Re: Saline Implants and Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Guest guest]

i was never diagnosed with ra, but i had my implants in august 2004 and got sick in january 2005. i started with neck pain then into my shoulders and so on. i had mine taken out 2 weeks ago and feel better. i know there is along road ahead of me. i just had the implants taken out and not the capsules, and i notic a huge difference. i had no infection in my implants but i had some kind of weird reaction to them. i might go back to have the capsules removed but not right now.

lizShana Kingma <shanakingma@...> wrote:

Hi:I had saline smooth implants placed under the muscle in March of 2004. In December of 2004 I started experiencing joint pain in my shoulder. It then moved to my feet, wrists, and jaw. I had bloodwork done and now have a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. My labs showed a very aggressive form (I am 29 years old) and I want my implants out. I have done lots of research with my original plastic surgeon (who states I should just have them removed) and Dr. Feng's office (who says I should have a capsulectomy). I had very, very little breast tissue to begin with, so I worry about a capsulectomy taking what little I have left, let alone the cost. Has anyone had decreased arthritis symptoms without a capsulectomy? Could someone get in touch with me if you have? I am also wondering if

you can have a capsulectomy later? The new meds I am taking increase my risk of infection so I need to have them removed very soon. I need help!! Thanks, ShanaOpinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace)

[Guest guest]

Shana,

Welcome to the group . . . I'm sorry you need us

though!

The reason to have the capsules removed (en bloc) is

to avoid the accidental spilling of the contents into

your chest cavity AND to remove any silicone debris

and bacteria that may be attached to your implants.

You may get better without removing the capsules. . .

or you may have to have another surgery. When you have

symptoms, there is little doubt it will be more

difficult to regain your health if your capsules are

left it.

Most doctors would prefer to leave the capsules in

because it takes more time and skill to remove them

properly.

Removing the capsule shouldn't mean losing breast

tissue, unless the capsules are thick, then it's

really important that they be removed! Dr. Feng has

removed hundreds, if not in the thousands, of

implants. I would trust what she has to say over most

other plastic surgeons.

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Shana,

Your symptoms are identical to what I experienced, and I too was

diagnoised with RA and only given a 2% chance of ever recovering from

my severe form. This last December I elected to have the implants

removed and a complete capsulectomy. The lab reported that the

implants had faulty valves and were depositing contaminated fluid

into my body, so I'm glad I got the whole things removed.

The reason I decided to answer your post was to tell you that I too

was very small to start with (about a AA). After the complete

capsulectomy I ended up being about the same size as I had started

with, so I was very relieved.

The best part is that I'm back working full time, walking, running,

you name it.

Take care of yourself, and concentrate on getting better.

Secret make some great fitting bras that make me look just as large

as I did with the implants. The difference is, now I can go out with

my husband and dance the night away in a great fitting dress instead

of having him push me around in a wheel chair.

Bless you,

Tammy (a)

> Hi:

> I had saline smooth implants placed under the muscle in March of

2004. In

> December of 2004 I started experiencing joint pain in my shoulder.

It then

> moved to my feet, wrists, and jaw. I had bloodwork done and now

have a

> diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. My labs showed a very

aggressive form (I

> am 29 years old) and I want my implants out. I have done lots of

research

> with my original plastic surgeon (who states I should just have

them

> removed) and Dr. Feng's office (who says I should have a

capsulectomy). I

> had very, very little breast tissue to begin with, so I worry about

a

> capsulectomy taking what little I have left, let alone the cost.

Has anyone

> had decreased arthritis symptoms without a capsulectomy? Could

someone get

> in touch with me if you have? I am also wondering if you can have

a

> capsulectomy later? The new meds I am taking increase my risk of

infection

> so I need to have them removed very soon. I need help!! Thanks,

Shana

>

>

>

>

> Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given

by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or

licensed health care professional before commencing any medical

treatment.

