frusterated

[Guest guest]

i went to get hormone testing today at a urgent care. i might go to

the ER tomorrow to see a rhumatologist faster.

monday im scheduled for a cervical spine MRI.. just still trying to

rule everything out. im still dizzy and arms are numb and tingling

sometimes hurt. i wish there was some way for someone to prove its my

implants before i take them out.

[Guest guest]

Here is an article written by Dr. Kolb that goes over different symptoms,

possible causes of implant problems and treatment. The article addresses

both silicone and saline implants.

Kenda

Silicone Immune Treatment Protocol

By E. Kolb, M.D., FACS

Plastikos

4370 town Square, Atlanta, Georgia 30338

www.plastikos.com

There are two major types of breast implants to consider and each one has

its own special considerations and particular areas of concern. The first

is silicone gel implants which also includes double-lumen implants and

Becker tissue expanders which contain 50 cc¹s of silicone gel on the outside

with the remaining saline on the inside. Double lumen implants are the

opposite with silicone gel on the inside and saline and a second lumen on

the outside. All of these are considered gel implants. Gel implants come

both in textured and smooth with the textured surface having been developed

in the early 1990¹s. Textured surfaces in general are felt to, in some

cases, lead to less capsular contracture, but in other cases are felt to

harbor infection more easily and flake off and become incorporated in the

scar capsule and lymph nodes and interact with the immune system sooner than

a smooth shell. Early implants made by Dow-Corning had Dacron patches on

the back which may be visible on x-ray. There was also an implant called a

³Natural Y² implant made by Surgitek which had a polyurethane coating around

a gel implant. This polyurethane coating became incorporated within the

scar capsule forming around the implant and was degraded over time. There is

a question of whether one of the products of degradation called TCA might be

carcinogenic. This implant is no longer on the market. Silicone gel

implants can only be used now if under a research study with appropriate IRB

approved protocols. McGhan is developing a new cohesive gel silicone

implant and is appearing before the FDA in April, 2005 with studies on this

implant seeking approval for use in the United States.

The saline implants have actually been around for many years and the

earliest saline implants were very thick and sturdy. The later saline

implants had leakage problems that were excessive and fell out of use with

most plastic surgeons until the implant crisis occurred in the early 1990s

then both Mentor and McGhan began selling more of their saline implants as

gel implants were no longer available for use without the research status.

Mentor had a posterior valve implant which leaked more readily and was taken

off of the market. McGhan and Mentor both currently have an anterior valve

implant that are widely used. Both also come in a textured or smooth shell

with the same potential problems with the textured as listed under silicone.

The recent study from Mentor shows that the 7 year deflation rate on a

smooth anterior valve Mentor implant is 3.7%. There are higher deflation

rates with the textured implants and I have noticed especially after

mammograms the textured implants have appeared to be prone to deflation.

All Silastic elastomers which are made of silicone which hold either the gel

or the saline undergo a lipolysis reaction which occurs only in the human

body and it does not occur when the implant is sitting on the shelf. This

lipolysis reaction makes the implant more permeable to whatever is in it and

especially the silicone gel starts to leak out at 8 to 10 years. I have

removed multiple silicone gel implants which have very little gel in them

but no ruptures and the silicone leaking out makes the patient just as ill

as if the implant was ruptured. The gel implant that ruptures most readily

is the Surgitek implant according to studies but many implants are ruptured

at 15 to 20 years. Conditions predisposing to implant rupture are:

· Closed capsulotomy by the surgeon to break up capsular contracture

which is scar contracture occurring around and in a sub-clinically infected

implant.

· Trauma such as automobile accidents or direct trauma during falls.

... and

· Mammograms.

Many patients report that the implant pops during a mammogram and they

become ill three to four weeks later with symptoms of silicone immune

toxicity. For this reason I do not recommend mammograms be done as

screening tests on patients with silicone gel implants and avoided with

patients with saline implants if they are over 5 years of age. Fortunately,

there is a study that came out of Japan showing that women with breast

implants have better breast cancer detection using ultrasound than mammogram

although this is an area that requires further study.

Implants can be placed either above the muscle which is called submammary,

below the muscle which is called submuscular and the submuscular position

can either be just below the pectoralis but not above the serratus or total

submuscular coverage which is below the pectoral and serratus muscles.

Approaches for putting the implants in include submammary which is the most

common approach used, periareolar which is less commonly used due to

increased rate of capsular contracture as well as loss of nipple sensation

and loss of ability to breast feed, and finally axillary and umbilical

approaches both of which are less desirable because of contamination issues

through these areas especially with fungus as well as difficulty in

adequately taking down the insertion of the pectoralis muscle if needed

through these approaches. Implants can only be explanted through the

submammary and periareolar approaches and only if the periareolar incision

is not long enough. Normally a submammary approach is better especially with

silicone. It is important to try to remove the silicone implants en bloc or

with the capsule intact around the implant in order to avoid silicone

spillage which can occur if the capsule is open. This is not always possible

especially in the submuscular position when the capsule is very adherent to

the ribs and the implant becomes exposed during this dissection. Saline

implants can be removed through a periareolar incision with less problems as

long as the implant is not ruptured. Occasionally it is necessary to make

an incision in the axilla to remove the axillary and high infraclavicular

capsule which cannot be reached from the submammary position especially if

the patient has a long chest wall. Many plastic surgeons and general

surgeons doing explantation do not take proper care and remove large amounts

of muscle and/or breast tissue with the capsule which is easy to do if you

are not familiar with the anatomy and there by create indentations and other

breast deformities. If implants are over 300 to 350 cc¹s, often a donut

mastopexy is necessary to remove extra skin so that wrinkling does not

occur. If the nipple areolar complexes are low, an asymmetrical donut

mastopexy can be performed to raise the nipple and remove the excess skin.

If the patient has severe ptosis, for example grade III ptosis, with the

nipples are pointing to the ground, it is necessary to perform a more

extensive mastopexy such as in a lolly pop, or even an anchor pattern

mastopexy in some cases. I prefer not to perform the anchor pattern

mastopexy unless they have already have had that done in the past because of

the potential loss of blood supply of the nipple areolar complex which can

result in loss of the nipple areolar complex, partial or complete.

So when patients come to you with silicone implants in, there needs to be a

determination whether the patient requires removal of the implants. The

guidelines that I use include presence of the silicone symptoms which are

outlined in the medical symptom questionnaire and the age of the implant.

