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

Yes, yes and yes. I had a lower left lobectomy at the end of Septemeber (almost 5 months ago). After about 2 months I felt better- almost pain-free, I started wearing a bra again and increased my physical activity. The pain returned and I was so frustrated. I started taking my gabapentin again and I use a lidocaine patch at night. My pain is under my left breast and radiates around to the incision.
I backed off on any stomach type of exercise. I am back to being braless, it seems to help. I do stretching also but nothing using my stomach muscles.
Walking out in nature is therapeutic for me. I hope you get some relief.

Thank you so much for the reply. Mine pain is mostly where the drain was in the flank of my back. I dud discover my neck was out if alignment causing back pain in that area. I just had that adjusted today so I will let you know if that helps. I'm still not wearing a bra just a camisole and back to sleeping in the recliner. I don't routinely take the gapapentin but when pain gets worse I do take it . I am walking and breathing is pretty good. I do have a bad cough but I'm told that sometimes happens.

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.

Great feedback from April … Gabapentin may help. I didn’t like the drug but most people tolerate it well.

I will tell you that when I was about 5 mos post op and really discouraged that I was flinching on every deep breath from under my breast to my back under my shoulder blades. I also have RA and was having a flare so I received a short low-dose course of Prednisone. It not only helped my hands and knees, my rib pain was GONE. Not better - gone. Now you can’t take it long because it brings osteoporosis along with the miracle of inflammation relief. But if you are having spinal issues And Rib pain, it doesn’t hurt to ask your doc. I had 20 mg to start and tapered down in 4 days to 15 mg for 4 days then 10 then 5 and then 2.5 - dropping every 4 days. you get the idea.

Thank you I haven’t heard from the nurse, so I guess I’ll call back on Monday

Thank you so much for the reply. Mine pain is mostly where the drain was in the flank of my back. I dud discover my neck was out if alignment causing back pain in that area. I just had that adjusted today so I will let you know if that helps. I'm still not wearing a bra just a camisole and back to sleeping in the recliner. I don't routinely take the gapapentin but when pain gets worse I do take it . I am walking and breathing is pretty good. I do have a bad cough but I'm told that sometimes happens.

Well, I hope you get some support on Monday- I have the numbness too. Our poor bodies have been through so much.
I haven't heard of BioFreeze is it similar to a lidocaine patch?

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