Expander pain after chemo treatments?

Carolina59 · October 2007

(Cross post on chemo board). Anyone experience more pain with their expander(s) the week after chemo tx? It's so uncomfortable and seems worse after each tx. This was the 3rd of 6 TCH. Can't wait to get these expanders out.

Carolina

chumfry · October 2007

Mine did that, too. For me, it helped to try to stretch those muscles a bit. I would stand in an open doorway and brace my arms/elbows against the door frame and then lean in through the door opening. I don't know if I explained that very well, but the point is to (gently) stretch those unhappy muscles. Laughing

--CindyMN

Carolina59 · October 2007

Thanks, Cindy. I was starting to think I was the only one. I'll try your stretching exercise next time and see if it will help.

davisfamily70 · October 2007

Hi Carolina,

I had a bi lat mast last Oct. with expanders and then Chemo-

I found out that I would have not exactly pain but the worst kind of tightness in my expanders following the nuelasta shot.

I even had to have the PS take some fluid out of my expanders because the sensation was so uncomfortable, and then I skipped some fills too.

I unfortunately became one of the (2 in 100) people that wound up with an infection,the skin around the expander became bright red and warm, they did have remove my implant until chemo was over, but then after chemo I had new expanders on both sides and had no problems. I am waiting until next year for the exchange.

Th PS said that only 2% of the people have problems with their expanders that require surgery. Be on the lookout for infection, just to be on the safe side. Good luck with your chemo it is great to be 1/2 way done.

Alishar · October 2007

Hi, ladies. I just did an "expander" search and found this post. I'm so happy (relieved, really, nothing about this makes you happy) to join you. I thought I was the only one with these expander issues. I had my first chemo Tx two weeks ago and will have the second next Monday, 10/22/07, it's one every three weeks. My expanders feel tight all the time (and I have only had two fills) and the right one is further up than the left one so I'm uneven. Also, because it's closer to my chest, it's too close to my port and it makes that uncomfortable.

I still sleep almost sitting up and I find that the further back I go, the more the expanders hurt so I wake up a few times during the night due to the pain.

Thank you for listening. I won't complain anymore, it's just refreshing to share the expanders experience with someone who understands!

Speck218 · October 2007

I am taking chemo right now, and I am going to have a double mastectomy in February. I'm wondering if I want to do anything about reconstruction, and if I do, should I do which will I do. In any case, should I be trying to exercise my muscles before the surgery, or would that make it harder for recovery. I'm really undecided as to whether I want to do the reconstruction right now or not. I got a second opinion from a radiologist, and he said it might be good to wait for a year or two to decide.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm really perplexed about this.

Thanks,

Sheila

Venita · October 2007

Sheila,

Delayed reconstruction might be a very good idea. In hindsight, I wish I had chosen that route.

My silicone implants failed because of radiation. I now face a DIEP flap reconstruction solely as a skin graft because of all the damage from the expander/rad experience. I would recommend delay (1) to see how your body responds to treatments and (2) to have time to really understand your options and their ramifications.

However, if you are fairly certain you want implants and are going to have rads, you have to get the expanders before rads. Radiated skin does not expand. However, you may face what I faced: a high rate of failure of implants in radiated skin.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!!

Carolina59 · October 2007

Thanks for all the responses. I spoke to my onc today (4th of 6 tx today--starting to see the light at the end of the chemo tunnel--yay!) and he said it was probably the Neulasta shot, which I take after every tx.

Alishar, I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable. If you are registered on Timtam's photo board, I just posted my expander photo, and I too am higher on one side--the left. Fortunately, I don't have a port, I have a PICC line (you can also see that in the photo). If you're not registered, you can email Timtam from the member list and ask her to register you. It's a great board for seeing what to expect. I was filled with 350cc during the first surgery and have only had one 50cc fill. I was in a lot of pain in the beginning and took pain medication and valium (muscle relaxer) to help me sleep. Don't be shy about asking your doctor for pain relief. I was fearful of becoming too dependent, but eventually the pain subsided (and your brain starts to get used to the new normal) and I don't take those meds anymore, but I do take Ativan to sleep. I hope you feel better soon.

Speck, I went with immediate reconstruction with expanders because 1) I didn't have enough tissue for a DIEP flap for both breasts and 2) if I had to have radiation I wanted the expanders in to take the hit. But I have also heard about women who have had Venita's experience. Good luck with your decision.

I was "lucky" in that there were no lymph nodes involved, and I am not having radiation.

Best to all,

Carolina

davisfamily70 · October 2007

My expanders prior to the infection were really uneven -to the point where I had to wear a prothesis, which was not fun in the hot hot summer. Even loose clothing made me look weird. When I had the left side replaced after my infection my PS went ahead and replaced the right, which had floated up to somewhere near my collar bone.

All was okay for about a month and now that right side is slowly moving up to my neck. The PS told me that it is because of the muscle tone in the right, and that I use that side for everything. He said that when he does the exchange he is going to sew it in. All I can say is EWWWWW.

Carolina,

Those Neulasta shots kicked my but-they made everything hurt, but you only have 3 more!!!!!! YIPEEEEEE

MissSusan · October 2007

Hello, I am sitting here with my sister in law who is looking for answers about recon. So overwhelming. She is in the talking stages and in very confused about what way to go. As expected there seems to be good and bad about all of them.We have learned much about it through this site and it is wonderful but does anyone know of live chat areas where we can talk it through? She would like to hear more.

Susan & Lisa

BC_101 · December 2007

My doctor wants to do implants and brest sparring surgery at the time of mastectomy.

I am worried that the implant problems during radiation will be difficult. Part of me thinks it might be smarter to delay all reconstruction.

AnneW · December 2007

I think alot of it depends on what type of recon you want. Implants right after rads may not be too successful, and many surgeons simply won't do it. (I had expanders placed 5 years post rads, and it's been a bit of a challenge for that side!)

But, if you want to do TRAM or DIEP, you'll have different options.

Anne

Cyn8 · December 2014

I was so glad to see this post because my chest expander wasn't bothering me too much until my 1st chemo and neulasta shot. Now it feels like it is tightening and I was wondering if the chemo was attacking it as another foreign body. Gonna try the arm exercises and the generic valium I have. Can anyone tell me how long it lasts? I have about three more expansions to go but we alternate those with the weeks of chemo

Moderators · December 2014

Cyn8, Welcome to the BCO community although we are sorry that your present discomfort has brought you here. We notice that his particular thread has not been active in awhile. If you don't get a response here in a reasonable amount of time consider posing your question as a new topic in the Breast Reconstruction Forum. Let us know if you need help. The Mods

Expander pain after chemo treatments?

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