post radiation tissue expansion pain

do muscle spasms necessarily indicate that radiated tissue is beginning to stretch more? I had a left mastectomy in 2/2009 then 16 round of chemo and 35 radiations. I waited 8 months then had a prophylactic right mastectomy and bilateral expanders placed at the same time 6 weeks ago. Today I was expanded and for the first time am having severe muscle spasms. Up until now, I haven't had any spasms like this. Could this mean my radiated side is finally about to give and start stretching. I have 500cc in there now and I still am probably less than an A cup on the radiated side.

[Cheerpul]

I cannot answer your question directly, as I have had neither radiation nor reconstruction after a left mastectomy.  However, I have had muscle spasms.  My physical therapist suggested this exercise to relieve them.  Stand facting a corner of a wall and lean forward with one hand flat on each wall.  Do a standing pushup in this postion and repeat 5 -10 times.  

I hope this helps and that someone can answer your questions.  I am thinking of you.

[SueYoung55]

Kelly,

I don't know any plastic surgeons that would use expanders on radiated skin. Please seek a second or third opinion as there is a 70 to 90% failure rate. (please keep in mind I am not a doctor but I am a survivor and boy oh boy have I learned by asking questions, lots and lots of questions) You may get lucky and be one of the few it works on.

Radiated skin doesn't stretch. Worse, radiation effects everything it reaches such as your rib cage below which gets weak. When expanding, instead of stretching hard, thin radiated skin it could actually push your weakened rib cage inwards. Capsular contraction is also quite common in this circumstance.Tissue transfer reconstruction is preferred for radiated skin. Please research this before moving forward and again, get another opinion. Best wishes

Here is a very good post about reconstruction and radiation.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Trans-flap-vs-implants/show/1308880