I did tell her that it was just one side swelling and she said that often Mastalgia can just impact one side, I don't know if she was just trying to make me feel better then :(
Anything that I need to know test wise would be much appreciated or any questions that you feel would be beneficial for me to ask. I always tend to go into pure panic mode in these situations and freeze and more often than not walk out and forget everything that was said to me?! Useless!!
You're definitely not useless :-) You're informing yourself which is the right approach! I've sent you a private message but please have a look at www.biaalcl.com too. They have resources you can print out to take along to your doctors appointment with you. Perfect as a talking point to refer back to if you go blank xxxxxxxx
I am so pleased that Breast 86 and CMW have come along to give you more information about BIA-ALCL. Both of them have first hand experience of this whereas I don't. My experience is only by hearsay - not nearly as useful.
It sounds as if you have made great strides today. I'm delighted to hear that you found a helpful nurse and that she has suggested that you get a referral from your GP. It is a relief to find that the clinic is still accepting referrals and that you should get one within the 2 week time frame. Checking this out properly should give you peace of mind.
Once you have read some of the information that CMW has given you, draw up a list of questions for your consultant. This way you won't forget to ask important questions. I don't know whether or not your GP has got back to you yet, but I hope that they do so soon.
Here's hoping that you get the right tests and that you get some answers this time you visit the clinic.
I am so worried. I have Silimed textured implants and one of my breasts was swollen, limfanodes enlarged. GP prescribed me antibiotics and it looks they cleared infection. Limfa nodes are a bit inflamed though..also collarbone area is a bit swollen. And it feels as if I have a capsular contracture. I have an urgent appointment with breast specialist arranged... can swollen breasts and enlarged limfanodes be without ACCL? Or if my breast is swollen and limfanodes enlarged it's automatically cancer?
Welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms and your fear of the outcome. I do not know much about this problem, but I do understand that Silimed is one of the companies that has withrawn its' implants.
I am glad to hear that you have an appointment with a breast specialist, as the only way to be sure is to have some specific tests carried out. Please don't worry about any untoward outcomes. In most cases the implant is removed along with the entire capsule surrounding the implant. The majority of patients require no further treatment after that.
On rare occasions, when there is extracapsular disease that is unable to be excised, patients will need to undergo chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. All in all the outcome is good, so I do hope that this turns out to be the case for you. I am not a doctor, but I understand that not all cases of BIA ALCL turn out to be cancer. As with cancer you may have lymph node involvement or you may not.
There are other ladies on this site who have BIA ALCL. You might find it helpful to read some of their stories. If you go to the blue banner at the top of this page and, click on the search engine, then enter BIA ALCL in the search box and click. This will bring up previous posts on the topic.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Thank you for your support...btw, do you know if NHS can explant the implants? Private surgeons are not operating as yet:( but even when they start there gonna be a long waiting list...it looks that I am stuck with these implants...
I may be wrong, but I understand that if BIA-ALCL is diagnosed, then the NHS will remove them. However, whether you go down the NHS or the private practice route, I expect that there may be a long wait either way.
