2nd expansion......OUCH!
Last night i was in so much pain.I never slept one bit and had to go and get painkillers at 4.15am!
I went back to not being able to sleep on my side again but laying on my back was agony. I seemed to hurt right the way from the front,right THROUGH THE MIDDLE and out to my back.
Is this normal???
It was mostly my left side that hurt. Deep breathing is painful,as is coughing. Both times i've been expanded now,i have developed a cough within an hour. A tight cough.
With this only being my 2nd expansion, i wasn't sure if this pain and discomfort was normal,as my 1st expansion was mostly filling up the empty expander and a little more.
It has made me nervous about my next one already. I can't help wondering if they put too much in in one go. Maybe i just wasn't prepared for this amount of pain due to my last one being perfectly fine.
Any feed back from anyone who's had expanders in would be great.
Thanks
Comments
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uncomfortable
I can't say mine was that painful. It became increasingly more uncomfortable the closer to full he went. The good news is-as each day passed, it got more comfortable. I would take a pain killer and a muscle relaxer the 1st and sometimes 2nd night. And, it did hurt around to my back. The expander is under the chest muscle that is part of (or connects to) the back muscle. So, it would compress the ribs some which could cause the cough. Your lungs don't want to give up any of their space.
It would slow your progress but, could you ask him to put in less the next time. Hope you're feeling more comfortable soon.
Huge, El0 -
Thanks for thatms_independent said:uncomfortable
I can't say mine was that painful. It became increasingly more uncomfortable the closer to full he went. The good news is-as each day passed, it got more comfortable. I would take a pain killer and a muscle relaxer the 1st and sometimes 2nd night. And, it did hurt around to my back. The expander is under the chest muscle that is part of (or connects to) the back muscle. So, it would compress the ribs some which could cause the cough. Your lungs don't want to give up any of their space.
It would slow your progress but, could you ask him to put in less the next time. Hope you're feeling more comfortable soon.
Huge, El
i'm just
Thanks for that
i'm just not good at taking pain relief.I normally just battle through it,but couldn't manage it last night.had to have 1000mg Paracetamol and 30mg Codeine Phosphate. I will do the same tonight and next time i go for expansion,i'm taking something before i go too!
I'm relieved to know it's normal for my back to hurt.You don't really think about it all being connected to your back!
I would never have thought just a little liquid could cause so much stress to my back and lungs.I found it bizaare the first time when i got a cough straight after. I assumed i was being a bit of a hypochondriac! But after getting it this time too,i realised it must be to do with expansion.I think i'll persever with what ever thay plan to top me up with as long as it's no more than 60ml again.
Bring on the pain meds next time! I'm no longer going to be a martyrr to the pain! ha ha0 -
m-star
I didn't have a mastectomy, so I can't give you any practical information, but wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you. It's no fun to go through that much pain.
I also think you're wise to take the pain meds sooner rather than later. You'll probably find you need less of them that way because, just like the anti-nausea meds, it's easier to head the pain off before it gets bad than to control it once you have a lot of pain.
Hope the next expansion is easier on you.
Take care,
Cindy0 -
Thanks Cindycindycflynn said:m-star
I didn't have a mastectomy, so I can't give you any practical information, but wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you. It's no fun to go through that much pain.
I also think you're wise to take the pain meds sooner rather than later. You'll probably find you need less of them that way because, just like the anti-nausea meds, it's easier to head the pain off before it gets bad than to control it once you have a lot of pain.
Hope the next expansion is easier on you.
Take care,
Cindy
You're
Thanks Cindy
You're right. I was silly to try and cope with the pain when i should have just taken something for it. I was just so determined not to go back on pain meds.I suppose just 1 or 2 days every 3 weeks when i get expanded isn't so bad. Im def taking some tonight!
