Throat spasms surgery related?

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kris1114
kris1114 Member Posts: 82
edited February 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Ok, after every surgery I have ever had, I get a sore throat from the trach tube of course, happened in 2011 after appendectomy, and last year after hysterectomy, AND spasms in lower throat. It happened again after double Mastectomy on 12/30/14, but subsided after about 3 days. Now, I had my port placement on 1/28/15 and it was done awake! No trach tube, but major throat spasms directly after that is getting worse. Worse I have ever felt. Also, mastectomy site got angry and swelled for some reason. Spasms are, lower esophagus, into chest, light shortness of breath. Hurts to bend over, cough, sneeze and talk. Called radialogy nurse on call, and they told me to come in the morning and they may send me to my oncologist. But, since this is a familiar feeling, I am going to call my surgeon, the one that did the mastectomy tomorrow morning. They said if shortness of breath gets worse, go to ER and I will if I have to.

Anybody have a CLUE what I am talking about? Possible light injury to esophagal lining or something that flared up? Something like that that only time can heal?

Will call in morning. For now, no real speaking and ice on throat.

WEIRD!!!!

Kristin

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2015

    Hi kris,

    One possibility, though very, very rare, is a pneumothorax. This rarely happens, but can, during port insertion. This happened to me, though I went for almost two weeks, before it was discovered. Some of your symptoms sound similar to mine. I am not saying this to panic you, as it only happens about 1% of the time. However, if it does happen, it is an emergency situation. Please monitor shortness of breath very carefully and head to the ER if in doubt. Let me know how you're doing.

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2015

    Ok. I am calling in a.m. Radiology nurse didn't seem to have a clue and I have had similar feelings to this after other surgeries the recent mastectomy included. It just has not been this painful.

    I don't think going to see a radiology nurse tomorrow will help me. I am going straight to the surgeon and if worsens ER during the night. Ok so far, just tight chest and I am still having feelings of punched in the chest spasms from the mastectomy surgery itself.

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2015

    DVT. (Deep vein thrombosis) but! PE (Pumonary embolism) ruled out! Caught it early through my persistence! Be your own health advocate. Flushed port with Heparin and I will be on Xarelta (blood thinner) for a long time due to high risk for reoccurence. Thanks for pushing me to take action! Could have been bad if ignored. Thanks again!

    Kristin

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2015

    kris,

    Just saw this. I am so glad you got things taken care of and that you're on the mend. Very glad it wasn't a pneumothorax, which was the most awful medical experience of my life

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2015

    I can only imagine. They told me small risk of pulmonary embolism or of it going to brain or heart, or stroke, BUT! Chances are low. The body needs to break up the clots on it's own and the blood thinners prevent more.

    It does hurt, but my port was acessed a little early too so that could be a part of the pain I would imagine.

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2015

    BTW, they told me the throat spasms were not related to the clots. Just the swelling and severe arm pain. I called the surgeon and he said no way related to mastectomy which was 12/30/14. He says call Oncologist. And the pain is on the left side where the clots and port are. Oncologist says not related to clots. I don't know if I should assume it IS related to the clots, or be more pushy with the doctor or give it more time to see if it goes away. AND ALL of this ONLY started after surgery.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited February 2015

    Kris, if they're all saying it's not from the clot or the surgery, maybe the next step is an ENT.

    Heck, we have so many doc appts, what's one more?

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • kris1114
    kris1114 Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2015

    You are right Leah

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