Breast Implant Illness symptoms, like with many autoimmune-related chronic illnesses, can vary a ton from person to person. The full list of Breast Implant Illness symptoms is also still emerging, as this illness is very new—so new that some doctors don’t even acknowledge it, despite thousands of women presenting with the exact same complaints.
When I first realized I had Breast Implant Illness symptoms, I was honestly relieved to finally have a diagnosis. I had been suffering for years with an unnamed mystery autoimmune condition that stumped MD’s, naturopaths, and wellness practitioners alike. I had tried everything and just kept getting sicker.
Maybe this is how you feel? If you think your implants might be causing Breast Implant Illness symptoms, I hope this post gives you some insight and helps you feel less alone. I’m not a doctor, but I want to tell you about my journey to healing through explant surgery.
Let’s dive into what I went through and the most common symptoms of breast implant illness (BII).
What is Breast Implant Illness?
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of Breast Implant Illness symptoms, let’s talk about what breast implant illness (also called BII) actually is. Simply put, it’s a term used to describe a wide variety of symptoms that women with breast implants may experience. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and some women don’t even realize their implants might be causing their health issues until years after getting them. The medical community still debates whether breast implant illness is a recognized condition, but for those of us who’ve lived through it, we know it’s real.
My Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness
Like a lot of women, I got implants to feel more confident and secure about my body. For a while, I did! But over time, things started to change. I began feeling tired, run down, and just “off.” I also found a painful lump under my armpit and other more rare symptoms. Here’s a breakdown of the most common breast implant illness symptoms I experienced:
1. Chronic Fatigue
Before Breast Implant Illness, I was a vivacious mom who enjoyed staying active with my family. One of the first things I started to notice was how tired I felt all the time. No matter how much I rested or how much coffee I drank, I never seemed to have energy. I was exhausted just going through my day-to-day life.
This isn’t just your average tiredness; it’s that deep, bone-crushing fatigue that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming. The only thing I can compare it to is the first trimester of pregnancy! Many other women with breast implant illness report this as one of the most common symptoms[1].
2. Joint and Muscle Pain
Another major symptom I dealt with was persistent joint and muscle pain, similar to a mild flu. At first, I thought maybe it was just part of getting older, but the pain became more severe. My knees ached, my neck was stiff, and my hands sometimes felt swollen and sore. This pain, I later learned, can be related to breast implant illness, as it’s thought to trigger autoimmune responses in some women[2].
3. Joint and Muscle Pain
In addition to chronic pain, I seemed to always have systemic inflammation. This chronic inflammation is very typical of BII and was my body’s way of calling out for help. I was constantly bloated and carried a ton of water weight. It made all of my other Breast Implant Illness symptoms way worse, so this is usually the first thing I help my BII health coaching clients get under control to get some relief.
4. Brain Fog
If you’ve ever walked into a room full of purpose—only to completely forget why you’re there— you’ll understand what I mean by “brain fog”. For me, this was more than just forgetfulness. I had trouble concentrating, felt like I was in a mental haze, and struggled to stay focused during conversations. It was frustrating and sometimes scary. Many women report brain fog as a major symptom of BII, and it can interfere with your work, relationships, and overall quality of life[3].
5. Rashes and Skin Issues
Over time, I also started to notice strange skin issues. I’d get rashes that would flare up out of nowhere, especially on my chest and underarms. My skin felt more sensitive, and I started dealing with unexplained redness and irritation. This is another commonly reported symptom among women with breast implant illness and can be linked to the body’s inflammatory response[4].
6. Autoimmune-Like Symptoms
My implants were triggering autoimmune-like symptoms, because BII can cause our own body to attack itself in an effort to reject foreign bodies—the implants. I experienced things like swollen lymph nodes, frequent infections, and symptoms that mimicked autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis[5]. Some women even get diagnosed with autoimmune diseases after getting implants, and they see amazing improvement after explant surgery.
7. Anxiety and Depression
One of the more surprising symptoms I experienced was increased anxiety and depression. I had always been a generally happy, outgoing person. Over time, I started feeling anxious for no reason and experienced bouts of depression. I later found out that many women report mood changes and mental health issues linked to breast implant illness[6]. The mental burden of dealing with unexplained physical symptoms can also take its toll emotionally.
