Shattered Trust When Her Breast Implants Were Removed, Susan’s Health Improved
Breast cancer caught me off guard 10 years ago while in my mid-30s. I had two mastectomies nine months apart. I chose reconstructive surgery using silicone implants. It wasn’t long before one of the implants shifted under my armpit and scar tissue formed around the implant, causing many problems.
My implants were removed and I was told a “new” type of silicone implant would prevent the problems. These implants were covered with polyurethane. I later learned that polyurethane was the same material used in automobile air filters and carpet cleaners. Research reveals that polyurethane breaks down into TDA, a toxic and hazardous carcinogen.
Three months after having these implants placed in my body I was in a car accident. Injuries sustained in this accident were not attributed to my implants; however, it was at this point that my health began to decline. I spent well over 50 percent of the next five years at home in bed.
I had migraines and ran low-grade fevers, developed nausea and experienced episodes of sweating. My face, hands and feet swelled. Urinary frequency at night, with three to four trips to the bathroom, became the norm for me. Joint and tendon pain along with gastro-intestinal problems, allergies, eye pain and memory loss all developed. Added to all this was involuntary jerking of my legs and arms.
All but one friend quit calling because I never felt well enough to do anything. My family went on outings and celebrated many special occasions without me. I was ill enough that I prayed I would die.
My mother became so concerned she finally called an uncle who is a physician in California. He insisted I have the implants out as soon as possible. It’s been a year now. This has been the first year since 1989 that I haven’t had to spend most of my time in bed. I’m not totally recovered and may never be, but at least I’m not in bed most of the time. I’ve been evaluated by several physicians and three are convinced that there is a definite link to the implants and the autoimmune disease I have.
I recommend that anyone who doubts the veracity of this link begin researching this issue. Frank Vasey M.D. wrote “The Silicone Implant Controversy.” Dr. Vasey has served as an adviser to the FDA and testified before government committees investigating implants. There are plenty of physicians and researchers out there that agree with Dr. Vasey.
It’s deplorable that the manufacturers and so many surgeons made so much money at the expense of the health and lives of so many women and their families.
xxxx Silicone breast implants have been controversial for years. Since 1992, the Food and Drug Administration has limited women’s access because of reported health risks. And recently FDA Commissioner David Kessler said not enough data exist to reassure women of the safety of implants. But last June a study of the health effects of silicone breast implants failed to find any connection between the implants and immune system diseases. The study outraged members of a support group of Inland Northwest women who have experienced adverse reations to their implants. The group’s name is OASIS Organized Against Silicone in Spokane. The group was further outraged by a Chris Peck column in which he applauded the study because it will “calm fears and slow the lawsuits.” Three OASIS members wrote articles in response. Today, we add their voices to the continuing debate on the safety of silicone breast implants.
One of three personal stories about the effects of breast implants.