post mastectomy pain

heyred
heyred Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hey everyone,

First, a big thank you to everyone who welcomed me to this wonderful site. I've been more voyer than participant of late, but that's because things are moving so fast, that I sometimes only have time to log on and read rather than post.

But I need some help if you can. I'm trying my best to deal with this pain from a double mastectomy that I had back on the 26th. Of course they gave me pain killers, but it seems if I don't take them every 4 hours, I'm pretty much double up in pain.

Is this normal, because I'd hate to think of being too dependent on these pills.

Also, I'm about to start chemo in about a month, after I try to get through an "emergency" round of IVF, and I'm wondering if anyone has had their own hair made into a wig?
I know it might sound vain, but part of keeping my perspective about all this is to keep things as normal as possible.

This is all so overwhelming some days......I'd cry, but it hurts too much from the surgery.

Hope you're all doing well.
Sending good vibes out to you all tonight.

Comments

  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #2
    I had a mastectomy ten years
    I had a mastectomy ten years ago and a repeat performance just three weeks ago. I was able to go without pain killers after a few days. (Reconstruction, which I had the first time, needed a few more days. This time I also had a skin graft and am finding I will most likely use up all the pain pills.) I don't think it is normal to have as much pain this far out as you are having. Have you been to your surgeon for follow ups? I would call and make an appointment to ask about this asap.
    I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Can I show my ignorance and ask what IVF is?
    Hope this evening is finding you feeling better. I feel so badly for you! I know how bad the pain can be and you are having it for so long!
  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
    #3
    Pain
    Heyred,

    I also had my double mastectomy on the 26th. I don't use many of the pain meds anymore, but there have been times (like when I've accidently pulled on my drain tubes while getting dressed) when I've needed to take them again. I plan to have my drain tubes removed tomorrow and will take a pill before the appointment.

    I'm just wondering if you are trying to do too much and aren't resting enough right now. I've done too much moving around (and cleaning) a few days and I ended up being exhausted and in pain. Try to relax and rest as much as you can for a while longer. My personal opinion is that everyone experiences pain differently in their bodies and you should continue to take your pain meds when you need them. You can check with your doctor, but I'm sure he/she wouldn't have prescribed them if they thought it was a problem for you to take them.

    I don't know about wigs made from your own hair but I'm sure it is possible (although not inexpensive). There are many nice looking wigs, hats and scarves out there for chemo patients.

    Good luck with your IVF and your chemo. I hope this has helped ease your mind about taking pain meds.
  • heyred
    heyred Member Posts: 5
    #4
    arbojenn said:

    I had a mastectomy ten years
    I had a mastectomy ten years ago and a repeat performance just three weeks ago. I was able to go without pain killers after a few days. (Reconstruction, which I had the first time, needed a few more days. This time I also had a skin graft and am finding I will most likely use up all the pain pills.) I don't think it is normal to have as much pain this far out as you are having. Have you been to your surgeon for follow ups? I would call and make an appointment to ask about this asap.
    I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Can I show my ignorance and ask what IVF is?
    Hope this evening is finding you feeling better. I feel so badly for you! I know how bad the pain can be and you are having it for so long!

    So sorry to hear you had a
    So sorry to hear you had a repeat performance.
    I have been to one followup appointment and had two of my four drains removed, which was painless. I'll hopefully get the last of the drains taken out in a couple of days. Then I have expanders in for 7-8 more weeks before getting implants.
    The pain has subsided enough to where I'm trying to only take the pills a couple of times a day, versus every 4 hours. Thanks for the help.
    IVF is In Vetro Fertilization. Since I'm 38 without children, I'm trying to secure a few eggs, and make them into embyros before Chemo will kill my ovaries, ruining all chances of having my own children in the future.
    If someone told me all this was going to happen back in May, I would have laughed really hard....its amazing how a few months can change a persons life.
    Best of luck with everything and keep me updated on your progress.
  • nbabq
    nbabq Member Posts: 3
    #5
    Pain
    I had the same problems. The cut nerves are painfull. I got a referral for physical therapy to see a lympedema specialist which I believe she "saved me" and the Drs. saved my life. After a couple of weeks I joined a exercise program for survivors that got me in shape.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #6
    nbabq said:

    Pain
    I had the same problems. The cut nerves are painfull. I got a referral for physical therapy to see a lympedema specialist which I believe she "saved me" and the Drs. saved my life. After a couple of weeks I joined a exercise program for survivors that got me in shape.

    Pain and wig from your own hair
    I am very sorry that you are in pain.
    I also tried to minimize the use of pain medications and now after 14 months (I had my surgery 14 months ago) I think it was a big mistake. Do not be afraid to take medications if you need them. After your surgery you need to relax, have a reasonable sleep and no pain.

    As for wig, I had a very similar idea and checked various options. Nobody wants to work with human hair and it is very expensive. I could not find a place to make a wig from my own hair. Then I talked to my hair stylist and she convinced to buy a Japanese wig for $60-100. I am glad I took her advice. I did a short hair cut before my 1 Chemo and shaved when I started loosing them.
    Good luck

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