Pain after lobectomy (lung cancer) surgery: When will it go away?

I am 9 mos out from Lower Left Lobectomy. I had a lot of rib and diaphragm pain for 6 months but now it is isolated to ribs nearer the incision where they removed lobe and left the chest tube. It’s really only there when I take a deep breath.

But my shortness of breath remains - on virtually any exertion. That’s frustrating. My surgeon told me the other lines would kick in more. I’m still waiting :). But I keep walking and trying to do what I used to do .. .

Thank you for your reply. It is so frustrating i know. I keep trying to act as though it doesn't exist and probably do myself more harm than good. It was just starting to feel better when Boom new pains started. My areas are pretty much as you described. I had my husband put bio freeze all over avoiding the incisions and that did help a little.

It sounds trite but get out and walk.
I have a 700 ft driveway and had
to rest on the way back the first day. And if you have some elastic bands you can knot and put over a door, use those to stretch the muscles around your sides particularly. You don’t want those getting stiff. Like bending to the right sideways and pulling the
Band with your left hand over your head in the same direction. Then reverse. Not sure that makes sense. But the point is to stay stretched and loose. It may hurt afterward - I got a kind of crampy pain at first.

Best of luck!!

Thank you I will give that a try. I have been walking some

Seven years ago I had my upper left lung removed. I’m still having pain. Will this pain ever go away thank you.

What type Of pain?

Burning & tightness

Hi,

Is it near the incision or your ribs? I had a lobectomy in September- my cancer mentor had one 10 years ago. She told me she still has pain from time to time. Is yours ongoing or does it come and go? Are you on Gabapentin? If not maybe that would help.
I have pain but I am not that far out from surgery. I take gabapentin and use a lidocaine patch at night.
What does your doc say?

It is near the incision. I just called the doctor today. I’m not taking any medication but I do use Biofreeze and it helps with the burning. It feels tight and it’s numb when I touch it. I’m waiting for the nurse to call me back.

Yes it’s by the incision I do not take any medication. I just called the doctors office today and I’m waiting for the nurse to call me back. It’s numb when I touch it and I feel like there’s something in there. I’m using Biofreeze for the burning but it’s constant burning.