There is literature recommending that any silicone gel implant over 8 years

of age be removed because of this lipolysis reaction. I do not necessarily

recommend removal of silicone implants in asymptomatic patients that are

less than 8 years old. I do try to educate the patients, however, on early

symptoms of silicone leakage which includes burning discomfort of the chest

wall sometimes associated with paresthesias of the arm on that side and the

immune symptoms which most often are sinusitis, periodontal disease and

perhaps viral infections which fail to clear up in a timely manner. If the

patient is already explanted they need to be examined carefully for enlarged

silicone lymph nodes in the lower axilla. These lymph nodes are usually

approximately 1 cm in diameter and contain silicone upon biopsy. Often

lymphatic channels in the lower axilla also filled with silicone. If

needed, ultrasound of the axilla as well as the breast can be obtained and

sometimes intra-breast tissue lymph nodes as well as these lower axillary

lymph nodes are found to be enlarged. Other areas of silicone accumulation

can be picked up on ultrasound, mammogram and MRI and are usually associated

with tender areas. It is important to understand, however, that we often

find a silicone accumulation in the breast with negative tests including

ultrasound, mammogram and breast MRI. And these tests can only find

retained silicone when the volume of silicone is of a certain amount. It is

very important to remove any silicone collections in the chest wall, axilla

or other locations. Patients who have had closed capsulotomies often have

silicone even in their upper abdominal areas and up the axilla to the chest

wall and brachial plexus and MRIs have been useful to test and locate these

areas. The body in the case of ruptured implants will gather up the

silicone over several years and form a silicone granuloma which is tender

and and firm and distinct from surrounding tissue. These can be determined

on physical examination, mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI (MRI is especially

useful if you are looking in the abdomen and up into the axilla). These

areas should be removed surgically if the patient is symptomatic. If the

patient has already been explanted and has deformities such as indentations,

excess waviness and rippling of the skin, nipple inversion, nipple drooping,

and breast ptosis, these can be fixed with the various mastopexy techniques

discussed above. In most cases, however, and in some cases of severe

deformity, we first attempt to correct the chest wall muscle deformity by

internal chest wall muscle surgery but if the deformity is too great the

patient may actually have to have breast reconstruction including a

latissimus dorsi flap or sometimes a TRAM flap. If the patient has a

negative T cell sensitivity test and is willing to take the risk of future

immune and autoimmune problems with the Silastic shell of the smooth saline

implant. I have corrected deformities with reimplantation using smooth

saline implants if the chest wall deformities are severe and especially if

insurance coverage is not available for the reconstruction technique as all

of these techniques are very expensive.

If a patient is having chest wall pain, this is a symptom of either

infection or inflammation from retained silicone in most cases. The other

cause of pain is fibrocystic disease which I have seen in a large number of

cases especially over areas of retained silicone and/or recurent capsules.

When I culture the areas of fibrocystic disease they are positive for

bacteria in many cases. This mastodynia appears to respond to antibiotics

as well as anti-fungals, however, when the medicines are stopped the pain

often returns. In some cases, in those patients not responsive to the

holistic protocol for fibrocystic disease, with massive amounts of silicone

and fibrocystic disease in the breast, I have had to do subcutaneous

mastectomies to control the disease. Usually, however, we try to limit the

surgery to partial mastectomies just removing the fibrocystic disease tissue

as well as the areas of retained silicone. In patients with severe ruptures

I have had to go back five and six times to do this separated by a period of

one to three years between each surgery. Fortunately, the body tends to

gather up the silicone over time, as tender silicone granulomas which can be

removed with surgery.

In this section of the protocol we will outline the various mechanisms by

which silicone and saline breast implants cause disease as well as the

different systems affected. The main difference between silicone and saline

implants is that the gel in the silicone implants can migrate long distances

either directly or more commonly inside macrophages. The silicone is toxic

to the macrophages therefore the macrophages break open, releasing cytokines

in areas distant from the chest wall creating a pain condition. Saline

implants also can cause microscopic silicone to be introduced into the body

via the macrophage system especially if the coating is textured. But to

give you an example of the degree, a smooth saline implant has only one part

of silicone in the capsule compared to a thousand parts in the capsule of

the silicone gel implant. Therefore, there is much more leakage out of the

shell into the capsule and thus into the body from silicone gel implants

than from saline implants. The silicone gel implants especially in the

1970s (between 1970 and 1985 specifically) had a great deal of gel bleed and

the implants developed in 1985 had less gel bleed but still eventually bled

gel after the lipolysis reaction occurred. Silicone spreads widely

throughout the body and it has a predilection for the neurological system

including the CNS. Silicate crystals have been biopsied from the sural

nerve in patients with ruptured implants and many patients have lung

biopsies positive for silicone. It is felt to go to all major organs

including the reproductive organs and the liver. Silicone is found in far

areas from the chest wall including underneath the skin and it is sometimes

biopsied as a nodule. Many patients have rashes with a sand like material

coming out of them which can get infected. They often improve on

antibacterial and antifungal creams and/or medicines. If one side of the

chest wall is cleaned up with removal of the silicone, the lesions on that

corresponding arm decrease. One of my patients had silicone come out of her

chin as it migrated up the neck retrograde in the lymphatic system. Biopsy

of the chin lesion showed foreign body granulomatous reaction consistent

with silicone. The pathologist was sure that I was biopsing an area from

her chin implant but the patient had no chin implant and had only ruptured

breast implants. Approximately half of my silicone gel explants when

capsular cultures are performed have infection ranging in a wide variety of

gram positive and gram negative organisms including staphococcus,

pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and a multitude of other organisms. The higher

percentage of the saline, especially textured saline, capsular cultures are

positive as well. We have been unsuccessful in growing fungal cultures

although we know that there is fungus inside the implants especially the

saline implants. These are often sent to Dr. Pierre Blais in Canada and he

reports different types of fungi inside the implants include aspergillus.

Many patients will not recover without treatments with anti-fungal agents.

Patients who go to plastic surgeons who do not treat with anti-fungals often

have an exacerbation of their symptoms due to surgical stress combined with

peri-operative antibiotics and become very ill for several months after

surgery with systemic candidiasis symptoms including severe fatigue,

myalgias, mental clouding and increased IBS symptoms which are worsened

with the ingestion of sugar. Many of my patients also complain of shortness

of breath which resolves on anti-fungal treatment. This may actually be an

allergic reaction to pulmonary candidiasis. The bacterial infection needs

to be treated in these patients around the time of surgery if we can get

cultures specific antibiotic treatment. This is preferable, however, I

usually begin the patients on Cipro in the peri-operative period usually

based on the amount of mastodynia or breast tenderness that they have. If

they have a great deal of mastodynia, I¹ll begin them on antibiotics prior

to surgery along with an anti-fungal agent such as Diflucan if liver

function tests are normal. The Cipro often will usually improve the

mastodynia which probably in most cases will reoccur after the patient is

done with the medication if the implants are not subsequently removed. I

believe that the pain is mostly due to infection but also can be due to

inflammation from the cytokines. There is a medical report of a 100

patients with atypical chest pain with negative cardiac workups which were

felt to be due to inflammatory conditions of the chest wall due to ruptured

and/or leaking breast implants. Migration of the silicone was discussed in

the first portion of this article and needs to be surgically handled when

appropriate. Migration throughout the rest of the body, however, needs to

be handled with a detoxification program and currently because other than

Dr. Shanklin¹s studies of the use of Inositol with urinary excretion of

silicate, we have very little information on how effective our detox

programs are other than patient reports of clinical improvement. There are

a large number of chemicals besides silicone in the implants that require

detoxification and therefore detoxification methods that increase

intracellular levels of glutathione are important in the detoxification

program. Some implants also contain platinum as a catalyst. Platinum after

rupture of the implants becomes very toxic causing a clinical syndrome of

new onset adult asthma which can be improved with Zantac, multiple lipomas

and neurological disease. There is a platinum detox protocol which is

available and platinum if suspected can be measured on hair analysis as a

screening test and/or urinary platinum test. There are multiple other

methods to detect platinum but I have found the hair analysis to be one of

the most reliable. Platinum has since been replaced by tin as a catalyst

and we see in our saline patients tin levels rising over time and then

decrease if a detoxification program for tin and other metals is

implemented. The other question of mechanism of disease has to do with the

adjuvant disease caused by silicone. Silicone is a known adjuvant which

means that it stimulates the immune system to respond as do other adjuvants

like squalene which was the adjuvant used in the Anthrax vaccine.

