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

It’s never too late to exercise, even a nice walk

I agree with everything you said

I had a lower right wedge resection in June 2023. It was on the anterior section. Only removed 2% of my long as there was no cancer, but I am still having pain, especially when I get sick. All 6 incisions have all healed but the outside will still come will become really warm and my insides feel like there’s a water balloon in there. To make what matters worse I’ve just started having some really frequent heart complications and I’m actually going to see an electrophysiologist cardiologist today because it it’s such a high burden. I’m not sure if this is related to the lung survey, but I’ve never had these in my life before. I just wish the surgeons have been completely transparent about all of the post long-term complications. I don’t think it heals quickly at all—and I feel like there are some other serious complications that should be presented to you prior to surgery. It is comforting to know that I’m not the only one though.

I’m so very sorry you’re going through all this. I hope we all get better and pain-free.

I'm so grateful to see this discussion and know I'm not alone. I've had two surgeries (robotic) to remove the upper right lobe and the middle lobe (NSCLC, stage 2). After the second surgery I had the pain I was familiar with--the feeling of burning, tightness, numbness, etc. but it did go away after a few weeks. Then, about four months post-surgery, it came back worse. This time it was stabbing pain. I had an X-ray to rule out a rib fracture and I've had my 6-month surveillance scans and the doctors don't see anything wrong. I tried lidocaine patches, Voltaren, gabapentin, etc. but they didn't help much. The pain went away entirely after a couple of months. Then it came back. It again went away after a few weeks but now it's back again. The one thing that has helped me, though it sounds silly, is to wear my bathing suit or a camisole that is "shapewear", ie., it compresses the area. That is the only thing that leaves me pain-free. Given the circumstances, it seems to me that when I lift heavyish things, it comes back and when I just walk and do my PT exercises for balance, etc.. the pain eventually goes away (until the next bout of clearing out the garage, etc.). I can't get much information from the docs and I'm frustrated that I can't figure this out. Sorry for the long post. My main concern is should I just avoid lifting things for a long time until it heals completely? Will it ever heal completely? Thx for listening.

I’m so sorry for your pain. I’ve been in pain for a few months. I’m seeing a pain management doctor on Thursday. I know people that had the same surgeries that we had and they’ve been in pain for 10 years. I don’t think the pain will ever go away. I’m so sorry. I hope I’m wrong.

My right lower lung wedge resection was in August of '22, so about 20 months ago.
This followed sigmoid colon resection surgery by only 7 weeks.
My lung cancer was colon metastasized.
I was very aware that pain following lung surgery was far more severe than that of the colon surgery. I was thinking that there really was no comparison even though neither is a piece of cake.
So while still recovering in the hospital, you are getting some serious pain meds by drip. Then you go home and are really on your own with maybe some hydracodone.
I have gotten along extremely well after both surgeries with the exception of diarrhea for 12 months.
I basically avoided exercise, activity, lifting, you name it.
My recovery centered on lying on my sofa, and sleeping as much as possible. Nothing strenuous whatsoever!
By camping out in the living room, I was close to the refrigerator and bathroom. That's all I needed.
No pain experienced after a couple months. Shortness of breath for a year or so, but manageable.
So many people speak of hurrying to get back to normal and in turn, rushing their recovery. Not me.
I live alone.
There is much to say for peace and quiet while recovering.
I can dance again.
Best wishes to everyone ❤️!
PAUL

Paul, you did the right thing. I rushed back and now I’m in a lot of pain seeing a pain management doctor tomorrow. I hope you can help me. I’m so happy to hear you’re doing well

Hi,

I think the shapewear takes the weight off the nerves. I notice that when I lift my left breast (I had a lower left lobectomy Sept 2023) my pain is relieved. My pain recently retreated a bit. But a bra makes it worse, I think the band pressure on my ribs makes it worse. I wear a tight tank top under my shirt.

My pain comes back when I do heavy lifting or do too much gardening etc. Any type of abdominal workout aggravates the area as well.
I just checked in with my surgeon & he recommends I see a pain specialist. I am so done with doctors that I may wait a few months and then see one. I am on gabapentin which does keep the pain to a minimum, I went from 3 times a day to 2 times a day. Are you taking any never pain relief? What does your surgeon or oncologist recommend?

I I saw my pain management doctor the other day. So he wanted to give me a Cortizone shot, but I couldn’t take it because I had to Have a pet scan, but I see my pain management doctor on May 2 and I’ll get the shot then he told me to wear the lidocaine patches for seven days. Gabapentin did nothing for me. I’m hoping that the Cortizone shot does the trick.