Signs and Symptoms of Silicone Immune Toxicity Syndrome

Since 1962, many millions of women have breast implants with either silicone gel or saline with silicone linings.  Unfortunately, the silicone from breast implants can leak into the surrounding tissue and deposit itself into various tissues and organs.  The silicone breaks down into the elements silocon and silica, which cause dysregulation of the immune system.  We have put together a list of signs and symptoms of silicone immune toxicity syndrome below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Signs and Symptoms of Silicone Immune Toxicity Syndrome are as follows:

Multipe chemical sensitivities and sensitivities to perfume, smoke and other inhalants

Muscle inflammation

Joint pain

Fatigue

Weakness

Anxiety and depression

Hair loss

Memory loss

Foggy thinking

Night sweats

Tingling in the hands and feet

Heacaches

Abdominal pain

Chest pain

Other autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome, scleroderma, fibromayalgia, and multiple sclerosis

In silicone immune toxicity syndrome, the body produces antibodies against the complex that forms when silicon attaches to protein molecules in various organs, resulting in an autoimmune response.

Pip Action Campaign Get Registered .

Got Implants? Get REGISTERED

This is especially important for
(i) all women who have or who had PIP implants
(ii) all women who have REPLACED their PIP implants
(iii) all women with breast implants regardless of brand
(iv) if you had your surgery in England or live in England
You can Register your surgery and your implants here:
http://content.digital.nhs.uk/bcir
Not in England but in the UK?
-----------------------------
If you are in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales (or any part of the UK other than England) please write to your MP and ask why the Department of Health is NOT making the registry available to you. If a template letter would be helpful, please make a note in the comments and we,ll bang one out for you :)


Pip Action Campaign Get Registered .

Danger signs When You Should Walk Away - Mark Henley cosmetic surgeon

Any consultation should be exactly that – a consultation. Be very wary of any individual who is trying to ‘sell’ you an operation. This would not be the sort of behaviour to expect from a reputable surgeon.

The Healthcare Commission states that;

"The hospital or clinic should offer you an initial consultation with the doctor who will carry out the procedure"

Successful cosmetic surgery begins with a thorough assessment of your health, in addition to your motivation and goals of surgery. Beware if a doctor is willing to perform surgery without checking out your general health first.

Be wary of any establishment that appears in a rush to book you in for surgery, particularly if you are offered special pricing to commit to surgery straight away. Also, make sure you read the small print before signing anything.

Read more

Study shows surgery can treat Breast implant associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

The study showed that anaplastic large cel lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) associated with breast implants can be diagnosed and treated surgically. The research showed that such rare lymphoma can be treated successfuly.

The title of the study was “Characteristics and Treatment of Advanced Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma,

Read more 

5 Things I Wish All Women Knew About Mammograms

Earlier this year, one of the largest and longest studies of mammography to date — involving 90,000 women followed for 25 years — found that mammograms have no impact on breast cancer mortality.Over the course of the study, the death rate from breast cancer was virtually identical between those who received an annual mammogram and those who did not, while 22 percent of screen-detected invasive breast cancers were over-diagnosed, leading to unnecessary treatment. The researchers concluded “the data suggest that the value of mammography screening should be reassessed
Read more 

Verdict in the TÜV Appeal is due

Verdict in the TÜV Appeal is due

Think Over Before You Make Over | BAPRAS

Think Over Before You Make Over | BAPRAS

Every year thousands of people in the UK put themselves at serious risk of physical and psychological harm by undergoing bad or inappropriate surgery that could be easily avoided by asking some simple questions about their treatment.
Think Over Before You Make Over is a campaign to address the worrying lack of consumer awareness about how to choose safe and appropriate cosmetic surgery.
Find out more on this website and join the campaign.

Aftercare & Recovery

Aftercare & Recovery

Once surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. If you had an “outpatient” procedure performed, you will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation. If you have undergone a general anesthetic, you must have a caregiver assist you with daily activities continuously for the first 24 hours. If your procedure requires an overnight stay, you will be transported to an overnight observation room after initially waking up in the recovery area.
Read more

Best practice diagnostic guidelines for patients presenting with breast symptoms (2010)

These guidelines define, and bring together in one place, the key clinical and process markers of quality for the multidisciplinary diagnostic team to promote both quality and efficiency. They will be vital in ensuring that all breast cancer patients receive high quality, joined up care. They are as vital a guide for the GP practice as they are for the hospital specialists.
However, guidelines alone are not enough – we need to turn policies into practice and this is why the support of health professional colleges and societies in promoting these guidelines to their members is particularly welcome
Download the pdf here 

Facts About Breast Implants - Our Bodies Ourselves

By Diana Zuckerman, Elizabeth Nagelin-Anderson & Elizabeth Santoro

In 2013, almost 300,000 women and teenagers underwent surgery to have their breasts enlarged with silicone or saline implants and almost 100,000 breast cancer patients had reconstruction after mastectomy, often with implants. The popularity of breast augmentation has tripled since 1997, when there were just over 101,000 of these procedures. More than 23,000 implant removal procedures were also reported in 2013. Given these statistics, it is not surprising that in spite of the increasing number of women with breast implants, debate continues to swirl about their safety. Many women are justifiably confused by the conflicting information they hear. Here are the facts about what is known and not known about the risks of breast implants.

Free Symptom Quiz- Do hormones effect your symptoms?

Suffering from symptoms your doctor can't explain? It might be your hormones. Find out NOW

Symptom Quiz — What's causing them?

Is your weight gain caused by menopause or your thyroid?

Is your insomnia due to stress or menopause?

Is your exhaustion a symptom of adrenal or thyroid imbalance?

Since the symptoms of these problems overlap, it can be hard to uncover their true source.

This 15-question quiz will help guide you to what's really causing your symptoms, so that you can find the relief you need. Read more

HOW WILL I LOOK AFTER EXPLANT SURGERY? | Explant Info

How you may look after your surgeon removes your breast implants is hard to pinpoint exactly. Every person’s surgery results are different due to various factors from the way the implants were inserted to differences in breast tissue.
Firstly your breast tissue may be displaced from the implants being in your body and you may even see a caved in area on your chest. This is caused by the implants continual pressure on the chest wall.  Everyone is different and we all heal at different rates. Remember that your tummy shrunk back after having babies and so will your breasts. You need to be kind to yourself and realise that it will take time, and by time I mean this healing process can takes months. At the time of writing this it has been over four years since my explant surgery and I love the way I look and feel. Remember that your tummy shrunk back after having babies and so will your breasts.

Read more By Lynne Hayes

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?

More and more women are having their breast implants removed, including British celebrity model and Big Brother winner Katie Price, but should you consider it?

Clinics across the UK experienced an average rise of around 97% in women seeking breast implant removal, but what has led to this increase?

Why do women want to remove their breast implants?

There are several reasons why women may feel the time is right to have their breast implants taken out.

• The recent scandal involving the toxic material of the PIP implants has led to women wanting these particular implants removed as quickly as possible.
• Unsurprisingly, even if the implants are not of the PIP brand, women are still worried and the media coverage has made then reluctant to keep the implants.
• Some implants can develop hardened, capsules around the actual silicon. This tends to happen after a few years or so, and means it is time to change the implant.
• Women may feel that the aesthetic nature of the implant they choose does not fit in with their lifestyle now, and want a more natural/cosmetic look to their breasts.
• Women who are just about to start a family may be worried about breast feeding and as such, may have their implants removed before they become pregnant.
• Post-menopausal women may want to have their implants removed as their actual breasts have grown naturally.

Read more 

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is comprised of glands that secrete hormones, chemical substances that travel in the bloodstream to target tissues, where they help to regulate body growth and direct the development and functioning of primary and secondary sexual structures including breasts.

The endocrine system sends messages throughout the body via hormones, chemical messengers produced by glands within the body. The endocrine system is responsible for physical growth, energy balance and the development of sex organs, including the breasts.



Many hormones work in concert to influence initial breast development and to prepare the breast for lactation during and just after pregnancy. In this complex endocrine system, tiny, targeted amounts of hormone can exert big changes in the body.

Learn more here 

Wear Something Yellow & take a #PIPCrimes Selfie

Wear Something Yellow 16-18 March 2015

We Are All in This Together 

Millions of people worldwide are victims of health fraud. Health fraud is responsible for thousands of deaths and many more serious injuries every year. Individual stories appear in the world's press and media every day.

Half a million women worldwide are victims of the PIP implant fraud, just a fraction of the number of women whose lives have been changed by medical devices crimes.

In addition to being victims to the fraud, PIP affected women are also victims of negligence. Neither the safety protections nor the checks and balances were in place to expose the fraud. Dangerous manufacturing experiments at PIP continued undetected for over a decade. Five hundred thousand women and their families are suffering unimaginable pain and anxiety as a result.

Despite the horror of the PIP crime, women with implants continue to be discriminated against and negatively stereotyped.

Women, their friends and loved ones globally are coming together in defence of their rights to dignity, access to healthcare treatment and future monitoring. Read more & join in here.

The BIG Yellow PIP Demo: 16-18 March 2015

KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SURGEON

BAPRAS is the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons - 
they know a thing or two about breast surgery.

Here,s their guide: KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SURGEON Pdf download  
which is a part of their new ThinkOver campaign...

25 Reasons Not to Get Breast Implants | Dr. Nalini Chilkov

Last week the FDA reported that breast implants put women's lives in danger. The big news last week was that a small number of women can get a very rare type of cancer (ALCL: anaplastic large cell lymphoma). It confirmed that death is a possible side effect of breast implants.

