continued Tissue expander pain!!

lvtwoqlt

I did not have real bad pain with my expanders, just a tightness across my chest and occasional stretch pains. I had my exchange surgery on the 2nd and the tightness is almost gone. I hope others who have had the pain experinece the same relief that I found with the exchange.

Sheila

Sharon67

Hi Ladies, today is my 4th Tuesday home since my Bi-Lat Mas on 10-16-07. Tomorrow is my first fill. PS started with 120cc in each at surgery. I really don't know how anything will fit tomorrow, I still feel soooo tight. PS had a hard time placing the expanders in due to very tight muscles and I was lucky to fill an A cup in the beginning. How much will this really hurt? Do I need to take someone with me? I have a 3 hour drive to get to his office. I was just going to go by myself. Any input would help. I started Physical Therapy yesterday and even the PT noticed how tight I was and I have been stretching almost everyday since surgery. Thanks

sjoc

Hi Ladies - I had an expander placed this past Friday, I had left mast 5/06.  I can't believe the pain associated with this.  I had my mast on a Friday and was up Saturday curling my hair - I was sore and my arm was stiff but I could manage.  By Monday I was fully functional.  I had the expander placed on a Friday and today is Tuesday and I still am extremely stiff and still taking pain meds.  My ps I think thought I was being dramatic when I spoke to him yesterday and said that this is much more painful than the mast.  He added an Rx for muscle relaxant along with antibiotic and pain meds thinking maybe I'm having severe muscle spasms in my chest.  Does this go away?  I don't think I can tolerate this kind of pain for months and months, I have a lot of expansion to do as I am a DD on my good breast.  Also, do the spasms come back with the fills?  I thought this would be the easy part of this BC journey - thanks for your help - Sandy 

katesf

Hey Sharon:

I remember that same feeling at my first fill. How the heck are they going to get anything more into these expanders????? I had 200 in each at surgery and then my first fill 6 wks post surgery, 100cc in each every fill. I just got tighter initially and then things would settle down after a couple of days. I'd have them Fridays so I'd have the weekend to take it easy. I always had advil liquid gels in my system. Also having Xanax really helped. It was for my anxiety when flying, but it actually helped relax me enough after the fills that it helped the muscle tightness too. I learned that from someone else on this site and I'm glad I did.

Good luck tomorrow. You'll be ok. Just have your ps go slow. You'll know how much you can handle.

Best wishes,

Katie

Sharon67

Okay Ladies, this may be a real stupid question, but someone told me that I cannot fly until my expanders are 3/4 full? Is this true? She said she could not fly because she would get air pockets in her expanders and her PS said no flying until she was done. Has this ever happened to anyone? I'm going to ask my PS tomorrow, because I was going to go to FL soon.

AnneW

Well, I flew just yesterday without problems. Not sure how full I am, though. I guess there could be some pressure changes in the implant. I live at a high altitude and traveled to sea level, didn't notice any problems.

I cannot go braless too long yet. One month out from surgery. I have a couple bras that work well--one a Champion zip-front sports bra, and a Bali support bra, but I keep going back to "the Iron Maiden"--A Veronique brand given to my by my PS. It holds everything in so well, that it takes the pressure off--to a point. After about 10 hours, though, it's gotta come off. Then it's gotta go back on.

I have a spot on a rib that's just driving me nuts, and the band of all my bras just seems to aggravate it. I have some Lidoderm, I ought to try it...

For all of you with stiffness in the arms, or having difficulty getting them over your head--go to physical therapy!!! It's the best thing I could have done. I get the shoulder and top of the expander massaged to loosen up, and next thing you know I can reach up so much better. And I'm back to some really mild resistance training with the theraband. What a change from lifting moderately heavy weights, which I used to do on a regular basis!! But, it's all about small steps.

When I look at day to day progress, I often can't see it. But when I look how far I've come in the past week or month, it's pretty amazing. Some days I want to rip these darn things out, and other days I think it's going to work out okay...

