post bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders pain
i completed bil mastectomy with tissue expanders placed on nov. 9th. I also have 4 drains in place. My concern is i am having to take percocet every 4 hours. Pain even wakes me when it is due. last night i woke up and it had been 6 hours and was almost crying it hurt so badly. Is this common with others? I always thought i had a very high pain tolerance but am feeling quite wimpy at the moment. I have sharp pains, burning at drain sites. And of course i hear that chemo is the worst part so not sure how thats going to go! any advice?
Comments
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Hope you are feeling more comfortable soon robyn31024.
I'm now a Uniboober and didn't opt for reconstruction.
I'm a few days post first chemo and no big issues at this stage.
Just feel yucky and everything tastes awful. Even water. So salty.
Be kind to yourself and take all the help you can get.
Hugs Donna.
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Hi Robyn, not a doctor but I think I was taking the percocet and muscle relaxers at the same rate you are at in the early days after MX. Everyone says stay ahead of the pain. I also had some burning at the drain site and my doctor wound up prescribing an antibiotic cream. I have allergies to adhesives so the combo of the drain/adhesives had my skin pretty raw. That being said, it has healed up nicely. But certainly worth a call to your PS to let them know how you are feeling. And I hope it is better and better!
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thanks for the reply. Just wanted to make sure this is the norm. My plastic surgeon wanted me to call with update today anyways so i will let him know. He didn't prescribe muscle relaxer so maybe that is part of my problem? And i am so tired of feeling itchy. Not sure if is the percocet but definitley not going to stop taking them right now.
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Hi Donna, Thanks for the well wishes and good luck with your chemo and a speedy recovery! I also will start chemo in about 4 weeks. I have to heal then go on TC regimen. Which one are you doing?
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Robyn, I think I felt itchy too. I remember asking my husband to scratch my back a lot. And read elsewhere that people got back scratchers. I haven't seen one of them in ages!! I think I also remember scratching my back on the wall when no one else was around. One thing I found that is also helpful, that I forgot after the TE till two days ago--was a probiotic helped. I drank a yogurt one. Major antibiotics for two weeks was tough on my stomach.
As far as PS and what they do...they are all so different. Bras, meds, exercise...it was surprising to me that the recommendations were so different.
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Hugs to you, Robyn. I don't post much but am moved to tell you that on THIS journey it's best to suspend all judgment of yourself! We each respond so differently to the stages - surgery, chemo, radiation, post-treatment, etc. - and you can rest assured that if you search these boards long enough, you WILL find others who responded/felt the same way you do. That's what's great about bc.org!
Don't worry about chemo - it will come with its own discomforts, but nothing you (+meds) can't handle. The TEs were a long term nuisance for me. I think I took Percs at night for months just to get relief. Make sure you are taking Miralax or some other softener while on the pain meds. Gotta keep all the balls in the air! Smile, you're doing just great! Merrell
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Thanks for the words of encouragement. I think i underestimated these TE's . But I keep telling myself it will get better. My oncologist keeps telling me it's a few months of my life and then will be fine. Hope she is right! I hope you are doing well on your journey! Hugs to you!
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It's funny you mentioned back scratcher because i told hubby last night he has to find me one! And thanks for the advice on probiotic. Will try that. Good luck to you.
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I think your schedule in the pain Meds is normal. I was right there with you. My doc prescribed Valium as well because she said that it helps with the pain because whether you know it or not there are muscle spasms going on in there that add to the pain. Hope you feel better soon. Believe me getting the drains out helps a a lot.
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That makes me feel better knowing this is "normal" i feel groggy all the time from percocet but i did call PS and he is calling in a muscle relaxer so maybe that will help. My drains have had under 20 ml in them in past couple days but my chest feels like a brick wall! I guess this is normal with tissue expanders? Does anyone else have expanders feel this way? I always feel like i constantly have questions.
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Robyn, my TE are really bugging me. Just the last couple days they hurt, are tight, periodic spasms and I feel the fluid moving around which is so weird feeling. I still have 1 drain that I hope gets removed Monday along with my first fill. I sure hope those two things clear up some of these issues. I hope you feel better soon. This sometimes is overwhelming. ((()))
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lemint- hope you feel better soon too and hope you get that drain out. I think that will help a lot also with my discomfort once they are gone. I really was only expecting 2 but lucky me got 4 drains! They are just aggravating and make it more difficult to shower, etc. The burning and itching around them are annoying too. Guess i shouldn't be complaining since all the cancer is gone . Of course there is still chemo and probable rads to go to make sure of that! I did get path back that said i did still have cancer cells left even after 2nd lumpectomy so thank goodness went ahead with the bil mx. Good luck and a speedy recovery to you!
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I had surgery on Monday the 9th also . You are not a wimp .. I don't have TE I have implants already so the tightness is so bad .. I was prescribed Xanax along with painkiller and I notice if I don't take it the stiffness is so much worse .. Your not a wimp take what they give you ... Has anyone tried heating pad or cold compresses ? I was wondering if anything would help but was embarrassed to call PS
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I used a heating pad. I also used Bengay at the mammary fold (my incision was across the middle) I also used those self heating sticky pads they have for back pain and such. I didn't get permission for any of it so you probably should. I was in complete agony sometimes. Took me by surprise because I thought I had a high tolerance for pain too. Hope you all feel better soon.
