continued Tissue expander pain!!

Bubby

While coping with the pain i keep thinking would the TRAM flap have been less painful. I chose this type of reconstruction as I had heard that it was a breeze in comparison to getting over the TRAM op. This way it goes on for 4 + months but the other is a huge op and then its over. Any comments?

kes

Hi Ladies,

Suave,   Yes, I am thinking that if this period does not stop then I might have to have the ablation done first before the exchange surgery. If I can get my hormone status report soon then if negative maybe I could get the IUD and get the period stopped, then have the exchange surgery and then have the ablation done. What FUN!!!! Nothing is ever simple!!!!!!!!!!! Now I may have to go back to work before the exchange surgery.What a drag!!!!!

Bubby,  I also thought that maybe I had made the wrong decision when I was in the middle of the expansion process. I thought that I should have had a DIEP flap done. It is a difficult process for sure. Try and hang in there. Everyone who has the exchange done says that the relief from the pain is immediate and the implants are SOFT!!!! I would love that!!!!!

Take Care,

Kerry

Christianne

Hi, I am new to this forum and found it by accident. Everything I have read so far makes me feel so much better.  I have not been able to lie on my back to sleep and have been in the recliner, as many of you have mentioned.

I am 2 1/2 weeks post left side mastectomy with tissue expander.  It is VERY uncomfortable to say the least.  Tonight when getting ready for bed, I discovered a sharp pointy thing under the boobie.  What in the world is this?  I did web search for tissue expander poking through and stumbled upon this website.

This probably sounds really weird, but has anyone else had a sharp thing come poking out under your expander??

Thanks for any feedback! 

lag

I too have an expander  Christianne and find it very difficult to sleep at night-especially since i usually sleep on my side or tummy-have you been given pain meds? I find that taking them at night and when I awake in the morning helps for the discomfort. I have not however experienced something poking out under the expander-hopefully somebody else will come along that will have better answers for you regarding that.

lag

levy

did anyone ever have an infection in their breast while the expander was in and have to have it removed?  I did and now I am waiting for the breast to stop seeping so I can have another expander put in.  please share if this ever happened to you.  thanks

Christianne

Saw my oncologist today for the first time and he examined me as part of my appointment.  He said the sharp pointed thing is a suture coming to the surface.  Nothing to be concerned about.

Crumcake

PS told me that the expanders on the right usually cause more pain and problems because the muscles there are often twice as strong (if you're right handed) and encouraged me to take the pain pills, an anti-inflammatory (I took Celebrex) and a Xanex (0.5)...and Bingo! I feel enormously better today...so I will repeat that this evening.  He would not start fill because he thinks I am already having enough discomfort and there may be some fluid yet to be absorbed.  Next week will try again.  I think the smaller fills will be my choice, thanks to what you all are talking about.  Wow you are giving good info, ladies!

     To Sharon67...I have quizzed the surgeon and the PS about why the serious post-op bleed, neither has any resolution, each protecting the other as I feel...but since PS was the second surgeon in there, if he saw bleed from surgeon, he could have fixed it...so since he was the last one, can only assume he messed it up.  So surgeon #1 did the emergency repair, still had no comment on why it happened.  Both docs are doing the CYA thing.  So I can only be grateful I am alive.  This expansion thing really sucks...but the meds really help, so I have resolved myself to taking them as a temporary solution...my daughter is a pharmacist, so she is the medication watchdog, and she is not concerned about me getting hooked...and even if I did, there is a way to taper down and taper off...so I am going to just take the pain pills and just make every effort to feel as good as I can!

Held

Levy,

I had that happen to me.  I sent you a PM.  I just had my second expander put in on the 10th

oldgram1

Dear Levv,

I too had an infection on one side with the tissue expander.   The other side was fine.    I had so much fluid and then my expander started opening the incision.   That was last Dec. and now I'm healed up and scheduled to have the tissue expander put back in May 13th.   I'm not looking forward to the agony again as I was in a lot of pain for 3 weeks after the other surgery.   Since I never had any of the fills, I'm also apprehensive about dealing with those.   I hope this will all be worth it when everything is completed.    Gail

denise1956

I too had the sharp pointy part of the expander poking out at the side. Its the corners of the expander and when the expander fills out it opens. I thought at one point that it was going to actually come right through the skin .

