Awareness
Until more recent years, Breast Implant Illness (BII) has not been part of everyday topics discussed by medical professionals and other related organizations. Social media has truly brought awareness of this illness by bringing together women from around the world.
Although Breast Implant Illness (BII) may not be an official diagnosis at this point in time in early 2020, the following are a list of self-identified symptoms that women worldwide believe to be directly related as a result of their breast implant surgery. According to Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D., president of the National Center for Health Research and a researcher who studies breast implant safety issues, “BII is a cluster of symptoms that don’t fit into any other classic disease diagnosis,” says. “We believe that it eventually will be recognized as a medical condition, but that process will take time.”
Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthralgia (joint pain) and/or myalgia (muscle pain)
Bloating, especially in the abdominal area
Body odour
Brain fog, trouble concentrating, memory loss, cognitive impairment
Breathing difficulties, heaviness on chest, shortness of breath
Chest pain, sharp/strong pain around implant and/or breast area, possibly accompanied by a 'burning' type of feeling
Chronic fatigue
Chronic inflammatory conditions
Chronic pain
Cold hands and feet constantly, chills, numbness and tingling, Raynaud's phenomenon (discolouration of the fingers and/or the toes after exposure to changes in both hot and temperatures or emotional events)
Colour of skin greyish, unhealthy looking, constant bags under eyes
Constipation
Depression, negative outlook
Difficulty swallowing, dry mouth
Dry eyes
Dry skin
Food intolerance, gastrointestinal issues, acid reflux, indigestion
Frequent urination
Gallbladder issues
Hair loss
Headaches
Heart palpitations
Hormonal issues including early menopause
Increase in cold, flu, and sinus infections
Kidney issues
Lack of energy, lack of motivation
Liver issues
Loss of period
Low progesterone/hormone imbalances
Low sex drive
Lymph node issues, breast area, groin, neck/throat area, cysts in armpits
Metal taste in mouth
Neck and upper back pain
Neurological issues
Night sweats (excessive sweating during sleep commonly brought on by peri-menopause/menopause, medications, hormonal problems, low blood sugar, etc.)
Ovarian cysts
Panic attacks
Photosensitivity (extreme sensitivity to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays, or other light sources)
Rashes
Shoulder rounding
Sleep disturbances and insomnia
Stabbing heart pains
Tinnitus, increased ringing in the ears
Vaginal yeast infection
Vertigo, dizziness
Weight gain
Many of the symptoms above also appear in combination, and often represent themselves as one or more specific diseases/illness including symptoms of (but not limited to):
Autoimmune diseases i.e. such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Sjögren’s Syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Lupus
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) a.k.a. Heart Disease
Diabetes
Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is best known as the cause of mononucleosis (mono or glandular fever)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis/Disease a.k.a Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Pancreatitis
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
With the overwhelming amount of symptoms and sheer numbers of women experiencing them, we strongly urge the need for expedient and dedicated research into this area now more than ever. We urge all medical professionals to listen to their patients. Some medical professionals are questioning whether or not the symptoms patients are experiencing are real, and if they are real, they are questioning whether or not the symptoms are directly related to their patients' breast implants. Many medical professionals are also claiming they do not believe in Breast Implant Illness (BII) at all. Since there is an overwhelming amount of women worldwide experiencing detrimental symptoms for what they feel to be directly related to their implants, how can a medical professional not listen to their patients? All patients deserve a full and detailed medical evaluation and all symptoms should be reported to the proper medical organizations/governments for further research and proper diagnosis.
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough in-person consultation with a medical professional. If you have questions about your personal medical situation, please call your healthcare provider.
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