Just had the community nurse come and take my drain out just about 1 week post right sided mastectomy with auxiliary node removal. Had one out before when I had breast sparing surgery but knew it would be worse this time after the node removal but holy hell - did anyone else find this excruciating??? Screamed, let out a few choice words, just about cried, paced around and then had to hang my head between my knees for awhile so I didn’t pass out or throw up!!

Drain came out fine but the sutures... Freak'n' OW. I healed quickly & they'd fused. Much screaming, clenching and cold sweats. Nearly threw up/passed out too.

@Molly001. I’m glad I’m not the only one - that was the same feeling I had - total immediate swears as well as everything else. Until u and @Zoffiel commented I thought I was the only one that had this horror experience. I now have a total drain phobia!!

It must have been sitting close to a nerve. Oh well, its done and gone now. Onwards and upwards! <3

I imagine it may be different for everyone but no, that seems odd. I had a mastectomy and axillary clearance, with two drains and I can't say I felt much at all when they were taken out. Hurt a bit when I tripped can over them, but just felt relieved when they came out. However mine were taken out a bit sooner - if anything had started to heal over, it may make a difference.

@Afraser She mentioned that there was not much fat and I heal fast so could be part of it.

Drain Removal | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

onemargie
Member
8 years ago
Hi there @"Kiwi Angel" so sorry you had such a rough time getting your drain out. I have a funny story about my first one. When I had the left boob dome with the cancer in it I had 8 nodes removed and had the drain in for two weeks and got up one morning early for a wizz and a drink and it literally fell out onto the kitchen floor! I’m a nurse and I shit myself at first then laughed about it later that day with the wound care nurses. Thankfully no harm done. margie xx
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
It must have been sitting close to a nerve. Oh well, its done and gone now. Onwards and upwards! <3
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@Cynth6 feeling much better now thanks - nice to not have to cart it round anymore. @Sister - ow!!!!
Sister
Member
8 years ago
My second one was weak at the knees stuff and it had only been in for less than a week (but it was the one I yanked tried to get around the bed).
Cynth6
Member
8 years ago
Mine didn’t hurt that much at all
When coming out but I had one drain in for 5 weeks !
Hopefully you’re feeling better now.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@Hopes_and_Dreams mine was in a similar spot and it was unfortunately a horrible pain. I thought is would be comparable to my other drain removal which was uncomfortable but this was excruciating
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
8 years ago
I was expecting the worst as drain removal from previous abdominal surgeries years ago was really painful. I stressed about the mastectomy drains coming out especially a whopper on my side near my ribs which snaked up to my collar bone! I was told to take a deep breath and the nurse pulled it out at the same time. Absolutely no problem. Sorry you had to experience that, it is a horrible pain if you are one of the unlucky ones.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@Molly001. I’m glad I’m not the only one - that was the same feeling I had - total immediate swears as well as everything else. Until u and @Zoffiel commented I thought I was the only one that had this horror experience. I now have a total drain phobia!!
Molly001
Member
8 years ago
Drain came out fine but the sutures... Freak'n' OW. I healed quickly & they'd fused. Much screaming, clenching and cold sweats. Nearly threw up/passed out too.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@Zoffiel we must of had the same problem. One of the worst pains I have ever experienced in my life.