Christianne

So, Denise, what happened with the expander poking out?  Were you able to keep getting fills and not have any problems?  (I haven't had my first fill yet, that will be this Tuesday)

Sam91

I also had the sharp pointy thing - I actually thought it was the port.  I asked my ps about it and he said it was a fold in the expander.  After the second fill it went away

denise1956

Yes the more I got filled the point went away , The expander actually expands and opens its sort of like the corner of the expander. Never did poke through the skin , but it sure looked like it would.

Sharon67

Hello Ladies, Greeting from Michigan!

I finally have found time to sit down at my computer to catch up on my old and new cyber friends. After reading a weeks worth of postings, I'm glad to see that everything is going well for all of you.

CrumCake, I'm glad to hear that you talked to your doctors, there's nothing wrong with asking questions. I'm also glad that your daughter is helping you with your meds. They will turn out to be your best friend.

Kerry, what a bummer that they delayed your exchange, but remember you have to be healthy to heal. Your periods sound like mine, I also have to have a cleaning, so to speak. Although at this point, I have the feeling that they will just gut me out, which is just fine with me. I told my husband, he'll have a talking blow-up doll for a wife. I had all the tests done a few months ago (ultra sound, etc,) and the big H surgery will probably be at the end of June. I hope they decide to leave my overies, I really don't want to take replacements.

To the women with pokey expanders: I had the same problem, and it was just the edges of the expanders, they do smooth out as the fill go on. It just feels weird.

As for my own progress since my exchange. Things are going well, the implants a slowly dropping and "fluffing" as the ps said they would. My only complaint would be still the size, I really wish they were a little fuller. Next week I go and see the ps and I want to discuss with him what we could do about this. As for everything else, all is well in the "middle of no where". The horses are loving that the grass is greening up, so I don't have to throw as many bales of hay to them these days. The weather up here is still cold due to a cold front, but they say we should get up to 70 by the end of the week.

Everyone take care, and I'll check in again soon.

Love Sharon

kes

Hi Ladies,

Sharon,  Glad to hear that you are doing well. The weather is finally getting warmer and it feels like spring is finally here.  A hemoglobulin of 84 sure makes you feel like crap. So my list of things to do keeps getting  longer and longer. May have to go back to work before the exchange which would be a big drag, but Oh well, what can your do. Now I am looking at 2 more surgeries in the near future. And I used to be sooooo healthy.

Take Care Everyone,

Kerry

denise1956

Its very strange with the periods after my mastectomy, I didn't get my period for 6 months. Decided to change gynos(after going to him for 26 yrs) because he wasn't concerned with lapse in getting my period. SOO the new gyn did testing and wouldn't you know the next day I got my period. But she wanted to do a dnc because of the lining being too thick. We decided to wait about 2 months to see if I would then get my period on a regular schedule, thank G-D is is now.  I didn't have to have any further surgery's. Our bodies are under so much stress that these problems are very common. As far as the size after the expansion, I too have a problem I had my exchange about 4 months ago, I am now scheduled to have my right implant removed and replaced by a new one * its seems I have a small leak figures,but this is good because I need some revision surgery and the nipples will be added, so it will all be done in  one shot. Good wishes to all of you!!!

Denise

kes

Hi Ladies,

This whole thing with irregular periods after having a bilateral mast. is very confusing. Has anyone else had the same trouble. My hemoglobulin has to be between 90-100 minimum to have my exchange surgery on June 6/08. I am taking iron 300my per day and I hope that I can maintain a good Hg reading.

Take Care,

Kerry

denise1956

Kerry,

All my Dr's. have told me that our bodies are going through so much trauma that we will notice so many changes. I am finally getting my period back ,and to a normal schedule after 9 months now. Probably going to get all screwed up again after my next surgery. Hopefully being that its not nearly as invasive as the mast was, I will continue to be on a regular schedule. I really thought that I was being pushed into menopause after all I m 51 (no such luck). How long has it been since your mast?

