Breast Implant Illness Symptoms

Sara Shunkwiler Breast Implant Illness, Breast Implants, Updates
Woman with Breast Implant Illness Symptoms

Breast Implant Illness symptoms (BII) can be sneaky and confusing for women and their doctors. You may have been brushed off by your doctor or told that your illness is “all in your head”. Symptoms likely appear gradually over time, not immediately after getting breast implants. Breast Implant Illness symptoms can mimic other illnesses and be difficult to diagnose. Medical literature still refuses to acknowledge Breast Implant Illness as a diagnosis and often belittles the patient.

The search for answers can be tiring and expensive, but be persistent. Track your symptoms and keep copies of all medical testing. Stand up for yourself, and keep searching. There are more medical professionals interested in Breast Implant Illness every day. You are not alone!

Summary:

  • Breast Implant Illness (BII) Is Real, with diverse symptoms affecting thousands of women based on their unique susceptibilities.
  • Some women are not good candidates for breast implants, most likely based on genetic factors.
  • Patients deserve full and accurate disclosure of the risks of implants before surgery.
  • Literature appears to discredit patients, attempts to confuse doctors, and is written to protect implant manufacturers from liability, obscuring their previous knowledge of risks of implants.
  • No implant lasts indefinitely. All implants will eventually come with a decision to explant.
  • Implants can affect health, finances, and family for many years to come.

The following is a list of symptoms associated with Breast Implant Illness reported by patients and doctors:

Autoimmune

  • Formation of autoantibodies
  • Common autoimmune symptoms or diagnoses:
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    •  Lupus
    • Sjörgen’s syndrome
    • Raynaud’s syndrome
    • Graves disease
    • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
    • Scleroderma
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Ulcerative colitis
    • Crohn’s disease

Ear, Nose, and Throat

  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Vertigo
  • Off-balance
  • Dizziness
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Dry mouth
  • Oral thrush (white tongue)
  • Smell or chemical sensitivities
  • Throat clearing
  • Cough
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Choking feeling
Emotional Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness BII

Emotional

  • Mood swings
  • Emotional instability
  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Feeling like you are dying

Endocrine System

  • Hypo (underactive) /hyper (overactive) thyroid symptoms
  • Hypo (underactive) /hyper (overactive) adrenal symptoms
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH) imbalance
  • Estrogen/progesterone imbalance

Extremities

  • Tingling or numbness in the arms and legs
  • Cold and discolored hands and feet
  • Muscle twitching

Gastrointestinal System / Digestive

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness BII
  • Gastrointestinal and digestive issues
  • Sudden food intolerances and food allergies
  • Gas and bloating
  • Dysbiosis
  • Intestinal permeability (Leaky gut)
  • Malabsorption of nutrients and/or medication
  • Heartburn
  • GERD

Heart / Lungs

  • Heart palpitations
  • Heart pain
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Chest Pains/Burning
  • Shortness of breath
  • Air hunger or hyperventilating
  • Cough

Immune System / Infectious Diseases

  • New or persistent infections – viral, bacterial, and/or fungal (candida)
  • Recurring sinus infections
  • Yeast infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Symptoms or diagnosis of Lyme Disease

Metabolic / Systemic

  • Fatigue or chronic fatigue
  • Muscle aches, pain, and weakness
  • Joint pain and soreness
  • Bone pain
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the breast area, underarms, throat, neck, or groin
  • Foul body odor
  • Fevers and/or chills
  • Dehydration
  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Photosensitivity
  • Burning pain around the chest wall or breasts
  • Symptoms or diagnosis of fibromyalgia
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Easy bruising and slow healing of wounds
  • Temperature intolerance
  • Slow muscle recovery after activity
  • Liver and kidney dysfunction

Neurological / Brain

  • Cognitive dysfunction
  • Brain fog
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Word retrieval
  • Memory loss
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Seizures

Sexual/Reproductive

Unusual Hair Loss is Symptom of Breast Implant Illness BII
  • Frequent urination
  • Low libido
  • Estrogen/progesterone imbalance
  • Diminishing hormones
  • Early menopause

Skin / Hair / Nails

  • Dermatomyositis
  • Skin cancer
  • Hair loss
  • Dry skin
  • Dry hair
  • Skin rashes
  • Nail changes (cracking, splitting, slow growth, etc.)
  • Skin freckling
  • Pigmentation changes (darkening or white spots)
  • Increase in papules (flesh colored raised bumps)
  • Moles and red moles
  • Premature aging
Sleep Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness BII

Sleep

  • Night sweats
  • Insomnia (inability to fall asleep)
  • Frequent awakening

Vision

  • Decline in vision
  • Vision disturbances or blurry vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Sjörgen’s syndrome
  • Edema (swelling) around eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
Breast Implant Illness Symptoms
https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/fulltext/2019/03001/Breast_Implant_Illness__A_Way_Forward.12.aspx#pdf-link

(Magnusson, Cooter, Rakhorst, McGuire, Adams, Jr., and Deva 2019).

Take notes! Track your own Breast Implant Illness symptoms over time and be sure to keep a copy of any medical tests results. Often you can find blood test results in online medical portals for your doctor. If not, ask for a copy! Make sure that everyone on your medical team is reminded regularly that you have breast implants. They forget, and we forget to remind them.

Take heart! You are not alone, even when it feels that way. For whatever reason you have breast implants, BII is not your fault! There are more and more medical professionals every day who understand that a wide variety of symptoms can be traced to Breast Implant Illness.

Take action! You can begin to research breast explant options. If you have textured saline or silicone implants, check to be see if yours were recalled (Allergan/McGhan Textured Breast Implant Recall). If you do not know what type you have, contact your implanting surgeon’s office as soon as possible. They often only retain records for 7 years. You can also contact an attorney handling BIA-ALCL and BII cases.

Please share this list with the women (and men) in your life who have breast implants. Even if they do not currently have breast implant illness symptoms, they deserve to be informed and aware.

I am not a doctor, and I do not work with insurance companies, but I will link to doctors and insurance navigators.  The information on this website has been carefully chosen from reputable sources. The purpose of this website is not to scare or intimidate any women with existing implants or those considering implants.  We are here to provide quality information and help you make the best-informed decisions for your long-term health, finances, and family. 

References