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Pain from Latissimus Dorsi Flap Surgery

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  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 783
    edited May 2014
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    It is almost  9 yrs. my surgery with  L Dorsi Flap , I still feel pain but I never think it is abnormal because once your  body is cut and inserted something  there is always  pain.So one should not take it seriously  just  it is a part  of survival journey  of a BC patient.

  • Maya2
    Maya2 Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2014
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    Hi Snehlata: I'm sorry you're having pain. Honestly I don't think it's normal at this point. I had major abdominal surgery about 8 months ago. I have no pain or discomfort at all. From the BC surgery 11 years ago (not the same surgery as yours), I do have to use yoga to keep the muscle stretched and flexible, but there is no pain.

    I would have it checked out. 

  • Kmcmanus
    Kmcmanus Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2014
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    Hi Lisa,


    I am struggeling with the same issues you had post dorsi flap reconstruction. I would love to speak to you , I am not sure what to do next.

    Kristen

  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 783
    edited December 2014
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    image

  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 783
    edited December 2014
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    side effects of arimidex.... My bone becomes weak and prone to get fractured ...I had suffered these days and this is the second time fractured as I fell down in a span of one year..still I am having mild pain in the LD flap area but it is bearable but fractured pain is horrible.

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 7,966
    edited December 2014
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    Hi Kmcmanus and rajkmari, this is a sort of old topic, so you may want to start a new topic. Love the photo of you, rajkmari!

  • Lisa58
    Lisa58 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2014
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    Kristen,

    I am so sorry to hear about your nightmare. I would be delighted to talk with you. I am now 4 years out from my first surgery and 3 and 1/2 years from the second one. Would be happy to listen, give support, share suggestions, etc. whatever you need!

    Please write back!

    Lisa

  • Lisa58
    Lisa58 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2014
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    Dear Moderators,

    It is not an old topic! Women are being butchered every day and our voices are silenced by the surgeons responsible for this torture.

    Lisa


  • SenK
    SenK Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015
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    hi Morgan , I too am having the same issues since my right lat dorsi reco . It will be 2 years in May and I'm left in chronic pain. I cannot move my right side at all . I live in Australia ( melb)

  • lilacblue
    lilacblue Member Posts: 1,425
    edited January 2015
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    Ditto on your thoughts Lisa - so very true.ThumbsUp

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 7,966
    edited January 2015
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    Lisa58, we never mention that the content of the topic was old, rather only this thread (it had been inactive). Sorry for any misunderstanding. We certainly know and understand all the issues involved in surgeries.

  • SenK
    SenK Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015
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    hi Lisa ,


    I'm having the same issues . I had my surgery in 2013 and have been in chronic pain since . I've done 18 months of physical therapy which didnt help. Happy to chat

  • paulina1
    paulina1 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2015
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    I too am very happy with my 2 month old complete LD flap reconstruction. I only post because you asked. I'm sorry for your difficulties. I'm able to swim, do yoga, walk at fast pace. No pain meds since one month after reconstruction. All is very well

  • ryalisa
    ryalisa Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015
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    I have also been suffering with chronic pain ever since I had a breast reconstruction with the latissimuss dorsi muscle. it's been 15 years of HELL to much to go into, it's so hard not to get depressed living with chronic pain.  I am so limited as to what I am able to do and Have tried everything mentioned. I continue to keep trying different things, and searching for new things to try. it consumes me and takes over my life I wish I could jump out of my body and live again.

  • Karen367
    Karen367 Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2015
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    I had Lat.Dorsi Flap in 2004. Last year, I had an MRI to take a look at the implant and the muscle because i had been complaining about pulling sensations in the lat. muscle, as well as unspecific tingling and pain in the chest. I was sent for an MRI, Stress Test and other cardio tests..all negative. Implant firmly in place, muscle in tact etc. In the process, I became aware that many women who have had this type of reconstruction have similar complaints. A few months ago, my lat muscle contracted on the side of the mastectomy and actually raised my shoulder up. Since then, the muscle has felt considerably weaker..there is an occasional burning/stinging sensation, along with the typical mild neuropathy. In the absence of diagnostics revealing any problems, I do my own version of very mild arm exercises and I also ice the area. Anyone have similar problems?

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 7,966
    edited June 2015
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    Hi Karen, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    Since this thread hasn't been commented on since March, it may not be active enough for you to get the responses you're hoping for. We'd suggest starting your own thread in the Reconstruction forum to get some new interest. It's easy -- just go to the Reconstruction forum main page and click "Start a new topic." Type your post, and submit!