>

> " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians

mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions

about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world. " -

Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963,

Peace)

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- I was never diagnosed with RA, but after reading the posts on this

site, I realize I had symptoms also. Just another horrible side

effects of reactions to the implants. I remember hurting so bad when I

awoke in the mornings that I simply could not get out of bed. I would

pray and pray and think of all I had to be grateful for, all the time

completely ignorant of the fact that the problems were in my chest. My

knuckles on my hands had begun to enlarge, throb, and I couldn't get my

wedding ring on. I thought I was just getting fat, but when I felt my

knuckle joints, they were enlarged and changing form.

I am so happy to report that 20 days post-op, my rings fit, my

shoulders, neck, spine, legs, and ankles, and fingers, and toes, and my

whole body is just rejoicing!!!!!!! I do not think I have or did have

RA; I think it was another attempt of my body to scream at me that

something was very wrong inside. I am so happy that my health is

returning....Jackie

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

That is so wonderful! Rogene

" The difference is, now I can go out with my husband

and dance the night away in a great fitting dress

instead of having him push me around in a wheel

chair. "

[Guest guest]

Thank you soooo much for getting back with me. I am so overwhelmed

by my diagnosis right now that I want to make sure I am making the

right decision. Do you still take meds for your RA? Have you been

retested for your levels? What did they report? Who was your doc

for your explantation? I just have so many questions....Shana

> > Hi:

> > I had saline smooth implants placed under the muscle in March of

> 2004. In

> > December of 2004 I started experiencing joint pain in my

shoulder.

> It then

> > moved to my feet, wrists, and jaw. I had bloodwork done and now

> have a

> > diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. My labs showed a very

> aggressive form (I

> > am 29 years old) and I want my implants out. I have done lots of

> research

> > with my original plastic surgeon (who states I should just have

> them

> > removed) and Dr. Feng's office (who says I should have a

> capsulectomy). I

> > had very, very little breast tissue to begin with, so I worry

about

> a

> > capsulectomy taking what little I have left, let alone the cost.

> Has anyone

> > had decreased arthritis symptoms without a capsulectomy? Could

> someone get

> > in touch with me if you have? I am also wondering if you can

have

> a

> > capsulectomy later? The new meds I am taking increase my risk of

> infection

> > so I need to have them removed very soon. I need help!! Thanks,

> Shana

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice

given

> by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or

> licensed health care professional before commencing any medical

> treatment.

> >

> > " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians

> mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own

decisions

> about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better

world. " -

> Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963,

> Peace)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jackie:

Did you have a capsulectomy? How long were your implants in? I am

going through the same thing and need all the info. I can get right

now> Thanks Shana

>

> --- I was never diagnosed with RA, but after reading the posts on

this

> site, I realize I had symptoms also. Just another horrible side

> effects of reactions to the implants. I remember hurting so bad

when I

> awoke in the mornings that I simply could not get out of bed. I

would

> pray and pray and think of all I had to be grateful for, all the

time

> completely ignorant of the fact that the problems were in my

chest. My

> knuckles on my hands had begun to enlarge, throb, and I couldn't

get my

> wedding ring on. I thought I was just getting fat, but when I felt

my

> knuckle joints, they were enlarged and changing form.

> I am so happy to report that 20 days post-op, my rings fit, my

> shoulders, neck, spine, legs, and ankles, and fingers, and toes,

and my

> whole body is just rejoicing!!!!!!! I do not think I have or did

have

> RA; I think it was another attempt of my body to scream at me that

> something was very wrong inside. I am so happy that my health is

> returning....Jackie

[Guest guest]

Yes, I had a full en bloc procedure. The capsules were removed totally

during the procedure. The capsules were thick, hard, and leathery,

said my surgeon, Dr. Melmed. He had to scrape some of the tissue off

my chest wall.

I had my implant surgery in July 1998; my explant was March 30, 2005;

so almost 7 years for me. I had thought initially it had been 8, but

it's only 7ish.

I'm still gaining strength, both physically and mentally. I am certain

my implants were slowing killing me...

Jackie