Why do the expanders cause such pressure and pain???

Anonymous

Why do the expanders cause such pressure and pain???

Tober

Hello, it's been almost three weeks since by double mastectomy. I was told the drain tubes were the worst. True they sucked but honestly nothing is more awful then these expanders. I am small so they had to do the skin graphing to cover my left side but lord the pressure and soreness is just unbearable. Does it ever ease up. I haven't been able to take any pan meds three days after surgery. Trust me I had tried everything. I'm allergic to codeine, vicodine and Norco make me throw up, and the others make me hallucinate. So the fact that I have been on only Advil and Tylenol since surgery doesn't help. Any o ther things anyone has done to help relieve the pain? I am all ears.

Thank you,

Michele

Kessa619

Hi, Tober. I am sorry you can't find any relief from expander pain. I went direct to implant so I don't know how you are feeling. I am having a lot of muscle contractions and my PS prescribed Valium as a muscle relaxer. Since you can't take narcotics, maybe that would help. Good luck. I hope you find something than works.

jlstacey

I'm in physical therapy now, and have learned a lot about why TE and BMX cause so much discomfort. Since the TE are placed under your muscle, they cause muscles and fascia to be totally out of whack. Those pectoral muscles are not used to having those things under them. The pull on the pectorals pulls on surrounding muscles which then pull on the muscles surrounding them etc. They cause head to toe issues. The fascia covering your muscles becomes really tight, which can cause the limited range of motion. Additionally, TEs can cause rotator cuff issues, because those pecs are pulling on your shoulders. Look into physical therapy in two to three months. If you can, look into booking the appointment now for the Physical Medicine doctor, as mine booked out several months.

I didn't take much pain meds during my fills, I took muscle relaxers.

Hope this helps!

Jena

Moderators

Other members have provided really good tips. It is terrible to have to live with such pain. We too suggest that you discuss this with your doctor, and get the right medication to help relieve your symptoms.