Typically, adjuvants are used in vaccines to increase the immune response to

the antigen which is also in the vaccine which otherwise might not be strong

enough to elicit an immune response that would be protective. It is

interesting that Dow Corning claimed that silicone was inert as it was a

known adjuvant long before the claims that it was inert were stated in the

Dow Corning literature. The degree to which individuals react to silicone

may be related to HLA types. Dr. Leroy Young studied groups of people and

found that certain HLA types are more susceptible to silicone auto-immune

disease than others. There are statements in both the Mentor and McGhan

handbooks that if one has auto-immune disease then it may not be recommended

to place saline implants in these patients. Of course, auto-immune disease

includes not only lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other

diseases but also multiple sclerosis. So, to recap, silicone disease may

include several components including infection, silicone migration,

reactions to chemicals in the implants other than silicone and, of course,

silicone and the potential for silicone to act as an adjuvant. I believe

that silicone toxicity is mediated a great deal by cytokine formation and

that is why Plaquenil which is an interleukin-2 blocker is effective in many

women with silicone toxicity. Specifically, the protocols are designed to

decrease arachidonic acid and other cytokines in order to help control the

pain condition. I find it interesting that my patients with silicone

injections, which probably have the largest amount of free silicone in their

bodies, report that diet is the most important factor in controlling their

pain. If they do not avoid dietary factors that increase arachidonic acid

and cytokines, they have much more pain.

Saline implants have similar problems but less migratory problems because

the gel, of course, is not in the implant. As mentioned above, infection

appears to be a large problem with the saline implant population that

becomes ill. This infection can be around the implant which is often

exacerbated by the patient¹s breast feeding with the implant in the

submammary position or it can be within the implant where bacteria and/or

fungi are found in the implant with a valve leak. Dr. Blais has described

defective valves in many saline implants and the contamination within the

implant which may have occurred at the time of surgery or after surgery

which then allows the contaminated fluid to come in contact with the body.

I have seen many instances where the patient does not become ill until the

implant begins to leak. And if the implant is not removed in a timely

manner the patient becomes more and more ill. Interestingly enough the

symptoms occurring in patient with a left sided deflation would often remain

on the left side of the body including the neurological symptoms. Thus the

importance of using a closed saline system where saline is not taken off the

back table to fill the implant becomes obvious as well as trying to decrease

any skin contamination by using a sleeve in the case of a small opening and

also the importance of avoiding bringing the implant in contact with breast

tissue. It is known that breast ducts contain bacteria and are not sterile.

Therefore, total submuscular coverage through a submammary incision achieves

this goal better than the other approaches. Thus, we also see why axillary

and umbilical approaches are less desirable. Saline implant patients also

have chemical exposures especially tin toxicity. I have noted that many

patients who have high mercury levels do not respond well to saline implants

perhaps because of the additive effect of tin and mercury toxicity to the

nervous system. Again, especially in the case of textured saline implants

where silicone does flake off and get incorporated into the capsule, lymph

nodes, and further out into the immune system via macrophages, silicone

adjuvant disease may play a role in the illness caused by textured saline

implants.

In the next section we will examine immune, auto-immune, neurological,

endocrine, and metabolic problems in the breast implant population and the

treatment of these problems.

I. IMMUNE ISSUES

When implants begin to leak either silicone gel or saline, often the first

symptom is signs of the immune system failure especially involving the

cellular immune system. The majority of patients will develop signs of

systemic candidiasis including muscle aches, fatigue and mental clouding as

well as the other symptoms listed above. Bacterial problems such as

periodontal disease, sinusitis, bladder infections, bronchitis, H-Pylori

infection, and other bacterial infections can become more prominent and more

difficult to control. Implant patients have a variety of viral infections

including sackie, Epstein-Barr, Herpes, HHV6 as well as inability to

clear quickly normal flu¹s and viruses. Therefore, attention to the immune

system through immune supplements which increase both humeral and cellular

immunity are an important part of the protocol. The immune symptoms usually

appear before the auto-immune symptoms.

II. AUTO-IMMUNE ISSUES

Auto-immune symptoms include Raynaud¹s syndrome, positive ANA¹s, elevated

sed rates (ESR) and positive rheumatoid factors. In patients with silicone

deposits within muscles we see high CPK levels and in some patients we see

thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid Peroxidase antibodies. We also see

anti-cardiolipin antibodies in some patients as well as a variety of other

antibodies which are positive in Scleroderma and lupus. As far as the

auto-immune disease caused by silicone, I do not believe that this is either

lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. I have seen some patients who appear to have

Scleroderma but they are often treated effectively with long courses of

either Cipro or Minocin combined with a holistic protocol with resolution of

their symptoms. I also do not believe that the majority of patients come to

me with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis actually have multiple sclerosis.

Very few of my patients with multiple sclerosis have any bladder or bowel

problems or visual problems. In a similar note, the patients with a

diagnosis of lupus have no renal or CNS involvement which is very common in

lupus. I believe these patients have atypical connective tissue disease, and

atypical neurological disease caused by the silicone adjuvant mechanism.

Overall, the majority of patients with auto-immune disease have clearing of

the auto-immune disease with removal of the silicone followed by

detoxification and immune support.

III. NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Neurological problems occur from several mechanisms which may be different

in silicone versus saline patients. In silicone patients we see actual

migration of the silicone perhaps via the macrophages or directly in some

cases along the myelin sheaths up the arm into the axilla along the brachial

plexus and down the arm. Many patients have abnormal nerve conduction tests

and palpable tenderness along the brachial plexus and nerves of the upper

arm. With silicone implants, the silicone migrates into the myelin sheath

and auto-immune reaction can occur which can then affect the nerves. If

only one side is ruptured and/or leaking it is not uncommon to have one

sided neurological symptoms. Typically the upper extremities are affected

first. Sensory is affected prior to motor and lower extremities are

affected later. There is also a B12 deficiency commonly seen which may

exacerbate the neurological disease. Many patients with intestinal

candidiasis do not properly absorb B12. Therefore, either sublingual or

injectable B12 is necessary. Dr. Perlmutter, a holistic neurologist, has

noted along with other doctors that large doses of B12 (i.e. B12 3000

micrograms IM q week x 8 weeks) is effective in helping the neurological

disease associated with silicone. Many silicone patients come in

wheelchairs, unable to walk, and are able to walk after appropriate surgical

and medical treatment of this disease. It was noted in Canada where the

general surgeons were doing the explants but not taking out the capsules and

leaving a great deal of ruptured material in the women, that many more women

became disabled in wheelchairs than in the US where plastic surgeons

generally perform the procedure. Thus, it appears that if explantation is

not properly performed one can become very ill. The other supplement that

may be important in treating neurological diseases is large doses of Alpha

Lipoic Acid, (i.e. 1,000 to 2,000 mgs. a day).

