continued Tissue expander pain!!

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  • MissyKWVURN
    MissyKWVURN Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2009

    Ok ladies-my PS said it will get better once he starts filling. First fill is going to be on 9/3, with 50cc in each expander. He'll continue to fill me once a week, 50cc in each expander, expanding me to a total of 800cc in each. YES, this may sound like alot, but I was a B pre-op, and I am big-boned. In the end, my implants will be C's. Anyhoo, after he's done filling, which will be in early January, then it's 3 months until my exchange surgery. It's going to be a slow process, but I'd rather do things slowly and be happy with my results :)

     Swest, he did recommend stretching more and he also told me to do the exercises they told me to do after my drains were removed. He also told me to take Advil if I wanted. 

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited August 2009

    Good to hear Missy. You will be glad you took it slowly.  It really makes this process much more tolerable. 

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  • Faythnme
    Faythnme Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone!  I've read most of the posts and some had pain with expanders and some not,  I had mine put in last week and I am in much discomfort.  I feel other muscles moving around my back that can be painful.  It's getting hard to sleep period even in the recliner. Sometimes I'll sleep with my head on a pillow on a TV stand just to have them away from the rib cage.  I was nauseaus most of the time feeling better there now though,  I've had some tell me to rely on pain meds because they can strip the inside of your intestines.  I can't stand the pain,  I see my PS tomorrow so I hope she has some answers.  Any suggestions from anyone.

    Thank you.

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  • nealeann
    nealeann Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2009

    Faythnme,

     I am sorry you are in pain, I think most of us understand and sympathize.  I would say that the pain meds are given for a reason to help control pain.  I also think that in the beginning it is best to take them on a schedule as prescribed to help keep the pain from becoming overwhelming.  Good luck to you.

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  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 682
    edited August 2009

    Faythnme,

    I agree with nealeann...take the pain pills! That is what they are there for...and if not after exchange surgery...when?? Strip the inside of your intestines? Not sure about that one....but take a laxative though? Yes, absolutely!  I took Dilaudid for about 3 weeks after the TE surgery, and I took it again for the 5 days after the exchange surgery.  I am not a whoosie (sp?), but I am no martyr either.  Sleeping is uncomfortable...it will get better, heck you become so exhausted it has to get better!  This can be a difficult ride for some...it was for me. Don't know how I would have done it without my pain meds, the occasional sleeping pill and valium once the pecs starting spasming.  Take the pain meds!  Ask for some sleeping pills to get your rest!  This is a short term issue...help yourself heal...sleep, get pain relief, take laxatives to prevent constipation and you will come out of this stronger and more capable of healing well.

    Good luck and God Bless!

    PS  "The girls" look pretty darn good after the unveiling this past week...but I will have to get used to how they feel....I am giving it more time!

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited August 2009

    Fayth, You can take ibuprophen (Advil, Motrin not Aleve) in the meantime, to sleep better. 

     I was told to take a medical dose 800 mg, every 8 hours.  It works like a charm and is non-narcotic.  Or you could try 400mg every 4 hours.  You must get the pain under control..JUDY

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  • Faythnme
    Faythnme Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2009

    Thank you for your responses.  Did anyone have issues in eating.  I'm just not hungry.  I was nauseaus for days after TE.  I want to make sure I get enough protein but everything is either too salty or too sweet.  Suggests?

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  • MapleTree
    MapleTree Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2009

    Faythnme, I wonder whether you would be able to stomach some plain yogurt (a not-too-sour brand) and soft-cooked white rice.  Hang in there!  Like some other women, I had the unexpected experience of having my pain go away utterly after my first fill.  Before that, I was unable to move my left arm backward without a burning pain so intense that it made me gasp. 

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  • Wink
    Wink Member Posts: 722
    edited August 2009

    Faythnme - a lot of women (including myself) have found that muscle relaxers help just as much, if not more than the pain relievers.  Did you PS give you a prescription for a muscle relaxer?  If not, ask for one.

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  • Faythnme
    Faythnme Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2009

    I will do that I see her today.  Hopefully that will help.  I'm tired of diarrhea and nausea every morning.  I will find out when my first fill is.  I think it will be in 2 weeks.  I can move my arms some but not much.  I try to look to the end results but I wonder if I just waited a little bit longer, to put some time in between the surgeries.

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2009

    I just had my 1st fill (discussion on a separate thread).  Thanks everyone for your advice.  I was taking Tylenol.  I'm going to try 400 mg of Advil. 

