F.A.Q.

http://www.orgsites.com/fl/adjuvantdisease/_pgg1.php3 (Who's computer is this?)


The Human Adjuvant Disease Corp. receives several inquiries about
silicone and saline implants. These are the most frequently asked
questions.

Q:What is the chemical composition of a saline- filled breast implant
shell?
A:According to the Office of Device Evaluation (ODE), the office
responsible for conducting scientific reviews of medical devices and
radiation emitting products, the following is what is in a
saline-filled breast implant shell:
1. 80% high molecular weight silicones
2. 20% finely powdered silica
3. catalyst: small amounts (50-100 parts per million) of a tin or
platinum
4. impurities:
-small amounts of (1-500 parts per million) of various smaller
silicones
-trace amounts of (<5 parts per million) of volatile (readily
evaporating) materials like xylene and other organic compounds
(impurities)
-trace amounts (<5 parts per million) of metals (impurities)

Q: How do saline implants cause systemic symptoms?
A: The shell surrounding a saline implant is a silicone polymer that
can break down due to a lipolysis reaction or disruption. The silicone
from the shell migrates into the capsule surrounding the implants.
Cells in the immune system called macrophages pick up the silicone,
break it down into Silica, and then distribute this chemical
throughout the body.A chronic illness may develop that can affect
every organ system in the body. Some patients with saline breast
implants have autoimmune, immune, and neurological disorders similar
to patients with silicone breast implants.

Chemical sensitivity also occurs in patients with saline breast
implants.

Due to immune dysfunction, a patient with saline breast implants may
also have systemic fungal and atypical bacterial infections.

Q: Why did several doctors tell me that my implants were safe and
weren't responsible for my symptoms before I was properly diagnosed
with a silicone-related disease?
A:Many physicians are unaware that silicone or saline implants can
cause systemic symptoms in patients.Silicone-related disease is a
controversial topic in medicine.Medical textbooks,medical
dictionaries, etc. do not contain any information about illnesses
caused by implants. Also,many physicians think that implants would not
be F.D.A. approved if they were not safe.

Several years ago, you probably wouldn't have found a physician who
could diagnose or provide treatment for illnesses associated with
silicone implants.Fortunately, some doctors now understand the
systemic symptoms associated with implants.

Q: How many patients with implants have a silicone-related disease?
The manufacturers of silicone implants state that the percentage of
autoimmune and neurological disorders in implant recipients is the
same as the percentage in the general population.

Research regarding silicone implants is ongoing, but it is now
estimated by reputable sources that 25-30% of all implant recipients
will develop an autoimmune condition.This statistic is much higher
than the percentage disclosed by the manufacturers.

Q: What is a "gel bleed"?
A “gel bleed” occurs when the silicone gel in breast implants slowly
leaks through the semi-permeable membrane envelope. The gel then
migrates to the capsular area around the implants. Cells in the immune
system called macrophages pick up the gel, break it down into Silica
and Silicon, and then distribute these chemicals throughout the body.
The result is immune dysfunction. The silicone gel also causes
oxidants to form that can damage DNA, enzyme systems, and cell walls.
A chronic illness may develop that can affect every organ of the body.

For more information please read Silicone Arthritis and Related
Diseases by Stephen B. Edelson,M.D. et al.

Q: Which types of silicone implants are associated with illnesses?
A:All silicone implants can cause illnesses.This includes
cerebrospinal fluid shunt tubing, slow release hormone implants,
cardiac valves, intraocular lens implants, testicular prostheses,
penile implants, digital joint arthroplasty prostheses, breast
implants, pectoral implants, buttock implants, calf implants, malar
implants,jaw implants, and chin implants. Saline implants also can
cause systemic symptoms because they have a silicone elastomer shell.

Q: How do implants affect a patient's career, personal life, and
mental abilities?
A:Silicone-related diseases can affect every aspect of a patient's
life. Some patients may be unable to work because of the debilitating
symptoms that they have.Interpersonal relationships may be affected
too. Many patients also have cognitive dysfunction and some develop
psychological problems; both of these symptoms may occur in patients
with silicone induced immune dysfunction syndrome.

Some patients with silicone-related diseases only develop a few
symptoms and have a normal life,but others are completely disabled.

Q:I have been diagnosed with a silicone-related disease.When will I
begin to feel better after my implants are removed?
A:Most patients notice an improvement in their health immediately
following surgery.Others improve but do not completely recover. A few
remain disabled after explantation.Improvement depends on the age of
the patient, health before implantation, and the duration of the
illness. Significant laboratory and clinical improvement should occur
within the first two years after explantation.

Q: Where can I report an illness or complication that is caused by my
implants?
A: Medwatch is the Food and Drug Administration's program for
reporting serious reactions and problems with medical products, such
as drugs and medical devices.


