continued Tissue expander pain!!

rubytuesday

Sheila, I usually had 60cc every 2 weeks for my fills.  I always told my PS when I could feel it and never had pain from expansion.  If you are having pain, you need to tell your PS and have him do smaller fills and/or stretch out the time inbetween them.  I think it is a good idea to stretch that muscle.  I would grab the top of my expander (like a mother cat picking up her kitten) and squeeze it so that the bottom filled out.  I really think that helped to loosen things up. Best wishes

CAZ

Hi Sheila,

My PS was happy to be able to get 60cc in at surgery (skin sparing).  Three weeks later I started weekly 60cc fills.  The first few hurt quite a bit for the rest of the day. For the last two, I dropped to 40cc and was much more comfortable.  I'm currently at 480 with plans for implants of 400 or 450.  I feel like Jessica Rabbit since the tissue they removed from each breast was 300g (roughly equal to 300cc).  I was never told to put pressure on the expander.  Everyone is different, but if your fills hurt, ask to slow down and consider valium for muscle spasms.  You don't have to grin and bare it.

Carol(AZ)

sheesh1961

Thanks Teri, rubytuesday and Carol for the replies! I can't say I'm really in pain, but I've sure learned that there's more pressure sitting up than lying down. If I had been sitting up when he filled them, I doubt I would have gone to 70cc. So I'm thinking that 80cc he wants to do next time is going to be out of the question. My PS knows I'm not a very patient person, though! Rubytuesday, thanks for the idea of squeezing the top -- that's seems to have much more effect than just putting pressure on the top. I've been focusing on the left side because the right side is already lower, and I want to be even when all this is over!

Oh, and I'm glad to hear the muscle spasms are normal. It reminds me of having Braxton-Hicks contractions where everything tightens up. I've found massage helps a lot with the muscle spasms, but you can't do that if one starts in the middle of Target! 

Sheila

Teribear

Sheila,

Those muscle spasms sure are normal. I had a few of them put me on the floor since they took my breath away. I just sank to the ground and couldn't move til it passed.  Soma, muscle relaxers helped SO MUCH. 

Don't worry about where your expanders are.  One of mine was under my arm, and the other had a leak and was so much smaller, and lower.  The implants, are perfection.  They are right where they are supposed to be!  I do see ripples in them when I move my arms a certain way but they are worth every pain, every expansion, every muscle spasm!  

 Now for the nipples? Well, that remains to be seen.  Right now they are all bruised and battered and look like a porcupine from alllll the stitches!  I have a hard time looking at them. 

 Best of luck!  Glad I could help some. I know this site was invaluable to me during my expansion time. 

Take care, Teri.

Teribear

Sheila,

I notice we have almost the same dx.  How did they find yours? 

Tanzie

Hey all,

I woke up with 300 ccs per side, my PS used alloderm.   Yes, I felt as if I had a house sitting on my chest!  

I've only had two fills so far.  My first was 65cc, and though I was uncomfortable it wasn't horrible.   This last time we tried 100cc.   It didn't kill me.   So, we'll probably do 100 again next time.  I'm glad I can take so much since I want to have my exchange before christmas.

Good luck!

Tanz

Daffodil

Sheila, be patient~~~easier said than done. After one substantial fill, I felt pretty good.

I just took the one pain pill I'd brought along, in case, and went to my nail appointment.

Suffice it to say, I wound up on the floor in a dead faint, waking to a dozen little faces looking down, a man putting compresses on my forehead~~~and the Rescue Squad on the way!

Needless to say, we have been doing 60ccs ever since, and I go home, at least for a while.

Of course, the nail salon manager inquires nervously after my health every visit!

Good luck!

SueG

Just found this site and am really glad I did.  Had my first diagnosis of br.ca. 14 years ago (left breast lumpectomy + radiation + five years tamoxifen) and in July was rediagnosed same breast   Had a mastectomy with immediate tissue expander insertion on Aug. 25 so am just 12 days post-op.  My tissue expander boob is feeling very hard and warm.  I have no temperature and am still taking the antibiotics prescribed by my PS.  I see him for follow up on Monday but on Friday night I am a little anxious.  Should my boob be hard and warm?  Thanks for all your help women.

lilyj

Hello Sue G.

