Silicone Immune Toxicity Syndrome

Overview
It is estimated that since 1962, between one and two million women
have had silicone breast implants to enhance their physical
appearance. Some 30 years later, thousands of women are second
guessing the wisdom of this choice because they are now suffering with
a new illness, silicone toxicity and immune dysfunction syndrome. This
major health problem arose because of failure at many levels to
protect the well being of humans in our world. I think it is important
to understand a little bit about the silicone implant itself, which is
covered by a shell or the envelope which is made of silicone in the
form of a semi-permeable membrane.

I think the big problem here was that it was thought that this
membrane would keep the silicone inside the bag. It does not and the
silicone leaves the bag and is found outside of the silicone implant.
As a matter of fact, it has been found all over the body, not just in
the capsules surrounding the implant. The silicone is picked up by
scavenger cells (macrophages) of our immune system and carried around
the body. Various things happen where the exact mechanisms are
unknown, but there is definite immune system dysregulation that occurs
leading to a new syndrome. I think that this is an important point.

Until now, researchers have been trying to link this silicone disaster
with old diseases of the autoimmune type like scleroderma, rheumatoid
arthritis, and Lupus. In fact, they will never be able to link this
problem to those diseases because we have the new disease and they are
not looking at it in that way. I will go on to describe the
characteristics of the new disease, but to try and link them to the
old disease will get you nowhere. I don't know why researchers think
that this is the direction to follow.

I think that in addition to the immune system being dysregulated. (I
won't go into the details which explain how that happens), there is
the onset of molecular damage called free radical or oxidant injury
that occurs from the silicone being in the body. This causes another
set of symptoms that are part of the syndrome. There are so many
possible symptoms that the patient experiences. We will mention only
the major ones. They are:

Peripheral neuropathy
Central neural toxic neuropathy
Cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy
Fibromyalgia
Myocytis
Fatigue
Night sweats
Hair loss
Abdominal pain
Pulmonary hypersensitivity with dyspnea
Emotional instability
Joint and tendon pain
Multiple chemical sensitivities
Food and inhalant sensitivities
Skin problems
As I said, these are the major symptoms and there are others. When a
patient suffers with the above type symptomatology and also has a
history of breast implants, one should do a thorough evaluation
looking at the comprehensiveness of an environmental history and
physical examination. One should rule out diseases like Lyme disease,
multiple sclerosis, etc.

Studies of the immune system includes T-cell silicone immune study,
silicone antibodies, complete auto immunity studies, immunoglobulin
investigation, immune complex studies, biochemical profiles, fungal
and bacteriological studies and skin testing. In addition, more
complex studies might include PET, SPECT, beam, and EMG studies of the
nervous system, as well as pulmonary function tests, MRIs of the
breasts, and comprehensive digestive, and pancreatic studies if so
indicated. The therapy for these patients needs to be directed at the
flaws that are found in the patient's biochemistry and immune systems.
Just to mention a few of the areas that should be looked into as far
as therapy, one would include:

Dietary management
Exercise advice
Intravenous nutritional therapy for detoxification and anti-oxidation
Oral nutritional supplementation
Immunotherapy to chemicals, foods, inhalants, and silicone if
necessary
Environmental and chemical controls of the individual's home and place
of business
Varied immune modulation techniques including:
Thymus therapy
Intravenous gamma globulin
DHEA
Transfer factor depending on the individual's specific problems
This is a very complicated illness and should only be taken care of by
people with the comprehensive background in dealing with toxic
environmental materials and their effects on the human organism. With
this knowledge, these patients can be helped greatly in achieving a
normal life again. It just takes time, patience, and hard work. The
answer to this disease is not the use of drugs for the symptoms that
occur.

Continue reading for more information on the impact of Silicone
Toxicity on system functioning.

Cause
There are several forms of the chemical in breast implants that can
cause a problem in the human organism.  Silicon (Si) is the basic
element and probably causes immune system changes.  Silica or SiO2
(chemical formula) is the form it is mined from the earth.
 Silicone gel is a synthetic material containing 38% silicon.
 The silica is 45% silicon.

There is slow leakage ("bleeding") of the silicone gel from the
implants through the semi-permeable membrane envelope and also into
and through the capsule that surrounds the implants.  This is
picked up by the microphages (scavenger cells) of our immune system
and is broken down inside these cells which travel all over the body.
 The gel breaks down inside these cells, which travel all over the
body.  The gel breaks down into Silica and Silicon which causes an
immune system dysregulation.  Thus, there are antibodies produced
against the silicon and also against the silicon and protein complex
(organ systems) so that you get autoimmune illness.

As well, there is also damage that is not related to the immune
system, because the silicone gel causes oxidants (damaging molecules)
to be produced that directly damage our cell walls, DNA, and enzyme
systems.  All of this adds up to slowly-developing chronic
debilitating illness affecting every organ system of the body.

Symptomatology
There are so many possible symptoms that the patient may experience. I
shall only mention the major ones here.  Almost any symptom can be
related to this syndrome, either directly or indirectly.

Peripheral Neuropathy (weakness, tingling, numbness, etc.)
Central Neurotoxic Neuropathy (cognitive difficulties, memory
problems, hyperactivity, attention deficits)
Cervical and axillary enlarged or painful lymph nodes
Fibromyalgia (multiple tender areas)
Myositis (painful inflamed muscles)
Fatigue
Night sweats
Hair loss
Abdominal pain
Pulmonary hypersensitivity (shortness of breath, etc.)
Emotional instability
Joint and tendon pain
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Food and inhalant sensitivities
How Is This Syndrome Evaluated?
In-depth history (including details of implant problems)
Physical examination
Studies to rule out other conditions such as Lyme disease, multiple
sclerosis, etc.
Various laboratory studies:
Immune studies (Complex)
T-Cell Silicone Immune Study
Fungal or Bacteriological Studies (if indicated)
Biochemical profile
Skin testing (if needed)
Address each organ system damage individually depending on patient's
complaints
Brain: PET, SPECT, BEAM, EMG, etc.
Pulmonary: PFT
Rheumatological: Snyovial Fluid
Breast: MRI, Xeromammography
GI: Digestive studies, pancreatic malfunction
Immunological: Chemical Antibodies, Silicone Antibodies, T-Lymphocyte
subpopulation, Activated Lymphocytes, Lymphocyte Immune Function,
Natural Killer Cells and Activity, Immune Complexes, Complement
Levels, ANA, Autoantibody Analysis (Myelin, Striated Muscle, Thyroid,
Skin Antibody, Collagen Antibody), Skin Testing (chemicals, foods,
etc.).
Immunological And Non-Immunological Damage
Damage to the immune system leads to various autoimmune situations.
 Direct damage from free radical oxidant molecules leads to
diffuse organ system damaging effects

Therapy
Diet: Organic, High alkaline, semi-vegetarian, moderately high protein
Exercise: Moderate low-impact (daily)
Intravenous nutritional therapy:
Detoxification
Antioxidant
Nutritional supplementation (oral)
Immunotherapy
Chemicals
Foods
Silicon
Inhalants
Envvironmental and chemical controls
Immune modulation
Transfer factor
DHEA
Immune stimulants: Thymus, herbals, etc.
Intravenous Gamma Globulin


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