Q:Where can I find current information on breast implants?
A:The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Breast Implant
Listserv provides current information on breast implants. The CDRH
distributes a monthly newsletter via email to their subscribers.

Q:What are the complications associated with chin implants?
A:Complications associated with chin implants include the following:
bone erosion,nerve damage,hematoma,seroma,infection,implant
displacement,asymmetry,mobility,bleeding,swelling,bruising, and
silicone-related diseases.

Q:What are the complications associated with cheek implants?
A:Complications include resorption of the bone under the implant,nerve
damage,blood clot formation,bruising,swelling,bleeding,infection,and
silicone-related diseases.

Q: What diagnostic tests are available for silicone?
A:Please refer to the section "Diagnostic Tests For Silicone-Related
Diseases" on this website.

Q: What illnesses are associated with silicone implants?
A:Clinical syndromes resembling the following disorders are associated
with silicone implants:systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid
arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's disease, polymyositis, mixed
connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis ,and other neurological
disorders.

Chemical sensitivity is also associated with implants.

Some patients with immune dysfunction caused by silicone implants have
fungal infections(ie systemic candidiasis) and atypical bacterial
infections.

Q: What are the symptoms of a silicone-related disease?
A:According to Andrew W. Campbell, M.D. , Medical Director of the
Center for Immune, Environmental, and Toxic Disorders,these are the
most common symptoms experienced by patients with silicone prosthetic
devices:

breast pain or tenderness
fatigue, usually made worse by exercise
cognitive function problems, such as attention deficit disorder,
calculation difficulties, memory disturbance, spatial disorientation,
frequently saying the wrong word
psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, personality
changes, mood swings
sleep disturbance and non-restorative sleep
headaches of a greater intensity than before implantation
changes in vision
seizures
loss of balance
numbness and tingling
lightheadedness
paralysis
joint and muscle aches and pains
shortness of breath
lymph node enlargement
weight gain
low grade fevers
abnormal heart rhythm
hair loss
dry eyes and mouth
frequent canker sores in the mouth
low back pain
skin changes and/or rashes
severe muscular weakness
intolerance of bright lights
intolerance of alcohol
decreased libido
ringing in ears
decreased libido
muscle tremors
recurrent flu-like illnesses
severe allergies
irritable bowel syndrome
night sweats
uncomfortable urination
chest pain
cough
Raynaud's phenomenon
enlarged thyroid.

Q: What should I know about implants before I have surgery?
A:First,you should consider the reason(s) why you want to have
implants. You should have plastic surgery because you want to enhance
your appearance or because you need to have it for reconstructive
purposes.Do not have plastic surgery because someone else (ie your
spouse) wants you to do it. Also, there is a condition called "body
dysmorphic disorder" that affects some patients who have plastic
surgery. Patients with body dysmorphic disorder or B.D.D. have an
altered perception of their appearance (ie.they may have an obsession
with a minor physical imperfection which may be imagined)that can
affect their ability to have a normal life.You shouldn't have surgery
if you think that you may have B.D.D.

Next, you need to find a plastic surgeon who has experience with the
procedure that you want. Ask your physician how many of his/her
patients have had the same procedure. Ask to see photos of other
patients who have had the same procedure performed by that doctor.Ask
to speak to other patients who were satisfied with the outcome of
their surgeries.

Finally,you need to understand the complications that may occur with
the procedure that you are having. Ask your plastic surgeon to discuss
complications and silicone-related diseases with you before you have
surgery.

Q: I have a silicone-related disease and I feel like my family and
friends do not understand what I am going through.I feel "alone".
A: Joining a support network can help you to cope with the medical and
personal problems that you are experiencing.Several support groups are
located on the internet. There are also chat forums on the internet
now where patients can interact with each for advice and compassion.
You're not alone.

You need to explain to your family and friends what is happening to
you. Maybe they do not understand how serious your condition is.
Provide information to them about your disease. Show them websites and
articles that you have regarding silicone-related diseases.

These illnesses not only have an impact on the patient's life, but
also can affect others who are close to them. Perhaps you should
encourage your family and friends to join a support network with you.

Q: If I have a silicone-related disease and I decide to have children,
will they be affected too?
A:It is possible that if you have children, they might be ill from the
toxic effects of silicone. The number of children who are affected by
"second generation silicone-related diseases" is unknown at this
time.Smalley et al investigated T cell proliferative responses to
silicone dioxide (silica) in 24 childen born to silicone gel breast
implant recipients. The authors found that T cells were significantly
stimulated by silicone dioxide. A second part of their study consisted
of the investigation of 11 children, four born before implantation,
and seven born after implantation. None of the pre-implant offspring
showed T cell responses to silica while five of the seven post-implant
children were positive in this test.

There are Second Generation Support Groups for children with
silicone-related diseases


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www.BreastImplantAwareness.org