Drain pain

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
1

Hello,

So, had single mastectomy and SNB on Thursday. Surgery went fine. I stayed in hospital until Saturday evening as I get hypotension, tachycardia & chronic fatigue. My heart rate kept leaping up to around 150 every time I stood up on the Friday & I also reacted badly to codeine taken Friday night and it took a good 12 hours or so to feel vaguely human. The wound itself isn’t painful at all, but the drain is hideous! When I stand up and straighten my ribs out it’s like a cheese grater is in there & if I touch where I can feel it running up my ribs it is excruciating! Been taking paracetamol but it doesn’t seem to do anything for this pain. Hardly any fluid is draining any more and thankfully it should be coming out on Wednesday. Please tell me once it’s out the pain goes?

TreeBee

2

I had a painful drain as well, and yes, as soon as it came out the pain went.

I would also suggest giving your breast nurse a call, as you’re having problems they might be able to get you in early to look at it. 

3

Hi Treebee

Im sorry to hear you’re going through so much. I had DIEP flap reconstruction surgery on the 17th. Had 4 drains which were removed on the 22nd. I didn’t experience the pain you have but they were uncomfortable. It sounds as though it may be near a nerve ending. As soon as mine were removed, any discomfort I felt disappeared. Hopefully yours will be removed tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Good luck :crossed_fingers: