Since this time I have been suffering from a variety of medical conditions, all of which I believe are related to the fluid silicone injections I had over 31 years ago. I came to this conclusion after realizing I had been experiencing many of the same symptoms as Sally Kirkland, who was recently in the media while undergoing surgery to remove her silicone implants. During my research, I talked with many of her specialists including Dr. Lee Cowden, and also read the article on ‘Silicone and matrix macromolecules’ by Dr. Arthur Brawer, which lead me to conclude that quite possibly, I have been suffering for years from my own body’s autoimmune reaction to these injections.

Psychologically, I meet all of the DSM-IV requirements for a diagnosis of ‘Borderline Personality Disorder’ or even ‘Dissociative Identity Disorder’, because I was physically and sexually abused by my family as a young child. Considering that I did not begin actively pursuing suicide until sometime after I had these injections, and given what I have learned recently about the effects of silicone, and how it can even settle in the brain and create chemical imbalances, I now believe that it is highly possible that even my psychological behavior can be the direct result of an autoimmune reaction to the silicone. I would sincerely welcome any member of the Medical or Psychiatric community to come forward and scientifically prove me wrong, while directing me to a more specific differential diagnosis and treatment plan.

In November of 1997 I qualified for Medicare, as a result of my disability, and immediately assigned my Medicare benefits to the Care America 65+ HMO. While it took me some time to find a PCP who was willing to deal with all of my conditions, I eventually landed Dr. Ralph Cox, who has been especially supportive of my treatment needs, until recently, when I believe that Care America told him to ‘wean me’! As a result, he sent me off to my psychiatrist with the explanation that he would continue to treat me, although I was over-utilizing the health plan, and that more than likely, my illness was all psychologically induced! Considering that Dr. Cox had referred me to several specialists for my latest illness which began in early March, I do believe he has tried.

In early March I began having several canker-like lesions in my mouth, and on my tongue and gums. One even eroded the skin enough to expose my jawbone! Very soon I began having a variety of skin lesions, or sores, which started on one leg and rapidly spread all over my body. I was immediately referred to a Dermatologist who took a biopsy which came back positive for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or TENS Disease. Since I was not experiencing peeling

skin, it was further concluded that I may have a mild case of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which was further confirmed by a Dr. Saperstein (an SJS expert who I consulted outside of my health plan because of the critical nature of this diagnosis).

Dr. Tobias, a Rheumatologist, had put me on 180 Mg. of Prednisone per day, while he awaited the results of my Lupus tests which came back negative. At the same time I began developing bulging eyes, which an MRI showed was indicative of Grave’s Disease. Since my thyroid tests came back negative, nothing has been done to treat this condition. When I developed Chronic Fatigue, other DR.’s took blood and diagnosed both Entero Virus and Epstein Barr Virus, and suggested that I wait the six months necessary to confirm a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since I met all of the other criteria.

In the meantime I have been experiencing debilitating fatigue, continuous sore throat, and unbearably painful muscle and joint pains which continue to get worse (fibromyalgia?). In addition I had experienced several painful breast lumps which my MD believed should be removed. Upon consulting a surgeon, an oncologist, and 2 plastic surgeons, all of whom have recommended an immediate bilateral mastectomy, my HMO was extremely unresponsive in providing an appropriate plastic surgeon to perform the reconstructive plastic surgery which I believe is necessary to maintain my physical appearance and emotional health. Since they began dragging their feet, I made three recent suicide attempts because I really couldn’t deal with the situation any longer!

Following Ms. Kirkland’s media appearance, my husband began researching silicone breast implants via the internet. Upon reviewing my medical history over the past three years we began to wonder if any or all of my diagnosable conditions could be related to a silicone-induced autoimmune condition. During this time I have suffered and been treated for recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia, hiatial hernia, stomach and esophageal ulcers, glossopharangeal neuralgia, and chronic wrist, arm, and shoulder problems which a previous MD thought might be related to thoracic outlet syndrome. Much like Sally, my current MD has been instructed to inform me that all of these symptoms and conditions are, "All in my head!" Yet none of the HMO’s Specialists, or PCP’s are willing or capable to pursue the ‘silicone trail’.

On 8/13 I visited Dr. Suzanne Skinner, a PhD Nutritionist in Torrance and learned that an herbal and colonic silicone detoxification would cost us in excess of several hundred dollars per month. In addition we have located a source for Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy at $50. per treatment. (Used to treat nitrogen, carbon monoxide, cyanide and silicone poisoning) Considering that my HMO, and all of their resources, have yet to acknowledge a silicone-related condition, or provide an appropriate Plastic Surgeon for my breast reconstruction following their recommended mastectomy… Care America will only approve one surgeon who wants to insert silicone containers for the purpose of skin expansion! They won’t detox me but they’ll give me more silicone! I am at a loss as to where to turn. As early as July 30, 1998 I faxed my HMO requesting written confirmation that they would approve breast reconstruction using my own flesh (ie. a flap procedure) vs another silicone device since I had already begun to suspect a silicone problem. They took almost three months to respond!

Upon calling their customer service department, my husband repeatedly had requested to speak directly with Dr. James Reilly, their Medical Director, or Lisa Rubino, their apparent ‘acting’ C.O.O. While told they were not available, he has left several requests for a return call, and even sent them an E-mail as early as 8/13/98. As of 12/21/98, none of their officers have responded, other than to have a clerk call us!

I finally had a prosthetic radical, bilateral mastectomy nearly four months after I was first informed that I must have the surgery because of the medical community’s inability to adequately test me for breast cancer, or even perform an adequate lumpectomy (because of the silicone). Why did they drag their feet, when I wanted to get it over, for both physical and mental health reasons? Considering I have a family history of breast cancer, and several suspicious lumps, why did they cause these delays?

In my 8/13 correspondence to Dr. Reilly and Ms. Rubino, I recommended that they put me under the treatment of their own psychiatrist so that he can perform the requisite testing to either confirm or deny a depression-related syndrome. At the same time this would provide the benefit of having a single focal point (ie. my health plan), from which to coordinate my medical treatment. This would immediately eliminate any ‘finger-pointing’ and delay in providing me with appropriate treatment. I finally got in to see their psychiatrist on 9/21 who cleared me emotionally for the surgery and requested a 30 day follow up. While I had been seeing Dr. Smith one hour a week for over three years, I now learn that my current care will only provide 15 minutes of psychiatric care per month. So now as I face life breastless, and in increasing physical and emotional pain, my HMO again is dragging their feet to provide me the necessary referrals to insure my well being.

The medical community has taken a ‘see – no – evil’ stance because of the current Dow Corning debacle. As a result, they refuse to accept or even acknowledge current scientific knowledge regarding silicone and bio-chemistry. In fact they continue to provide breast augmentation using saline-filled silicone containers. Unfortunately this ‘do – no – evil’ attitude is adversely affecting hundreds of thousands, to millions, of women who are forced to suffer the real pains inflicted by medical providers and the silicone fabricated containers. Given the medical community’s inability and unwillingness to address these issues, it’s highly possible that all of the current litigation is misdirected!

Even though I had illegal injections of silicone in 1967 (after it was banned?), the medical community still looks at me and treats me as an implant complainant. Why were injections banned? What illnesses did they cause? Where are the studies and knowledge regarding silicone injections and bio-chemistry? Why am I not being treated for complications from the illnesses that caused injections to be banned? Why has our government not formed a Federal Task Force to study these questions as they might apply to injectees, and rupturees? Harvard/Mayo…? How do their studies apply to me? What does my insurance carrier and the medical community intend to do to help me get well?

Why won’t anyone respond to these questions?