Denise

NCButterfly

This is my eight week after surgery and this week I have suffered the most.  I went back to work after six weeks and had the third fill to the expanders on week seven. I now feel like I am going backwards instead of forward in my pain level,  it is so uncomfortable.  I can't take the hydrocodone as much since I am back to work and tylenol just isn't enough. I find it difficult to do what is expected of me.  I really am wondering if I can tolerate this I almost feel like having the expanders removed.  I need to work for my insurance but don't know how I can suffer through this and do a proper job.  How many weeks will I have to feel like this?

suave

NCButterfly,

How many cc's did you get? Remember, the more cc's injected the more pain we get. You can have the doctor take some out, or if you would rather not, don't go back for another fill for another two or three weeks. I know we just want to finish, but it is not worthy to our body to push so hard. I remember the pain at 60 ccs, I couldn't even breathe well, but at 25 ccs the pain was minimal and the breathing was not a problem at all. I hope this helps.

Suave

NCButterfly

Hello,

This is my eight week after surgery and this week I have suffered the most.  I went back to work after six weeks and had the third fill to the expanders on week seven. I now feel like I am going backwards instead of forward in my pain level,  it is so uncomfortable. I can't take the hydrocodone as much since I am back to work and tylenol just isn't enough. I find it difficult to do what is expected of me.  I really am wondering if I can tolerate this I almost feel like having the expanders removed.  I need to work for my insurance but don't know how I can suffer through this and do a proper job.  How many weeks will I have to feel like this?  I am also taking Femara and having hot flashes and joint pain. I just feel so exhausted now.  How does one cope? 

NCButterfly

Thanks,  I will skip a week or two and ask for less.  I don't remember how many cc's but apparently it was too many.  You are right, I just want to get it over with as fast as I can. But now I know it might take longer just so I can tolerate it.    

kes

Hi Ladies,

Denise, I had my bilat mast on Jan 25/08. My periond for Feb lasted 4 days and stopped on its own. I had the meds but I did not use them. Now this last periond started on March 11/08 and has not stopped, yes March 11/08. I am the tampon and pad Queen. I am so sick of this and so sick of buying another box of tampons. I have tried the meds 3 different times but it has not stopped. Now my GP has doubled up the meds and put me on a 10 day course of them. Things are getting slower but have not stopped. I saw the OB-GYN and she needed my hormone status of the BC before she would put the IUD in me (merena IUD) and got the hormone testing finally done and low and behold I am ER+ 80% and PR+ 80% so no IUD allowed. So now my only option is the ablation. You are the same age as me. I turned 51 on Apr.27 and the OB-GYN told me that most women go through menopause at age 51-52 years. She asked me what age that my Mom went through it and of course she had a hysterectomy for heavy bleeding. I am in expander limbo and hopefully can keep the Hg up with iron pills and a good diet but if I go off the meds, which will be done soon and the heavy bleeding returns then I may have to have the ablation first and put off the exchange surgery again. I am going to make an appt with the PS for next week and talk to her about this. BUMMER!!!!!

Butterfly,   Try not too push the fills too fast or have a large fill done. It is not worth the pain. Go slow and steady. Some ladies go down to 25-30 cc at a fill. Having to be at work really sucks!!! There was no way that I could have worked and had fills done at the same time. I was in too much pain.Tylenol is not enough to take for the fills.Some women take Xanax, some take Flexeril and some take over the counter muscle relaxants, some take Ibuprofen. See what works best for you. Hope you get some relief.

Take Care,

Kerry

AnneW

Is this the thread where we were talking about implant size after the exchange?

I'm kind of addled right now--I'm starting Lyrica for nerve pain as a result of some sort of nerve injury during my exchange. Let's pray this is temporary. Anyway, the Lyrica makes you feel a bit drunk. For most people, it's a transient thing that improves over the first few days.

Back to the original topic...I will filled to 500cc and exchanged with Mentor 425 high profile gels. I am exactly the size I wanted to be, just like the original girls--36B! They will fluff out a bit (it's only been two weeks) but I like them.

They are sooo mucj softer. I do have some rippling on the underside of the left breast (skin must be thinner--that was the irradiated side from 2002.) But it's only noticeable in the mirror. And it could get better over time. And, the upper poles where I had caves are better. Not gone, but much better.

As soon as I get these steri-strips off, I'll probably take a photo and post it on TimTam's site. I'll let you now when I do that.