IV. ENDOCRINE PROBLEMS

Endocrine symptoms occur because the silicone is an endocrine disruptor.

Silicone is also estrogenic in nature, therefore, women with ruptured and/or

leaking silicone gel implants can have increased problems with fibrocystic

disease, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids. It is interesting to note that

silicone because of its cytokine production within the breast actually

decreases the risk of breast cancer three to four fold on multiple studies.

The endocrine system which is affected also includes decrease in ADH which

presents as nocturnal enuresis which may contribute to the sleep deprivation

that women have which can exacerbate the fibromyalgia symptoms. If a woman

is getting up more than 2 times during the night to urinate and diabetes has

been ruled out, it would be helpful to prescribe Desmopressin nasal spray

0.2 cc. intranasally before bed. Many patients also have sub-clinical

hypothyroidism which can be evaluated with use of basal metabolic

temperature and the free T4. If free T4 is in the lower range of 0.8 to 1.0

associated with a basal metabolic temperature below 97, small amounts of

Armour Thyroid in the 30 to 90 mg. range and/or appropriate T4 and T3

combinations can greatly improve the fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry

skin, and hair loss. The hair loss is particularly concerning to these

women. Many women also have a selenium deficiency where by T4 to T3

conversion is decreased therefore selenium replacement may be necessary.

The third part of the endocrine system which can be disrupted is the adrenal

system. Many patients have adrenal insufficiency which can be diagnosed by

shining a light on the pupil. If the pupil fails to maintain its

constriction but instead waivers back and forth, this indicates adrenal

insufficiency. Adrenal stress indices can be measured. If the patient does

have cortisone deficiencies, Cortef or other corticosteroids can be

prescribed until the condition is corrected via surgery and the

detoxification program. Supplements such as Adrenal Stress End and other

adrenal support supplements are useful.

V. METABOLIC PROBLEMS

The metabolic problems of silicone include disruption of a portion of the

Kreb¹s cycle. This may account for some of the fatigue via the

mitochondrial disruption. It is interesting to note that the hyperbaric

oxygen is very successful in helping the fatigue associated with silicone

immune dysfunction. We basically have a great deal to learn about the

metabolic effects of silicone but Dr. Arthur Brawer has written an

informative paper in this area where he also discusses the effects of

silicone at the cellular level.

In summary, the most important treatment plan for these patients is removal

of the silicone and/or saline implants along with any remaining silicone

which has migrated throughout the chest wall and axilla that can be

surgically removed. The second most important treatment program is the

treatment of the candidiasis and other fungal infections that might be

present within the saline implants and can certainly affect the silicone

patients as well. This is started usually with Diflucan 200 mgs. po q day x

30 days if liver functions are normal. It is important to maintain the

patient on Alpha Lipoic Acid and Milk Thistle (Super Thistle X) during this

time for liver protection. If the patient has GI symptoms and/or oral

thrush, Nystatin Oral Solution 5 cc¹s po tid is also useful. Beware of the

Herkimer reaction if too many agents are used at once. After this more

natural agents are used such as oil of oregano (ADP), or Pleo-Alb which is a

homeopathic rectal suppository. There are a variety of other yeast herbal

treatments and of course the importance of probiotics cannot be over

emphasized. Patients are begun on Probiotic Pearls but are moved up to

Primal Defense or other appropriate probiotics depending upon the degree of

gut flora disruption. In some patients it is very important to treat viral

disease, active treatment of shingles, and herpes is done of course with

traditional medicines such as Valtrex although Monolaurin has been very

helpful to treat the underlying viral infections present in most of these

patients. There are other anti-virals supplements which are available.

Bacterial infections are generally treated with antibiotics. It is

important to always maintain the patient on an anti-fungal while on

antibiotics. Antifungal agents include Diflucan, Nizoral, Sporanox, or

Voriconazole. I have had remarkable response to patient¹s pain condition

just be treating with anti-fungal agents alone. In addition, patients who

have traveled outside the US may have parasites which present in atypical

manner because of their depressed immune system.

The other treatment areas involve treatments of specific symptoms such as

migraines, fibromyalgia, adrenal insufficiency, all of which are outlined in

the silicone immune protocol. Detoxification methods, of course, include

multiple modalities to increase intracellular levels of glutathione in order

to process the multiple chemicals also present in the implants. This would

include Alpha Lipoic Acid, NAC, Immuno Cal (ImmuKine), IV glutathione, and

coffee enemas. MSM also helps with detoxification pathways and other

detoxification methods include modified fasting which should only be

attempted in the patient after removal of the implant. Modified fasting

works very well for pain conditions as it decreases circulating levels of

immune complexes. It is also important to treat leaky gut syndrome which

may be the source of the circulating immune complexes with appropriate

detoxification programs such as Metagenics Ultra Clear Sustain and

replacement with probiotics. Additional therapies such as coffee enemas and

magnetic clay baths which clinically have been shown to help increase

detoxification through the skin may also be useful.

If a patient experiences a relapse it is important to evaluate the symptoms

carefully, do appropriate testing and re-institute treatment programs. It

is not uncommon to have to treat these patients with several courses of

antibiotics combined with anti-fungal therapy. If a patients is on

antibiotics for a different condition it is not uncommon to have to treat

with anti-fungals for a long period of time. Please be aware that patients

develop resistance to anti-fungals and alternative anti-fungal treatment may

be necessary.

In general, patients undergoing the surgical and medical treatment for

silicone immune toxicity have improved with the treatment. Many patients

have regained their health entirely and the patients that continue to have

problems are the ones in which the silicone has been leaking and/or ruptured

the longest prior to the removal of the implants. A scientific paper

published in the PPRS journal states that women who have had ruptured

implants for over 13 years tend to not improve. However, in our hands, they

do improve probably due to the medical detoxification and holistic therapies

provided but many of them still remain challenged with problems in multiple

areas.

Silicone Immune Protocol

DIET

1) Avoid land animal protein (red meat, pork, and eggs) and dairy

products. Deep-sea fish are allowed ­cod, salmon, mackerel, herring. Avoid

fish high in mercury. If you have joint pain, avoid wheat as well. Some

chicken and turkey are allowed. Avoid spirulina and other green-based

drinks as they have cytokines in them, which increase systemic inflammation

and pain.

2) Emphasize fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain.

A. Eat 50% raw food.

B. Avoid nightshade plants (Idaho potato, tomato, bell pepper,

eggplant).

