source of pain--what to do?

[sassy]

Posted this on HER2 support board, no response. I guess I still qualify as a newcomer so maybe someone here will have some thoughts. Really getting to me.


Several weeks ago I posted about having been hospitalized for five days for a staph infection at my mast site, when surgery was almost a year previous. (I am now officially a ONE YEAR SURVIVOR!) No one can figure out how I got the infection, surgeon, onc, me, nurses, no ideas. No one knows of this ever happening before. So now I am super paranoid about every little scratch etc. Have always been rather fastidious about hygiene and moisturizing, etc.

My question now concerns the pain at the mast site and radiated area that I continue to have as well as being basically exhausted most of the time. My white counts are good, my red counts are all down, but not to the point of anemia. Am still taking antibiotics because one area along surgical line seems warm, although I have no fever and white count is 6.5 to7. The pain at mast site seems to follow along the radiated area and feels somewhat like radiation pain, except under the skin only. Tightness and pulling etc. Sort of seems like I've gone back to pain I had after surgery and radiation. Could this be some type of radiation necrosis?

All combined have managed to make me feel pretty down. Every time I start to feel like I'm getting back to "normal" something else crops up. Thankfully, so far none has been recurrence--so that is a positive.

Any words of wisdom, advice or anything?

Sassy
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[lia]

Hi sassy, i havent really got anything very helpful to say but didnt want your post to be not replied to ! I too am a one year survivor and i still get odd pains in my arm, under my arm and along the mastectomy scar, I do panic sometimes but try to think of them as signs of nerve endings growing.... it works sometimes ! I didnt have radiotherapy tho so cant really comment properly.Hope it sorts itself out soon.

[Barbara]

Sassy:

I am two years out and find wearing a prosthesis still causes pain and yesterday I made the mistake of caring a grocery basket in my affected arm and I had severe pain at the mastectomy site. It is better today. My internist offered me a topical cream with one of the caine drugs in it a year ago and I refused it. I may rethink my refusal and accept the RX for use at times like this. I am sorry you are having so many problems.

Barbara

[Merridith]

Hi Sassy:

Is there any indication that your reconstruction might have encapsulated?

One thing that I have heard is that reconstruction done AFTER radiating the area is more difficult to do as the skin is damaged. Have you asked about any topical antibiotics that you could apply directly to the affected area to kind of concentrate the attack? Or maybe you need to change antibiotics because the resident bacteria have gained immunity. How about applying moist heat on a regular basis to increase blood flow to the area?

One thing that I experienced after my mast for over a year was "phantom" itch & pain from the non-existant nipple. Could that be another possibility?

Can't help you much. Just thought that I'd offer some ideas.

[sassy]

For your replies.

I have not had reconstruction so I can rule that out. I have wondered about a topical med for pain and antibiotic. Antibiotic is a problem because I am allergic to penicillen and sulpha drugs.

Now at least I know to ask my radiology oncologist about these things. I have made an appointment for Wednesday--he is the only one I have not seen. Have seen surgeon (who is treating) and oncologist.

Thanks again for your replies!


Sassy
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