Has anyone had infection two years post DIEP?

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AnnaM
AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
edited June 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am two years post bilateral DIEP reconstruction and am being treated (antibiotics) by my PS for an infection (cellulitis). I was so relieved when he told me the redness and swelling were due to an infection (and not something more sinister) that I never asked how an infection could have gotten in there. I'll be seeing him again next week and will ask, but was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

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  • Kathy_K
    Kathy_K Member Posts: 772
    edited October 2007

    I haven't had mine that long  but I'm sure sorry to hear about your problems.  I hope the antibiotics kick it pretty soon.

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  • ophelia
    ophelia Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2007

    Hi Anna, I'm considering IGAP, same as DIEP different donor site. I've haven't read about that complication anywhere and I've done quite a bit of research.  I'd be interested in hearing what your doctor has to say about what brought that on.  I hope you are not in pain and that the antibiotics start the healing process quickly.  Please keep us posted.

    Take care...

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2007

    Thank you both for your responses. No, there's no pain at all, because I have no feeling in my breasts now. I will keep you posted. I sure do wonder how bacteria could have entered the entirely healed site.



    Anna

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2007

    Hi, Anna,

    Boy! I'm with you on being relieved it's not something "more sinister!" Bet that had your stomach doing somersaults for awhile. Ugh!

    Just wanted to give you a heads up on cellulitis as it relates to lymphedema of the breast. Lymphedema can be present in our tissues before any swelling is noticable -- in fact, there can be as much as 30% more fluid in between the cells than is normal and you will not notice swelling. But the stagnant lymph fluid can result in "spontaneous" infections (which just means there's no obvious cause) because the lymph is rich in protein and a great breeding ground for any stray bacteria. Frown

    The rate of chest or breast lymphedema is quite a lot higher than most doctors (including bs's or ps's) realize, because it can develop at any time after treatment, even years and years later. Also, our medical schools do not presently teach diseases of the lymph system much, so many women go undiagnosed for a long time. Which is a problem, since prompt treatment of lymphedema means better lifetime control and less chance of repeat infections.

    Breast lymphedema can be treated (after the infection is cleared up!) by specially trained lymphedema therapists, who do a gentle, directional massage to move the excess fluid out of the area, and will teach you to use massage, compression, exercise and skin care to keep it under control. Smile

    I'm no doctor, and I'm certainly not offering you a diagnosis, but just thought you might want to be aware of one possibility for a breast infection with no apparent cause.

    Hoping you heal real quick!

    Binney 

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2007

    Thank you, Binney! I am seeing my breast surgeon tomorrow. Ten days of antibiotics seem to have had no effect at all. The area is still red. I am beginning to get scared again but will wait till tomorrow to see what's next.



    Anna

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2007

    Hi, Anna,

    Hope things went well today. Thinking of you!

    Binney 

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2007

    Thank you, Binney. The infection is still there. I have been on the antibiotics for just over two weeks and am seeing the dr on Monday again (29th). I think he'll have to take me off that antibiotic, maybe put me on something else. I need to get rid of the infection bec. I am scheduled for hip replacement surgery at the beginning of December and will have to cancel that if things don't change. I understand they don't want you to have an infection anywhere if you're having replacement surgery. I just wish I could figure out what is going on.....

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  • ophelia
    ophelia Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2007

    Hi anna, how did you make out w/ ps and infection? any idea on how it got there to begin with?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2007

    Hi, Anna,

    What news?

    (((((Hugs))))) and prayers too,

    Binney 

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2007

    Thank you, Binney and Maria. PS took me off the antibiotic; he said it must have done its work by now and the redness is probably residual. He wants to see me in two weeks. He says being off the antibiotic will show us whether or not I am infection-free. Either nothing will happen and I can go on with my life (and hip replacement), or I will have a flare-up and we'll have to go from there. He thinks the latter is not going to happen.



    As for how the infection got ther, who knows? He said he sees this type of thing from time to time, but it never gets out of hand.



    Binney, you are our angel, thank you.



    Hugs, Anna



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  • ophelia
    ophelia Member Posts: 337
    edited November 2007

    Hi anna, It sounds like he's pretty sure that it's gone.  I'm glad for you and will pray your hip replacement goes well and your recovery from that is quick.  Getting back to our lives is all most of us really wants.  Best wishes for you.

    Take care!!!

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  • ruth58
    ruth58 Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2007

    Anna:

    I haven't had DIEP yet (am scheduled soon), but I'm just getting over a case of mastitis in the affected breast (2 lumpectomies last spring and radiation last july-august).  It came on suddenly after a mammogram where I was compressed extremely hard, which I assume is what set it off.  I became very ill, had a fever, and required IV antibiotics to get it under control.  I still did 10 days of Keflex.  If you feel at all ill, have any kind of fever, etc., get back to the doctor.  Binney4's remarks about LE were a real eye-opener; I had no idea.   I guess we might be vulnerable to this sort of thing now no matter what.  Good luck with your surgery.

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited November 2007

    I'm scheduled to see the doctor on Monday again. Still no change whatsoever. No fever, chills, pain or anything like that, just this deep red area on my breast. He said it would either go away or flare up more with my being off the antibiotic, but it doesn't seem to have done either.



    I think it's time to try to see my LE therapist. That's like trying to see the pope, but maybe she has some insight into what's going on here. I asked the breast surgeon if it could be LE in my "breast," but he just looked at me funny and said You don't have any lymph nodes there so how could you have LE? Deep sigh.



    I really really want that new hip! I really want to be able to walk!



    Anna

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited November 2007

    Saw the doctor yesterday; he just said it would take a while to go away and to be patient. At least he agreed to call the orthopedic surgeon.



    After much cajoling and begging I was able to get an appointment with the LE therapist for November 27th. Her waiting list was through January. The waiting list with the therapists at other center in my area was through February. Could that mean we need more therapists? Are women suffering with LE and just waiting for months? How can this be okay?



    I have also seen a Nutritionist/naturopath and she has given me all sorts of tonics and supplements to boost my immune system and facilitate my circulation. I've never tried this route before, but I am getting desperate.



    Anna

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited November 2007

    Saw the LE therapist today and she said she has seen this redness with scar tissue before. She showed me how to work on the scar tissue and also how to add breast massage to my MLD routine.



    I'm a much happier camper....

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  • ophelia
    ophelia Member Posts: 337
    edited November 2007

    Yeah Anna!!! Good news and an end to the mystery.  I hope this means you'll be able to get that new hip soon.Laughing

    Take care and God bless...

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited November 2007

    Thank you, Maria!

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