Hugs
Kay
xo0 -
feel for you
I had a double masectomy also and have the expanders and i also had a very tuff time with the second expansion, i know he had to fill one more than the other to catch up with the cancer side that wsnt filled during surgery, but it was very painful all day but each day got better and better. I couldnt get them filled this week because on one side the incision came open a very tiny bit but im sue to have chemotherapy so they want this to heal reall good befor i go for my 3rd fill. they dont want anything that can cause an infection while doing chemo. But im was thinking the same thing about going again it was pretty painful, and i feel for you im not a back sleeper and it is killing me i wake up on my side at night and it is so painful! are you sceduled for chemo? i was told i cant have surgery to put in implants untill my chemo is finished for 6 weeks after. this really was upsetting i want these expanders out!!i would ask the docter to not fill as much this time for sure i know when im able to go back in im gona tell him this. hang in there and i hope you feel better soon. jan0 -
Hi Janjbutter said:feel for you
I had a double masectomy also and have the expanders and i also had a very tuff time with the second expansion, i know he had to fill one more than the other to catch up with the cancer side that wsnt filled during surgery, but it was very painful all day but each day got better and better. I couldnt get them filled this week because on one side the incision came open a very tiny bit but im sue to have chemotherapy so they want this to heal reall good befor i go for my 3rd fill. they dont want anything that can cause an infection while doing chemo. But im was thinking the same thing about going again it was pretty painful, and i feel for you im not a back sleeper and it is killing me i wake up on my side at night and it is so painful! are you sceduled for chemo? i was told i cant have surgery to put in implants untill my chemo is finished for 6 weeks after. this really was upsetting i want these expanders out!!i would ask the docter to not fill as much this time for sure i know when im able to go back in im gona tell him this. hang in there and i hope you feel better soon. jan
It's a bummer that it
Hi Jan
It's a bummer that it hurts but glad im not alone! If ya know what i mean?! lol
No my surgery was preventative as i was high risk of BC so no chemo thank goodness.Been there,done that 19 years ago when i had Hodgkins.
My friends incision came open slightly too and she also had to put off one of her expansions.Best not to stress the site any more than necessary.
I know what you mean about wanting the expanders out! I cant wait for some soft boobies! lol It will give you something to 'look forward to' after your chemo if thats the right words. A goal. I hope chemo isn't too bad for you.Hang in there.It'll all be worth it in the end.
hugs,
Kay
xox0 -
Mine hurt too
Dear M-star,
My first fill, they did 60cc and it was an incredibly painful ride home (2 1/2 hour drive). When I got home, I tried to lay down on my wedge pillow and the act of leaning back was so incredibly painful. I sat up for a few hours and then tried again. I woke up that morning about 4:15 in extreme pain. After my surgery (double mast. too) what relieved my pain better than the percoset was the muscle relaxers ... I tried some of those and found some relief. Fortunately, the next day was better and the 2nd and 3rd day and so on, were no problem.
My second fills almost excactly the opposite thing happened. She only put in 50cc that time. I took an advil and a tylenol before the fills and every 4 hours after and the first day and night wasn't a problem at all. What I've found however, is that the pain has increased as time has passed. I've been sorer longer than the first fills. A friend who had the same surgery recommended the tylenol and advil the day of the fills and also a heating pad the first night. I haven't had much back pain. What hurts the most is the sides ... I can feel the corner of the left expander and it REALLY hurts. Can't lay on my sides either.
I go for my third fills on Tuesday. I don't know if she'll drop it to 40 cc on each side or keep it at fifty. I was pretty small chested too ... I guess the only good thing is what we don't have many more fills to go.
Hang in there. I feel your pain!
dh0 -
Pain meds were my friend~Dawne.Hope said:Mine hurt too
Dear M-star,
My first fill, they did 60cc and it was an incredibly painful ride home (2 1/2 hour drive). When I got home, I tried to lay down on my wedge pillow and the act of leaning back was so incredibly painful. I sat up for a few hours and then tried again. I woke up that morning about 4:15 in extreme pain. After my surgery (double mast. too) what relieved my pain better than the percoset was the muscle relaxers ... I tried some of those and found some relief. Fortunately, the next day was better and the 2nd and 3rd day and so on, were no problem.
My second fills almost excactly the opposite thing happened. She only put in 50cc that time. I took an advil and a tylenol before the fills and every 4 hours after and the first day and night wasn't a problem at all. What I've found however, is that the pain has increased as time has passed. I've been sorer longer than the first fills. A friend who had the same surgery recommended the tylenol and advil the day of the fills and also a heating pad the first night. I haven't had much back pain. What hurts the most is the sides ... I can feel the corner of the left expander and it REALLY hurts. Can't lay on my sides either.
I go for my third fills on Tuesday. I don't know if she'll drop it to 40 cc on each side or keep it at fifty. I was pretty small chested too ... I guess the only good thing is what we don't have many more fills to go.
Hang in there. I feel your pain!
dh
I took one before every expansion. And through out the first 24-48 hours if needed. Aleve helps because 2 pills last 12 hours. I also propped myself up with lots of pillows to sleep. Made my bed like a "nest" so I could hunker down and snooze.... I wish you the best next round of fills....
Melanie0 -
Yes thats my saving grace iDawne.Hope said:Mine hurt too
Dear M-star,
My first fill, they did 60cc and it was an incredibly painful ride home (2 1/2 hour drive). When I got home, I tried to lay down on my wedge pillow and the act of leaning back was so incredibly painful. I sat up for a few hours and then tried again. I woke up that morning about 4:15 in extreme pain. After my surgery (double mast. too) what relieved my pain better than the percoset was the muscle relaxers ... I tried some of those and found some relief. Fortunately, the next day was better and the 2nd and 3rd day and so on, were no problem.
