Topic: Clamps Left in Rib Cage???
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- Posted on: May 10, 2007 04:56 pm
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 23
Posts: 23
BarbN wrote:
Hi, I had surgery May 2006, then chemo then finished radiation on December 28th. I am still in a lot of pain (right breast where lumpectomy was performed) and generally feel like crap. I can sleep 18 hours a day, I have a lot of pain in my right breast and rib cage.
My doctor finally sent me for a chest xray 2 days ago. They found two clamps inside of me? Apparently the clamps are left to cut the blood supply off to the breast during surgery. I don't know, at this point whether they're supposed to be in there or not. I am seeing my oncologist Monday and surgeon Tuesday. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Barb
My doctor finally sent me for a chest xray 2 days ago. They found two clamps inside of me? Apparently the clamps are left to cut the blood supply off to the breast during surgery. I don't know, at this point whether they're supposed to be in there or not. I am seeing my oncologist Monday and surgeon Tuesday. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Barb
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mibriggs Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 331 |
May 11, 2007 07:04 am
mibriggs wrote:
Barb... never heard about leaving clamps in... I had a lumpectomy in sept 05, then a mast in nov 05...and I never had any clamps in me... surely if they were meant to be in there the surgeon should have have discussed that with you pre surgery. I sure hope they haven't left in something that shouldn't be there... Maybe some of the other ladies will write in and share their experience with you. wish you well keep us informed about what happens at your appointment. mel xox |
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wallan Joined: May 2004 Posts: 2,917 |
May 11, 2007 09:16 am
wallan wrote:
Barb: Sounds like malpractice to me Wendy A |
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BarbN Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 23 |
May 11, 2007 12:24 pm
BarbN wrote:
Thanks Mel and Wendy, they sure do hurt! Barb |
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bish Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 23 |
May 11, 2007 04:54 pm
bish wrote:
Hi Barb, I'm surprised they weren't spotted in preparation for radiation - did you not have a CT scan when they were doing tattoos? I would think the clamps should have shown up then! Let us know how this unfolds. It's really quite concerning to any of us here in Ontario. Cathy. |
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maryannecb Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,582 |
May 11, 2007 05:00 pm
maryannecb wrote:
I bet they are just tiny clips used in all mastectomiesand other surgery to "clamp" blood vessels. If so, these remain and generally cause no problem. Fists up! |
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DragonladyT… Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,356 |
May 12, 2007 08:04 am
DragonladyTina wrote:
Sounds fishy to me, I have never heard of clamps being left in the body unless of course it is aneursym related and then it is just clips. I would definitely want answers to that one. Tina |
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Chelee Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,012 |
May 12, 2007 11:55 pm
Chelee wrote:
I had a MRM last year and was NEVER told about any clips left in me. But for a while I kept having this pain in one spot where my orignal tumor had been removed. I asked about the pain in that spot and was blown off like it was nothing. Then later I had a PET/CT and it was mentioned in the CT that there are surgical clips noted in the mastectomy sight. (No one told me about this.) Later I asked my surgeon and he said yes its normal to leave those in. They mark where the tumor/mass was. Something about it helping also when they do radiation...they can find exactly where your mass was removed. (Don't quote me...but something like that) Either way...I was told it is normal. But yet NO ONE ever told me...I would of never known had I not read one of my scans. Which kind of ticks me off since I went in a few times complaining of PAIN in that exact spot and these clips were NEVER mentioned. So you might want to ask your surgeon if you have clips in there verses clamps? Chelee |
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Sierra Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,894 |
May 17, 2007 06:51 am
Sierra wrote:
Yes, I have little clamps in and was v. concerned upon finding out they did not tell me, but it somehow came up, can not recall how I had an excellent surgeon and trust him.. no problems to date  |
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gonnabeatit… Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 50 |
May 18, 2007 08:03 pm
gonnabeatit wrote:
Hi, I found out that I had clips left in me when I went for the Radiology mapping. They told me that the surgeon leaves them so that they know exactly where the tumor was. That was about 4 years ago. I have like a bruised feeling every so often and always wonder if it is because of that. I think it is common. Best wishes to you. |
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Chelee Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,012 |
May 19, 2007 01:02 am
Chelee wrote:
gonnabeatit, I had one spot where my orignal tumor was that always hurts a bit and feels bruised. I use to ask my surgeon IF that clip thats in there is causing that slight pain? He always said no. But I found out from scans I've had that mention where the clip is located just happens to be exactly where my tumor was and right were it hurts. So I know thats what it is. So that bruised feeling you have every once in a while I am SURE its the same thing. I don't know why these doctors don't just fess up and tell us what it is...that way we don't worry un-necessarly about something. Like you already said...I think this is very common. Chelee |
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ravdeb Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,053 |
May 19, 2007 04:45 am
ravdeb wrote:
My understanding from the radiation techs is that they are put in as markers. They told me they are not really clips in the way we think of them but are so tiny they can't bother you. They also told me that not ALL of the surgeons leave these markers and they were happy that my surgeon had. Makes THEIR lives easier! It's not all that common to have a bit of pain after radiation. If it continues, you should check with your doctor. |
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KraftT1 Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1 |
May 19, 2009 12:53 pm
KraftT1 wrote:
I had a double mastectomy five years ago. I have been sick with a cough since late March of 2009. My GP doctor sent me in for x-rays of my lungs since no meds had worked. She got the report back and was reading it to me in the office. Looks like the lab techs were a little upset that they had not been notified that patient had - had prior breast surgery. Hum says they found clamps in the x-rays. She continued on ...I said "Hold Up"! "Did you just say they (someone) left clamps in me?" I was so flabbergasted and shocked I just sat there. Should I be worried? Had I not got the cough I may have never known until to late they were left in there. No one told me this could happen clamps or markers or anything was getting left in me. That's Bull! They need to tell women these things. |
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Sierra Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,894 |
May 22, 2009 06:52 pm
Sierra wrote:
Hi Gals: I found out by mistake forgot how now .. but a long time ago clamps were left in and I was angry.. really I told them.. why did you not tell me this would be done? forget the exact words now Hugs, Sierra Friends are more important than money!
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Brenda_R Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 555 |
Jun 11, 2009 09:14 am
Brenda_R wrote:
I have about 20 surgical clips. Mine aren't where the tumor was, but are near the arm pit side where they removed the nodes, and those nodes were negative. I first saw mine on a scan, but then I remember the surgeon telling me I had clips right after surgery. Some of mine bothered me for a long time and caused a bruised area when I had rads. A couple still bother me now and then. Dx 12/12/2006, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 3, 1/17 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |