continued Tissue expander pain!!

Good luck with your fill Kittycat!  I found that when you can feel things just starting to get tight during the expansion that is enough. I had to take my expansions slow- never getting more than 60 ccs at a time- sometimes as little as 30cc. Best of luck to you- let us know how you do.

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I haven't been around. Been in somewhat of a funk. My husband has been diagnosed with stage IV Lung Cancer. I'm dazed. He is 55 years old and the prognosis is not good. These days I just trying to keep myself from going into a complete state of depression.

 On the 1st. of the month I dropped my husband of at MD Anderson for a biopsy, ran down the road a mile to my PS's office. Had 100 cc. fill and rushed back to my husband side. We spent the entire day there. I pop pain killers all day in order to get through it.On the 8th, did another 100 cc. and the next day spent it with my husband Oncologist. I'm at 700 cc. My PS wants to do 800 total as I need some adjustments. Says he need the room. The good news, he will do the exchange ASAP. He knows my circumstance. I know that 100 cc each time is a lot but, I want this to be over with so that I can focus on my husband...

Oh Debroah - I am so sorry.  I'm glad that you have such a considerate PS and I know that you want all of this to be over with so that you can concentrate on your husband.  You and your husband are in my thoughts and in my prayers.  (((((((((hugs)))))))))

Deborah,

This is really disappointing news about your husband. There must be a lot running through your mind right now.  Please know that I will hold you and your husband in my prayers in a special way this evening...I will pray for your strength, your faith, and for your comfort.

God Bless you both!

Angel

Its almost 4 in the morning I had bilat mastectomy and tissue expanders 12 days ago. The last 4 days (and nights) my breasts hurt and the pain makes me very anxious.  I'm driving my family crazy. I'm just so miserable it makes me snappy. The intense discomfort started about 4 days ago.  It feels just  today like continuous charley horses.  I think the ps put 200 cc's in each one in surgey.  I was never flat.  I'm cancer free and glad of if.  I'm just miserable and cant sleep I took ibprofen and just took a xanax.  I got up just now and decided to google "breast tissue expanders and pain" as I couldn't lie there any longer.  When the pain gets so bad, I just can't sit or lie still.   I didn't take the xanax until the diagnosis.  I plan to go get lidoderm patches tomorrow as soon as everyone is awake.  I'm so glad I found you guys!!!! I thought I was losing my mind. Still have 2 of the original 4 drains in. Thanks for all the info. Just sitting here and stretching and changing  my posture has helped a little.   I'm so glad I found you guys.  I don't have to have chemo or rad.  But probably 5 years of tamoxefen.  I had a complete hyst in 2003 (so I am postmenopausal).

dbbail7- I dont know if this works for everyone, but it did me.  When I would have pain that narcotics wouldnt take away I took a muscle relaxant.  I found that most of my chest pain was from muscle spasms.  I even took a muscle relaxer right before a "fill".

I found that the TE put pressure on my sternum, too.  At random moments through out the day, but especially when I had my seatbelt on in the car.  That ALL went away when I got my implants.  Not that it helps you much now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

dbbail7 - Sorry, I guess I could have told you what muscle relaxer I was given.... Soma.

Please forgive me as I am not technically adept and I wasn't sure how to begin with the discussio board... I had a bilat mx with alloderm and an initial inraop fill of 500 cc 8/19.BRCA1 positive ,

rt lumpectomy 2/24/09 with complete node dissection rt. I have had 2 fills a week apart of 120 cc,

the last one 9/11/09 and I amm extremely uncomfortable. I have had persistent swelling lt axilla from snb and had to be drained 4x, my ps put in extra large expanders because I will need rads and he wanted the expansion done in 4-6 weeks. My ps wants to go to at least 900cc as at 740cc i still look squarish (word?) and small. Has anyone else out there endured the speedy fill

method? I need some encouragement please

I am 2 months post permanent implant following tissue expanders. I too suffered broken ribs. I was working and getting the expansions every two weeks.It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced.I had Hodgkins disease at 18 with radiation treatments. This caused the breast cancer now at age 45. I have scar tissue really bad and continue to be in severe pain on one side. MD states this is something I will have to endure. I'm sick of taking pain medications and trying to work. I thought once the implants were in everything would be normal. Is anyone else out there having this issue?

I have this pillow that my hubby got me.  It's like 18 inches in diameter and had this tiny bean bag filling.  I hold it to my chest at night.  So, when I roll over on my side, it doesn't hurt as much.  They might sell these at Walmart or Target.  My hubby got it for me a few years ago, when I had my breast aug.  I found it right before my BMX surgery.  Love it!   I wake up a few times at night. It doesn't help that my cats wake me up, too. 

Hi Ladies.  I had bilat lat flaps & TE filled 200cc on July 30.   I was in extreme pain from the surgery so I thought the fills would cause pain as well.  I was filled 90cc on the 11th and have not had any pain.  Although I did experience nausea. 

Angel10 : you are an angel.  Staying abreast link may be just what i need to get me thru tonight.... todays 90cc fill has me lying here and it hurts to breathe.  Completely unexpected, as this is my 5th fill. and 3rd one at this volume.  I think it gets harder as you approach "maximum" expansion point.    The breathing techniques are imagery are going to be necessary tonight!

I did have issues with mine early on,but 7 weeks in (Bilat w/lat flap) and 650cc's in each and I do not feel so bad so maybe you just need time.  I am sorry for your discomfort. The first few weeks were hard but it seems to be getting easier to tolerate.  I just take Tylenol as needed. Oh - don't get me wrong, they are uncomfortable but I'm not having any major pain. I got the ok to go into the pool,so I have been doing low impact exercises with a ball to help stretch.  My back will never feel the same. I wish you the best in finding some comfort!     

K, reading all your posts to this thread had made me feel that this amount/type of pain after some fills(larger cc fills) is 'normal'. It is scary when it hurts to breathe, hurts to laugh, can't sit up on my own from lying down position, and lying on my side..... well, its just a different kind of intolerable!  At least i don't feel that im not able to finish this process! Thanks ladies! Now i know why the PS first words out of his mouth is "How did you manage last week?" , and as he is filling he is so inquisitive re: pressure sensation! 

Slow and Low(cc's) is more comfortable and healthier.  otherwise, i'm chewing oxycocet from a pez dispenser!

I'm new to this chat forum, but please does anyone have any suggestions to scar tissue forming following breast reconstruction? Started physical therapy yesterday with mild relief. Today, muscle spasms back....