legal proceedings....PIP Implants

Hi Tara

Nice to see you over here too. Hope all goes well for you.

A xx

hello cookie. really fed up and stressed over nipple problem and pip implants, i have 2 problems going on right now,
nipple has been sort ok, still been having pain for the last 10 weeks, but not that bad, got used to it i guess, but over the pass 48hrs, started leaking crap from my nipple and pain is so bad again, it's killing today, druged up on painkillers now, i only went to the hospital (nhs) 2 weeks again on tuesday and see head dr, she felt with her hands and said she's can't feel andy repture as implants is firm etc. so went away happy as can be. and have been discharged after going for 7mths every week. so i now feel like i'm bk like i was 7 mths ago , and breast lift was a waste of money.
just got to wait till tuesday and go and see my gp so him can fast track me bk to the nhs breast hospital , should see them with 2 weeks.
AND
pips on top of all this , so fight 2 problems now. well i am fighting and trying to help other ladies to fight and how to start legal rd, ie what letter to write and wording them,
my was with THG who really just don't care, i was sent a letter saying we are pleased to tell you have 755cc pip implants, not happy with my ps at all, he does not care at ALL about any of the above problem was told to go away and wait for report. so i have started the legal rd with them and my credit card too,

i have just started a pip support group just for us pip ladies, and i,m hoping to set up a web site , giving all info on pips, but thats gonna try time.
here's the link for our group, *link removed*
i now have made loads of good friends who also are having loads of problems with pips,
thank you for letting me have a moan x
tara x

hello annie,

how are you, i thought i would pop over here and say hello , i think the other site must be sick of us talking about pips all the time, lol
tara x

tarasmith2010 wrote: hello cookie. really fed up and stressed over nipple problem and pip implants, i have 2 problems going on right now,
nipple has been sort ok, still been having pain for the last 10 weeks, but not that bad, got used to it i guess, but over the pass 48hrs, started leaking crap from my nipple and pain is so bad again, it's killing today, druged up on painkillers now, i only went to the hospital (nhs) 2 weeks again on tuesday and see head dr, she felt with her hands and said she's can't feel andy repture as implants is firm etc. so went away happy as can be. and have been discharged after going for 7mths every week. so i now feel like i'm bk like i was 7 mths ago , and breast lift was a waste of money.

Can you just remind me again hun why exactly you had an 'uplift' and why you were advised you needed it?

A rupture sweetie cannot be detected by just feeling the implant sweetheart, it's impossible to be able to tell this way.

The only way for your doctor to determine whether or not you have a rupture is to send you to have a CT/MRI scan and only then from the scan results can they possibly diagnose a rupture hun. xxx

tarasmith2010 wrote:hello annie,

how are you, i thought i would pop over here and say hello , i think the other site must be sick of us talking about pips all the time, lol
tara x

Hiya, I'm good thanks Tara.
Sorry to hear that you're still having such trouble, like Cookie says, try and get a scan if you can, it's the only way you'll no exactly what's going on.
Come and chat with us over here more often, it's very friendly!

A xx

i was told it would mostly removed the milk ducts, because left nipple was leaking and have been for 6months and was told i needed it, but went because of nipple, - so cleary did not work
can tell you due to my large implant right have dropped alot and look just as did before, seeing ps some point in june, to see what going to do about that, but thats the last thing on my mind right now,--- how they look.
yes i know about the ct scan . hoping this time i will get one, i've had many before, but think time she would not let me have one, i did tell her about pips, but still said no.
tara x

i feel like i've got bk 7 months,
see one thinks nipple problem is anyhting to do with pips,
i don't really know, had scans feb 10 and mar 10 and was no reptured, but loads of pain, so god knows ,

Ahhh yes, I remember now. I think I told you at the time sweetness, you had absolutely no need whatsoever to have an uplift to resolve the problem you had with your milk ducts, an uplift and milk duct removal are two entirely different operations which have nothing to to do with the other, so, if you were advised to have the uplift to resolve the issue you had with your milk ducts then you were wrongly advised hunni. An uplift would aesthetically lift your breasts but that's it babe, if you only needed the ducts removed it could have been done through a small incision in the aereola.

If I remember rightly, your surgeon said he hadn't removed all of the ducts, which I did find strange. but this is probably the reason you're still leaking from your nipples hun and experiencing pain still, the problem you went to your surgeon with in the first place still doesn't seem to be resolved! The pain you're experiencing does seem to have nothing to do with your PIPs hunni and I'm even more sure since you've had your last scan in march and all was well hun.

To be honest babe, if you were advised to have an uplift to resolve the problem you had with your milk ducts I'd be seeking legal advise, you didn't need an uplift at all 'unless' you chose to have one due to a little sagging sweetie. xxx

hi
the solicitor has got back to me and said that because nothing has gone wrong yet, and the report is not back claiming that the implants are dangerous, nothing could be done.
Hit a brick wall and so confused
Getting shooting pains also, and always assuming the worst now...

feel like shouting today, but no one is listening to me.
just came bk from the gp and have been fast track to hospital again, seeing them next wed,
i have a lawyer acting for me,
the only hope i have is claiming my money bk from credit card people under the credit card act 1974, which is what i'm doing we i was missold implants.
cookie i don't have a leg to stand on. as i can't prove what was said, and just got too many problems going on without adding more, just been put on hrt aswell, did have clear test for the cancer, so some good news.

princess if i was you, use a new lawyer, because this is abit more than just waiting for a report to come out,
at the end of the day we was misold pip implants,and pips have closed down, try hugh james, she's good and she is acting for about 20 women who too have pips.
tara x

tarasmith2010 wrote: feel like shouting today, but no one is listening to me.
just came bk from the gp and have been fast track to hospital again, seeing them next wed,
i have a lawyer acting for me,
the only hope i have is claiming my money bk from credit card people under the credit card act 1974, which is what i'm doing we i was missold implants.
cookie i don't have a leg to stand on. as i can't prove what was said, and just got too many problems going on without adding more, just been put on hrt aswell, did have clear test for the cancer, so some good news.

Oh me too hunni! Such a relief isn't it. I'm so pleased you at least got some good news sweetie. Fingers crossed getting your money back babe, but I wouldn't hold out much hope as the product has not been proven to have been missold to you, only from the manufacturer to the clinic as far as the clinc were aware (I know this next part is laughable but this is what they'll say) they were providing you with what they believed to be a safe product of a good standard.

well all we can do is what we are doing, i guess pigs might fly lol.
i start a new job tomorrow, only got a job to pay for my re op i will need at some point this yr or next yr, really don't want 3 op's in one yr.
i have just got my ap for hospital which is on the 9th of june, so lets see what they think ,
tara x

Hi girls,
Just want to tell you beware of PIP implants in place. I had them done in December 2009, I ruptured in March 2010 (16 weeks afer initial surgery), replaced again with PIP (I was given no choice). I ruptured again 5 weeks later and underwent surgery for a third time. Cant begin to explain how ill I was, how 3 surgeries in 5 months has affected me. I live in Melbourne Australia and was left out in the cold by the importer and manufacturer. Luckily I had a compassionate surgeon, however the out of pocket costs (3rd party medical providers' cost was substantial), let alone the toll of the 3 surgeries on my body. Beware ladies, all I did each time I ruptured, was go to bed, and awoke in the morning with a deflated breast. No trauma or impact. Its an awful discovery!

Sorry that should have read I had initial surgery December 2010 and the two ruptures occurred in 2011. Missy

Very much feeling for you Leigh and Princess it is a totally outrageous situation i cant imagine what you must be going through and the worry you must be experiencing:(

Really hope there is something you can do sooner rather than later

Much love

J x x

[moved to PIP forum]

hi, I have been trying to prove rupture, Ive had my PIP implants (didnt know they were PIP til May this year!) for 7 years.