C. Clean the fruits and vegetables in a lemon and saltwater solution

before eating.

D. No sweets, no candies, no pastries.

E. No bananas and limit the citrus fruits.

3) Drink 8 glasses of either filtered or distilled water a day. Water

that is microclustered such as Penta water is of benefit.

EXERCISE

4) Recommend a weekly program of walking followed by stretching

Program

Schedule

5 min warm up 3 days

on

30 min walk one

day off

10 min stretch 2 days

on

5 min warm down one day off

NUTRIENTS

5)

A. Multivitamin with minerals, as directed. (Doc G or Daily Energy

Enfusion and Daily Energy B complex as directed). Not needed if you are

already taking Thymate.

B. Thymic factors 3 twice a day to 6 twice a day, depending on severity

of immune/autoimmune problems. Thymate has thymic factors, vitamins,

minerals and herbs.

INFLAMMATION

6) Omega 3 fatty acids

Fish oil

Flax seed oil or hemp seed oil; one tablespoon/100

pounds of weight a day.

Flax oil capsules 1000 mg, two three times a day

with food.

Decrease to one a day one-week prior to surgery.

7) Bromelain 300 mg 3 times a day or eat 1/3 pineapple a day.

(Note: Phytopharmica makes a supplement called CurcuMax that contains

Curcuma Root Extract and Bromelain, which are natural anti-inflammatory

agents)

8) Boswellia serrata, an anti-inflammatory Ayurvedic herb

9) Grape seed extract

10) Pycnogenol.

11) Kaprex (a combination of olive leaf and rosemary), a natural

COX II inhibitor.

12) Celadrin, decreases inflammation and lubricates joints

13) For patients with chronic inflammation and elevated C reactive

protein, oral enzyme therapy may be effective. We recommend Carozyme or

Complete Nutrients for Digestion taken between meals rather than with meals.

For patients with digestion problems, take these enzymes with meals.

14) Ultra InflammaX

15) Mirac ­ For inflammatory arthritis, (blocks the channel that

stops proliferation of cells that cause arthritis).

IMMUNE FUNCTION

16) Transfer Factor Plus contains transfer factors, thymic factors, and

glyconutrients (IP6, Cordyceps, Maitake, and Shitake mushrooms, Beta

Glucans, and Aloe). This supplement is critical for immune support.

17) Beta 1.3 D Glucan (Beta Max) may also be effective as an immune system

enhancer.

18) AHCC 2-4 capsules/day.

19) Cellular Forte with IP6 also helps enhance the immune system.

20) Aloe vera juice 3 oz 3 times per day or Veraloe Gold as concentrated

supplement with Manapol.

21) Glyconutrients.

22) Saventaro (Cat¹s claw) herbal immune supplement.

23) ImuPlus to increase IgA levels.

DETOXIFICATION

24) . Liver detox

A. Milk thistle (Super Thistle X) is also an herb that aids in liver

detoxification. If liver function tests are elevated, take 900 mg of milk

thistle a day.

B. Turmeric 600 mg 3 times a day or eat curry powder (cooked) 40 gm a

day.

C. Vitamin C with flavinoid 500 mg 4 times a day.

D. Immunocal one packet (10gm) twice a day is recommended to rebuild

intracellular stores of glutathione. Colostrum or BioPure protein

(Metagenics) may be substituted

E. Coffee enema (see 21e)

25) Heavy metal detox We strongly advise testing for heavy metals with a

hair analysis.

A. PCA-Rx Peptide Clathration Agent as directed for heavy metal

detoxification.

B. Cilantro extract for mercury detoxification.

C. Magnetic clay baths Environmental, Clear-out, or Aluminum Detox as

directed (especially effective for mental clouding).

D. Chelation Therapy: Recommended especially if testing shows heavy

metals that chelate with EDTA. Combined with ozone. (Alternate days ozone,

chelation) or HBO (hyperbaric oxygen) depending on availability.

E. Oral Chelation/Longevity Plus for heavy metal detoxification with

mineral replacement.

F. With elevated platinum levels, see Platinum Detoxification Program.

Also see fasting, colon cleansing, and detoxification programs.

26) General detoxification

A. Inositol 500 mg two 3 times a day. (Helps the body to eliminate

silicate) Natural Source; Beans, lentils, nuts, oats, rice, wheat germ,

cantaloupe, citrus (except lemon), whole grain.

B. Alpha lipoic acid (Ultra Lipoic Forte by labs) 1000 to 2000

mg a day is recommended as an antioxidant which aides in intracellular

detoxification, and helps functioning of the immune system.

C. For maximizing Phase II of intracellular detoxification, we recommend

a dl-Methionine vitamin & mineral supplement (i.e. Redoxal-HMF) as well as

glycine either as a supplement or in food (gelatin is 25% glycine) and

glutamine.

D. Lymph-Tone II and Lymph-Tone III ­ aids in lymphatic drainage.

E. Modified fasting: A fast lasting one to three days using vegetable

broth and organic diluted apple juice combined with oral aloe vera gel (1/2

cup per day) to cleanse the colon. Master cleanser fast consists of one

gallon of distilled water with 1Ž2 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1Ž2 cup of maple

syrup, and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. We recommend one to two gallons

of Master cleanser a day for 3 to 7 days then a colon cleanse or saline

enema to cleanse the colon after three days of fasting.

F. Colon Cleansing: Used as an adjunct to fasting to cleanse the lower

colon of toxins. Colon therapists are available or normal saline enemas

until clear. Coffee enemas to assist the liver detoxification. (raises

intracellular levels of glutathione).

G. Detoxification programs such as Metagenics Ultra Clear Plus.

(Fibromyalgia) , Ultraclear Sustain (Leaky Gut Syndrome).

H. Saunas and/or hot baths with Epsom salts for mild hyperthermia. 15-20

minutes 3 times per week. Add Liquid Needle Body Soaks to hot baths as

directed

I. Homeopathic preparations prescribed for cellular detoxification.

If no silicone or saline implants are present, may use Silica 6 X, 3

granules sublingual a week for 6 weeks.

PAIN

27) MSM 1Ž4 teaspoon per 30 lbs body weight dissolved in liquid orally once

per day. Capsules are available. Begin with 1000 mg twice a day and

increase gradually to 8-10 grams a day. MSM lotion for sore muscles.

28) For patients with joint problems, Joint Connection, which contains

glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and MSM is recommended.

29) Additional joint therapies include Cetylmyristoleate 500 mg orally four

times a day for one month, then twice a day, gelatin (10 gm/day) and SAMe

200 mg three to four times a day if not already on MSM.

30) Therapies for fibromyalgia:

A. Super Malic (malic acid and magnesium) 8-12 per day is helpful as 94%

of fibromyalgia patients are magnesium deficient or Magnesium Oligo Element

­ liquid magnesium.

B. Relaxin hormone replacement therapy (Vitalaxin 20).

C. To raise serotonin levels only if you are not on a prescription

antidepressant, take 5-HTP, 100mg three times a day.