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  • Faythnme
    Faythnme Member Posts: 167
    edited August 2009

    Well saw the plastic surgeon today.  Things don't look bad however there is some necrotic tissue again on the cancer breast and its bleeding.  Trying to get air to it as much as possible so its not covered with a bandage.  I have a panty liner on my short so the excretion has somewhere to go.  Not a lot but I am surprised.  The expanders werent hurting much when I went into see her but now they uncomfortable.  Took a vicodin doesn't seem to help.  Can't take Advil until after my next weeks visit (thurs).  She put in 250cc in each expander when she put them in.  Don't know how much she will put in next week.  I'm trying for a full C or small D.  I used to be a triple D and I don't want to be that size again.  This is exhausting.  I just have to remember 2 things.  The outcome and most importantly Cancer Free.

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  • Angel10
    Angel10 Member Posts: 682
    edited August 2009

    Hang in there Faythnme...it is exhausting....cancer free is the operative thought when working towards that desired outcome!

    Sending you support and prayers!

    God Bless!

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  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2009

    I am nearing my lst fill - one or two more.  I then have to wait three months before the exchange.  My fills are getting more painful but in a different way.  I am currently at 720ccs and he wants me at around 800 I get 60ccs each fill.  I was having more pain in my back after the fills, but now the pain is across the front.  Before the surgery (6/16) I had one A cup and one B cup - I am going for a set of matching c cups - bookends so to speak.  Right now they don't look like each other.  My right side slides around a bit but my left sits firmly on top of my chest.  I am hopeful they will look more like each other after the exchange.  After all I've gone through, I'd really like a matching set,

    Allison

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited August 2009

    Don't pay attention to how the expanders look.  They are just medical devices to stretch the skin.  If they look nice that's a plus.  Just focus on the final result and be sure to tell your doctor what you want in the end.  It will come.  I'll be waiting till April or May of 2010 with these on my chest. UGH..grrrrr   JUDY

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  • deborah48
    deborah48 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2009

    Alitman, can I ask how big you are? I'm 5'9 and weight 160. I was a c-cup and going for a c-cup. I am at 500 cc right now and I going for 750 as PS prescribed. My fills look huge to me!!! They sit high on my chest and I am wondering why. I want natural looking breast, yet I can't see it happening. I created a breast cancer blog to help women if possible. I have posted pictures of my progress. Could you go to it and let me know if you look similar. I have searched the net but can't find what I am looking for. HELPEmbarassedhttp://deborahbreastcancer.blogspot.com/

    Thanks For Listening and God Bless!!

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  • 4greatkids
    4greatkids Member Posts: 204
    edited August 2009

    Faythnme- I was just like you in that I was incredibly nauseous for 10 days. I wanted to take the bridge. It turned out that I could not tolerate the pain meds, or even the antibiotic they had me on. The PS gave me an old time pain medicine called tramadol and I only took one at night if i needed it. I woke up with no nausea, I wa also given flexerol as a muscle relaxer and usd those more than the tramadol. I wish I could just take pain meds, but they make me feel worse than the pain itself!! Also as someone said, make sure you get your bowels moving. Constipation can make you incredibly nauseous as well. Hang in there honey. It will improve. Try not to look at the big picture. It's too overwhelming. Just get through one day at a time for now.((((HUGS))))

    Denise

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited August 2009

    Deborah - I read your blog and you are such a strong woman.  You are absolutely right that there is not much information (with pictures) out there.  Hang in there.  Your TE's are no indication of what your implants will look like.  Have you been to Timtam's picture forum?  It is a private forum.  Send her a PM about your journey with BC.  There is alot of great information in this forum.

    Good Luck!

    Sonia

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2009

    I'm glad everyone is posting their experiences here.  I don't feel so alone.  My expanders look ok, they're riding a little high, but I've only had them 2 weeks and they should drop into the pocket.  They are full on the top and the skin makes them full on the bottom.  Not quite mashed potatoes anymore.  There still is no projection though.  I can only wear a few items that don't make me look flat like a pancake.  How did you all combat this in the early stages of the expansion process?

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited August 2009

    Kittycat - That was tricky.  I wore tops with a princess type cut which was not form fitting.  Also, try on different prints.  They will help disguise being flat.  Hang in there.  It won't take long before you will fill out your tops again.