    Good luck and looking forward to seeing the responses!

    --The Mods

  • Luvpasos
    Luvpasos Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2015
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    My name is Mary Anne. I had Lat surgery 16 months ago. I had a bilateral mastecotmy 2 months prior to that. I had the Lat surgery because a hole developed on the right side where I had radiation 10 years earlier.  The pain I am living in is HELL. I never thought it could be this bad.  Has anyone found a good doctor that is well educated on this subject in southern California?  I have gone from one doctor to another with no real help.  I feel like I am losing my mind.  Please let me know

  • MandalaB
    MandalaB Member Posts: 52
    edited July 2015
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    I am so sorry that some of you have had a bad time with this surgery. It sucks!!! I had the LD done last Oct. to correct a failed DIEP due to extensive radiation damage and tissue hardening. I had a hematoma develop after the DIEP that never went down- and then I had a load of radiation - which messed up me by hardening up the flap breast and it just literally melted to my chest. It left a bad divet and I really wanted a normal breast. Well I agreed to the LD and I have not been the same since. It's been 9 months -I have constant rib pain, my back is sore, I can barely do much and before that surgery I had somewhat some capacity. I wish I had known how bad the recovery was. I just had a revision to correct the side boob the LD leaves with the tunnelling and now I have a burning rib pain that's scaring me. I've been putting manuka honey on my incision and it keeps drawing this white lymph fluid out- I think I have an infection (the honey is AWESOME and has cured MRSA before my eyes once before without antibiotics!!) . I don't know but I'm now 16 days post op and I've had a week of burning in my ribs and my incision is being very slow to close. I can't take being in pain all the time. My PS says my radiation damage was some of the worst he's ever seen. I'm going through Fox Chase, doing all their protocol and meeting with their people-- so the care is great- I'm just that 1% that gets the shit end of surgery side effects. Between the Diep (which was touch but nothing like the LD) and the LD- I feel like a freaking Rubik's Cube. I want my old body back that didn't have pain and could lie down fine. I can't paint large canvases anymore, or reach very far with my right arm- and I'm an artist- this is very very frustrating... ARGH! The true spectrum of this surgery is terrible- I agree they shouldn't do it ...I'm permanently disabled now from all these treatments and surgeries and it led to a nice case of anxiety disorder and C-PTSD. My follow up is Tuesday and my PS is getting the run down on this sad painful journey ....shame.

  • sidney18
    sidney18 Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2015
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    Oh my goodness and wow!. I really thought maybe it was just me. I feel like crying because I am so very happy that it's not just me but very sorry for everybody suffering the same symptoms.

    To cut a very long story down. I had mastectomy in January 2006 and the LD reconstruction at the same time. Had infection and within a week the implant was removed. 9 months later I had a new implant with a "port" for increasing the size of the implant. All seemed well for a while. However, I always had that "tight band" feeling and mentioned this on numerous occasions but it was always dismissed, that's when I thought maybe it was me making a fuss. I continued on but and had various sensations, sometimes like fireworks and it presumed it was the nerve endings causing this. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen seemed to help (not cure). A few years later I thought I had broken a rib! As I am not a sporty person, the only thing I could put it down to was getting out of the bath. Off to the doctors I went and apparently I had pulled the muscles in my rib cage (on the side of the reconstruction). It took weeks to calm down. And it happened several times after that too - for the most simple reasons really and each time it took weeks to recover.

    Last summer (bearing in mind the port was still in place) it happened again and I was so fed up I asked to be referred back to a surgeon. He confirmed the muscle was still very active and that the nerve needed to be divided. At the same time, a new implant would be inserted and the port removed. Great - I thought.

    After the surgery, it took a while before I could lift my arm fully and I remember waking up from surgery and seeing that I was exercising and stretching fingers, hand and wrist (bizarre) but I still do it without realising.

    Unfortunately, I have done it again and did something a few weeks ago where I may have inadvertently lifted something incorrectly? The pain was excruciating. All around the back, under the armpit and across the boob. It's the muscle again and I am still having pain. I can't sleep comfortable etc etc and I am looking for whether Botox may help or - get rid of the muscle (that is chop it off from the point where it was tunnelled - seriously).

    This reminds me - I too had the sensation of not being able to breathe properly if I tried to sleep on the reconstructed site - even after nearly 10 years!

