Feeling overwhelmed with a lot of pain

They should have asked you after the op whether you were in pain (on a scale of 1-10) and given you painkillers to use at home. It is important to keep on top of your pain. Have you tried paracetamol ? Suggest you contact G.P. or sometimes BC Nurses can get you a prescription through the Drs in Clinic. I was given Oramorph but had Paracetamol 4 hourly and continued this for quite a while.

Hi Penny , hope you ok I understand how you feel I had a bilateral mastectomy 9 weeks ago and seroma pain both sides still with me. Venicelagoon is so right about pain relief and how they should have looked after you . I rang my doctor and got Tramodol and Codine . Really helped. I don't think that there is enough support for women who have had a  bilateral . Both sides affected and painful so we can't get comfortable when we rest or in bed. All I can say is the pain will subside . 

Take care 

Jayne 

Oops sorry Penelope ! 

Absolutely Rhiwbana, we heal while we're asleep and its so difficult trying to do this on your back if you're in pain as well. I had terrible back ache very early on, and didn't understand why and I was told that was good because it meant the Surgeon had done a massive amount of work in the operation to find where the cancer was and ensure it was all removed. And she did get clear margins. If you take the medication regularly you're actually never in pain.

Hi Jayne

Thankyou  so much for replying to me with your personal experience . Thank god I’m not alone !

You are so right about lack of support for us women regarding bi lateral procedures . I am now on co drymadol and take one tramodol at night but honestly , the first GP I spoke to was awful to me regarding prescribing Tramodol and said she didn’t want to prescribe this as it could cause drowsiness ( that’s the idea right!). Now , from your message ,  I know, that at least,   I am not alone with the pain and it’s not me having a “low pain thresh hold “ as another medic idiot tried to suggest.

Peace 

Hi , hope all good.

It has to be said that I feel let down  by the lack of home care support initially  I got in receiving   the right type of medication . Paracetamol just doesn’t touch the sides, even 2 weeks still . However I can manage with co drymadol and tramadol mix . Shame I had to work it out alone though .Peace.

Penelope

Jayne , how you doing now?

Hi Penelope,

 Good to read this reply  ant to know that you now have the painkillers you need. You might need to take them for a while.  As you had a bilateral  are you also having any trouble with your arms? When ever I do an exercise class they always say use your non operated side or arm to support you ! What a joke ?  You are right about some medics not understanding that the pain is double And it means that recovery is slower . 

Take care 

Jayne 

I'm doing ok Penelope  got to start chemo in a week really nervous , I'm not having a Picc line both arms too sore so just a normal drip. Four sessions only so that's good. I don't know about you but when I found out I had cancer in both breasts it was a huge shock but luckily both were primary tumors so hopefully if the cancer has not spread then I will be ok. I'm having chemotherapy  so   that the cancers don't return, well that's the plan anyway. Oncotype score was 38 which was a bit of a bummer .

Take care

Jayne X 

I thought the same as you. The info and booklet said not to use your arms to get yourself out of bed.....so how were we meant to do things like go to the loo ? I won't go on about it but I had huge trouble with one arm for weeks. Woke up at 4.00 am with it aching a lot, virtually every morning, did all exercises. Couldn't get clothes off and needed help if I was wearing a hospital gown to do it up if it did up at the back. Had a DEXA scan where Radiologist wondered why it was taking me so long undressing, she came into my cubicle, then could see my struggle and she helped me.