Mastectomy pain relief at home - were you given anything? I've discharged and told to just take Paracetamol, is that normal?

Hello Dolly_DD,

well first thing is I wish you a speedy recovery. I live in US and had lumpectomy and was given a prescription pain medication.  5 pills and I took one the evening of the operation but didn’t need anything more. My surgery was no where as extensive as a mastectomy and I got a narcotic.  I think you should have been given a stronger medication as everyone has a different pain threshold and the paracetamol may not be strong enough.  What are they thinking?
sounds like you have had issues with care so far for sure.  No attention to detail at all and doesn’t make you feel very positive.  

I hope you do ok tonight with the medication and if not give them a call and have them give you something stronger.  I believe you heal better if you are comfortable.

Hugs to you.

Hi I  had a lumpectomy, one node removed and reduction to the other breast and they gave me a bottle of liquid morphine to take home - I took a couple of does of it for the first 2 days but didn't need it after that. I would have thought they would give you something stronger than paracetamol. Sending hugs hope you are OK xx

HI Dolly_DD,

I had a lumpectomy and node biopsy 3 months ago.  I was told to take paracetamol or co codamol for pain relief.  Once the anaesthetic and morphine wore off I took co codamol for 2 days, I needed very little pain relief from then on.

Sorry to hear your experience has not been straight forward.  Wishing you well with your recovery.

Jules 

If you get pain complain via PALS. They don't like prescribing oral morp if you are at home and of course you are paying for the paracetamol. I stayed in overnight and was given this although to be honest I did feel much better than I thought I would but you need the option of relief should the paracetamol not control it. Presumably you can buy over the counter neurogen or neurogen plus.

Hope you read this in the morning after having had a peaceful night's sleep.

Hi, sorry to hear of your experience. I think things are patchy with healthcare at the moment. My experience has also been somewhat challenging. 

I hope you continue to have little pain.

I was prescribed a few days codrydomol after my mastectomy and lumpectomy. My pain was mainly at night. I got a follow up prescription from my GP but I didn't need to use it.

You may be able to get a prescription from your GP also. 

Regarding having a challenging experience.  I wrote up my experience and spoke to my consultant surgeon about it, and asked for the written account to be put in my records. I did not make it a formal complaint but things have improved a bit since.

Wishing you speedy healing. Shaka 

Hi, I had lumpectomy and node clearance and only took ibuprofen on two occasions but we are all different. I hope you don’t have too much discomfort. The node clearance was uncomfortable especially when doing the exercises but I did do the exercises as prescribed and over a year later I still do the stretches. It’s a tough time for you sending my warmest wishes.

I was given a box of paracetamol and codeine. Was advised to take Parecetamol and codeine if paracetamol wasn’t working. I initially only took the paracetamol but the surgeon encouraged me to take the codeine to help with my exercises so I can stretch the muscle more. I found it did help bur it can also cause constipation so the hospital also gave my lactulose. I’m sorry they didn’t give you anything stronger. 

Thank you for your reply Hopeful Barb I managed to sleep okay and the pain seems to be manageable at the moment.   My district nurse visited me today and confirmed they only suggest Paracetamol for pain relief.  I've been told that my Macmillan breastcare nurse should have been in touch before my operation but she hasn't.

 Skyemum  thank you for your reply.  I'm glad that they gave you some liquid morphine and you didn't need it much.  So far I'm doing okay and the pain seems to be manageable

 Jules65  thank you for your reply.  I'm glad that you didn't experience much pain