Hi,
Even though you don’t have a breast problem; I really wish I had something to say that would help take away your pain. I hope they find a cure for whatever ails you. It's so hard suffering so much and I can just imagine how terrible this is for you!
I am here to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers….
1st I am not a breast cancer patient but have Stage 4 Melanoma. I had a pedicled tram flap to repair a very large open wound in lt groin in 2011 from lymph node dissection in lt groin that got infected and split open.Not long after the flap I developed a huge bulge in rt abd along with muscle spasms in rt abd where the rectus muscle had been. I had a vertical incision instead of bikini incision due to not having enough fat to close incision in lower abd. I have had 3 more major surgeries for hernias, removal of synthetic mesh that hardened to stone and tore my abd wall in many places which required extensive repair. Mesh replaced with biological type with less problems but not as strong so 2 more hernia surgeries plus last surgery removal of extensive scar tissue on bowel.. Bulges always reoccur shortly after surgery. These are the problems I have had since flap surgery and problems not solved or reoccur within weeks of surgery- severe muscle spasms rt abd every time I move arms or legs(can't even fold laundry), rt rib pain, very distended abd, severe constipation even with 6-8 Senekot S, a day, unable to eat very little due to feeling full after a few bites leading to weight loss,, abd pain esp in rt lower abd, pressure on bladder as soon as I stand which disappears after a few minutes, increased lower abd pain when I lay down when constipated and even worse for 2 days after having bowel movement, feeling of intense pressure in abd, sometimes have feeling of shirts being real tight when they are just touching my abd and not tight at all. I decided to make visit to GI Dr due to severe constipation and indigestion despite being on Nexium and Zantac. He started me on Linzess a new drug to treat chronic constipation which is not working very well. I had an endoscopy due to trouble swallowing since radiation to neck and there was a stricture but also found food present from dinner eaten 14 hrs before and he said nothing is moving. He thinks there is definitely a connection to all my Abd problems and Tram Flap. I had a in office abd ultrasound(not read by radiologist) at pain management dr and he found areas that he said were not normal but didn't know what was wrong so we are starting with proper ultrasound first. I was diagnosed Stage 4 in 2012 and am lucky to be here since new drugs were approved. These were the 1st new drugs approved in 20 years for Melanoma and the previous one had a success rate of 6% and was offered to only Stage 3. Once you were Stage 4 you had 6-9 months to live. I want to feel grateful to be alive but it is hard when you can't do anything. I went to the store a few weeks ago for the 1st time in 6 months and ended up sitting on the floor from abd pain. I abandoned my cart and left and cried all the way home. Sorry long post from a non breast cancer patient and can't even wear bra and I have a boob in my lt groin. It would have been a great breast!
Hi,
Am so sorry you are still experiencing pain due to Tram flap breast reconstruction. Believe me you are not alone…. I read many posts from women, who have had this type of surgery, having similar problems. If your Doctors cannot explain or find a solution, you could ask him/her to refer you to a pain clinic doctor.. There are many treatments for pain available out there that could help alleviate your discomfort.
Please click on the link below .You’ll find lots of information from other women who have also experienced pain and discomfort due to Tram Flap surgery. I hope someone found a solution that could be helpful to you.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/54?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=tram+flap+reconstruction
I wish you well..