Crystal Hefner has had her breast implants removed after they "slowly poisoned" her.
Crystal Hefner (c) Facebook
The 30-year-old beauty - who is married to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner - has suffered a number of unexplained health complaints over the last few years and they gradually got so bad, she was left bedridden and plunged into despair.
She explained: "Intolerance to foods and beverages, unexplained back pain, constant neck and shoulder pain, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog, memory loss), stunted hair growth, incapacitating fatigue, burning bladder pain, low immunity, recurring infections and problems with my thyroid and adrenals.
"The mildest of those symptoms started a few years back. The aches, the bladder pain, brain fog, fatigue. I ignored it, labeling myself a hypochondriac, despite truly worrying that there was something wrong with me.
"I joked about losing my memory to age, and about getting 'lazy'. I began to cancel appointments and shoots because everything exhausted me. Before everything went downhill I was at the gym five days a week, and always shooting and working.
"I've had days in 2016 when I couldn't get out of bed. I've felt such despair knowing life was happening all around me but I couldn't participate."
Crystal - who "kept a facade of normalcy" by posting "spare photos" on her social media accounts - was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease and toxic mould after becoming allergic to "most food" and suffering "intolerable" pain.
However, when she went public with her diagnosis earlier this year, a number of people got in touch with her to suggest she might actually have 'breast implant illness' and after doing some research, she realised her symptoms matched.
Crystal arranged to have her implants removed and noticed a difference straight away.
In a lengthy Facebook post, she wrote: "I explanted with Dr Lu-Jean Feng on June 15th, 2016. I believe she is the best in the country at what she does. Instantly I noticed my neck and shoulder pain was gone and I could breathe much better. I know I won't feel 100% overnight. My implants took 8 years to make me this sick, so I know it will take time to feel better. I also have other illnesses to address, but with the toxic bags removed, my immune system can focus on what it needs to."
The blonde DJ admitted she is concerned for the health of her friends who still have implants, and urged those who have had breast enlargements to consider they may be the problem if they are suddenly gripped by illness.
She concluded: "If you know anyone with implants (breast, buttock, or any other type) who hasn't felt well, (low thyroid, fibromyalgia, food intolerance, immune disorders, insomnia, fatigue, aches, pains, anxiety, brain fog) please let them know that Implant Illness is real and could be the problem.
"Many of my friends have implants. I worry for their health and hope that they, and everyone, can benefit from what I have experienced."
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