 I had a double mastectomy and expanders put in June and it wasn't until the 4th of July that I felt "normal".  I would swear that my expander were inflamed because they were so hot and SORE.  I'd look in the mirror and they looked fine.  I was sure they were infected and something was horribly wrong, or that I was crazy.  I guess it was just my skin stretching.  It is very painful.  But it does get better with time. 

I had my first fill today and I did alright until 4 hours later, and then the pain hit.  Ice works very well!!!  And back on my pain med's.

Since I'm opting to be pretty small, I think this will be my ony fill. 

 Hang in there - it does get better.  That's all I keep saying.  And try ice bags.

Lilyj 

thetrumumshow

I've been feeling unwell recently.  I spiked a temperature and the pain in my left ribs seemed to get worse after that.  They wanted to admit me for IV antibiotics but i was so upset my Consultant compromised with oral meds and an ultrasounf which didn't show any infection.  My pain medication has been increased to Tramadol and Lorazepam but they make me nauseous so I'm now on anti-emetics to deal with that.  Here I am almost 7 weeks post-op and I'm still uncomfortable.  I spoke to my breast care Nurse on Thursday and she said it's unusual to still be this uncomfortable at this stage.  She also said that some women are left feeling able to feel their implants permanently.  I didn't want to hear that at this stage as I'm not doing that well to be honest!!!   Has anybody else heard this? 

Jeansbeans

Hi Sheila.  I also had tissue expanders in at time of double mast. When I woke up I had 400cc's in one and 300 in the other!  I thought that was the way it was done, so I suffered in pain and then 3 weeks later my PS filled me another 180cc's!!!  I was in soooooooo much pain!  YES, You are going way toooo fast. Slow down, and be comfortable inbetween fills. As I was out of state for the surgery, I now have a wonderful PS. He saw me twice to remove enough saline to make me comfortable.  I have been 2 months waiting for my next fill. { I am now at 375cc's and finally the streaching and pain had stopped} I have my next fill on Sept.19th, I am asking for ONLY 30cc's!  Call me a baby, but no way do I want to feel the way I did!  I hope you feel better after your fills, Go slow and good luck.  Tender hugs to all!  Jeanie

sbmolee

I had bilat surgery with immediate placement of expanders.  I was filled to 200cc (they took approx 100-120cc of breast tissue out - yes that was all I had to give). My first fill was 75ccs and I did great - no pain.  Second fill was less due to the incisions not being healed and ps did not want to risk the incision popping open.  I did 50 at second fill.  Three more fills follows at 60cc each.  I will tell you for me as the fills continues so did the amount of pain/stretching.  I did not need more than a tylenol for the first two, but the third I took left over pain med until I ran out.  At the 4th, they gave me a muscle relaxant rather than a pain med (I was skeptical) but it was the better med for the expanding of the muscle and skin and really controlled the pain!  My fills were every two weeks and I had first thing in the am then went to work.  My evening - I was ready for ice packs!!

I was told to massage the breasts - round circular motions (lotion helps) to reduce scar tissue forming.  PS said I had great sublingual folds after surgery (muscle shape under boobs?) so did not have me do the exercise you described.

Best of luck!

SueG

Hi LilyJ, Thanks so much for your really supportive reply.  Friday night after I sent my message out I did try some ice and like you said it works.  It was particularly helpful to know (misery loves company) that it was a few weeks after the initial surgery that you started to feel more normal.

Hope the pain has started to subside from the fill on Friday.  I too am hoping that it will not take too many fills as I do not have much to live up to on the other side!  Thanks so much for replying. 

lilyj

Thanks, Sue.

