continued Tissue expander pain!!

and i'm just wondering if anyone has had the implants after radiation?

does the back pain ever go away?

Hello M,

I hope you continue to explore all your options- I wanted Diep, but didn't have enough tissue, so am going through expansion for implants.  It started out painful the first week, but I seem to be breezing through the fills well and w/o pain (knock on wood/my head!)  Try to gather more stories as Traci suggested- they may help you decide.  I went for about a year w/o one boob, and survived pretty well, although swimsuits were traumatic.  I know I could make it w/o reconstruction if I needed to.  I have to say though, I love my expanded boobie, and can't wait for my implant!  I wish you the very best- I know it's all overwhelming.  I am sending you warm wishes that you work out a plan that works wonders for you,

Jill

Ok Urbie,

This is my first time using this site and after reading yours, Katie's and the other brave women's letters I am scared.  I had 6 rounds of chemo, a lumpectomy and lymph node removeal, then 8 weks of radiation. Since then I had genetic testing because my mom came down with ovarian cancer and I am positive for the BRAC1 mutation. I am having a hysterectomy in Nov then double mastectomy and reconstruction so I wanted to hear what others are going through and I have to say all of your pain is scarring me into questioning if I want to go through with that.  Has it been worth it to you?  Would you still make the choice if you had to do it again?  Please help me feel safe in the decision I am making!

Thanks, Mamalu

Hey guys,

Finally.....relief. No pain pills yesterday or today!! Only took 12 days.

Mamlu, I'm afraid I'm not the right one to ask about expanders because I have had a real hard time.

I saw your other post. I have the brca gene too. Had bi-mast and was suppose to have hyst this past Wed but...it got delayed.

Anyway, if you look through all these posts, there are girls that have pain and girls that don't. Either way, I'm soooo glad you found this site. It has made going thru all of this so much easier. Friends and family are great but this place is real.

Sheila, I am so sorry to hear about your early surgery and probs but, I'm glad it made your expander experience easy. How much did you get filled?

I'm gonna call my ps and schedule an appt for more. I was thinking about getting 100 cc's and then calling it quits. What do y'all think about that idea??? Think I can handle 100 when I've been crying about 50 for 12 days?????

 Traci

Hi Ladies,

I have a pain question for you all, but first wanted to say that I continue to keep you in my thoughts Traci, and believe you could handle just about anything after what you've been through.  I haven't attempted more than 50 ccs, but others seem to be able to cruise through it- good luck with your next step.

Here's my question- after reassuring Mamhop that I'm not in much pain, I apparently jinxed myself.  Has anyone had sharp, stabbing pains out of the blue???  I'm really comfortable most of the time now that the fills are underway, but just started having this searing pain on the bottom part of my expander- down low, feels like underneath it by my ribs.  Then after a few minutes it fades.  Bending over seems to trigger it, but it's happened a few other times too.  Anyone else have something like that??  M, I hope you're not reading this dear!  I'll call my ps Monday, but just wanted to check in with you all- this is scary,

Jill

Hi Gals

I too have been reading your posts for a couple of days- you are all so strong.  I had a bi lat mast last october with immediate tissue expanders.  I went through chemo and wound up losing one of the expanders due to infection.  I had both expanders replaced in May -the non infected side had migrated up to my neck and it was so uncomfortable-I had to restart my fill schedule but now I have stopped the fills and I am going to wait until next year for the exchange, for two reasons, one because my PS says that the longer you wait the better, because the scar tissue creates a better position for the implant, and the other reason is that there is new silicon implants on the horizon-and I am hopeful that my PS will be experienced enough to use them.

I still have pain and the feeling that I am wearing a bullet proof vest all the time-I have not worked since last October because my job is very physical and I did not think I could handle it..

I am not sure that I would do implants if I had to do it all over-but I am making the best of it, even though I feel like Annette Funicello sometimes-remember her boobs never moved-even when she was riding a horse!

Jill......