I only came on the internet back in April to research because since the beginning of the year an ache and stiffness in my right arm would not go away. I then began to feel constant aches and burning in my right breast, and intermitent in my left. I didnt even link this to my implants until I was feeling the pain in my breasts.

Its been a long struggle to prove that the problem is my PIP implants. I did go back to my original surgeon who said would not help me unless I had rupture and denied they were on recall!!
Told me Id have to pay for replacement and after examination tried to say I had cc.

Two ultrasound scans later and gone through breast clinic I am no further forward but the pain is worse and has spread. Both my breasts are aching and my whole upper body aches from chest up and right to my back, even my arms. The breast clinic couldnt or perhaps wouldnt do anything for me. I dont think they see this as their problem.

A private surgeon in Glasgow examined me at a consultation and confirmed to me what I suspected, that small amounts of silicone gel leakage was occuring and this was why my lymph nodes under my right arm were swollen and I had two lumps. He also said that the scar capsules around my implants were very thin, so no cc!!

He said that the breast clinic would decide on the best treatment for my lymph nodes and afterwards I could return to him for replacement. Well, the breast clinic told me I had nothing to worry about and I was discharged.

I have wasted two months trying to get my original surgeon to help me and the breast clinic which I went to after waiting 5 weeks.
My breast implant problems have worsened in such a small period of time, I know that I must now arrange to have them replaced as soon as possible in the hope that my pain and any possible damage can be reversed.

My original surgeon went as far as to send a letter to my doctor to say there was nothing wrong with my implants along with alot of other statements which are untrue and this has caused her and the breast clinic team not to take me seriously. He works for NHS too.

The surgeon who gave me an honest and correct diagnosis said he will send a letter to my doctor, its not arrived yet.

I am disgusted at the fact I didnt know I had PIP implants and even when I asked Bupa/Spire and my original surgeon they told me PIP implants and didnt tell me they were on recall!!

My original surgeon has treated me like a worthless individual and has only been concerned in covering up his mistake!

MissP.

I have a solicitor on my case now (Hugh James), Lorraine Robinson is helping me and so many other ladies with PIP implants.

Ultrasound doesnt detect rupture unless the tear is big and/or the silicone has travelled outside of the implant and scar capsule in large quantity, there has to be a better way to detect silicone leakage, I know MRI is the best for scanning and detecting rupture or leakage but this is too expensive. I have been made aware of needle biopsy where samples are taken from the lump or lymph nodes and sent off to be tested for any traces of silicone, there is possible small traces in the body anyway but expect that if the traces are higher than normal this would confirm a rupture or enough silicone leakage from bleeding implants to warrant removal/replacement.

MissP.

missP wrote:A private surgeon in Glasgow examined me at a consultation and confirmed to me what I suspected, that small amounts of silicone gel leakage was occuring and this was why my lymph nodes under my right arm were swollen and I had two lumps. He also said that the scar capsules around my implants were very thin, so no cc!!

He said that the breast clinic would decide on the best treatment for my lymph nodes and afterwards I could return to him for replacement. Well, the breast clinic told me I had nothing to worry about and I was discharged.

Hmmmmm..... I'm wondering without actual evidence how this surgeon was able to diagnose silicone leakage from just a visual and practical examination? I had leakage to my lymph nodes and it was only 'after' the nodes were removed due the pain and discomfort I was in as well as a 'confirmed' diagnosis of a rupture through a CT scan that the silicone was confirmed via tests on them and this was by a neutral third party (my thorasic consultant)


You would need to have a scan (I know you've already undergone an ultrasound) so preferably a CT/MRI scan to enable a surgeon to first diagnose a rupture hun, raised lymph nodes are only a 'possible' symtom of a rupture, a surgeon would not be able to confirm a rupture or silicone leakage from this alone hun, I've had many dealing with surgeons in the past and one thing I know for sure is that they are 'very' reluctant to go against each other, 'unless' it is beneficial to them. I'm thinking hun, this surgeon might just be wanting your business rather than having your best interest at heart as it would be impossible to diagnose leakage from a basic examination, hence the lack of a letter backing up his diagnosis to your GP I should imagine.

