Every day, my eyes felt painfully dry. After multiple visits to my optometrist, we finally found a pricey eye drop that offered some relief. A few months later, I visited my general practitioner due to persistent abdominal discomfort. Despite normal lab results, a scan revealed significant constipation — not pleasant. Alongside this, I battled ongoing urinary tract discomfort, which I managed with cranberry supplements. My anxiety levels soared, and I faced dizzy spells and insomnia. My libido vanished, leaving me feeling like a mere shell of myself.
It wasn’t just these seemingly disconnected symptoms; I dealt with consistent shoulder pain that persisted despite numerous physical therapy sessions, chiropractic adjustments, and gentle yoga. I invested in new pillows, focused on back sleeping, and committed to daily stretches. The pain would subside momentarily, only to return. An MRI showed no issues, and I even suffered from a six-month intercostal muscle strain, ironically due to overdoing my stretches. Ice packs and heating pads became my constant companions.
Even with diagnoses for most of my ailments (dry eye syndrome, constipation, muscle strain), I was not improving despite following every doctor’s recommendation. In fact, my condition worsened. I experienced joint and muscle pain, along with extreme fatigue. I would wake up at 7 a.m., only to feel exhausted by eleven and long to be in bed by eight. This was compounded by brain fog, sensitivity to sound and light, and tinnitus. Each morning felt like a new challenge. I spiraled into depression, a mental health struggle I had never faced before. I genuinely believed I was on the verge of dying, with no one offering me a lifeline.
The revelation came during a conversation with a dental hygienist about her friend who had her implants removed due to health issues. It hit me — I was likely being poisoned by my silicone breast implants. No other explanation made sense for my myriad symptoms, as no scan, blood test, or doctor could clarify why I felt so ill.
Understanding Breast Implant Illness (BII)
Breast implant illness (BII) isn’t an officially recognized diagnosis, yet a simple online search reveals a wealth of information, including over fifty potential symptoms. After learning about BII, I recognized around twenty of my own symptoms within that list. The personal accounts from women on blogs and social media solidified my beliefs. Even if BII isn’t validated by the medical establishment, we cannot ignore the countless narratives from women who have suffered because of foreign objects in their bodies.
Some plastic surgeons mention BII (though not always by name) on their websites, and reputable institutions like M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, and the FDA provide information on the risks associated with breast implants. However, comprehensive research and diagnostic criteria for BII remain scarce.
From the testimonies of courageous women who shared their experiences, I learned that leaving problematic breast implants in the body requires more than just a healthy lifestyle to combat BII. The underlying issue cannot be merely masked; the only path to potential recovery involves the complete removal of the implants and their capsules, followed by a detox process that may last months or even years. Many women have noted that the longer they’ve had implants, the longer the detox period tends to be.
The Challenges of Implant Removal
For many of us, this is a significant issue, yet the process of implant removal isn’t straightforward. The financial burden is substantial, with many women reporting costs around $10,000 — a sum that often isn’t readily available. Unfortunately, insurance companies typically refuse to cover removal on the grounds of illness.
The emotional and psychological toll of implant removal is also substantial. While we often hear that physical appearance is irrelevant and that we are more than our bodies, the reality is that our relationships with our bodies are complex and shouldn’t be dismissed.
The recovery period after implant removal spans several weeks, necessitating time off work, assistance with childcare and household duties, and transportation to medical appointments. Some women must travel across states for the procedure, complicating matters further, especially during a pandemic.
Many women are struggling to save or secure funds for their implant removals. Some are bedridden, unable to work or care for their children, while others are barely managing, on the brink of a breakdown. Meanwhile, the medical community often dismisses their ailments as nonexistent, suggesting other potential issues. While it’s crucial to rule out other health conditions, the symptoms of BII frequently overlap with various other diagnoses.
Throughout my years with implants and countless medical visits regarding my symptoms and pain, not a single healthcare professional suggested that my implants might be the source of my ailments. Read that again. Not one.
I realize I cannot be diagnosed with something that lacks official recognition, yet I feel betrayed by those I entrusted to investigate my health and identify the root of my suffering. I didn’t need another scan, more medication, or additional stretches. I needed the source of my misery removed from my body — immediately — to have a chance at reclaiming my health.
A Call for Change
I’m not here to vilify plastic surgeons; in fact, many are genuinely compassionate and skilled. They safely remove implants for women who need or desire to have them taken out. Some offer post-breast cancer reconstructive options for patients looking for alternatives to implants. Others assist women in embracing a flat-chested aesthetic, which requires a unique skill set.
Despite my prolonged illness, I don’t subscribe to the idea that all doctors are deceitful. Like all professions, there are both exemplary and less competent practitioners. A good doctor will listen to a woman who claims she’s unwell and strive to help her. I also believe we need to push for BII to become an official medical diagnosis, allowing healthcare providers to recognize and treat it rather than dismissing women without support.
I did everything possible to improve my health. I ate organic food, exercised daily, drank plenty of water, eliminated alcohol, and used only “clean” beauty and cleaning products. I spent thousands of dollars on medical visits and supplements. While these efforts may have offered slight improvements, they paled in comparison to the two significant issues residing in my chest.
Now, I’m not only focused on recovering from my implants but also grappling with regret. How do I forgive myself for prioritizing aesthetics over my health? How do I move forward? It empowers me to share my story with others, raising awareness about the serious risks associated with silicone, whether implanted or injected. Ignorance is not bliss. I’m determined to reclaim lost time and hopefully restore my health.
Further Reading
For more insights into similar health topics, check out this related post, and for authoritative information, visit Intracervical Insemination or refer to this comprehensive Wikipedia resource on artificial insemination.
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Summary: The author recounts her harrowing experience of suffering from numerous unexplained health issues, ultimately discovering that her silicone breast implants were likely the cause of her ailments. Despite following medical advice, she felt betrayed by healthcare professionals who failed to connect her symptoms to her implants. Through personal reflections and shared stories from other women, she advocates for the recognition of breast implant illness (BII) as a legitimate diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding the potential risks associated with breast implants.