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2009

    Thanks.  I tried on a white shirt this morning that I thought would look cute.  No, I looked like a 12 year old!  LOL!  So, I put the black top with the neckline that sits on my expanders and billows out from there.  People are going to be tired of me in the same couple tops!  :)

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  • Celine
    Celine Member Posts: 82
    edited August 2009

    Swest, you are right. Stretching helps and hot shower then palmer cocoa cream. While I was at the hospital getting ready for discharge, I asked for a home health services. I have a PT come to my house 2 times a week for three weeks to show me some stretching exercises. This started after two weeks of surgery. Also, my 1st fill was 100cc. I took a muscle relaxer, vicodin and on top of that my ps gave me a local anesthesia on both sides. The only way to know how much I can tolerate the feel is from the pressure on my skin. As soon as I feel that I told him that's it. I am at 550 now. I see him every two weeks for the first three fills and then 3 weeks on the 4th fill. Now I will see him for four weeks for the last fill. It's a long process, but Facecrafter, brought back my patience back. I almost lost it there for awhile. This is a great forum. Take care and ((((((((hugs)))))))) to all. Celine

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited August 2009

    I am one of the least patient people on this earth !!  It's just that when you have no choice, like we have less than no choice in this journey,  you either go with the flow, or you drive yourself crazy.  Thanks for giving me credit, but you did it yourself.  We all do.  Welcome onboard the slow boat to recovery.   Take care Celine,  JUDY

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  • deborah48
    deborah48 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2009

    Swest,

    Thanks so much for the info...What a great forum!!!Smile

    God Bless All....

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  • sam1991
    sam1991 Member Posts: 331
    edited August 2009

    Hi all...

     Hang in there. I'm at my year anniversary of being diagnosed. I've had a hysterectomy, bilateral mastectomy, expansion, exchange and finally nipples. I started out in BCO on this site. It was my life vest. You all will get through this...I promise. I won't say it was easy because it wasn't. I'm "finished" and still have nerve pain for which I take medication for. It's way better now than after my bmx....so slow and steady wins the race. Biggest bonus........not the boobs.....Cancer free!!!!!

    Take care ladies and take a peak on timtam's site if you can. Lots of brave women have posted to help others understand and make decisions.

    xxoo 

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  • shirleyr
    shirleyr Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2009

    this forum has reassured me so much tonight! I had the expander bag inserted almost 2 weeks ago, and he filled it with 100ml (not sure what that is in cc's) in theatre. The first week was usual post-operative pain, but the second week has been awful! I have been in such intense pain it sometimes takes my breath away. I am now back on the pain killers and due to see the PS 3 days time for my first fill since the op.  Very nervous!! But at least, having read these stories I can see that the pain is to be expected. I was so concerned that I had burst the stitches or done something to myself!!

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  • swest
    swest Member Posts: 680
    edited August 2009

    Judy - How are you doing?  I've been thinking alot about you lately.  I had my exchange last Wednesday.  I hate that you have to wait so long but it will be worth it in the end. 

    How soon after I get my Nips made can I get the areola tattoos?  I really interested in visiting you.

    Thanks!

    Sonia

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  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2009

    Deborah48 - I am a lot shorter than you are (5'4")and a lot heavier (sad to say) but my foobs look a lot like the pics of yours.  My cut line is in the same place and my left TE is higher than my right.  I just keep hoping that the PS will place them evenly.  My right one flips up from time to time (like when I am doing yard work) and I have to kind of smooth it back down.  It's kind of like working with clay - at least thats what it feels like to me.  My actual implants will be 600 -700ccs - I am hoping for closer to 700.  My foobs feel HUGE to me as well - but looking at myself with my clothes on - they don't seem very large.  My PS says he is going to leave the pockets a bit larger than the implants so they can move around - I am not sure I want this - anyone know anything about something like this?

    Allison

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  • sunibe
    sunibe Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2009

    Hi all!

    I'm new to this sisterhood, having just been diagnosed with breast cancer last month, and am trying to make some decisions on what to do next. I never considered reconstruction until my oncologist suggested we consult a ps. He's suggested a LAT flap with expanders.

    One question I had was has anyone considered not having their nipples reconstructed once the initial reconstruction is complete? I'm with dpbrown523 about not getting cut and am already scared about how much surgery reconstruction entails.

    Thanks for the fellowship and the advice!

    S 

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  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2009

    Sunibe - I am almost done with the TEs - I will have my exchange in December - I've not completely decided yet,but I am leaning away from having nipples put back on.  I don't really miss them now.  I've got two friends who have had BIlatmx with recon and both have had nipples added back - they are both very happy with their choices but one only did it because her husband thought it would be best.  They won't have any of the sensations I had with my originals - so why bother.  I am thinking about getting some tatooing done instead.  I've had some weird ideas like stop signs or curves ahead signs.  I've even thought about tightrope walkers on each with a line between them.  I am having lots of fun with what I can do....

    Allison

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