D. Joint Connection and 800mg a day of SAMe, 800mg a day may be

beneficial.

E. For low energy levels, take Coenzyme Q10 100-200 mg/day and NADH,

which helps provide energy to muscle cells.

F. Supplemental digestive enzymes (Carozyme or Complete Nutrients for

Digestion) are recommended if the patient has problems digesting food and/or

absorbing nutrients.

G. The guaifenesin protocol for fibromyalgia may benefit some patients.

H. T3 supplementation has also been shown to benefit some patients with

fibromyalgia.

I. Other glandular or hormonal support including adrenal and thyroid

may be needed.

J. Magnetic clay baths and Super Malic if aluminum levels are high on

hair analysis.

K. Craniosacral and mild chiropractic spinal manipulation.

L. Pain Relief (Complete Nutrients)

M. NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) with selenium and Molybdenum.

31) Inflamma Force ­ for pain associated with inflammation.

32) Kaprex ­ a natural II inhibitor

33) Celedrin ­ a natural II inhibitor

INFECTION

34) Bacterial & Viral

A. Olive leaf extract one 500mg capsule twice a day for three days then

two 500mg capsules twice per day. Olive leaf extract liquid is also

available by Energique.

B. Sea Silver or colloidal silver (Argentyn 23) may help with viral and

bacterial infections.

C. Colloidal Silver Salve ­ for lesions.

D. Monolaurin is an antiviral supplement effective against EBV, CMV,

herpes, and many other viruses. Take 3 to 6 twice a day for active

infections and two a day for prevention.

E. Para Max ­ two part intestinal cleanse system.

F. Esberitox ­ immune system support, antiviral

G. Immune Protectors ­ for healthy immune system

H. Clear Tract ­ for urinary tract infection

35) YEAST OVERGROWTH

Symptoms of candidiasis (fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, abdominal cramps,

memory loss, vaginal yeast infections)

A. Anti-candida diet (see the Yeast Connection or other popular books)

B. Probiotics to replace the friendly gut bacteria that suppress yeast.

E.g. Probiotic Pearls, Flora Synergy, Primal Defense

C. Natural Antifungals eg. Garlic, (Garlitrin 4000) ADP oregano oil and

enteric-coated caprylic acid

D. Prescription Antifungals:

· e.g. Nystatin 5 cc three times/day .

· Diflucan 200 mg a day for 10-30 days (if liver function tests are

normal and you are not on any medicines which should not be taken with

Diflucan, i.e. Seldane, Propulsid, some diabetic medications, some

anti-cholesterol medications and some anti-hypertensives)

· Sporanox 100 mg 2 each day with food for 3-6 weeks may be needed if

stool yeast tests show yeast is resistant to Diflucan.

· Add Lipoic acid 1000-2000 mg p.o. q.d. while on Diflucan or

Sporanox

· Stay on Super Thistle X two or three times a day while on Sporanox

or Diflucan.

E. Molbydenum 100 mcg three times a day may help adverse symptoms caused

by the yeast¹s production of aldehyde

F. Digestive enzymes like Candex (Pure Essence) or Candizyme (Renew

Life) break down the yeast cell wall which eases die off symptoms.

G. Pregnenolone helps with memory and mental clouding.

H. IV therapies and Pleo Alb rectal suppositories are also available for

candidiasis.

I. Yeast Max ­ two part natural Candida Clearance System.

J. Fungisode ­ homeopathic treatment for fungal allergies

NERVE PAIN

36) B-12 sublingual (B-Active by Phytopharmica­ better absorbed than oral)

or B-12 shots may help neurological symptoms.

37) Alpha lipoic acid is also recommended for neurological symptoms at 1000

mg to 2000 mg a day.

38) Neuro Chord ­ homeopathic for neurological symptoms.

FATIGUE

We strongly recommend testing adrenal and thyroid levels before

recommending specific treatments.

39) DHEA supplementation if deficient in DHEA.

40) For patients with adrenal insufficiency Adrenal Stress End or Adrenal

Cortex by Phytopharmica, Adrenopath or Adreset for adrenal support. Adreset

by Metagenics and supplements containing phosphatidylserine, such as

Complete

41) Nutrients for Memory are useful.

42) Taurox SB 7x Enhanced as directed then Taurox SB 6x Enhanced ­

homeopathic for fatigue.

43) Thyrosine or Thyro-Chord to help thyroid function.

INSOMNIA

44) Revitalizing Sleep Formula by PhytoPharmica

45) GABA 750 mg before bedtime

46) Melatonin 1 to 3 mg before bedtime

47) Supplemental magnesium like Oligo-Magnesium, Liquid Cal-Mag, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS

48) Visual blurring: Super Zeaxantin with Lutein ­ anti-oxidant for eyes.

49) For patients with longer and more severe silicone exposure, we

recommend: Intravenous therapy to include trace minerals and vitamins to

help restore missing nutrients and hydroxylate the crystallized silicate in

the tissue so it can more readily be eliminated. We recommend IV therapy

twice a week for four weeks. Transfusion time is 1-2 hours. Cost of IV

vitamins is $75 per IV treatment.

50) Energy medicine. Techniques to enhance the immune system and release

toxic emotions from the body to help facilitate healing.

51) Endermologie for tissue lymphedema. Cost is $85 per treatment. This

is a physical means of clearing the lymphatics, especially of the upper

extremities and chest wall, which may be blocked by silicone. Lymphatic

massage may also be helpful.

52) Hypnotherapy to deal with the anger. Women often feel angry due to the

circumstances surrounding the breast implants or due to the lack of

sensitivity of the medical community to the patient¹s illness. Anger is a

toxic emotion that can block the healing process, and hypnotherapy is an

effect means to release the anger so healing can proceed.

53) Migraine therapy including magnesium replacement (Super Malic),

feverfew, butterbur, 5-HTP and MigreLief (feverfew, magnesium & riboflavin).

54) Essential oils: Immunopower, Pane Away, Thieves, black cumin, and

lavender for the immune system. Thieves for infection. Please refer to an

essential oil manual for precautions using these oils. These are usually

applied topically.

55) Stress management like Relaxation exercises and Meditation.

56) If having problems with clotting or positive cardiolipin antibody, use

Ginkgo biloba 40 mg 3 times a day. (Avoid two weeks prior to surgery).

Please note that there is an individuality as to presentation as well as

biochemistry of each silicone-intoxicated patient. Not necessarily all of

the above is necessary and that for some individuals only part or an

addition to this protocol may be important.

Silicone Supplement Directions

1) Acidophilus ­ one capsule three times daily or Probiotic Pearls, one

pearl per day.

2) B-12 ­ sublingual once daily.

3) Flax Oil capsule ­ two 1000 mg capsules three times daily.

(Decrease to one capsule a day one week prior to surgery).

4) Inositol ­ 500 mg, two capsules three times a day.

5) MSM ­ 1000mg one capsule twice a day. May increase slowly to 8-10

grams per day.

6) Olive Leaf Extract ­ 500mg twice daily.