 I wish I could say it was like a walk in the park, but it isn't.  I really feel that by this stage in the recovery everything for us all should be easy.  The fill was alright, and the next few hours were simple, but at 3pm it hit and I had to take pain pills.  It's expecially sore under my arm where the lymphnodes were taken out and the breast area that was radiated.  I know it will pass and I'll be happy with my deciison, but right now I am questioning that?!  I've taken ativan to just knock me out, and Advil during the day.  I'm just looking forward to the day I have the exchange and can start a new chapter.

Thank you all

Lilyj 

MrsTG

Hello Ladies,

 I'm new here and I've been reading your post regarding the expanders.  I had a mastectomy with expander implant during same op.  They tried to save the nipple but it went black and I needed for it to fall off by itself in order to avoid infection.  Op took place 4/6/08 and I got my first fill on 11/8/08.  expander was flat all that time.  Now I get 60 cc once a week and for the last 4 days I've been in pain when I'm in bed.  God I though I was the only 1 feeling like the expander was a dead elephant on my chest.  I'm thinking of having the DIEP but I'm still not sure.  I'd really like some personal opinions on both DIEP or Implants? 

Thank you ladies

Mrs TG

SueG

Hey Mrs. TG

My tissue expander was put in three weeks ago with 60cc of filler.  I had my first post-op fill today and because my skin was still fairly tight (I previously had radiation on this breast) we decided to go with just 25cc.  My plastic surgeon and nurse clinician seem to prefer a more gradual process as they feel it is less likely to cause pain and discomfort.  It will be take longer  but I am OK with this as I am not a large breasted woman.  Having read other posts it seems that most women get much larger amounts per fill.  Don't know if that makes the process more painful or not.

Good luck!

psalmist

Hi all -- I haven't posted on this thread for a long time.  Thought I would weigh in on my continued recon.  I was in SO much pain after surgery that I couldn't imagine expansion.  The PS says he only put in 30 cc when he placed the expanders, but I had more of a "bump" than that - maybe because of the shape of the implant?   Anyway, I had to have a scar revision on one side at 2 wks post op, so the PS delayed my first fill another 3 weeks.   I am SO glad the PS  waited to start fills, b/c my chest wall finally healed enough.  I had no pain at all - took 75 cc first fill (5 weeks post op).  The second fill was 90 cc - pressure but no pain.  I go tomorrow for fill #3 and am hoping I can do another 90 or more.  

Stretch exercises have helped a lot.  I posted a thread about having a square edge along the bottom of my expanders and am happy to report they are "unfurling" more and more.  For awhile you would swear my PS was Picasso.

 The expanders definitely feel weird, but I feel pretty good overall!  Thanks to all who encouraged me to be PATIENT!! 

Jackieb11

Hi Ladies,

I have just found this site (thankfully).  I had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on June 18th.  I just had my last fill today (hopefully).  I have found this to be a very painful process.  I have pain in my ribs, under my arm, I have difficulty taking a deep breath and the pain radiates around to my back.  I am in agony if I sneeze or cough and I am doing my best to avoid catching a cold.  I was an "A" cup and I want to be a high "C".  I am very small framed and am not sure if that makes it more painful.  I also had nipple sparing on the left side and that is where I have most of the pain.  My Dr. told me it is because I have more nerves on that side, they had to spare the nerves to save the nipple.  I guess that makes sense.  I will have my exchange surgery in December so my goal is to somehow make it through until then.  I am back to work full time and finding it difficult to sit for 8-9 hours per day.  I am considering reducing my hours at work, but not sure how my employer will feel about it.  I am just doing the best that I can to take care of myself and survive this.  The hardest thing for me is everyone in my life thinks the cancer is in my past.  I think it is a journey and I am not done yet.  I deal with it on a daily basis.  Am I crazy or what?  I am working, caring for my kids, I run every day even though it kills me.  I am tired of pretending that I am "wonder woman".  How do you all cope?

Thanks for listening...............Hang in there, I will too.

Estepp

Hello,

If I may ask, how many of you had your bi-lat and expanders put in, then had rads after? I would like to hear about your process of this. Thank you!