I was so happy to see I'm not the only one with an occasional sharp, stabbling pain!    I am 3 weeks out from bilat w/expanders (DCIS).  I had my 2nd fill of 50cc's (I'm now at 250) on Wednesday, then Friday night, I couldn't lay down or I'd get this sharp pain on the left side.  It hurt most of the day yesterday, only when moving certain ways.  Then last night going to bed was better, I could lay down.  Now this morning, I've had a couple of episodes of it, but not like yesterday.  So I'm hoping it's going away, but it sounds the same as you.  Almost like someone stabbing with a knife (not that I know what that feels like!), but that's the only way I can describe it.   My PS out of town this weekend, and I have appt on Wednesday.    I hope I can stick it out!

I took 5mg of Flexiral (muscle relaxer) last night.  Maybe that helped??  I'm not really sure.

Hope yours goes away!   It's not fun!

Leslie

Katie, I just wanted to thank you for starting this thread.  I too was having a hard time in the beginning of this process, now I am a little over halfway thru.  I am just taking the fills slow and easy and it is doable.  It is true some just breeze thru and some have a more difficult time with it- it is very individual. 

As for me I think the first fill I had was just too many cc's for me(150 cc), plus I was just still sore, weak from the surgery and just traumatized from the whole ordeal in general. 

I was so glad this site was here cause I was scared in the beginning, but realized there were others out there feeling just like me.

As for the ones of you having the stabbing type pains at the ribcage and under this area, I spoke with my PS nurse about this on fri- when i had my last fill, she told me as the expander gets larger it pulls on the muscles in this area too- and these muscles are very resistant and will cause pain ,tenderness and sharp pains to this area.  I too hurt in this area, also it hurts when I take a deep breath (in the ribcage area) since my last fill.  I have been taking advil , warm showers and gentle light stretching exercises do help. I only take the flexeril and percocet if I really need them. Everyone take care, I keep telling myself this is temporary, and looking forward of getting rid of these weird looking things off my chest.  Susan

Good Morning Ladies,

Haven't been posting since Friday when I GOT MY LAST FILL!!!!!! I'm now at 760cc's and that's it. When the PS was removing the needle from the fill, a bit of saline shot 6 feet across the room landing on my hubby (he nearly passed out!).

Jill-I have that sharp, stabbing pain on a daily basis. It's worse right after the fill and tends to ease a bit after a week. It never goes away totally but hopefully it will now I have no more fills to look forward to.

Mamalu-I'm with Traci in that I've had a very difficult time with the expansion and probably am the last person that should comment on the expanders.  I wish I had known how painful it would be though. I didn't stumble onto the boards until after my mast and I think I would have been more prepared for what was to come. All that said, I think it will be worth it in the end.

I'm having the swap December 18th which is giving me 2 months with the booblet and hopefully she'll settle down a bit. This last fill was the worst one because it's fully expanded. The muscle is really stretched across my back on the mast side and it continues across the expander.

The PS did say he's going to tweak the right side a bit (where he did the lift) and will out the implant in it's proper place. Traci-I have my entire hand between mine. When I asked him if they'd end up a bit closer he said not really but he'd make sure the implant wasn't under my arm. How's everything going with rescheduling the hysterectomy (and is the insurance agent still alive)? How's your sister doing? Hope all's going well.

For all of the newer posters, welcome to the site! We all have stories to tell about how things are and did go for us. Everyone is unique in how they handle things and I think we all have to do what works for us as individuals. Since bc isn't a one-size-fits-all disease, we have to look at it in different ways.  It's always important to keep in mind that you have to do what is best for you and your individual circumstances. I think you're all doing the right thing in investigating all of your options. Whatever your choices are, they are right for you.

Have a good one!

Margaret 

Tracy, I went back to the PS 6 weeks after my final fill (Sept 27) and he scheduled my exchange for November 2. He likes to wait "a couple of months after final fill for everything to settle down to a good stretch".  He is going to 'tweak' the left side to get a better shape with the perm tear drop. He told me that 'The good Lord took 13 years to make your first boobs, you have to give me at least 8 months'. I am not trying to push too fast but I want them complete.

In looking back and reading some of the more recent posts, I have had on occasion a sharp pain right under the right expander but nothing I need pain meds for.  It seemed to occur after I had eaten a large meal or stretched the wrong way for something, but would go away quickly.

Sheila

Hey Urbie! Haven't seen you in awhile! I'm happy to hear you are doing so well and hope you continue to do so!!