But what no one is talking about are all the other more frequent, more common and very real dangers and problems that go along with breast implants. Does the FDA really believe that if we don't kill too many women it's acceptable to disfigure them and compromise women's health in other less lethal ways?

According to Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D., Elizabeth Nagelin-Anderson, M.A.

and Elizabeth Santoro, R.N., M.P.H.:

Take a look at the list below and decide if you would let someone you love take these risks with their health ... just to have a bigger boobs ... What price are women willing to pay? Why are women so unhappy with their breasts? Do we really think we will be loved more if we have a bigger bra size? Maybe men could let us know how lovely small breasts really are. Hey guys ... step up to and save some women's lives. Tell us we are beautiful and you love us with any size breasts and that you would rather have us healthy than sick, alive, not dead.

Read more 

Wear Something Yellow & take a #PIPCrimes Selfie

Wear Something YELLOW & Post your PIPCrime Specs selfie on the social network 16-18 March 2015 in solidarity and support of over 500,000 women and their families worldwide affected by fraudulent PIP breast implants.
On the 16-18 March 2010, the French health regulator conducted the first scrupulous audit at the PIP factory.  The order to close the plant came as a result. Five years later, women with non-compliant PIP implant are still struggling to access healthcare & have this toxic mess removed from their bodies.  The fight for justice for women continues!


Peer-reviewed case reports and studies show that toxic chemicals in the shells and fillers of PIP Implants seep out into surrounding body tissue, migrate into body organs, can cross the placenta and can be found in breast milk. These toxic chemicals make women very sick and many report debilitating symptoms. Women everywhere with TOXIC PIP implants are suffering, they are being poisoned, they are frightened, they are extremely anxious and in pain.Read more 

Botched breast enhancement performed by non-certified plastic surgeons leads to loss of both breasts | Fox News

More advice to do your research...

Many women with PIP did their research... how were we supposed to detect a criminal fraud, cowboy clinics and greedy surgeons?

For women planning to have their PIP replaced. 

1. Please make sure you check the UK registers for a properly qualified surgeon. 
2. You should speak to the surgeon performing your surgery at a consultation.
3. Research the common complications associated with breast implants
4. Check the after-care arrangements
5. Check corrective surgery costs
6. Get full details (or a brochure) for the implants you choose. This brochure will form part of the contract you make with the clinic)
7. Check the clinic has a valid CQC Registration
8. Check the clinic is insured
9. Consider paying with a credit card (for consumer protection rights)

Ask yourself if you can afford the ongoing costs and maintenance of breast implants. No implants last a lifetime. Implants can rupture at any time.
Many women with implants experience difficulties breast feeding. Please give this special consideration if you are planning to become pregnant with implants.
“Your body is the most important thing that you have, doing research and finding out as much info as you can… is extremely important,” Lourentzatos said. “The trauma, depression and sadness going through with this whole experience, I wouldn’t even want my own worst enemy to going through it.”
Read more 

Clean your Body’s Drains: 11 Ways to Detoxify your Lymphatic SystemREALfarmacy.com | Healthy News and Information

The lymphatic system, or lymph system as it is also called, is a system made up of glands, lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus gland and tonsils. It bathes our body’s cells and carries the body’s cellular sewage away from the tissues to the blood, where it can be filtered by two of the body’s main detoxification organs: the liver and kidneys. This sewage is made up of the byproducts of our bodily processes, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, illicit drugs, cigarette toxins, other airborne pollutants, food additives, pesticides and other toxins.

The Fat Flush Plan author Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, estimates that 80 percent of women have sluggish lymphatic systems and that getting them flowing smoothly is the key to easy weight loss and improved feelings of well-being.
If you are suffering from injuries, excess weight or cellulite, or pain disorders like arthritis, bursitis, headaches or others, a sluggish lymphatic system may be playing a role.  Here are 11 ways you can get your lymph flowing smoothly.
1.  Breathe deeply. Our bodies have three times more lymph fluid than blood, yet no organ to pump it. Your lymph system relies on the pumping action of deep breathing to help it transport toxins into the blood before they are detoxified by your liver. So breathe in that sweet smell of healing oxygen. Breathe out toxins.
2.  Get moving. Exercise also ensures the lymph system flows properly. The best kind is rebounding on a mini trampoline, which can dramatically improve lymph flow, but stretching and aerobic exercise also work well.
3.  Drink plenty of water. Without adequate water, lymph fluid cannot flow properly. To help ensure the water is readily absorbed by your cells, I frequently add some fresh lemon juice or oxygen or pH drops.
4.  Forget the soda, trash the neon-colored sports drinks, and drop the fruit “juices” that are more sugar than fruit. These sugar-, color- and preservative-laden beverages add to the already overburdened workload your lymph system must handle.
5.  Eat more raw fruit on an empty stomach. The enzymes and acids in fruit are powerful lymph cleansers. Eat them on an empty stomach for best digestion and maximum lymph-cleansing benefits. Most fruits are digested within 30 minutes or so and quickly help you feel better.