Anne

lvtwoqlt

Anne, I also had the spot on my rib that the bands on the bras aggraviated also. I actually wore the shelf bra camisoles or the fruit of the loom sports bras a larger size than I normally wear and they did not seem to hurt the ribs as much as when I wore a tighter banded bra. I thought that the rib pain was just me.

Sheila

AnneW

I broke this rib 10 years ago, and it got sore during radiation 5 years ago. It is so tender right now--got a fill today, and this radiation side just doesn't stretch like the other side. My physical therapist tried to loosen this area up today, and was only moderately successful...

I'll try a larger sports bra. Sounds reasonable.

Anne

CarolC

Thank you Margaret. I have 3 Cavaliers and the one that is pictured is 11 years old. I also have a 10 year old and these two are both retired breeding bitches (like me)  that I adopted. I also have a 7 month old puppy that I found on Craig's List cheap in August - can you believe someone  bought him and after a month or two didn't want him because she felt she was allergic and didn't know how to train him. I was diagnosed w/bc in Sept. and I honestly didn't know how i would get through the surgery and recovery with a new puppy. I hadn't trained a puppy for years. Jasper is a bundle of energy and a real handful, but I've become attached and sure can't get rid of him now. I'm lucky to have them all. Oh and I have 2 cats. Divorced with 5 animals and BC. Geesh!

Sometimes when I read some of your stories about how supportive your husbands or significant others are, I admit that I  begin to feel a bit of a pity party coming on becauses I have a fear of spending my last years alone. This whole journey we're on is a strange and frightening one.

CarolC

"I also had the spot on my rib that the bands on the bras aggraviated also"

I'm glad to read that I'm not alone with this issue. Actually the underneath area where the bra band is feels like an abrasion and hurts constantly. I asked my PS's PA yesterday for a prescription for lidoderm but she told me they have never prescribed it. She's the one who does the fills but I think I'm going to call and ask him if this continues. It's not exactly painful as much as just really uncomfortable and sometimes even light fabric against it bothers me . it's good to hear that this all goes away after the exchange.

kimscharlie

I am amazed at how little drugs they give you for the fill.  My PS told me

advill and muscle relaxers... You actually need more than advil.  I think

if they went thru it they would understand.   I am curious how any one every gets adicted to drugs the way they distribute them like everyone is an addict.. especially when you need them.   I think the main thing

to do is to do it slowly.. I think my ps went to fast so I stopped early

because I could not deal with the pain.  I had the inplants placed

3 weeks ago.. It is nice to have soft breasts again... they are however

alot smaller then I thought they would be but that I can live with.

AnneW

I don't know how women go through fills without something for pain and spasms, and I even have Botox in my pecs to prevent spasms!

I had my second fill yesterday (100cc each--now up to 500cc each), and this pain was way worse than the first time. It's been different--not so much tightness and stretching, but pain deep against my rib cage, making it hard to take a deep breath or get up from a lying down position.

I took about as much pain med yestrday and last night as I did right after surgery! It took the edge off, but I was certainly not pain-free! Thank goodness I had some Dilaudid and Percocet left over. I needed it.

Today, though, it is much better. I have not had the urge to put on my compression bra at all. The discomfort is still deep, but not in the muscle anymore.

And, with this fill, I'm starting to really like the way I'm looking! A tight tee shirt looks awesome!

I tell you, it's all a learning experience...but I hate it when pain is not addressed adequately!!

Anne

Anonymous

Anne



Maybe you're getting too much fill at one time. My PS will be doing only 50cc at a time. A lot of us go in weekly for 50cc fills without any issue. Whereas, a lot have had 100cc (or more) fills and seem to experience a great deal of pain. Some have even had ot returned to their PS and have some of the fill drained. I plan on the 50cc per week rather than 100cc every other week. It will still take the same amount of time, but cause less pain.

Teribear

HI Anne

Hope by now your pain has subsided some.  I too just got my first 100cc fill today and am in agony for the first time since the expansion began.  I am taking some serious muscle relaxers that seem to take the edge off.  I was thinking if the muscle was relaxed that would help with the spasms.  I can't take a deep breath either and getting up and down is horrible and even turning my head sends me into spasms.  I think I am going to go back down to 75ccs next fill. I go every Monday and I am about a B and a half cup!  I agree, they are starting to look nice. I am about at 425 cc's right now.  But If I knew this pain was only going to last til tomorrow I would do it again just to get it over with sooner.  I hear once you get the final implants it is all worth it and you are instantly more comfortable!  I just keep holding onto that hope.  I had no problems whatsoever and not much discomfort as long as I didn't go past the 75 fills.

