Prophylactic Double Mastectomy w/ Expander Placement

AmandaL

Just had Prophylactic DMX on 9-14-11. Tissue Expanders were placed at time of surgery. Healing well and was just coming off pain meds the end of last week. Not so much pain as extreme discomfort. I've heard that it's a little more uncomfortable for small-framed people though. Slept great Friday night and felt great ready to finally be off the couch and out of the bed Saturday morning! However, felt extreme tightening and twitching in right side of chest which later turned into full blown cramping throughout chest. It still has not stopped. I've talked to my PS and he told me it's normal and to continue wrapping my chest or wearing tight sports bra. I had stopped wearing anything because he told me when I had my drains taken out, that from here on out, it's a comfort issue what I wear/if I wear anything. Said my muscles are telling me they need support. Since I have no feeling in my chest, and was over any pain, I felt great and like it wasn't necessary to wear anything-everything has been digging in under my armpits making me uncomfortable, so I chose nothing. Clearly, this was a mistake. Maybe I would have cramped-up anyway, who knows. But it's extremely uncomfortable, impossible to sleep......today will be 3 days straight of constant cramping. Has anyone else experienced this?? I did have my doc call me Saturday but didn't want to bother him again over the weekend. So, I plan to call as soon as his office is open this morning. I've read that muscle relaxers are taken at this point.....anyone have any comments, recommendations, or similar stories???

NHsmiles

Hi Amanda,

i had the worst muscle contractions after my Bilateral Mastetomy, and I wore the hospital support bras for weeks after surgery.  When the discomfort was too great from wearing the hospital support bra, I wore a  slightly less supportive bra to give myself a break. I would massage my breasts whenever I had muscle tightness, and I still do.  

 I have read on these boards that many women had used muscle relaxers to relieve the discomfort of muscle spasms. You need t do what you need to do to get through the process.  Also, do not beat yourself up regarding wearing or not wearing a bra.

Also, make sure you are not over doing it.... my muscle spasms were worse on the days I did too much.....

Heather 

AmandaL

Thanks Heather, it makes me feel so much better just knowing someone out there knows what I'm feeling! Even though I don't FEEL like I'm doing anything at all, I know deep down that I'm rushing the process. I'm a very active person and can never seem to sit still, always moving....trying my hardest to sit and rest as much as possible it's just so hard to do! So you never felt you had to take muscle relaxers? I guess each person's body is so different and I know everyone handles pain/discomfort differently too. Thanks so much for the input!

NHsmiles

I was so out of it after my surgery for a few weeks  that I didn't think about muscle relaxers.  I was so uncomfortable for weeks.

I had sharp pains that were the nerves, my boobs felt like they were in labor with contractions...omg, looking back I have no idea how I got through it.

I know it is hard to sit still, but you need to take care of yourself.  I had a seroma, my drains in longer, additional pain...etc from not taking it easy.

Trust me, since then after any surgery I am a slug.  I put my healing first. You must be patient with you body as it heals.

Ask your doctor for a script for muscle relaxers. Life is too short to endure pain or discomfort.

Heather 

Anonymous

I agree with others here.  I sopped needing the pain meds, but the muscle relaxors-especially after fills were a MUST.  I didn't take them much during the day, because by that point I was back to work, but I did take them the minute I walked throug the door.  The other thing, though probaby too late for you, but for others to know is that there's some great new literature out there about the nerve reaction to  BMX.  I was on neurontin-for that purpose-for about 10 days post op-and it really helped with those "zingers" people descirbe.  I still have them occasssionally-but no where near as often-and sometime wonder if they could have left the neruontin on board for a longer period of time.  It's worth asking about if you're pre BMX.