Pain still at drain sites.

Andijo0518
Andijo0518 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Pain

it has been almost a year now since my bilateral mastectomy. I am having excruciating pain today at the site where my drains were. I doesn't happen a lot, but when it does...ouch. Has anyone else had this? 

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  • LizA17
    LizA17 Member Posts: 159
    edited December 2013

    I had BMX a year ago Dec. 7th. I have some pain there sometimes. Mine isn't excruciating but I do have pain there sometimes. Hope yours gets better.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited December 2013

    I have pain or stiffness all across the area of BMX four months out. I also have pain near where drains were but assumed it was from the slopping sewing job of my underarm fat lumps.  It is uncomfortable and I can't see that changing but I hope the tightness (like wearing a cement bra) goes away.

    I also have heat sensation on one side where my drain had a hematoma under it and that worries me but doesn't seem to concern the surgeon. It feels really hot there sometimes under the skin.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited December 2013

    I am a year out from a Umx, and although it isn't excruciating pain, I do have a sore spot, around where the drain exited.

    I find it hurts if I move in a certain way, or a bra band puts pressure on it.

    I hope you can find out what's causing your pain and find a way to resolve it.  

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited December 2013

    Interesting topic.  I'm 5 years out from my surgeries.  Most of my drain sites are no issue, but I do have one under my breast that hurts if my bra band hits it just right.  I asked my PS about when I saw her for my final 5-year followup last year, and she said that sometimes things like that happen because of the the scar tissue happens to heal around the nerve.  I think if the pain is very bad something can be done - I have a vague memory of reading something about botox being used to help issues like this, but my memory could be faulty on that one. 

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited December 2013

    I am two years out from BMX. I suffered the dreaded, painful "vice grip" sensation around my chest...  all through TEs.... AND after Exchange. I was miserable.

    Five months after Exchange, I finally found my awesome Myofascial Release Massage Therapist.

    The first thing she said to me was"Oh, my gosh - you have such a build-up of fibrosis (scar tissue) around your drain scars!" She worked relentlessly on those suckers and for the first time since my surgery, I could feel the vice grip loosen.

    She worked on other areas of fibrosis, and it was amazing. But drain holes? Who thinks of those little tiny areas when we've been through so many other, bigger surgeries? You'd be surprised...

    Scar tissue CAN be released!

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited December 2013

    Andijo,

    Dang... so sorry you are still in pain. I do wonder if massage might help. When I went to PT, I got a massage for the first time. The PT really pushed hard and stretched the skin much further than I have. She mentioned pulling the skin as far as it would go. Some discomfort okay, but not to pain. Hope you can find something to help!!!

    Blessings,

    Thanks for this. Am massaging my chest but had not thought about the drain holes! I have these plastic pads called Dycem which are sticky pads. They hold the skin so you can really stretch the skin much farther than without. My PT gave it to me. Really helps release the "iron grip", rock hard feeling. But so frustrating b/c I have been pretty good at stretching everyday, usually 2 to 4 times a day and thought I would be done.....  Even if I do a really good massage, I am STILL tight a few hours later. I am only 10 weeks out. Haha. Guess I need to try to be patient, as Ariom tries to remind me:)

    My drain holes do not bother me too much. I would call them a little tender, mostly because other things are "talking" to me more. GEEZ...

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  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited December 2013

    I had my BMX with node removal on 1/11/11. It took about 5.5 months of OT with Myofascial Release to loosen up the scar tissue on my chest. At first I couldn't tell it was working. Then I could feel it tighten up between sessions. Eventually it was good enoug2014,  and I was released. This January 2014, it will be 3 years since the BMX and I STILL get problems with scar tissue adhesions. At least, I can stretch them out myself or with the help of my SO.

    I would talk to  your doctor and see if you can see an experienced OT/PT for scar tissue adhesions. It doesn't hurt to try and maybe  you will find some release.

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