    In conclusion has anyone heard of the muscle being removed? Just leaving the bit in the back where it should be. Or botox, bearing in mind I have already have the nerve division?

    After nearly one year since the last surgery it's all tightening up again and I feel like just getting rid of the whole implant and muscle and doing without.

    Would love to hear any tips - suggested painkillers etc. I do exercise but it seems to be the most common day to day things that can cause the problems.

    XX Sidney





  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 7,966
    edited September 2015
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    Hi sidney! Welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're very glad you've found a place where you feel that you're not alone. We know you'll find lots of answers and support here.

    Hope you feel better soon. Sending warm hugs,

    The Mods

  • Shoulda-woulda
    Shoulda-woulda Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2015
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    I have also been dealing with this nightmare-since 2008! I always had a positive attitude, even though the 2008 diagnosis was a recurrence of 2003. As others stated, I also didn't realize what I could be in for (hence my tag name). My procedure was a bilateral mastectomy w/concurrent lat-flap surgery. Chronic pain (pretty much entire upper body now!) & many specialists later, either no diagnosises, multiple or conflicting (TOS, CRPS, neuropathy, arthritis, etc.) The pain, similar to other postings, is of varying types- firing, stabbing, which encircles my chest, throbbing, deep burning nerve pain from axillary down to hand, etc. The pain & pulling have also caused my cervical, lumbar disc issues to become more painful. Have had several surgeries & issues since lat-flap: thoracordacil nerve cut 3 times (ea. underarm), only providing relief for up to a year at most; capsular contracture of right breast implant in 2012 (upon surgery found to be ruptured), this was also last nerve ligation & removal of extensive scar tissue. Now, I'm scheduled for surgery on left breast capsular contracture. I also have tried pt, massage, nerve blocks, etc with no success. With the pain being so bad and having had positive margins, I start wondering if cancer could be back. My positive attitude has been annihilated! I hate the beaten down, sad-sack I've become! It is physically & emotionally exhausting just going day to day, never mind running around to drs. One poster put it perfectly, I too, "just want to jump out of my body & live again!" I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SURGERY!!!

    Shoulda-woulda-coulda........

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 7,966
    edited October 2015
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    Dear Shoulda-woulda, Welcome to the community. We are glad that you reached out with your story but sorry that you have been through so much. We hope that you will find support and shared experiences with others. Keep us posted. The MOds

  • Chaz
    Chaz Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2015
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    Hello,

    Can someone describe the pain and where exactly do you feel it? I had a Mastectomy and Lat Dorsi Flap Surgery 11 months ago. Since then I've felt the tightness and a pulling sensation from time to time, but no pain until now. Approximately three weeks ago I started feeling what seemed to be a muscular pain in my back, exactly in the area over the scar. At first I though I my had done some extreme movement o force (my 2 year old had recently been sick with a cold and I lifted him a lot during those days)... I called my surgeon and he initially said that I might have a minor torn muscle, he told me to take some anti-inflammatory- such as Cataflan - put on some hot towels and get some rest. The pain didn't go away, it even got worse one day so a made an appointment a muscle skeleton ecogram. But when I went to the appointment three days later the pain was gone. The doctor that did the eco told me the muscles look fine and he recommended a bone gammagraphy (bone scintigraphy) to rule out bone metastasis... and I am totally freaked out right now.

    The pain came back, its moderate but its there. On friday I will be having the gammagraphy and next monday a tomography.

    I want it so much to be just pain related to the surgery.

    Chaz.

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited December 2015
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    SamEast Hanover, NJJoined: Nov 2009Posts: 751

    ronqt1 wrote:

    Hi, I posted earlier but blocked it by mistake. I have been on these boards on and off here and there since my diagnosis.

    I had my mast (right) in Oct. 2009, followed by te, in March 2010 exchange with mastopexy on left. There were a few capsular contractures, scar issue problems, In Sept. 2014 I had LD Flap for scar tissue problems, but the pocket opened and in Dec. of 14 I had to have the pocked fixed. In August of 2015 I had another capsulary. I just had an MRI to see what pain is . I have severe discomfort . the PS says I am fixated and too emotional with the implant. I am not crazy. I am not leading the life I should have with pain. When I went for a second opinion before the Ld Flap done by my original PS, the other dr. agreed and so I had my original PS do the LD flap. I have nothing but pain, having been to pain managment, physical therapy at lympadema clinic but no lympadema. I know there is pain the Mri showed nothing. My PS suggested taking the implant out for a trial of three months. He said to think about it before making any move. Has anyone ever removed their implant for awhile and tried agai.n He will leave the skin hanging. Just curious has anyone been there.???? taking implant out for awhile, and replacing it. PS. My LD Flap was done because of sever scar tissue over implant. However, still feel the sensitivity and I have an appt. with another ps on the 21st. I feel like something is stickout out on my ld side. Please, I am not crazy and my breast surgeon cannot see me due to the fact I am cancer free. Botox was also used and did not work. Someone mentioned that ribs are involved. Yes, I feel that way too. Ladies, I feel for all of you. Hugs.