All in all, I'm happy with the outcome. If it weren't for this nasty, intermittent cattle prod pain, I'd be flying high.

Anne

Jani

Anne:

I am so happy that your exchange turned out and that you are happy with the outcome. Sorry to hear about the nerve pain. I wonder if this is the same thing that Margaret experienced. Not sure how hers turned out. With my exchange I had deep stitches in each side. I don't know if you have this, but I was thinking if you do maybe a nerve is being pinched. These stitches take 6 wks to disappear. I don't know, but just maybe it will disappear in the next month or so. I wish you the best of luck.

I do check back once in awhile. Looks like mostly new folks have arrived. 

To the newbies: It does hurt and it gets very wearing at times, but hang in there, it lasts a few months and is then at least for most a very happy end, and for others, I think, at least the worst is over.  

Oh, Kerri, I am so, so sorry to hear about the delay in your exchange. That must have been very disappointing. You are obviously a very stong and resiliant woman though and it sounds like you are making it through. I hope that you solve the endless period problem. This is all very hard on our bodies. Please pamper yourself and really boot up the nutrition. My thoughts are with you and I will be checking in to see how you are doing.

Hey, Sharon! We made it through the winter - its beautiful, green, sunny, flowery spring! Yahoo! I tell you going through the expansion process from November till my exchange in February along with my first (and last) endlessly dark and grey Norwegian winter was more than I could handle. Thank goodness for this website and the wonderful ladies who frequent this space. I owe you all so much. 

Take care everyone. 

Jani 

kes

Hi Ladies,

Anne,  I hope that you get some relief from your nerve pain soon. Glad to hear that the rest of the exchange went well and that you are happy with your size. That is sooo reassuring.

Jani,   Glad to hear that you are doing well. It was a long winter wasn't it? Spring is my favorite time of year, so I am just loving this season. I told my Husband that I feel like I have come out the other side of a really bad nightmare. He said "you Have" How true!!!!!

I was very disappointed about my exchange being cancelled. Now I am booked for June 6/08. And my prolonged period just stopped on May 7/08. My double dose of meds for 10 days worked. I am on daily iron pills. So I am optimistic about it all. I need to have a uterine ablation done also, so that is booked for July 10/08. The summer of surgery. Going back to work on Tuesday. Looking forward to it. I am tired of being the lady with Breast Cancer at home. Want to regain back a tiny bit of my life pre breast cancer.

My tissue expander on the right dropped down so now I look fairly normal in the chest. I can wear a thick tee shirt with no bra and look almost normal. One thing that I notice is missing is the natural slope of the breast. Hope that the implants will give me more of that.Pain is tolerable. Will try and post pics if all goes well.

Everyone, have a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow

Kerry

lewisfamily503

Yay Anne (great name by the way!!)! I am right behind you--my exchange is scheduled for June 12, and I am SOOOO excited to hear the new implants are softer. I am SICK SICK SICK of these horrible expanders and the pain from them. It's been almost six months and I am ready to move on! I am really sorry to hear you have nerve pain. I sure hope I can avoid that!! I love Tim Tam's site. I will post pictures there also once this ordeal is through. Thanks for letting us know how you are doing.



Hope your mother's day is great! My boys are home from college and it's great (except that their laundry followed them home and I am working my A** off!! Still, I LOVE having them home!



Anne

Calif-Sherry

My tissue expander was replaced with implant yesterday!!  Now both of my boobs are done.  They don't look alike.  The first stupid PS cut one horizontally and one vertically!  I'm now at UC Davis where I LOVE my new PS and he's trying to fix them to look decent.

I'm feeling good, though!  I stopped taking the pain medication last night; I'm on antibiotics.  I have a follow-up appointment today.  I'm trying NOT to do things around the house..... My son is keeping an eye on me, though.

AnneW

Sherry,

Give them time to even out. You'll be seeing changes over the coming months.

My scars are not identical, either. As they fade, it won't be an issue. They just feel so thick right now. But it's only been three weeks.

Don't lift anything too heavy. You don't want to disrupt your girl's new home! Congrats on getting this done!

Anne

jdg1

lol Ruby.  You should have bought those t-shirts.  I think it would have been cute.  People would be looking but not have any idea what was going on.