I hope you feel better soon!

Sociologist

Hi Ladies,

I keep hoping it's worth it as well. I can't wait until Dec 18th for the exchange and not have the "coconut bra-hamburger bun-and every other name we call it" off my chest! I stopped the fills at 760ccs 5 weeks ago and still have muscle spasms and find it hard to breath at times. I deal with it during the day and take 10mg of Flexeril at night to get some relief so I can at least sleep a little.  Yall have a good night.

Margaret

Teribear

Hi girls,

Margaret you are so lucky to have  your date set.  I just had my third fill and they went 100cc's and I have been in agony since Monday.  It is finally settling down somewhat but I will not do 100 again.  There is NO getting comfortable with these things in!  They are hard as rocks and there is NO give to them whatsoever....and now that they are getting bigger my arms hit them on the side which drives me nuts!  I am not quite a c cup yet which is my goal.  I am approx 425cc's now.  But with that 100cc fill the pain was unbearable.  Felt almost like labor pains in my chest!  It made my stomach upset even.  I am sticking to 75 til the end.  It doesn't seem like there is any more room to stretch! Anyone else feel like they can't stretch any further without busting???

Thanks for listening!

Teri

Sociologist

Hey Teri,

The fills are brutal to say the least! I had 100ccs put in at surgery. The first fill after surgery was 180 which wasn't too bad because the skin was still traumatized from the surgery (this was done about 6 weeks after the mast). The remaining fills were 120ccs every other week and they did get harder as time went on because the skin and muscle were just plain mad they had to stretch! The last fill was the hardest; when they removed the needle some of the saline shot out 6 feet across the room and hit my husband. The muscle spasms haven't eased up at all. There are a few of us here that have mini-boobs under our armpits because the expanders have moved or become very full. Katie just had her exchange and Terri's scheduled for the 28th (Terri, where are you???). To help with the stretching skin and intense itching, I lathered up with Palmers cocoa butter about 5 times a day during the fill. It seemed to help a bit, maybe because of the massaging action. I'm just glad the end is in sight! Have a good day!

Margaret

lvtwoqlt

Margaret,

the expander pain is worth it, I had my bilat exchange for teardrop saline Nov 2 and they feel soooo much better than the expanders. The 'cocoanut bra-hamburger bun' feeling is gone. They feel almost human . I also used the palmers cocoa butter lotion to help the stretching skin during the expansion process and now when I put it on my boobs actually move under my fingers.

Sheila

AnneW

There is no reason the rush the expander process. It takes as long as it takes. If spacing out the time between fills is what you need to reduce pain, do it. If you need less fluid injected during fills, so be it.

If I had it to do over again, I'd make sure my ps started the fills with my previously radiated side, since it's the one that complains most. That way, if I started feeling tight at 50 or 75cc, then that's all the better one would get. For some reason, we alsways started filling from the other side, and I could tolerate a lot! Then, we'd put the same amount in the bad side, and man oh man I just sucked up the pain so I'd be even!

So, you're in control. Take smaller fills if it means less spasm. There's plenty of time.

Anne

Sharon67

Hi ladies, boy I feel robbed!:) My PS put 120 cc at surgery and at 4 weeks post op he only added 60cc total. He told me he always goes slow due to stiches, etc. I go for fills every other week so I am really hoping he'll add more next week. Otherwise this will take forever!!!

I'm not going for the big look, I was lucky to be a full A  before BC. One thing I do think is funny is when I sleep on my side my boobs look so nice in the morning and as the day goes on the hamburger buns take effect.:) Take care

Sharon

katesf

Hey Margaret:

Just reviewing new posts and saw your most recent one. Hang in there girl!!! Dec. 18th will be here before you know it! The last stretch in the race is always the hardest, but you're going to get through it.