Laura

JanCM

Sheila,

I had 240 cc initially and did 60 cc each week beginning at 4 (maybe 5) weeks post-op.  I wasn't ready after 3 weeks and told my ps so.  60 cc was not bad for me.  I did 100 cc once and whew!  It was a stretch!  Regardless, after 2 days, the soreness would go away.  The syringe was only 60 cc and I did not like the idea of getting "stabbed" twice in each side so 60 was a much better number!

I am not sure about the stretching exercise.  I wish I had been given some but never received advice from my ps about this.

-Janelle 

sbmolee

JackieB - I agree it is a journey and the feelings come in waves.  Some days are good  - some not so good - physically and emotionally.  This is alot to go through!!

I asked for a meds for pain management.  They gave me muscle relaxant rather than pain meds.  I was skeptical but it was so wonderful for the pain around my back, ribs and chest muscles.  I could still work and drive as I took such a low dose.  Only need for a fews days with each fill.  Also ice packs.

good luck

sheesh1961

Let's see if I can remember all the replies I wanted to include here ...

Teri, I found a lump last fall, went for a mammogram in January (the first I could get in), then went to see a surgeon. Nothing showed up on the mammogram, so we decided to wait 4 months and re-do the mammogram and see if there were any changes. No changes in the lump, so in May I went back for mammo and ultrasound. Mammo still showed nothing, but the US showed the lump, plus two other "mildly suspicious" areas very close to it. Went back in June for an US-guided core needle biopsy, and the lump turned out to be benign, but the other two areas were DCIS. Then I had an MRI to see if it was multifocal or on the other side, and the MRI didn't show anything -- it didn't even clearly show the DCIS we already knew was there. That's when I decided to go with double mast -- which turned out to be the right decision because there was more DCIS on the left and ADH on the right. I am very grateful for a thorough surgeon who ordered the US along with the mammo. If I wouldn't have had the US, I would have just had the lump biopsied and I'd be sitting here now thinking everything was OK -- and who knows how much later I would have caught it.

Jeanie - yikes on your 350 and 400cc at surgery! I know I need to be patient -- it's just not one of my virtues. I go tomorrow for my second fill. 

Pansy -- your nail salon story is scary but funny -- although I'm sure you didn't think so at the time! But I had it in mind when I scheduled my second fill -- AFTER work!

MrsTG -- love the dead elephant analogy! I tell people it feels like I'm wearing a steel bra three sizes too small.

Jackieb -- holy cow, I can't believe everything you're doing through this! You're RUNNING? I can't even imagine. I was a jogger (not much, around 2 miles/day) and now I'm walking about the same distance, but I don't even want to think about running yet. I'm working 4 hours/day, and my employer is good about it fortunately. My big problem is that I feel like I have to wear a bra to look "normal" -- a padded bra usually does it. Partly because the expanders are so high and just look so fake, plus my incisions show through most of my shirts -- kind of looks like the seam on an old-fashioned bra, but not in the same place on each side. But wearing a bra is absolute torture. I have a 25-minute drive to work, and I'm ready to rip it off by the time I get there. I take it off the minute I get in the car to go home. I've tried several different styles -- even a tube bra with shaped cups -- but everything is hideously uncomfortable. So I told my boss that I'm not going back to full-time til after my exchange surgery. I have to say that I'm very impressed with what you're managing to do through all this!

Janelle - my PS has the syringe hooked up to an IV bag, so I don't have to get stabbed twice. He just "refills" the syringe from the IV bag after emptying it the first time. Stretching has been helping me, but it doesn't help the muscle spasms.

Does anyone else have more pain right where the port in the expander is? I feel like that puppy is going to pop right through my skin sometimes, even when everything else is stretched out enough that I'm halfway comfortable.

I'm off to bed -- which reminds me, any tips on getting comfortable in bed? I've been so cranky because I haven't gotten a good night's sleep since my surgery!