7) SAM-E ­ one tablet, four times daily. (Not needed if on MSM).

8) Doc G Multivitamin/Mineral ­ one twice a day (not needed if you take

Thymate) or Daily energy Enfusion & Daily Energy B complex as directed.

9) Super Malic Acid ­ three tablets, twice a day. May increase to 8-12

a day depending on symptoms.

10) Super Milk Thistle X ­ one capsule, twice a day.

11) Transfer Factor Plus ­ two capsules daily.

12) Alpha lipoic acid (Ultra Lipoic Forte) 1000-2000 mg per day.

i. (1000

mg is 3 capsules).

13) Revitalizing Sleep Formula-one capsule 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

14) Monolaurin ­ 3 to 6 a day in divided doses for active viral

infections, two a day for prevention.

15)Magnetic Clay Baths as directed.

..

..

> i went to get hormone testing today at a urgent care. i might go to

> the ER tomorrow to see a rhumatologist faster.

> monday im scheduled for a cervical spine MRI.. just still trying to

> rule everything out. im still dizzy and arms are numb and tingling

> sometimes hurt. i wish there was some way for someone to prove its my

> implants before i take them out.

>

>

[Guest guest]

according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5

weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

[Guest guest]

They don't have to be leaking in order for you to get sick from them,

the shell itself could be enough to make you sick. I had saline and I

got sick within a couple of weeks, because either my body just did not

like something foreign in my body, or because the chemicals used in

the manufacture of the implant made me sick. The shell of the implant

is made of silicone, and they use all sorts of chemicals to process

the implant.

Sis

--- In , " foxygretchy " <gretchenc@...>

wrote:

>

> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5

> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>

[Guest guest]

I did all that ! Save your money...it's the implants, you won't feel better till you remove them. I swear I ran up all sorts of bills going to doctor to doctor, its the implants. I didn't want to believe it either. I liked mine, but believe me its the implants.

[Guest guest]

it the silicone shell your body is reacting too.

[Guest guest]

Implants can leak from day 1 if they have a faulty valve.

Your symptoms can be happening for many reasons, but unfortunately, there is no way for us to know exactly why. We can only theorize, based on the experiences of the hundreds of thousands of women that have come forth with their stories of illness in the decades that implants have been in use. There is a controversy about implants and illness, because clearly, something is happening to women after they've gotten them and it is something hugely wrong!

We know that implants can cause autoimmune like symptoms, (apparently even the manufacturers will admit that, though doctors won't) and we know that autoimmune diseases can be brought on by toxic exposures and drugs. Studies with silicone have shown there are problems.

We know that some women have inflammation problems--which can be caused by the silicone shell, so it is an immune response in your body to a foreign object.

Almost all of the symptoms women have reported that are systemic in nature suggests that the body is simply reacting to something it does not like, and more than likely when it is as quickly as you are experiencing it, it is some type of allergic reaction to one or more of the components of the shell.

I am not sure if your body will eventually settle down with them in you or not, but that is something you have to decide if you are willing to chance. Once you've read the stories of suffering the women have endured, I feel certain that you will not want to take those chances. But it is something you have to decide for yourself.

We are here to help! We've been down this ugly road, and we'll offer what assistance we can.

The sooner you get the implants out the better, as those who react quickest may experience a more difficult experience, though not always.

Patty

Re: frusterated

according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Answers Food Drink Q&A.

[Guest guest]

Yes, that would be nice if they could prove that! It would be nice for us for treatment, and it would be nice for us in court!

You can bet that the manufacturers are going to find any way they can to keep us from being able to pin point implants EVER! Otherwise, the lawsuits that will pour forth will make the Dow lawsuit look like a playground tussle.

We have had to trust our instincts about our own bodies where implants are concerned. Time to let your common sense dictate what you do, not the doctors. Doctors do make mistakes and the ones they've made about the safety of implants is huge. Women are getting sick when they get implants, and women are getting better when they take them out.

Patty

frusterated

i went to get hormone testing today at a urgent care. i might go tothe ER tomorrow to see a rhumatologist faster.monday im scheduled for a cervical spine MRI.. just still trying torule everything out. im still dizzy and arms are numb and tinglingsometimes hurt. i wish there was some way for someone to prove its myimplants before i take them out.

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

just pray for me to get better. this is all i think about.

[Guest guest]

Gretchy,

I will definitely pray for your recovery, and I know how it's

difficult to think of anything else during this time. Make sure you

aren't too hard on yourself right now, too. I remember how hard I was

on myself after I got implants and just remember you were told these

devices were safe, and you trusted the sources of the information you

were given. Just make getting well your number one priority - be your

own advocate right now. My original plastic surgeon was very

attentive before I had the surgery and after surgery (when I got sick)

I realized I was on my own. Only you have to live inside your body,

and therefore you need to follow your instincts and only you should

have the final decision of what you do with your body. My husband

treated me like I was neurotic, doctors insisted it wasn't the

implants, and in the end I knew better and took charge.

Sis

--- In , " foxygretchy " <gretchenc@...>

wrote:

>

> just pray for me to get better. this is all i think about.

>

[Guest guest]

Gretchy,

You might want to e-mail Dr. Kolb (you can find a way to e-mail her at

http://www.plastikos.com/). She does seem to respond to e-mails, and

perhaps she can recommend some bloodwork that would point to implant

problems.

Sis

--- In , " foxygretchy " <gretchenc@...>

wrote:

>

> i went to get hormone testing today at a urgent care. i might go to

> the ER tomorrow to see a rhumatologist faster.

> monday im scheduled for a cervical spine MRI.. just still trying to

> rule everything out. im still dizzy and arms are numb and tingling

> sometimes hurt. i wish there was some way for someone to prove its my

> implants before i take them out.

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the implant or more

likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

Kenda

> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5

> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>

[Guest guest]

Kenda, what a lovely surprise to see you posting again...love you...Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Re: Re: frusterated

Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the implant or morelikely, a bacterial infection around the implant.Kenda> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??>

[Guest guest]

Hi Lea,

I've scaled back my internet time, I'm getting ready to have shoulder

surgery on Tuesday. I've been battling shoulder problems for four years.

I have a torn labrum that needs repairing. The physical therapist and

doctor both told me that if I wanted to lead a more sedentary life I could

get by without surgery. Surgery is easier to recover from at 46 than it

will be when I'm older so It's time.

Kenda

> Kenda, what a lovely surprise to see you posting again...love you...Lea

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

> Re: Re: frusterated

>

>

> Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the implant or

> more

> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

>

> Kenda

>

>> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5

>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, Kenda, I am so sorry that you have to have surgery on your shoulder. We will all be there for you, and please let us know how you make out.

Sending love always.....Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

Re: Re: frusterated> > > Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the implant or> more> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.> > Kenda> >> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??>> > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Lea! I probably should have had the surgery a long time ago but

I wanted to try everything I could to avoid it -- and I have tried

EVERYTHING. The surgery could be very simple or very involved, depending

on what the ortho finds in my shoulder. I'm planning on a pretty simple

recovery. My niece is getting married four days after the surgery and I

plan to be there.