I'm just over two wks since my exchange and all is going well. The surgery was a breeze which was such a nice surprise. I still took two weeks off from work, but I could have returned after a week. We can never have enought rest though, right! I'm still a bit tight, but from what I understand it will ease up over the next couple of months. Regular massaging helps too. I'm certainly more comfortable than with those expanders, but they did serve their purpose as much as I disliked them.

Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and hope you have a nice Thanksgiving holiday. I give thanks for finding this web site and  all of these ladies that helped me through some challenging times.

Take care,

Katie  

Teribear

Hi Margaret,

I am just starting the underarm boob thing.  Driving me nuts.  LOL  Laying on my side is almost impossible.  I hate to hear the muscle spasms have not eased up.  Sounds like I can expect them for the duration.  You are right, I can tell my muscles/skin are darn mad they have to stretch!  Does anyone have sort of a bluish tint to their "hamburger buns?"  I like the idea of getting relief from that burning itch and will have to try the lotion idea....but my one side.....I just shudder to touch it.  I wash it in a hurry!  I have almost no feeling in it and it feels like it belongs to someone else.  I can't stand it!  I have gotten SOME relief with lidoderm patches and muscle relaxers now though.  I am tempted to put off my fill on monday since it took so long to recover and i am still in pain but I want this over with!!  I am excited to hear what sheila said about the exchange....her breasts almost feel human now?  I can't wait!!!!  I just keep thinking about the goal.  It's great to be able to chat with others who understand.  Have a great thanksgiving ladies.  There is alot to be thankful for. 

Teri.

Sociologist

Good Morning Ladies,

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We did...my son (25) went into the hospital a week before the holiday with a burst appendix. They had to remove a part of his intestine and he was finally well enough to come home Thanksgiving afternoon. Of course, his health insurance doesn't take effect until Dec 1 but it so doesn't matter. One of the nurses came in the room the second day we were in the hospital to tell us she requested a private room and that there wouldn't be any difference in price. I told her "Lady, I don't know how we're going to pay for this one so it doesn't matter!". The hospital has a grant program available to folks that can't pay so he's applying for that to help offset the cost of 8 days in and the surgery.

I'm thankful for a lot of things this year....my wonderful family; good friends; a great job; the mammogram that discovered the BC; and last but certainly not least, all of you ladies that have made this journey so much easier!

Katie, thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm marking off the days in my calendar until the exchange! Off to do more shopping! Have a good one and shop 'til you drop!

Margaret

Anonymous

Margaret

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your son. Did he have no signs of the appendix before it burst? My son started running a high fever, on a Christmas morning, and didn't want to eat anything or open his presents He was only 5 so we knew something was wrong. HIs doctor put him in the hospital and watched him for a few hours. His fever continued to become more elevated so he removed the appendix. I hope he is able to qualify for the grant. What a shame he had no insurance, but it's a blessing he made it thru. Something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving.



Teri

I will be having my first fill this coming Thursday. (7 weeks after surgery) I had developed 2 infections which required extra surgery so the fills had to be pushed back as did my chemo, which will start Friday, the day after my fill. Gee I hope it's not too painful. It may make leaning over the toilet more difficult (LOL).

Jani

I am 3 wks bilat mast with expanders placed (220 cc at time of surgery). Just had my first fill (100 cc) yesterday. I got over the immediate effects of the mastectomy within the first 10 days. But have experienced a significant amount of ongoing  discomfort as well. I can identify 3 different sources. 1) the expander presses into the soft tissue when I slouch, bend over, sleep in positons other than my back, ect. 2) significant muscle spasms. Finally got an anti inflammatory that does help (Voltarin), but can only take it for another 5 days due to its recommended limited use. Is anyone taking an effective muscle relaxant that can be taken for longer period while I undergo the expansions, or do the muscle spasms lessen after awhile? 3) the pain caused by cut nerve endings. This sounds like what you are referring to. Like the skin has been scalded or burned. When this sensation gets too intense I wrap the Ace bandage around quite tightly. But I do know that stimlation to the skin area over the breast mounds is essential to maximize nerve regeneration. So I do try as much as possible to just wear loose clothing that will stimulate the area as I move around through the day. I have found like others that at lease the discomfort caused by the expander poking into soft tissue has lessened after the first expansion.

