending on the brightness of the white. Wanda Bos@... wrote:

Martha-- Actually, my eyes, due to a medication I was given for a misdiagnosis re the thryoid (a real obvious mistake by a reputable endo who thought he was so good he could skip some tests) gave me horrible eye problems (strabismus) that not only created a need for seven unproductive surgeries but are unaligned now, and the antiphospholipd syndrome were the worst--the antiphospholipid syndrome made everything else worse, and the thryoid diagnosis made that worse--I had TIAs every night for about six years--along with blepharospasms and oro-mandibular spasms; there were two small strokes and a lot of convulsions or seizures. (Recently, I was told that the only way to "attempt" to help my eyes was with a silicone implant to replace some loss of bone from a previous "unnecessary" orbital surgery LOL) Something affected my ability to use the thyroid hormone on which I was totally dependent after thryoid removal! Between that and the antiphospholipid syndrome--it was a battle all the way--it took about 7-8 years to get rid of problems, that I believe would have taken about a year otherwise--maybe less, as I am an extremely healthy individual from an extemely healthy family. The explanting surgeon had used antibiotics when he removed the gross ruptures, and in the previous reconstructive surgery, but '"forgot" in the last surgery/reconstruction (polyurethane) which actually, I consider a blessing. . .otherwise, I'd be stuck with the implants in me as I lost job and insurance. Besides the infection, the poly was in the process of disintegration when the infection/removal occurred so much was left in my body and ate away some fat in my butt and face. Surprise--antibiotics are considered "unnecessary" for MANY types of surgeries and a review board (which we have in our state) will find it OK if the doc doesn't use one. . .regardless of the damage/multiple surgeries a subsequent infection may cause! Granted, however, when it came to the implant climate in the 90s , the "reviewers/plastic surgeons" did everything possible to find for the plastic surgeon who had been sued. The bottom line, though, is that I was left with infected polyurethane in my body and the site was opened to let it travel throughout. With the very high rate of hospital-acquired infection, it would behoove one to always start an antibiotic a day before any surgery (and take the probiotics also) The long and short of it, in retrospect, is that the real problems I experienced were due to infection, sinusitis due to allergic rhintis, polyurethane, misdiagnosis and antiphospholipid syndrome--but it all started with an allergic reaction and although I haven't tested it, I feel confident that there is considerable platinum in my system, having a known metal senstivity before implants. While I had more than half of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, I no longer do. "Brain fog" which was totally incapacitating, began with infection--other problems were already underway What is most interesting, is that "something" at fairly regular intervals, is still leaving my body (this is eleven years after new poly removal) through my left nostril, and the top and bottom of my spine and it is very "drying" of the surrounding skin when it does. (not to mention continuous sores and scars) I suspect this "drying" of tissue occurs first inside the body--and my records show that I reported related things to my internist eight years prior to the start of serious problems. Part of the process of silicone manufacuturing renders "hydrated silica gel" which would be essentially the same as what we find packaged in meds, leather goods, instruments, etc. I'm sure there is a connection. (There are some mild signs of a scleradermoid syndrome on my skin--this too took years to manifest--I suspect "something" is trying to leave via the skin, also.) Has anyone been tested for hemoconcentration? I'm in a peristent state of it--and my ADH is putting out just fine. To keep the internal environment moist and blood at an acceptable flow level at least 50ozs spring water a day is necessary--if one can afford the Penta water, it's wonderful. BTW, re another post you made Martha, my docs believe me re my silicone--while they may have doubted it at one time, they watched me and my problems from the time I started downhill till I came back uphill again--they are also aware of a misdiagnosis re the thryoid; comments/actions of the early 90s indicated to me they realized a misdiagnosis as continued unrelated symptoms presented; conversations now confirm it ( the fear of litigation closes a lot of doctors mouths) I feel that staying with the same doc is probably the best way to show him/her that implants (silicone or saline) are the problem, if that is your desire. They can see the changes occur after explanatation. . .to me, it didn't matter if that doctor believed the implant caused the problem. . .the treatment was going to be for the problem it caused, once explanted. Taking them out is the decision of the patient--not the doctor's--one doesn't need a "medical opinion" to explant--one only needs her own opinion, insurance and/or money. Unfortunately, there are those with the opinion/knowledge only. . . I don't know what a doctor "on retainer to Dow" is. . .I know that the original doc who erroneously removed my breasts for alleged "fibrocystic disease" in 1975 was a "Dow consultant"--he did not tell me this then--and I've seen quite a few published papers by him, along with Dow researchers since. Why do you assume that possibly this was a positive thing? Do you think the Dow docs were more cautious re explant? I mean, do you think they knew something that the rest of the docs didn't? A few of us crashed a meeting for mastectomy patients, back in 1993 in a hospital in Costa Mesa, CA, and the panel was Dow witnesses/plastic surgeons (I remember Jack Fisher was on it) and Don McGhan--I did not get the impression that these guys knew diddly--they sounded stupid and the fact that they expected these women to believe them says to me, that they think the patient is stupid also. The mastectomy patients had excellent questions and we found during intermission, that they weren't buying the panel's explanations--they didn't make sense. Bonnie