My second fills almost excactly the opposite thing happened. She only put in 50cc that time. I took an advil and a tylenol before the fills and every 4 hours after and the first day and night wasn't a problem at all. What I've found however, is that the pain has increased as time has passed. I've been sorer longer than the first fills. A friend who had the same surgery recommended the tylenol and advil the day of the fills and also a heating pad the first night. I haven't had much back pain. What hurts the most is the sides ... I can feel the corner of the left expander and it REALLY hurts. Can't lay on my sides either.
I go for my third fills on Tuesday. I don't know if she'll drop it to 40 cc on each side or keep it at fifty. I was pretty small chested too ... I guess the only good thing is what we don't have many more fills to go.
Hang in there. I feel your pain!
dh
Yes thats my saving grace i suppose,that i was small in the first place so there's not as much skin to be able to stretch too far! lol
I was kinda wondering if they would taper off the amount they put in as they get fuller.I was told they only put small expanders in me! huh! so much for getting a good rack!
I will def take pain killers before and after next time.Whats Advil and Tylenol?? I live in the UK so it may be something different here.Might google it. We have Parecetamol painkiller and Ibuprofen anti inflammitory. I also take Codeine for muscle relaxent. It's now bben 4 days sine expansion and it has eased off some but is still very tender.I also think the pain is lasting longer.
Oh and i too use lots of pillows when i sleep! My husbands getting a bit fed up with it now as i've been hogging the bed for weeks!! lol. If i had my way i'd have a whole lot more pillows in that bed than are there right now =D0 -
unfortunately... the pain is
unfortunately... the pain is to be expected... and does get worse before it gets better. You are stretching muscles that were not intended to stretch that way.. and you get pulling on the surgical area that makes up you reconstructed under cup... What my surgeon told me, is i will no sooner start to feel a little better and it will be time to fill up again...
Just remember, it will be all worth it in the end!!!!!
Massaging the area, does help with some of the pressure.....
GOOD LUCK.....0 -
Advil and Tylenolm-star said:Yes thats my saving grace i
Yes thats my saving grace i suppose,that i was small in the first place so there's not as much skin to be able to stretch too far! lol
I was kinda wondering if they would taper off the amount they put in as they get fuller.I was told they only put small expanders in me! huh! so much for getting a good rack!
I will def take pain killers before and after next time.Whats Advil and Tylenol?? I live in the UK so it may be something different here.Might google it. We have Parecetamol painkiller and Ibuprofen anti inflammitory. I also take Codeine for muscle relaxent. It's now bben 4 days sine expansion and it has eased off some but is still very tender.I also think the pain is lasting longer.
Oh and i too use lots of pillows when i sleep! My husbands getting a bit fed up with it now as i've been hogging the bed for weeks!! lol. If i had my way i'd have a whole lot more pillows in that bed than are there right now =D
Dear M-star,
The Advil is ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory, like you said) and Tylenol is acetominephen (a painkiller). That combination works well for me. They put a small expander in me too! The PA said the max was 250cc, but we could go for more if I wanted. We'll see.
I'm sleeping with a wedge pillow and it really helps. To lay completely flat is painful! We're getting there. I too can't wait for those soft boobies!
dh0 -
Eeekkks! I am kinda nervous
Eeekkks! I am kinda nervous about this expander process. Is this pain directly after a mastectomy or a few months after? I am curious if it feels the same? I do know my plastic surgeon told me I didn't have to get the drains with the expanders. That's a plus! I think I am getting expanders in June and I wish it was just sooner so I could get it over with!0 -
Immediate ReconstructionTawnyS said:Eeekkks! I am kinda nervous
Eeekkks! I am kinda nervous about this expander process. Is this pain directly after a mastectomy or a few months after? I am curious if it feels the same? I do know my plastic surgeon told me I didn't have to get the drains with the expanders. That's a plus! I think I am getting expanders in June and I wish it was just sooner so I could get it over with!
It depends on if you get immediate reconstruction after your masectomy. If so, it is only a few weeks after. I received my first fills a couple of weeks after the masectomy. I did have drains for the reconstruction ... so I had two on each side. They came out within a week, however.
While the process isn't fun, it is nothing compared to the masectomy. It is just uncomfortable. Just when you're feeling almost 'normal' ... it is time for another fill. It is gonna be worth it in the end!0 -
the expansion was more
the expansion was more painful than the sugery!!0
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