Hard to breathe with TE--normal?

Adelaide,  Welcome.  I didn't have much pain with my TEs.  I found it got easier as the fills were done.  Each of us have a different experience depending on our pain tolerance, physical condition and amount of surgery that was done.  You will get your strength and mobility back, but it will take awhile.  My PS didn't allow me to lift anything heavier than a coffee cup/newspaper for 4 weeks.  Other doctors aren't as conservative.  Follow the directions your doctor gives you.  You need to have time to heal, even though the incisions look closed a lot of healing underneath still needs to take place. After the 4 weeks I was able to pick up my 3 month old granddaughter without difficulty.

Regarding your pain, have you talked to your doctor?  That would be the best place to start.  There could be multiple reasons for the pain and your doctor should be able to help determine what is happening.  

Glad you decided to post.  There are a lot of ladies that will be happy to help you along the way.

Best wishes.

If your husband says you are overdoing it, you probably are.  It's difficult to dial back when you are used to taking care of others, not yourself.  This is the time to take care of yourself.  Keep your elbows tucked to your side before you try reaching for something.  If you can't reach, get help.  You should be able to raise your arms up to shoulder level or maybe higher- with nothing in your hands.  Did you get any information on exercises?  Are you sleeping propped up?  Does that help?  Keep using your incentive spirometer.  Were you on antibiotics?  Is your cough dry or moist (coughing up sputum?)  (Sorry, I've put my nurse's cap on)  I would suggest that you keep taking your pain pills and back off on the activity.  If you don't feel better, maybe check with your oncologist- he/she should be able to check your lungs to make sure you don't have something going on in your lungs.  Have you had any fills yet?

It's pits your PS has poor communication skills, but she has been hired by you.  You deserve time and answers to your concerns.  I would suggest, for your next appointment, you write down everything you want to discuss and not leave until you have your answers.  I know how emotionally fragile we are at this point in treatment, so you may want to consider having someone go with you to the appointment that can help you stand firm.  That person could help the PS keep on task if you should have another melt-down.

If you want, you might come over to the November 2012 surgery group.  There is a wide range of experience there and you certainly fit the "criteria" of a November surgery

Hope you have a better day.

Adelaide77

So sorry you are hurting, and for the reasons you are here. Welcome to the club!



I agree entirely with what Juliaanna has to say, with a couple of additions. You had your surgery the 20th, which means you are just almost two weeks out. You are still very early in your healing and need to continue to take it very easy. My BS and PS were also very strict on lifting - 5lb restriction, nothing over my head or with arms extended. No cooking, cleaning for six weeks.



Even so, I had spasms like you are describing. My TEs were placed under my pectorals, and they screamed whenever I moved them. I asked for a muscle relaxer, which helped immensely. I got a prescription for Flexeril, although others on this board have used Valium or Robaxin. I would recommend calling your PS or BS for a prescription to try. AND you need to try a day of doing nothing to see how you feel.



It does stink that your PS has a lousy bedside manner. Working with doctors every day, I know the challenges of dealing with those difficult types. But it is important to remember that she is taking care of YOUR body, and you have a say. One strategy that sometimes helps is to talk to her nurse. Often the docs make their nurses the "front line" patient contacts, but they forget to let the patient in on the secret!



Good luck Adelaide - it will get better!



Nurse Lizzie

Oh Adelaide! I remember the guilt I felt when everyone was helping out! I think because we're not "sick", we feel like we should act like we're still well. It was also so difficult for me to do nothing all day, I felt like I was going stir crazy while all my friends and family were picking up the slack for my lazy butt....



It's amazing when you're lying on the couch - you can see every speck of dust, every dirty dish, every piece of laundry that needs doing. That's the other advantage to pain pills and muscle relaxers, then make you sleep, and you don't really care



I do recall the day when I was about where you are, and I dropped the remote behind the couch. I was alone, so of course I HAD to move the couch. BAD MOVE!!!



I was lucky not to be dealing with little ones too. So please please take care of yourself now. You are absolutely right - if you push it now, you're bound to pay for it later. Try a different muscle relaxer, and really rest to see how it goes. I also remember trying ice and heat. Use a very gentle heat from a heating pad or hot water bottle for twenty minutes, followed by ice for twenty minutes. The heat will help soothe the spasms and the ice reduces inflammation.



Which reminds me! You can always try to add 400mg Ibuprofen ( 2 Advil) when you take your Percocet. The addition can often be very helpful. Just don't mistake and take extra acetaminophen because Percocet already has that.



Take care and let me know how it works.



Nurse Lizzie

adelaide...i wanted to reply because for the longest time i felt like i was crazy with what i have been feeling with these awful TE's.  Some women sail through this process but i, unfortunately, am not one of them.  I am 7 wks post-op and the tightness/heaviness/difficulty breathing is still present.  I have adjusted somewhat but these things are horribly uncomfortable.  I just think our bodies are all different and we have different responses to pain.  The only thing keeping me going is that these things are temporary and my PS assured me i would only have to wait 6 wks from final fill to exchange.  A few things that i am doing to help me through this process....i have done a few sessions with a massage therapist trained in mast/recon.  I am doing some physio aswell.  And yes, drugs when i need them (tylenol, muscle relaxants and advil).  Ive only had 1 fill so far but wil try another one again this week.  I am hoping the fills help eliviate the pressure as some have said

just wante you to know you are not alone.  My PS didn't really offer any answe to my pain other than "you are different then most patients" not very helpful!  pm me if you want to chat

Adelaide, Hope you are having a restful day.  I hope that decrease in activity=decrease in discomfort/pain.  Just be sure to keep walking as exercise.  Please let us know how you are progressing.

Take care.

It's good to hear you are having a better day.