I Thought I Was Dying — Turns Out My Breast Implants Were Poisoning Me

My eyes felt dry every single day. I visited my optometrist multiple times until we finally found an expensive eye drop that offered some relief. A few months later, at my general practitioner’s office, I complained of abdominal discomfort. Despite my lab results being normal, a scan revealed a buildup of stool — in other words, I was constipated. (Gross.) I also experienced persistent urinary tract pain, which I tried to manage with cranberry supplements. My anxiety levels were rising, along with dizzy spells and sleepless nights. My sex drive was nonexistent, leaving me feeling like a shell of myself.

I had a slew of seemingly unrelated issues, including nagging shoulder pain that persisted despite numerous rounds of physical therapy, chiropractic care, and gentle yoga. I switched out my pillows, tried sleeping on my back, and committed to daily stretches, but the pain would only subside temporarily. An MRI showed no damage, and I dealt with a six-month intercostal muscle strain, ironically due to overextending myself while trying to stretch. Ice packs and heating pads became my constant companions in search of relief.

Despite having a diagnosis for many of my symptoms (dry eye syndrome, constipation, muscle strain), I wasn’t improving, even though I adhered strictly to my treatment plans. In fact, my condition deteriorated. I found myself waking at 7 a.m. only to need a nap by 11 and longing for bed by 8 p.m. Brain fog, sensitivity to sound and light, and ringing in my ears became my new reality. Each day felt like a fresh nightmare, leading me down a path of depression — a mental health struggle I had never faced before. Honestly, I felt like I was dying, and no one was there to help.

It wasn’t until I had a conversation with a dental hygienist about her friend who had her implants removed due to illness that the light bulb went off: my silicone breast implants were poisoning me. No scan, blood test, or doctor had provided a satisfactory explanation for my multitude of symptoms.

Breast implant illness (BII) isn’t recognized as an official medical diagnosis, but a quick online search reveals a wealth of information, including over fifty potential symptoms. I could relate to nearly twenty of them. The stories shared by other women on blogs and social media reinforced my belief. Even if BII isn’t acknowledged by the medical community, we cannot ignore the numerous accounts from women who have suffered severe health issues due to the implants in their bodies.

Don’t just take my word for it. Some plastic surgeons mention BII on their websites, and respected institutions like M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, and the FDA provide information about the risks associated with breast implants. The data is out there, but comprehensive research and recognition remain scarce.

From the experiences of women who bravely shared their journeys, I learned that when problematic breast implants stay in the body, no diet, exercise, or supplement regimen can alleviate BII symptoms. The only potential path to recovery lies in the complete removal of the implants and capsules, followed by a detox process that can last months or even years. Testimonials suggest that the longer one has had implants, the longer the detox period may take.

For many women, including me, this is a significant concern, yet removing implants is far from straightforward. The cost can reach around $10,000, a sum that most of us lack the means to pay. Moreover, insurance typically does not cover removal based on illness claims.

The emotional and psychological impact of implant removal cannot be understated. We often hear that appearance doesn’t matter, and that our worth is more than our body measurements. While these sentiments are valid, the reality is that our relationships with our bodies are complex and shouldn’t be dismissed.

Removing implants requires weeks of recovery, necessitating time off work, finding childcare, and arranging transportation to appointments. Some women have to travel long distances for the procedure. During a pandemic, these challenges are magnified.

Many women are desperately trying to save money or find financial support for their implant removal. Some are bedridden, unable to care for their families, while others are barely holding it together. Meanwhile, the medical community often dismisses their suffering, suggesting they may have other health issues. It’s crucial to rule out alternative diagnoses, but the symptoms of BII frequently overlap with various other conditions.

Throughout my years with implants and countless medical appointments, not one professional suggested that my implants could be the cause of my ailments. Let that sink in. Not a single one.

While I know I can’t be diagnosed with something that lacks official recognition, I feel let down by those I trusted to help me understand my health. I didn’t need more scans, pills, or stretches; I needed the source of my problems removed from my body — urgently — to have any hope of regaining my health.

I’m not here to vilify plastic surgeons; many are genuinely compassionate and skilled. They safely perform removal surgeries for those who need or desire their implants gone and offer reconstructive alternatives for breast cancer survivors.

Despite my long struggle with illness, I don’t subscribe to the notion that all doctors are deceitful. Like any profession, there are good and bad practitioners. A good doctor listens to a woman who claims to be unwell and does everything in their power to assist her. I also believe we must work towards making BII an official diagnosis, allowing medical professionals to recognize and treat women suffering from it instead of sending them away without help.

I did everything I could to feel better. I chose organic foods, exercised daily, drank plenty of water, eliminated alcohol, and only used “clean” beauty and cleaning products. I spent thousands seeking medical advice and supplements, which may have provided some minor relief, but nothing compared to the two implants that had been wreaking havoc inside me.

Now, I’m not only in the process of healing from the removal of my implants, but I’m also grappling with feelings of regret. How do I forgive myself for prioritizing aesthetics over my health? How do I move forward? Sharing my story empowers me, and I hope it raises awareness about the serious risks of silicone, whether it’s implanted or injected. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Now, I’m ready to reclaim my time and, hopefully, restore my health.

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Summary

This article discusses the author’s battle with debilitating symptoms attributed to breast implant illness (BII) and the lack of recognition and support from the medical community. After discovering that her symptoms could be linked to her implants, she reflects on the emotional and financial challenges of seeking removal and recovering from the experience, all while advocating for greater awareness of BII.