Capsular contraction??

I am going through hell at the moment and hope someone can help me.

Briefly, mastectomy 2009, lat dorsi recon with tissue expander 2010. 1st June this year, nipple and Coleman fat transfer. Went on holiday to Spain 3 weeks ago and was suddenly floored with intense pain in my boob. Called doctor who sent me to hospital where they put me on IV antibiotics for 5 days. Had contracted staphyloccus aureus in my breast = penicillin resistant. Infection was spreading so fast but they caught it finally after 6 days. Doctor wanted to remove tissue expander but let me come home to see my own PS.

Got home last Thursday still in agony and saw my PS. He decided that the swelling and pain was fluid and needed aspirating and he would do it on Tuesday this week. Feeling very ill, I got to the hospital to find there wasn’t a bed. Waited 4 hours and was then sent to another hospital for an ultrasound where the doctor there would aspirate using a cannula. 2 hours more of waiting and it was revealed that there was nothing to drain. Sent home none the wiser.

So now it is Thursday - rang my PS secretary and explained what had happened and that the pain was awful. She called my PS who was doing his Private work today. The message back was come to clinic next Friday.

The pain is terrible and has all the symptoms of capsular contracture grade 4. Boob has shrunk, is circular, rock hard and I can’t breathe or cough without pain.

Can ANYONE give me advice on what to do - I am taking co-codomol 30/500 like smarties which is not good.

Sooo sorry for the ramble - I have had the worst two weeks and no end in sight. Thanks for listening.

Hi
All I can say is go back to your consultant asap, I have a LD flap with implant was taken in many times and had loads of antibiotics. In the end I was so poorly they took the implant out, at the time I was so relieved, you may not need this done but I can say you feel so poorly in the end you dont realise your not well if it wasnt for my OH making me go back who knows!!

But its not always bad so go soon and they may be able to give you something, if you cant make an appointment perhaps go to A & E.
Sorry if this sounds down I dont want you or others to sit around wondering what to do and if you are like me not wanting to make a scence.

I don’t know anything about recons but waiting that long in the pain you’re in is just not okay. I would ring the helpline and get their advice on how best to proceed now. They’re great at giving advice on the best way to get your voice heard.

I imagine from what you’ve said, that the message has got a bit distorted as it’s been passed on. Your PS probably thinks you were seen at another hospital so it’s no longer urgent.

You could try your GP if you get on well with him/her as they might be able to speed things up for you. If all else fails you’ll have to go to A&E.

I do hope you can get this seen to soon. Elinda x

I agree absolutely, that’s an emergency if only for pain - it is wholly unacceptable to be in pain (see NICE guidelines), plus you have no idea what’s going on there until it’s been properly assessed which it would appear it has not.
If you don’t get IMMEDIATE action by anyone else, go to A&E. That way you’ll be assessed properly within 4 hours and treated and/or referred as an emergency if it’s appropriate.
Lots of luck
xx

Hi Hope you are feeling better and have recieved some help
x

Thank you for your supportive posts. I had to wait until yesterday to see my PS and he was very sheepish. I told him about the pain and how long it had gone on for and he said that he did not want to operate as the risk of further infection was probable - fair enough - so he decided to aspirate all the saline from the tissue expander. I can’t believe the relief!!! I don’t understand what has happened but the pressure has gone - unfortunately most of my boob with it but I don’t care.

Go back next week and see what he says then but much much better Thank you.

Love Finn