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live for them- I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable also. Mine is actually getting a little better finally , but from what i have read in comments here the tightness will last until TE come out. I did ask about ice or heat and was told absolutely not by my PS. I should have asked why but maybe it has to do with the TE. Your case may be different.I did space out the muscle relaxer and percocet but still am taking two.Hope to be able to come down to one soon.I am going to try to get hubby to help with shower again today. Who knew it could be such a chore!! I just do those bath wipes some days because it is easier. Hope you feel better soon. At least we are on the path to getting through this and have surgery behind us! (well i have the exchange later but they say that one is easier) hugs! And don't be embarrassed to call Dr., that is what they are there for!!
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farmer lucy- thanks for the good wishes. I saw that you went through this in 2012. Glad that part is behind you. I saw that you had a prophylactic ovary removal. Just wondering why you made that decision if you don't mind me asking? I have not gotten my gene test results yet and was just wondering if yours were positive? There is always so many more decisions to be made. It is overwhelming sometimes! I thought maybe if mine is positive i could just do that surgery also when i do breast implant exchange. Guess i will see.
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Itchy all over is probably a reaction to the Percocet. You might need an antihistamine. Good luck
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dtad - thanks , i did try just a tsp children's benadryl bc i didn't want to be even sleepier and did help with itching!
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Robyn: My surgery was on the third and I am feeling much better now, so hang in there. Once the drains are out, you will be much more comfortable. I found they not only caused localized pain/burning, but they also made me sit and and sleep in strange positions, worsening muscle spasms and tightness.
The muscle relaxers at full dose are making me feel sick, so I will try a Valium today since you guys have recommended it. Chest tightness and underarm pain from lymph node removal are my only sources of pain now.And the Percocet makes me itch too.
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irisheyes- Glad you are feeling better and that it will get better after drains come out. I am so ready for appt on wed when that hopefully will happen. I do find that i wake up sometimes with my muscle tight from the weird way i am now forced to sleep. I think it took about 2-3 weeks for the underarm to stop hurting from lymph nodes with my first lumpectomy, It always felt like a pulling sensation, so yours should be better soon.
The muscle relaxers make me sleepy but do seem to help with that awful tightness. These TE are so strange, looks like they are changing shape each day but i guess they are to make room for my new boobs. Good luck with the rest of your treatment!
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Ok, anyone have this problem? I am now 8 days post op and had a terrible day with severe constipation. I strained for half the day. Now the next day severe sharp pains in right breast. Like hot poker stabbing me. I actually was in tears a few times. I have to stay in a certain position and eventually will calm down. I also take my pain med and muscle relaxer. I wonder if i strained my chest muscle or what but unable to lie down to sleep and am miserable. I should have called PS but have an post appt in am anyways now. Anyone else go through this?
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robyn31024,
Always take Miralax (or something similar) when taking pain meds. They gave it to me in the hospital the day after surgery. The packet was next to the apple juice on my breakfast tray. The nurse explained how important it is. It is tasteless, colorless, and dissolves easily so you can put it in any liquid.
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robyn constipation is also from the percoset. Its a very common SE. I take Magnesium Citrate 500 mg. Start with 2 tabs and increase as necessary. Good luck. I promise you will feel better in a few weeks.....
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Any opiate pain medication (hydrocodone + filler like Norco or Lortab or oxycodone + filler like Percocet or Endocet) will cause constipation because of the effect it has on the peristaltic movement of the colon. If you add to that a muscle relaxer it will worsen the problem.
Make sure you have in the house stool softener, milk of magnesia and fiber. I would advise against senna as it can cause severe cramps.
As for the breast pain, as long as it's no redness and no warmth and it doesn't look swollen, it's normal. The nerves have been cut and lots of things re-arranged around there. Takes a while for things to settle down.
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I just had a BMX and TEs put in on the 23rd and I have the same issues. I religiously take Percocets (2) every 4 hours or the pain gets too bad. It takes me about 2 minutes of walking before my incision/ drain sites hurt so much that I have to sit back down. And I always feel extreme tightness. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I don't even like people to visit because I feel terrible or I fall asleep from the Percocets while they are here. I can't wait to start regaining normal function and to also start feeling normal again
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BC31
Honey you Aren't even a week out , you'll get better .. Take your meds and do what your body asks . I totally respect the visitor situation . I'm a people pleaser and think a lot of people were shocked when I just would answer and tell them I wasn't up for a visit and to wait an extra week or so .. You don't want to have to entertain conversation when you just want to lay down or close your eyes and you don't know what the next hour will bring you lol .. Just know everyday gets a little bit better .. I'm almost at 3 weeks and can tolerate so much more
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ok i am 3 weeks post op now and everyone was right. I feel so much better!. All drains are out and even drove to PS today to start expanding! I take an occasional muscle relaxer in am for stiffness and tightness but otherwise is fine. I still really don't sleep well but i think it has something to do with not being able to sleep on my side and becoming a little anxious about upcoming chemo. Hope everyone is doing well
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