continued Tissue expander pain!!

MooreTennis

Allison - my fills didn't get worse each time. I had an intense burning sensation in both foobs during my second fill and wasn't sure how I was going to handle the remaining fills but after the second one, I only experienced tightness for a couple of days (worse in the morning when getting out of bed). The day before and the day of the fill, I did 4 stretching exercises twice a day that seemed to help (they are posted on this thread - about a month ago). Good luck on your remaining fills.

4greatkids

Allison, I agree with Denise. My fills did not get worse necessarily. They were all different. My first and my last were the worst. I actually thought that as the TE's filled, some of the pain on my ribcage was alleviated. As much as I hated it, I was only able to sleep in a practically upright position. I also agree that the stretching helps and try a warm bath before bed.

Alitman

Denise & 4Great - thank you for the info - I will search the thread for the stretches and try the bath at night.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

By the way, what are "foobs"? I have been able to figure out the rest of the shortcuts, but this one eludes me completely - I also refer to the TE's as my transformers as they are transforming me back into a girl...LOL

Thanks, Allison

FACECRAFTER

Allison,

Foobs are short for fake-boobs.   Fipples are short for fake-nipples.   I like the transformer idea..

JUDY

Alitman

I have a question....... I did not have any tissue used from my back or belly with my reconstruction so I was thinking (and you will all probably think I am insane), what if I elected to have tummy tuck surgery at the same time as my exchange?  I am wondering if I am crazy to even consider such a surgery but since I am going to be "under" again why not get something else fixed while I am at it...... I'm overweight and feel this will help me with my overall body image.  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  I welcome any and all thoughts.  I am sure it will be painful but I have no idea how painful - I had a C-section with my 1st child and I have a vague memory of that (he's 21).  I also know that at 28 I healed a lot faster than I do now at 50.  I am trying to be realistic about this but also have no one to discuss it with.  Thoughts??

swest

Allison - I have read on these threads several women who had a tummy tuck at the same time.  I bet it would be possible.  Throw it up to you PS.  It can't hurt to ask...get what you want!

pammers

Good morning Ladies

Well I'm hoping to finally get my drain out tomorrow which I'm sure will take away some of this discomfort. I don't know if I'll get a fill. I do feel hardness across the scar and don't know if that's normal or if anything built up these last 2 weeks if anyone has had this and knows what I'm talking about. And yes this is a great site. I'm glad I found it after surgery to help explain the process better since I didn't really get much info from the ps on post surgery pain. I waited 4 years for the recon so I thought less info was better so I wouldn't back out. Again the pain will be the gain soon I hope.

MooreTennis

pammers - i hope you were able to get your drain out today and if you were able to get your first fill - i hope you didn't have any problems.

swest

Hi Ladies!  I'm going for my final fill and consultation today.  I am getting kind of anxious.  I just want this to go right the first time.  My PS is trying to get everything in this year so I won't have to pay another deductible next year.

Pammers - I hope you are doing OK.

Denise - Do you have a date for your exchange (I can't remember-chemobrain)?

Have a great day everyone!

Sonia

MooreTennis

Sonia - yes, I have a date... Sept 15th. Good luck with your final fill. Let us know how it went.

dee1961

Hello all,

Congrats Sonya on you last fill! I just had another 50 cc in on Monday, so I am at 675 cc now. The pain in the muscle on the right side hurts too bad to even move. The left side has hardly any pain at all. The PS thinks that the TE has shifted on the right side and is why I am so uncomfortable. I know that it is a process I have to go through to get to the exchange, but it gets hard sometimes. I too would like to get my surgeries done this year for insurance purposes ... hope I make it! Take care everyone

MooreTennis

dee1961 - sorry you are in so much pain - sending you ((((HUGS)))). My right TE shifted in the pocket and I experience more pain/discomfort on this side which happens to be the prophylatic side. I have finished with my fills and I can tell you it gets better (at least it did for me).

dee1961

Well my TE has a fold in it so the port is poking me in the muscle making it very painful, I will be so happy to get these darn things outta there! Glad to hear the pain goes away once they are gone...thanks

swest

Dee1961-When do you get your expander out?  Are they filling you with the expander folded?  That sounds horrible!

dee1961

Yes, I will have it for a few more months, I will be so glad for the exchange.

4greatkids

Dee161- I had a fold in my expander for a while and it gave me terrible backaches. Then after one of my fills, it unfolded. I hope that happens for you. I never thought I'd survive the te's. I even asked my ps to take them out at one point. Luckily, he wouldn't listen to me. Now, I am having my exchange in two weeks and the bricks will be gone, Thank god!!

makingway

God! I can't wait to get this TE out! I was told by my breast surgeon after my mastectomy that my TE was folded.That was why it was sticking up so high. I have been in pain for 8 weeks. I don't know if it's lymphedema (from the ALND) or the damned expander, but I told my plastic surgeon there's no way I could go through chemo with this pain.-not physically nor mentally. Well I saw my plastic surgeon today to schdule the implant exchange surgery and he informed me my TE was turned sideways. That's why it looks like it does. IT's been that way from the beginning!!!! I am truly doubtful of doctors now...

