What Are Symptoms of Silicone Poisoning from Breast Implants?

Hello, I'm very sorry to hear of your sickness, however, we need to clear up some confusion. First, I don't know what tests were performed and how a doctor found silicone and in what part of your "system"? There is no test for this. Frequently on blogs and online communities that gather together women believed to be sickened by their implants, they speak of a blood test for it. It just doesn't exists. There IS a test for SILCON, which is not at all related. (Silicon is environmentally prevalent everywhere, as it is found in dirt and is used in manufacturing. It can impose a threat of lung disease with symptoms of exposure seen with inhalation of silica dust.)
Silicone has been studied by the FDA for over 30 years to establish its safety. In the 90's after years of more than 100 clinic studies, in 1999 The Institute of Medicine released a 400-page report prepared by an independent committee of 13 scientists. They concluded that although silicone breast implants may be responsible for localized problems such as hardening or scarring of breast tissue, implants do not cause any major diseases such as depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Additionally, it's important to note, silicone is the most common material used in every kind of medical devices/implants and some medications. These include shunts that go from the brain to the abdomen (which are left in for a lifetime), artificial finger joints, syringes, IVs, catheters (including ones that go next to the heart), surrounding pacemakers, and even oral anti-gas tablets.
Although, it is a point of major contention, it is not an issue of plastic surgeons, including myself, not acknowledging the perception that silicone toxicity from breast implants exists. I am fully aware there are people that are still 100% convinced of silicone toxicity and continue to spread this message to the public despite any substantiated scientific evidence. I know that patients experiencing a host of ambiguous health issues of all sorts are desperate to find a source to blame, feel retribution and find a huge comfort in talking to others who feel the same. Unfortunately, there is a huge difference in a perceived problem and actual evidence of said  issue. We know this, the problem is that there is absolutely no known toxicity from silicone gel breast implants and it would be irresponsible to say otherwise. 
That being said, if you feel you are experiencing any health issues related or not to your implants, you are well within your rights as a patient to have them removed. I see at least 1 to 2 patients a week ready to remove and not replace and I'm happy to do it! My main concern is that they understand the cosmetic outcomes of doing so and that if they are having health issues, I can't make any guarantees removing the implants will heal them. Do some patients report a full "remission" of symptoms after implant removal? You bet! Do all of them? No, they do not. Do the majority come back in 6-12 months and have another augmentation? Yes.

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Sorry to hear about your illness.  The test you are referring to I have never heard of and not sure exactly what your doctor told you but no test that I know of can test for "silicone in the system".  There may be silicone that has rupture and a mammogram or MRI would should that the silicone has ruptured thru the shell or perhaps even on a more rare circumstance has ruptured thru the capsule and into the breast tissues or even lymph nodes.  But there really is no blood test for this, it is more an imaging test.Secondly, there has been many years of studies performed that conclusively show there is no illness that can be caused by silicone breast implants and even ruptured silicone breast implants.  Now having said that, there are a select group of patients in whom I have removed their intact silicone breast implants and have felt better.  Scientifically, that can not really be explained. However, if you have implants that are very old or maybe even encapsulated, then your best option would be to have the implants and capsule perhaps removed, and maybe a lift done or perhaps new implants replaced.I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss what your best options are.Hope that helps.