    Thank you.

    Dx 10/9/2009, IDC, <1cm, Grade 1, ER+/PR+, HER2-
  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited December 2015
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    Good morning Jo, I just found your posts just brousing around the LF flap. I am 66 and had the LD flap last year to attempt to get rid of all my scar tissue problems from implants in right boob.(mast in 2009) Just from your post here, I too, am in constant pain, loaf under arm, stinging, pulling, ripping, back spasms although I have been to physical therapy with lympadema clinic and have good range of motion. I am living on and off oxys and very depressed. My present PS said there is nothing else to do except take it out and see what happens for three months. (Implant removal although he doubts that will help my pain). He thinks I am fixated on the breast. Tomorrow I am going to a new dr. (younger) who is current with all microsurgical tecnique. I have little or no strenth with that arm as wel although as I said rom is good.

    Just wanted to share I am with you, this LD flap was horrible, I cannot get comfortable in any bra and like you I am not a wimp, I am taking care of a husband with early dimentia, worked all my life and deal with constant pain as well as carrying this loaf under my arm and the original PS said it is the same on both sides. He is completely frustrated. So I found someone else.

    I only had this surg bc they said my body was not a candidate for the diep.

    Hugs.

  • gypsiqn
    gypsiqn Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2016
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    Hi lisa, I am so very sorry for your pain and trials. I too, have been dealing with chronic pain since my initial surgery of a bilateral mastectomy and of course 8 surgeries due to complications and fixing. My LD flap on the right side was my only hope n salvation but I feel daily pain and spasms ,the kind that take my breath away. I am so used to it now I don't complain about it to my PS...but at times I want to scream and feel nostalgia on days anf what it was like to not feel pain daily or feel the never ending tightness. ...will this ever get better and go away. 😢

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited February 2016
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    Hi all, had so much aggrevation over the years, my LD flap was done in Dec. 2014 and created more havoc as some of you had mentioned above. Well the end of January, 2016 I had my implant removed and I am still feeling all the lousy effects of the LD flap. My side is tight, ribs hurt, besides myself, a second opinion dr. said even if I removed the implant, I would probably never have the pre surgery feeling again. SUCKS BIG TIME. I am having problems with my arm, tightness, there is also a lump where the muscle is so not completely flat. Dr. left nipple in case I wanted to put implant back in. There has got to be an end of this madness. Have no clue where or what I am doing anymore. My PS removed the stitches last week and said to call him. Call him to tell him what..... I am ruined for the rest of my life???? There are no words to describe my life, ladies do not do this procedure.... Stay away from the LD flap.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016
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    JoAnn, do you think a compounded cream with a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory drug and an analgesic might help? I've tried two different compounded creams, both of which unfortunately gave me rashes, but they did help with the muscle spasms and tight fascia.

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 146
    edited February 2016
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    I totally understand, Joanne. I'm so sorry the spasms go on and on. They are miserable.

    But on a positive note, that's wonderful that you are better than 3-4 months ago. As caca as I feel, I do stop and look back to how I felt six or seven months ago and go, wow, I have made progress since then. So that's something, albeit a painfully slow something. I remember how hard it was for you to even lie down flat before.

    Continued hugs and prayers.

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited February 2016
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    Jo-5: Hi, just read your post. I deconstructed and also have the mound from the LD Flap. It is almost a month since the implant was removed and I absolutely am tortured by the armpit. I cannot even put something close to my skin where the implant was. I feel for you because my ribs are sore as well. My stitches came through the other day and I had to have my PS cut them. I find difficulty putting my arm down with the loaf too. It is all insane. He also said there is nothing left I can do. BS.

    I hope to start PT with the Lymphadema girls in April. So Jo and Gypsin I feel for you. I really do. It is up to me if I want to reconstruct but at this point not even thinking about it. Love to all.

    Ronna

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