Kenda

> Oh, Kenda, I am so sorry that you have to have surgery on your shoulder. We

> will all be there for you, and please let us know how you make out.

>

> Sending love always.....Lea

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

> Re: Re: frusterated

>>

>>

>> Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the implant or

>> more

>> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

>>

>> Kenda

>>

>>> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only 5

>>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kenda, I'm praying for you for a speedy recovery with your shoulder

surgery.

Love 'n Blessings,

Sunny xo

>

> Hi Lea,

>

> I've scaled back my internet time, I'm getting ready to have

shoulder

> surgery on Tuesday. I've been battling shoulder problems for

four years.

> I have a torn labrum that needs repairing. The physical therapist

and

> doctor both told me that if I wanted to lead a more sedentary life

I could

> get by without surgery. Surgery is easier to recover from at 46

than it

> will be when I'm older so It's time.

>

> Kenda

>

>

>

> > Kenda, what a lovely surprise to see you posting again...love

you...Lea

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

> > Re: Re: frusterated

> >

> >

> > Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the

implant or

> > more

> > likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

> >

> > Kenda

> >

> >> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only

5

> >> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Sunny!

Kenda

> Kenda, I'm praying for you for a speedy recovery with your shoulder

> surgery.

>

> Love 'n Blessings,

>

> Sunny xo

>

>

>>

>> Hi Lea,

>>

>> I've scaled back my internet time, I'm getting ready to have

> shoulder

>> surgery on Tuesday. I've been battling shoulder problems for

> four years.

>> I have a torn labrum that needs repairing. The physical therapist

> and

>> doctor both told me that if I wanted to lead a more sedentary life

> I could

>> get by without surgery. Surgery is easier to recover from at 46

> than it

>> will be when I'm older so It's time.

>>

>> Kenda

>>

>>

>>

>>> Kenda, what a lovely surprise to see you posting again...love

> you...Lea

>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

>>> Re: Re: frusterated

>>>

>>>

>>> Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the

> implant or

>>> more

>>> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

>>>

>>> Kenda

>>>

>>>> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at only

> 5

>>>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>

>

[Guest guest]

-Kenda,

I wish you a very speedy recovery and God bless you

Terri P

-- In , Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote:

>

> Thank you, Lea! I probably should have had the surgery a long time

ago but

> I wanted to try everything I could to avoid it -- and I have tried

> EVERYTHING. The surgery could be very simple or very involved,

depending

> on what the ortho finds in my shoulder. I'm planning on a pretty

simple

> recovery. My niece is getting married four days after the surgery

and I

> plan to be there.

>

> Kenda

>

> > Oh, Kenda, I am so sorry that you have to have surgery on your

shoulder. We

> > will all be there for you, and please let us know how you make

out.

> >

> > Sending love always.....Lea

> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

> > Re: Re: frusterated

> >>

> >>

> >> Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the

implant or

> >> more

> >> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

> >>

> >> Kenda

> >>

> >>> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at

only 5

> >>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

> >>>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much, Terri! I'm actually excited to have the surgery

tomorrow. I'll probably feel differently in the morning.

Kenda

> -Kenda,

> I wish you a very speedy recovery and God bless you

> Terri P

>

>

>

>

> -- In , Kenda Skaggs <skaggs@...> wrote:

>>

>> Thank you, Lea! I probably should have had the surgery a long time

> ago but

>> I wanted to try everything I could to avoid it -- and I have tried

>> EVERYTHING. The surgery could be very simple or very involved,

> depending

>> on what the ortho finds in my shoulder. I'm planning on a pretty

> simple

>> recovery. My niece is getting married four days after the surgery

> and I

>> plan to be there.

>>

>> Kenda

>>

>>> Oh, Kenda, I am so sorry that you have to have surgery on your

> shoulder. We

>>> will all be there for you, and please let us know how you make

> out.

>>>

>>> Sending love always.....Lea

>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

>>> Re: Re: frusterated

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> Sounds like either a reaction to the chemical makeup of the

> implant or

>>>> more

>>>> likely, a bacterial infection around the implant.

>>>>

>>>> Kenda

>>>>

>>>>> according to kolbs article though.. mine cant be leaking at

> only 5

>>>>> weeks though right? why am i having these symptoms then??

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kenda,

Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery! . . . I know you'll be glad when this is all behind you!

Please let us know how it goes as soon as you can.

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Rogene. The worst part is not getting to eat this morning.

Surgery isn't until 12:30. I think I'll starve to death first.

Kenda

1/29/07 10:45 PM

> Kenda,

>

> Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery! . . . I know you'll be glad when this

> is all behind you!

>

> Please let us know how it goes as soon as you can.

>

> Hugs and prayers,

>

> Rogene

>

>

[Guest guest]

Honey, we will all be sitting beside your bed holding your hand...metaphorically speaking! Good luck.

My rheumatologist's nurse called me on Friday and told me that I have an emergency appointment with him at 1:30 today. We have no idea what is going on, in August I was in the ER with severe back pain and some bleeding. We think that they were slow in sending him the CT- scan report from last August...I am a bit afraid because it take months to get to see my rheumatologist!

Sending love to you and support...Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Re: Re: frusterated

Thanks, Rogene. The worst part is not getting to eat this morning. :(Surgery isn't until 12:30. I think I'll starve to death first.Kenda1/29/07 10:45 PM> Kenda,> > Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery! . . . I know you'll be glad when this> is all behind you!> > Please let us know how it goes as soon as you can.> > Hugs and prayers,> > Rogene> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Lea.

Good luck with your appointment today. My thoughts will be with you as well

today.

Kenda

> Honey, we will all be sitting beside your bed holding your

> hand...metaphorically speaking! Good luck.

>

> My rheumatologist's nurse called me on Friday and told me that I have an

> emergency appointment with him at 1:30 today. We have no idea what is going

> on, in August I was in the ER with severe back pain and some bleeding. We

> think that they were slow in sending him the CT- scan report from last

> August...I am a bit afraid because it take months to get to see my

> rheumatologist!

>

> Sending love to you and support...Lea

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> Re: Re: frusterated

>

>

> Thanks, Rogene. The worst part is not getting to eat this morning.

> Surgery isn't until 12:30. I think I'll starve to death first.

>

> Kenda

>

> 1/29/07 10:45 PM

>

>> Kenda,

>>

>> Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery! . . . I know you'll be glad when

>> this

>> is all behind you!

>>

>> Please let us know how it goes as soon as you can.

>>

>> Hugs and prayers,

>>

>> Rogene

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lea,

We'll all be saying a prayer for you! . . .

Please let us know what your doctor says!

Rogene

Re: Re: frusterated

Thanks, Rogene. The worst part is not getting to eat this morning. :(Surgery isn't until 12:30. I think I'll starve to death first.Kenda1/29/07 10:45 PM> Kenda,> > Hopefully you'll have a speedy recovery! . . . I know you'll be glad when this> is all behind you!> > Please let us know how it goes as soon as you can.> > Hugs and prayers,> > Rogene> >