Margaret, your post made me spit my drink. lol! I'm so happy you are done! Woo Hoo!!! I'm so jealous. What a Christmas present for you!  I sent my insurance "conversion" papers overnight to Aetna today. So, we'll see. I haven't called my ps yet. I had an appt sch for Tues of next week so, I might as well wait. Sheila had a good point....by next Tues this last fill pain should be completely gone and maybe, just maybe....the next one won't be so bad.

How are you feeling now? And, what are you doing awake at 5 am??

Katie, is your exchange surgery scheduled?

Have a good night girls!

Traci

Hello to all from Gail in Michigan.    I don't like the sounds of all the pain you ladies have gone through.    I have DCIS left breast and am having a bilateral with the tissue expanders next Thursday.   I'm scared to death and having bad nightmares about the surgery.    I'm really a wimp when it comes to pain.    The Women's Center here had  me meet with a lady who also had bilateral with the tissue expanders and she told me it was a piece of cake and she only took tylenol.   I know I'll never be that lucky.    By the way, I also have Aetna insurance and have had some trouble with them too.    I had to have a predetermination to have the right side removed because no cancer in that breast.    Problem is that I have been doctoring (MRI's, mammograms, ultrasounds) for 2 years for nipple discharge (oh also biopsys) and the cancer was not found until I forced Dr's to remove the duct because I was tired of dealing with the problem.    Medical community seems to think that's a good enough reason for insurance to pay.    I'm ready to get off this emotional rollercoaster though and get on with my life.    It sounds like I'll have to have chemo too because there were cancer cells in one of my lymph nodes.    They are removing more and checking them also during surgery.     This Cancer thing sure sucks.  I had my family Dr. put me back on Zoloft today as all this has been bringing me down and feeling like I just want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head.    If I didn't have a boyfriend I sure would never have bothered with the reconstruction as it sounds like the pits.

Gail

hi all, i'm new here.  typing one handed - left arm in sling because of a seroma, so pls forgive the inelegant typing!  i'm 46 & had bilat w/lat flap & expanders 5 wks ago; had some fill at surgery but don't know how much -- i'd guess 120 ccs.  took a month for that fourth drain to come out & then came this seroma, so i still haven't had another fill... scheduled for tues.  pretty nervous about it.

i've taken something for pain around the clock since surgery -- darvoset or advil plus sometimes valium -- and after 5 wks, this is starting to freak me out.  i've always been a natural health nut, but i'm beginning to wonder if i'm destined to be one of those glassy valium women because of perpetual discomfort.

can someone tell me -- will i ever be comfortable in my body again, or is that just a luxury we give up in exchange for getting to live thru thus?

Gail - please know that the reconstruction is not painful for everyone.  I too am a MAJOR pain wimp and I have had almost no pain with mine.  I had EMPTY tissue expanders placed at the time of my bilateral because I was told that it is more painful it they put anything in them at the time of surgery.  I had my first fill at about 4 weeks after - 100 cc and had no pain at all other than minor muscle soreness that first night.  I think that sore muscles from doing sit ups is worse.  I have had three more fills at 100cc each and again have had no real discomfort to speak of.  I am very pleased with how it looks so far and can really see that my chest will look better than it did before!   I found the surgery recovery much more painful and you will be given an ample supply of pain meds for that.  I took them when needed and actually have a bunch left over that I never needed to take.  Go into this facing it head-on and strong and you will do great.  Good luck!

Hi all! I'm new to this site and appreciate everyone's comments. I had a mast. 2 weeks ago with tissue expander. They put in 50cc's at time of surgery and did skin sparing mast.  I went in for my first fill yesterday. He asked me how I was after 100cc's and I was totally fine so he tried for another 100 and then stopped at a total of 180ccs since I told him it was feeling tight. Well, I was fine til about 5 minutes after I left. I started having throbbing pain that came and went.  I took some vicodin when I got home and the pain was manageable. I slep through the night fine. This morning I only took Advil and the pain is horrible! Worse than yesterday but not sure if it's because of less drugs. Do you think I just had too many cc's put in and should have some taken out or is the pain temporary and I should wait it out? Any advice is appreciated!