Are my Mentor implants from 2006 causing my health problems?

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ailenroc
ailenroc Member Posts: 308
edited October 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I know the discussion is decades old and the last I heard there was no conclusive evidence in spite of the fact that hundred's of thousands of women have claimed that their implants triggered an autoimmune disease; and in spite of the fact that many courts sided with the women.

A quick review provides mixed and contradictory information: 'no evidence' but many (most?) studies were financed by the major manufacturers of silicone implants. How should I have confidence in that research? If the researcher is funded by Mentor & Co wouldn't that create a bias?

In any case, after getting silicone implants 7 years ago for my reconstruction I developed an autoimmune disease, not entirely clear which. The docs are all over the map: psoriatric arthritis, lupus, not lupus, scleroderma ... I also have since bc been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. All detected early. No family history for any.

I am scared. I need to decide whether to take the implants out. Go flat. I don't like that idea. I liked feeling whole. However, if I knew that it is my implants causing my health problems than it would be a no-brainer. I don't want to jump into surgery though without better information.

Do any of you have better information? Do you have any links to relevant research or do you have similar experiences?

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited October 2015

    I can't offer a lot either except I've had two melanoma in situs and am checked regularly by a dermatologist and both were before I ever had BC. I'm sorry you're dealing with this now

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  • ailenroc
    ailenroc Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2015

    Does anyone else have autoimmune problems after silicone implants?

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    I don't have autoimmune issues but some women are going to have them implants or not. Therefore, there will be a percentage of people who have both, although it doesn't mean one caused the other. I had implants and I was under the impression that there was no definitive evidence that autoimmune disorders were caused by them. But in all honestly, I haven't read any studies.

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