dee1961

O0owwwwwwwwwww!!!!

dee1961

I can relate to wanting to take them out 4greatkids, they have been getting worse each fill. Here's to getting them out! I hope it is worth it in the end. I think the new foobs should be pretty fabulous since we had to go thru so much to get 'em...lol

4greatkids

dee1961- I was so irrational about my te's at some points during my expansion. I kept telling my ps after every fill that it I was filled enough. Luckily, my dh came with me to call of my appointments and got me through them. Then, there was one appoinmnet that he couldn't come. I thought it was my last fill. My ps walked in and said, "well i think it will be two more after today I completely lost it. In the end, I ended up with one more after that, but I complained all the way through. Now my exchange is in two weeks and I am worried that I won't be big enough. Big enough for what for gods sake. I just want these bricks removed. They don't hurt anymore, but I just want to sleep on my stomach and hold my arms normally.

swest

I really feel for you gals with folded TE's.  I'm uncomfortable and can't imagine what you are going through.  Hopefully it will go by fast. 

Denise - Only two weeks!  Yea!!!!

heymoose

Hi All,

I have not written any thing on this site in awhile.  I have been where you all are, last year.  I will let you know that the exchange surgery is so much easier and the new girls feel great.  They are soft and comfortable.  I was very uncomfortable with my TE and am sorry that anyone has had a folded TE.  I am sending all of you (((((HUGS and PRAYERS))))).

Have a nice evening and a pain free tomorrow.

Heymoose(Cheryl)

Nebraskagrandma

Allison,

      I see you're from Blair do you come into Omaha for treatment ? I am in Papillion, Ne. I go to Estabrook Cancer Center in Omaha. My PS is at 89th and Dodge I am having my final surgery on Aug.10th. A lift of the right breast and nipple recon on the left. One thing I learned during my TE phase was at first I tried to rely on pain pills or Ibuprofen for relief. I found as I progressed through it that I had alot better luck using the muscle relaxer pills my PS gave me. Another great thing that helped me with sleeping was a body pillow. May sound crazy, but I was so tired of sleeping on my back. I could use the body pillow to cushion me as I got comfortable on my side.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all,

Paula

swest

I had my last fill a week ago last Tuesday and I'm still having some discomfort (not pain).  This morning when I woke up I could feel my right pec. muscle....well I don't know what it was doing but it felt like I had a big time workout!  Now as the day goes on it is not bothering me.  If I reach a certain way it grabs me.  Is this normal?  Of course if I have any pains my mind starts racing........

Sonia

dee1961

Sonia,

Nothing is "NORMAL" about what we have been going through. I would have to say that what you are experiencing with the pulling feeling is parr for the course with the expanders. It's like having aliens in our chest..LOL I understand the mind racing about every pain or twinge, I do the same thing... I hate it and I HATE cancer !

Anonymous

dee1961 - LOVE the "aliens in the chest" thought - absolutely perfect explanation! 

sonia - I had my last fill almost 3 weeks ago and only two days ago did I start to feel less tightness and general discomfort.  This is getting REALLY OLD!   Only 7 1/2 weeks to go til exchange! (not like I'm counting the days or anything...LOL)

MooreTennis

Sonia - I had my last fill the middle of June and there are some mornings I wake up and feel like I have just been through the mx surgery - so very tight. And as you mentioned, I can move a certain way and my chest lets me know there is something foreign in there. I haven't been doing my stretching exercises and I can definitely tell by the tightness. Thankfully, only 6 1/2 weeks until exchange. (((HUGS))) Hope it gets better soon.

swest

Thanks everyone for the reassurance!  I thought it was just me freaking out.  I'm counting down too!  4 more weeks to soft foobies!!!!!!

4greatkids

Some nights I'll be sleeping soundly ( so to speak) and I am just awakened by some unexplained pain in one of the te's. You try to forget that they are there, but it's impossible. I even find it painful to carry a bunch of clothes to the washer if I am holding them too close to my chest. Then of course I still get these phantom breast pains. I hate that. I never did ask if I will still get those with the implants. I hope not.

Celine

I thoought it would be a good idea to post this here. I've posted thi already at a different forum.

I went to had another fill yesterday. My ps added 80 cc to each tes and had a total of 490cc. My right side went well however on my left side te, I felt excruciating pain from under my arm and radiates inside the middle of my te, also if I raised my left arm i felt my nerve muscles shooting pain on my left back. My left side is where they found the cancer which is very close to my chest wall. I hope this is normal and go away for a few days. I can't rule out infection or leaking on my left tes because I don't know what theses symptoms are.Has anyone had the same experience having this close to the filling process? I am taking a vacation to Canada in September and don't want to have any complications what-so ever. After my vacation, I will schedule an exchange date with my ps. My ps starting to know me more and I told him that be prepared on my next visit, I  have a list of question for you again. He laughed but love it. Take care and love you all. I am drugged=up with vicodin and valium right now. I think this is my longest response here so far with my medication taking effect. Oh well, good vibes to all.

Update: I felt a little better this afternoon. I think I am going to be okay. whewwww.