Gentle hugs to all,
Sheila

jktd

jackieb11-I understand how you are feeling! I had a right mastectomy on June 13th and had my last fill 3 weeks ago. Most of the time I had 100cc's put in at one time and paid for the 3 to 4 day back, rib, and spine pain afterwards. Sometimes I couldn't walk, sit or stand comfortably. When I had a couple 50cc fills the pain was tolerable but then I kept thinking about how much longer it would take to get the fills over with. I just wanted to get it done. I too went back to work full-time, but I am able to move around alot and find that stretching every hour really helps with the stiffness. I am scheduled for my exchange surgery in October. If the pain continues to be a problem your PS can remove some of the saline and you can have it replaced slower over a bit more time. I have also found that the discomfort has decreased considerably for about a week know. I think my body has started to accept the stretching process. Also, don't be afraid to take your pain medicine and your PS can also give you a prescription for a muscle relaxer. Hang in there. It will get better. As far a coping with the journey through all of this- I try to keep myself really busy so I don't have time to think about what may be in the far away future. Just take each day at a time and don't overwhelm yourself with everything that may happen down the road. I try and look at the light at the end of this tunnel  as the upcoming exchange surgery. I am really looking forward to this hard rock leaving my chest and getting something I can roll over onto and sleep with! Hugs, Jeanne

morning

I've been getting 75 cc's each time. There's a little pain, but not much and it goes away in a couple days.

ilovemykids

I had my bilat mast with tissue expanders on 9/3/08.  The plastic surgeon was able to place 300cc's into each expander at the time of the surgery.  I go in next Friday for a fill.  I am not sure what to expect.  My pain is getting better everyday.  It has been 2 1/2 weeks since surg and filling of expanders.  Don't be scared, I think that as soon as you get your expanders filled, the pain will start to diminish.  The problem that I have is feeling one of them move when I bend forward.  I have been told that when they are filled, the movement of the expanders stops.  I think having them move around is the part that is so bothersome.

Daffodil

Many of you have mentioned muscle relaxants.Such as? My doctors have only offered pain meds and suggested ibuprofen!

thetrumumshow

My Surgeon started me on Lorazepam which has really helped with the chest tightness.  Hasn't stopped the implant moving around any though which is causing me a lot of discomfort.

sbmolee

My ps gave me 5mg of valium.  Worked very well for relaxing the chest tightness as well as some tightness in my upper back.

jktd

Pansy-

For a muscle relaxant I was given Flexeril (generic name: cyclobenzaprine) 10 mg at bedtime.

40somethingMom

Wow, I can not believe how many of these comments are exactly how I feel or have felt. I am only 3weeeks post expander placement. Having most of the pain & discomfort a little migration too, I definatly feel sore when I lean over & sleeping is rough--

  I spent the summer with my right mastectomy and determined I did not want to spend the rest of my life with something popping out of my bra.  So I know I  am doing what's right for me, I also choose the prophylactic mast on my left because they found micro deposits that I was told to watch for the rest of my life & had one site large enough to have another core biopsy on which was enough worry to seal the deal on choosing to go bilat with recon. 

 BUT I am fighting with my emotions on what sizeto recon to, I was a small B & wore padded bras that gave me a comfortable full B look, i guess padded bras should not be described as comfortable.  I am already expanded to the size I looked with the padded bras (full and even with all the pain and discomfort & terrible look of these expanders in the mirror I love love only having to wear a thin sports bra or down the line none at all!!  OK here is my dilemma  ************ I HATE when people comment on my reconstruction, ( like you're going bigger right) as if I was sooo small before (I guess I was) & I feel judged if I do go to the small C I would desire, and I do not want people commenting all the time on the fact that I went bigger & I do not want my 11 year old daughter ,who may not develop large (like me)  to feel insecure*** How do I become as confident as some of you on this thread & embrace my right to have reconstruction.  I AM TRYING EVERYDAY to say this is OK and I have the right to do this.  Anyone else feel this way or am I a basket case?