Infection?? Almost 5 mo out from exchange sx..

Artista928

Last night my left foob was feeling off, kind of angry. A bit of pain but not for long. Lifted my bra is it's pretty red and pretty warm. This foob was radiated but it ended last June. Had silicone implants in in Dec. How on earth do you get infected? Any chance it's anything else? Anyone experience this this far out from messing with it?? Going to call ps in the am but am scared.

macb04

Arista, I am sorry you are having this happen. I haven't heard of infection this far out, but it is good to check so you can make sure to keep your implant. I had an episode of seroma and warmth about a month after I got my implant last spring. I had fluid drained off during an ultrasound procedure. They cultured it, came back something I had never heard of before (I work in healthcare) I was on antibiotics so, I went to see my Naturopath and was put on High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C (60 grams). The antibiotics didn't help, and the infectious disease doc was starting to talk about taking out my implant. That is why I got the IV Vitamin C as soon as possible. There is no way to get that high a dose of Vitamin C orally, I can only get up to 15 grams orally with Liposomal Vitamin C. IV Vitamin C totally cleared it up, first the slight pain went, then the warmth and finally the redness. Heavy duty antibiotics weren't working, and I struggled hard through multiple reconstruction surgeries to finally look sort of normal. No way was I giving up my implant without a fight.

Artista928

Thanks. Yeah, it's a bad infection. One that has pain on and off, is pretty tight, red. Temp was 100.0 last check. I'm on 2 abx for a week then I go in for the assess. This seems worse to me than in Sept 2015 when I was admitted to hospital for a few days. I wish he'd just admit me already. Probably an insurance thing that they have to try oral abx before IV.

Does Medicare insurance cover IV vit C? I'd imagine it's pricey if you are a cash pt? I don't have a naturpath so it'd have to be my pcp to order it. I'm probably low on C, I don't take any supps nor eat much fruit for long periods of time.

macb04

Regular medicine doctors were never taught about IV Vitamin C. It's not covered by insurance, unfortunately. I paid out of pocket for the IV Vitamin C. I used my savings and even broke into a CD that I had inherited when my mother died to pay for those IV treatments. I consider it money well spent, although I was wrecked financially.

Why don't you get some Vitamin C chewable tablets? Vitamin C is really safe, even at high doses When you are sick, you can absorb a much larger amount by mouth, without loose stools, than you can manage to take in when you are well.

Molly50

Artista, I am so sorry you are dealing with infection! It is crazy so long after exchange surgery. I bought high quality Vitamin C that are time release. My PS is a huge believer in using Vitamin C 2000 mg twice daily before and after surgery.

Molly50

I would also recommend you take a good probiotic.

Artista928

Thanks ladies.

Molly- What brand vit C do you buy?

macb04

Hi Arista928. Liposomes are used in this cool method, whereby Vitamin C and other substances are encapsulated by Fats (ie phosphodidylserine? From Sunflower oil or other oils like that) to increase how much is absorbed. This liposomal technology is even being used for delivery of some other medications. , Using Lipospheric Vitamin C has increased absorption compared to other oral formulations of Ascorbic Acid, and brings your blood levels up higher than is possible with other Oral forms, with less chance of diarrhea before you can get adequate, effective blood levels. It is easy to buy at Amazon and other places online. The study just shows Liposomal Vitamin C has increased absorption compared to regular oral Vitamin C. I have bought that one before.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915787/

https://www.amazon.com/Lypo-Spheric-Vitamin-Bioavailability-Professionally-Phospholipids/dp/B000CD9XGC/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1493507562&sr=1-4&keywords=lypo-spheric+vitamin+c

Artista928

Thanks Macb. I found this https://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-916880-dr-mercola-p... which is capsules v the powder you linked. I just ordered a bottle.

Also, Sports Research, a brand I use, uses coconut oil for greater absorption of their Vit D 3 5000 iu. Similar thought on absorption using fat.

melmcbee

Artista I had to have my implant removed because of infection at 5 to 6 months from placement. I was done after that and never chose to do it again. How are you feeling

Artista928

I'm doing ok, thanks. The infection is long gone. We've been dealing with a tiny gap/hole where a bit of lymph was coming out. PS gave it 3 weeks to make sure no infection then 2 weeks ago stitched it up. Last Mon was 1 week post stitches and he said it looks good. Of course we won't know if hole has closed on it's own until stitches come out he says a week from tomorrow to see. If it didn't work then it comes out. I really like having my implants so I will keep trying if it comes down to it.

BHop

I posted this earlier today on another thread but am posting here as well. I got an infection about 2 months after my last radiation treatment. Things did not go well...here is my post. Hoping someone may be experiencing the same thing? Well, not HOPING because it sucks....

I am allergic to titanium and insisted I not have the markers or clips used. I had them inserted during my biopsy and remained after my first lumpectomy. I had a horrible time with the incision healing. When the need arose for my 2nd lumpectomy, my doctor agreed with me and said she'd remove the clips/markers to get the metal out of my body. I had a heck of a time post radiation. I had blistering that took a few weeks to heal. One spot however did not. I got an infection in my breast in October causing fluid buildup, fever and swelling. I had multiple treatments to remove the fluid. The area became thin and there was an existing sore that would not heal. I ended up in the hyperbaric chamber for the latter part of last year. Fast forward to June 1 of this year. I needed to go BACK in for another biopsy because the radiologist was seeing some more calcifications and wanted to biopsy it. Once again I "strongly urged" them NOT to put the metal in my breast. The radiologist asked me why I am so adamant about not having metal in my body. I explained my two hip surgeries and then went to the lumpectomies where you had taken the metal out. She said "you do realize there are metal clips in your breast?" I was pretty shocked and confused to put it mildly. I am now thinking back and wondering and am fairly certain that all my issues I had post radiation with healing.

If anyone else has had anything like this I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Oh and my last biopsy came back negative!! Yay!