Signs of Breast Implant Illness
Symptoms and Diseases Associated with Breast Implant Illness
Fatigue
Ringing in the ears
Sudden allergies
Burning or pain around the implant
Anxiety
Depression
Panic attacks
Mood alteration
Trouble sleeping
Sensitivity to light or sound
Recurrent infections (bacterial, viral, and fungal)
Changes in vision
Changes in libido
Inflammation
Night sweats
Cognitive dysfunction- brain fog, and trouble concentrating
Dizziness
Muscle pain
Vertigo
Unexplained weight change
Joint pain
Muscle weakness
Hair loss
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness
Poor sleep
Thyroid dysfunction
Hormone imbalances- typically indicated by changes in body hair or odor
Headache
Intolerance to cold
Elevated anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in blood tests
Disease Like Symptoms
Associated with Breast Implants
Dehydration
Symptoms
Extreme thirst
Infrequent urination
Dark colored urine
Fatigue
Dizziness
Confusion
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Symptoms
Sudden high fever
Low blood pressure
Vomiting or diarrhea
Rash like sunburn on palms and soles
Confusion
Muscle ache
Red eyes, mouth and throat
Seizures
Headache
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Symptoms
Joint pain
Tender, warm and swollen joints
Joint stiffness in mornings or after inactivity
Fatigue
Fever
Sudden weight loss
Scleroderma
Symptoms
Hard tight skin patches that may appear shiny
Symptoms of Raynaud's Phenomenon (see below)
Acid reflux
Malabsorbtion of nutrients
Heart, lung and kidney dysfunction
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Symptoms
Numbness, pain and/or change of color in the fingers and toes in response to cold
Change from normal color to white, blue or purple
Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms
Numbness and/or weakness in limbs
Partial or complete vision loss
Occasional pain with eye movements
Tingling or pain in body parts
Typically occuring on one side of the body at a time
Sensation of "electric-shock" with neck movements
Tremor or lack of coordination
Slurred speech
Fatigue
Dizziness
Problems with bowel or bladder function
Fibromyalgia
Symptoms
Dull, achey pain that is widespread
Widespread pain is defined as being on both sides of the body and occurring above and below the waist
Fatigue
Oversleeping
Pain while sleeping
Restless leg syndrome
Sleep apnea
Trouble with focus, concentration and attention
Irritable bowel syndrome
Migraines
Pain in the bladder
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Symptoms
Fatigue
Sensetivity to cold
Constipation
Pale, Dry Skin
Puffy face
Brittle nails
Hair loss
Enlarged tongue
Enlarged thyroid gland
Weight gain
Muscle aches and stiffness
Joint pain and stiffness
Weakness
Lengthened periods
Depression
Lapses in memory
Hormone imbalances
Lupus
Symptoms
Fatigue
Fever
Swollen or stiff joints
Butterfly shaped rash that appears on cheeks and bridge of nose
Skin lesions that are worsened with sun
Raynaud's phenomenon
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Heart issues
Kidney issues
Digestive issues
Dry eyes
Headace
Confusion
Memory loss
Sjogren's Syndrome
Symptoms
Dry eyes, mouth, lips, throat, and nose
Joint pain, swelling and stiffness
Swelling of the salivary glands located behind the jaw and in front of the ears
Difficulty swallowing, taking or chewing
Cracked tongue
Burning throat
Peeling lips
Change in the sense of taste or smell
Undifferentiated/Nonspecific/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Symptoms
General feeling of being unwell
Cold or numb fingers and toes
Swollen fingers or hands
Muscle and joint pain
Red or brown brown rash on knuckles
Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Symptoms
Painless swelling of the lymph nodes
Located in neck, groin and armpit
Fatigue
Fever or chills
Night sweats
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Itching
Increased sensitivity to alcohol or ppain in lymph nodes after consuming alcohol
If you or a person you know is experiencing these symptoms please consider seeing your physician and plastic surgeon. Have a blood work-up done to assess yourself for the above conditions, particularly for auto-immune response and markers of cancer, specifically lymphoma. As you can see the symptoms of breast implant illness and these diseases overlap significantly, therefore seeking in depth analysis by a doctor is critical. These symptoms were compiled by personal experience and through a review of literature from relevant peer-reviews articles. This is not intended to serve as medical advice. Know that you are NOT ALONE, you are NOT CRAZY, it is NOT IN YOUR HEAD. I have been to more than 15 doctors and am only now getting the answers that I have been looking for. HANG IN THERE!