Always thought I handled pain pretty well, but find that I am still reaching for the acetominephen, Ibprophen with regularly. 

Jani 

Anonymous

Jani

If you find anything that really works..;let us know. I will be having my first fill Thursday, then 3 hours later my PT, followed Friday by chemo, all this on top of extreme arm (L) and back pain. (I threw my back out a week ago and still in a lot of pain.

Jani

Hi Lady4law

I emailed my PS and he said that the best thing is Voltarin with tylenol and lots of massage. I used to have back spasms and after trying relaxants, massage, heat, cold and what not I found the only cure for me was lifting weights - not heavy weights, but lots of repetitons. This therapy has resulted in no muscle spasms in the last 4 years (so long as I keep with it) and I have the nice side effect of strong, well formed muscles! Since my surgery I have found that even light stretching and light use (like doing the dishes and vaccuming) causes more severe spasms, and I have been so afraid to do anything in the way of actual exercise, but on this site last night I read about some amazing ladies who are back in the gym, climbing, karate and so on within a short time after surgery. So I am going to walk over to the gym today and maybe try some gentle work on the equipment that allows for isolating specific muscles. I probably won't have the guts to go in, but at least the walk over will do me good! If I do have the courage to work these pecs I will let you know what happens - spasms fixed or spasms worse!

I am so sorry to hear that you have the back problem on top of everything. How are you dealing with the limited range in sleep positions? I am finding it difficult without any back issues. 

If I could redo my first fill I would go for 50-60 ml and not 100 ml. The folks who say slow is better are right. Here after mine will be 50 ml. 

Teribear

Hi ladies,

Jani....I too am back to working out and feel like it really does help with my muscle spasms and the mind body connections helps me feel like I am better mentally, and that eases my discomfort in and of itself.  I have a pilates power gym and think it is the best invention ever!  I do light resistance and think it has done a world of good after being dormant since my double mast. last July. 

I hadn't thought about the nerve regeneration until I read what you wrote....I do everything possible NOT to touch my one side that has very little feeling as when I touch it is makes me shudder....so now I am thinking maybe that is just what IS needed????

Jean sorry to hear about your infections and let us know how chemo goes....AND your first expansion!  I had to cancel my expansion yesterday after going to 100cc's last week.  I am rescheduled for Thursday and you can bet your hamburger buns I won't be going that high again!  I am sticking to 75 cc's from here on out.  Except for that big expansion period...I do not suffer from muscle spasms anymore and am wondering if indeed the resistance training has something to do with it?  OH but as far as vacuuming goes....I canNOT do that....or srubbing motion as that really does cause great pain and spasm. 

Jani

Teribear you are so right. Just the 40 min walk through the snow to the gym was physically and mentally the best thing I have done since my surgery. By the time I got there I felt more relaxed and much of the stiffness and discomfort was eased. At the beginning of my stretching I could barely put my right hand on my head! But I spent a good hour slowly and carefully working the different muscle groups– when I got to the pecs I just reduced the weight to the minimum (5 kg) and so it was more of a range of motion exercise. This with an intermittent massage of the pecs seems to have worked – I think I looked a little strange massaging my chest in the gym! It is now 8 hrs later and I have not taken a Voltarin since this morning – a little tightness off and on but still no full on spasms!

Jani

Hi lady4law:

I just wanted to let you know that the fill process is really very easy. I was so nervous, but I did not need to be. The skin is numb so you really do not feel any pain at all. I could detect a vague pressure or movement sensation during what I took to be the insertion of the needle. Then I thought I could feel a lightning of pressure around the edges of the expander as the saline went in. That was it. I felt the pressure about 1 hr later when the muscles finally reacted to the stretching by spasming. Oh, I did take a tylenol 3 (the one with codeine) 1 hour before going the procedure, which I think was a good idea given that I had 100 ml. I think if you have only 50 - 60 mls then you might not even get the muscle reaction. 

Get a good nights sleep and good luck.