I could be wrong babe, although I don't think I am and I do apologise if I've dashed your hopes here on the diagnosis, but I thought I should share my experience with you so that you are at least aware hunni

Its been a long struggle to prove that the problem is my PIP
implants. I
did go back to my original surgeon who said would not help me unless I
had rupture and denied they were on recall!!

I am disgusted at the fact I didnt know I had PIP implants and even when I asked Bupa/Spire and my original surgeon they told me PIP implants and didnt tell me they were on recall!!

None of the 'implanted' PIPs are on recall hun.

PIPs are now out of production and the 'unused' implants after the MHRA called for a stop for PIPs being used were recalled.



If I were you hunni, I would return to you GP and insist they offer you a CT/MRI scan given your symptoms, if they continue to refuse further investigation, then go to accident and emergency and explain there the pain you're in and hopefully they will help, if you still get no further, get in contact with your MP and complain about your care babe - Good luck sweetheart. xx

I think that if the surgeon through mybreast in Glasgow was being dishonest he would have not told me to go through the breast clinic for treatment before going back to him. His diagnosis would also make sense as to why I have started to feel the burning pain in my breasts and aching in my arms and upper body, I do have lumps and swollen lymph nodes, I have felt them myself. I understand where you are coming from, and I take your advice, its good to hear others points of view. Unfortunately the breast clinic and my doctor will not help me now after the ultrasound didnt find anything which is quite often the case, I cant afford an MRI either, I think the truth will be in the removal of my PIP implants, there is no option for me but to have them taken out because the pain I am suffering is definately real, I have been feeling so tired also.

Thanks, Cookie.

MissP.

Sweetheart, I'm saying he simply cannot diagnose a rupture and lymph node leakage based on the examination you were given which is why I'm guessing he referred you back to the breast clinic, probably for 'further testing' based on your symptoms which would indeed 'suggest' a rupture.

But what must also be taken into account hun is that your symptoms could be related to other illnesses also and not necessarily a rupture which was why I suggested you return to your GP for further investigation. If the ultra sound is not detecting a rupture, then you should be further investigated for other possibilities babe. xx

Thanks Cookie,

I only wish that my doctor was sympathetic but she isnt, I tried to see two other doctors and they were unsympathetic too, they have told me there is nothing else they can do for me but I would have thought they would look into other reasons why I have been unwell.

Last time I spoke to my doctor she said, "I dont know what else it is you expect me to do for you, you've had two ultrasounds now."
This is after a radiologist advising her that an ultrasound is not effective at picking up rupture and an MRI would be best but at the breast clinic they said no to the MRI.

The consultant said to me that my pain could be neurological but he hasnt acted on this, he said that I had lumps and lymph nodes swollen but it was nothing to worry about. The radiologist attempted to take needle biopsy and after injecting under my right arm with local anaesthetic could not do it for fear she would pierce my implant. They have discharged me now.

I give up, I have wasted enough time with medical people who cant or wont help me, all I have left is to privately arrange removal/replacement of these implants which the fact alone that they are unapproved warrants removal anyway.

My right breast has become smaller than my left and has become soft, this and other symptoms just makes rupture more certain.

MissP.

Believe me sweetheart, although I don't have PIPs I have had dealings of my own regarding my old implants and do know how exhausting the fight can be just to be heard but don't give up!

If your doctor won't listen, go to A&E and tell them of the pain you're in, if you get no further then take it to your MP!

Regardless of whether or not you do have a rupture, you are suffering and as yet do not know the cause, this should be investigated. xxx