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Applegate Explores Link: Breast Implants and MS-Like Symptoms
11 Nov
Summary
- Actress Christina Applegate suspects breast implants may cause MS-like symptoms.
- Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term for symptoms, not a formal diagnosis.
- BII symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain, but vary widely.
Actress Christina Applegate is exploring whether her breast implants could be responsible for a range of health issues, including symptoms that were initially misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis. The "Dead to Me" star shared on a recent podcast that she suspects her implants may be causing her fatigue and widespread pain.
Her concerns are fueled by information suggesting Breast Implant Illness (BII) can present with symptoms similar to MS. BII encompasses various symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties ('brain fog'), and joint pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic and FDA. However, BII is not a formal medical diagnosis with specific tests.
Other potential risks associated with breast implants, as warned by the FDA, include capsular contracture, rupture, and a rare immune system cancer. While the exact prevalence of BII is unknown, hundreds of thousands of implants are performed annually in the U.S. Symptoms can appear shortly after surgery or many years later.
Applegate, who underwent reconstruction after a double mastectomy in 2008 due to a BRCA1 gene mutation, is overdue for implant replacement. While many report symptom relief after implant removal, this is not universal. Celebrities like SZA and Denise Richards have also publicly discussed complications including augmentation-related tissue growth and implant rupture.
