Lesson 6: Neurological and Infection Risks

Understanding the potential development of symptoms is important when deciding about Breast Implants.

I spent the good part of a year paralyzed and in a wheel chair because of a silicone rupture. For the next 7 years, I went to the hospital each month and received 10-hour IV treatments to prevent my paralysis and death. I had no idea the rupture was the source of my illness. It would have been helpful to understand the signs and symptoms associated with Silent Silicone Breast Implant Rupture . I might have been able to prevent damage to my nervous system.

Let's discuss these complications and symptoms, and what to do if you have them.

Silicone Breast Implants causing anxiety-like Behavior

BACKGROUND:

"Behavioral studies were conducted by injecting IgGs (antibodies) into the brains of mice. The IgGs were taken from women with Silicone Breast Implants (SBIs) and women without-Breast Implants. The mice with SBI-IgG spent most of the time stationary compared with mice injected with IgG from healthy women (without SBIs)."

RESULTS:

"Researchers found that the transfer of IgGs derived from women with SBI into mice brains effects anxiety-like behavior, and apathic-like behavior. (Figure 3 and Figure 4)."

CONCLUSION:

"These findings suggest an important role of the IgG autoantibodies in the development of SBI-related neurological conditions and autoimmune disorders. [9]. It was found that the women with SBIs suffered cognitive impairment, depression, major depressive disorders, and widespread pain (Table 2)."

Ref: Talalai E, Gorobets D, Halpert G, Tsur AM, Heidecke H, Levy Y, Watad A, Blank M, Michaelevski I, Shoenfeld Y, et al. Functional IgG Autoantibodies against Autonomic Nervous System Receptors in Symptomatic Women with Silicone Breast Implants. Cells. 2023; 12(11):1510. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12111510

This is a compelling study. The researchers took IgG autoantibodies from women with Silicone Breast Implants (SBIs) and women without-Breast Implants.

The mice brains were injected with the IgG autoantibodies from each group. It was found that the mice who were injected with the SBIs-IgG, had mental health changes. Mice that had the IgG from women without-SBIs, did not show any changes.

The researchers believed that IgG autoantibodies play a big part in a persons mental health and immune system health.

It is worth mentioning that having an autoantibody test available to women who have Breast Implants may help show the potential risk of developing neurological or autoimmune disorders from silicone exposure.

(Photograph of P. acnes bacteria)

The Biofilm Hypothesis

BACKGROUND:

"This study followed 50 patients who wanted explantation due to Breast Implant Illness (BII). The researchers analyzed their symptoms and followed up with a Questionnaire. Implants and capsules were removed en bloc. Implants were photographed. Each implant shell and capsule was sent to the lab for histology and microbiological culture."

RESULTS:

"Results identified positive bacterial cultures in 36% of the Breast Implant Illness patients compared with 6% of the controls. The most common organism was P. acnes. (Fig. ​5), 84% of BII patients reported partial or complete resolution of symptoms after explantation. None of the 50 patients would consider having Breast Implants again."

CONCLUSION:

"P. acnes is being explored as a pathogen with various rheumatological disorders including thyroid disease, sarcoidosis, and endophthalmitis. .19,20,22 The possibility that chronic P. acnes infection of the breast implant shell and capsule could cause systemic illness needs to be explored."

Ref: Lee M, Ponraja G, McLeod K, Chong S. Breast Implant Illness: A Biofilm Hypothesis. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Apr 30;8(4):e2755. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002755. PMID: 32440423; PMCID: PMC7209857.

This study focused on women with Breast Implant Illness (BII). The researchers tried to identify why these women with BII had a variety of symptoms. It was found that 36% of the women had bacteria in their implant shell and capsule. The researchers concluded that the P. acnes bacteria (bacteria from acne) was mostly the cause of their symptoms and should be explored with further research.

It was noted that all 50 women with Breast Implants, partially or completely improved once their implants were taken out and would not consider them again.

*(P .acnes bacteria was found on 90% of my breast implant capsule after surgical removal.)

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Implant Rupture

According to BreastCancer.org, symptoms of silicone implant rupture include:

• changes in breast shape and size

• increase in pain

• firmness, and swelling over a period of weeks

"Rupture can also cause capsular contracture. You might not realize that your implant has ruptured for a while, if at all. Silicone implant rupture that doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms is called silent rupture."

"When a saline implant ruptures or its valve fails, the saline leaks out quickly — typically taking a few days — and the breast appears somewhat deflated, so you know immediately that it’s ruptured. The saltwater is absorbed by the body."

Having emergency symptoms of breast implant rupture can mean that your nervous system is shutting down and you need immediate help.

• difficulty walking without assistance.

• an inability to move the legs, arms and/or face (paralysis)

• difficulty breathing.

• blurred or double vision.

• difficulty speaking.

• problems swallowing or chewing.

• difficulty peeing, and constipation.

• persistent and/or severe pain.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please go to your nearest ER immediately.

Each of these symptoms I experienced with my silent rupture. It was a very scary time because I did not know what was happening. I want to stress the importance and urgency of theses symptoms. It left me partially paralyzed for more than a year. Having the knowledge of what was happening, may have prevented the neurological damage that occurred over the next several years.

Ref: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/corrective-reconstruction/implant-rupture

Infection and Capsular Contracture Symptoms

Common symptoms of breast implant infection include:

• Breast pain

• Fever

• Redness and/or swelling

• Discharge coming from the wound

Common symptoms of capsular contracture include:

• Misshapen breast

• Breast pain

• High-riding breast

• Overly firm breast

If you experience any of these symptoms, MicroGenDX Tests can diagnose Breast Implant Infections after surgery.

There is a possibility however, that you may develop late, slow growing infections. I was unaware that had a P. acnes bacterial infection for 15 years. This infection may have caused my ankylosing spondylitis (connective tissue disorder).

Post-op late infections may cause capsular contracture, swelling, arthritis pain, and Breast Implant Illness (BII) symptoms.

Final Thoughts

I believe it is imperative to learn about the potential risks of infection and neurological disorders if you choose Breast Implants. After having them myself, I wish I would have had information about signs and symptoms of implant rupture. It would have been easier to recognize and possibly prevent the neurological damage that it caused.

UCLA scientists are currently working on a test that may detect Breast Implant ruptures. It's nice to know more research is being done to protect women and prevent damage to their nervous system.

I want you to be educated and feel confident in your decisions. Utilizing genetic testing and IgG testing may help you know if Breast Implants are right for you or not.

If you would like to learn more email us at: biihealingisreal@gmail.com

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Breast Implant Research: www.breastimplantresearch.org

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