8. Hair Loss
I began losing more hair than usual. I was postpartum with my third child, so at first I thought that was why my hair was falling out. Then, I thought it might be stress-related. But it persisted. My once bouncy and full hair thinned noticeably and I would find clumps in the shower drain. Some women with breast implant illness also report hair loss, which can be a result of the immune system’s response to the implants[7].
9. Gastrointestinal Problems
I experienced so many gut health issues that I thought I might have Crohn’s disease. I was constantly either running to the bathroom or miserably constipated. I lost a lot of my love for food and cooking because I would always feel tired and nauseous after a meal. My stomach seemed to constantly be in turmoil. These symptoms often correlate with the autoimmune responses and inflammation that can arise with breast implant illness[8].
10. Insomnia and Restless Legs
Despite the constant exhaustion that accompanies BII, I had trouble actually falling to sleep, staying asleep, and feeling rested after sleep. I found it very difficult to get relaxed in bed and find a comfy position. My legs would feel so restless and I would twitch, toss, and turn for hours every night. It was miserable!
11. Muscle Spasms and Eye Twitch
One of the weirder Breast Implant Illness symptoms I experienced and many other women complain of is eye twitch. As I mentioned above, I often had spasms in my legs and arms. But my eyes would also randomly twitch. This sounds silly, but it was so scary because I thought it was something neurological.
My Decision to Explant
After years of feeling horrible and doing my own research, I was convinced (despite many doctors telling me my implants couldn’t hurt me and were not the cause of my symptoms) that I had BII. After long talks with my husband and other BII patients in BII Facebook groups, I finally decided to have my implants removed. I had a consultation with a surgeon who specialized in explant surgery and after discussing my symptoms we agreed it was the right step.
When my surgery team removed my implants with a complete capsulectomy, they found a rare and potentially fatal form of bacteria in my chest cavity. Within a few months after the surgery, with proper nutrition and supplements to help my body heal itself, I started to slowly start feeling better. The chronic fatigue lifted, my joint pain eased up, and the brain fog started to clear.
I’m not saying explant surgery is a magic fix for everyone, but for me, it was the turning point in reclaiming my health.
Should YOU Get An Explant?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like mine, and you have breast implants, it might be worth exploring the possibility of breast implant illness. Keep in mind that every woman’s body is different, and your symptoms might not look exactly like mine. The decision to explant is a personal one, but for me, it was the best thing I could’ve done for my health.
Living with breast implant illness symptoms was a difficult journey, but getting my implants removed gave me my life back. If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms and have implants, know you’re not alone and there are options available to you. I offer Breast Implant Illness Health Coaching Packages and am always here to answer questions and walk you through possible paths to recovery. You deserve to feel your best! Please reach out with the contact form below if you need some help.
REMINDER: Please note that I am not a doctor. This blog post is based on my personal experience with breast implant illness symptoms. If you’re considering any medical decisions or suspect you may have breast implant illness, I encourage you to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Sources:
- Magnusson, M. R., Cooter, R. D., Rakhorst, H., et al. (2019). “Breast Implant Illness: Symptoms, Patient Concerns, and the Need for Improved Diagnosis.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
- Watad, A., Rosenberg, V., Tiosano, S., et al. (2018). “Silicone Breast Implants and the Risk of Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA): A Real-World Analysis.” Journal of Autoimmunity.
- Colaris, M. J., de Boer, M., van der Hulst, R. R., et al. (2017). “Breast Implant Illness: A Mixed-Methods Study of Symptomatology.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Zuckerman, D. M., & Booker, C. L. (2018). “Chronic Systemic Inflammation and Silicone Breast Implants.” Women’s Health Issues Journal.
- Cohen Tervaert, J. W. (2019). “Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants and Silicone Breast Implants.” Clinical Rheumatology.
- Teuber, S. S., & Gershwin, M. E. (2019). “Psychosocial Symptoms and Silicone Breast Implants.” Journal of Autoimmunity.
- Maijers, M. C., & van der Hulst, R. R. (2018). “Hair Loss and Breast Implant Illness: A Correlation?” Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
- Miranda, R. N., Aladily, T. N., Prince, H. M., et al. (2014). “Gastrointestinal Symptoms and BII: A Review.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal.
