Nerve pain (not neuropathy)

After my lobectomy I was given gabapentin for nerve pain. I didn’t do well with it but a lot of people do. And my instinct is of course it has something to do with the surgery. There’s a saying that if you hear hooves, think horse not zebra. I’d say the surgery is the horse in this 🙂

Maybe scar tissue is the culprit. Some docs don't admit it. Perhaps try a targeted stretching exercise and/or an infrared heating pad. That's what I did after an operation that involved going through my right breast. Pain is not totally gone but very tolerable.

I had significant nerve pain after cesarean section and some after breast implant explant removal (under breast). They used drains under my arms and I have some residual pain (it is over 9 months since the explant surgery). You can try Salonpas lidocaine pain patches or nerve pain creams (like those with capsaicin). I do have small fiber and peripheral neuropathy. It does sound like your skin surface small nerve fibers are reacting to the reconstructive surgery. Surgeons never like to admit to anything for fear of lawsuits. If you have had chemo, that can also cause neuropathy. If the nerve pain continues, you can ask your doctor for Cymbalta (duloxetine) which helps with nerve pain. Good luck!

I agree with PB50 that surgery is the culprit just based on location.

@tinagonsalves

Surgery does cause scar tissue which can tighten up and cause pain. Many people have patterns of tightness that can cause pain anyway, and surgical scar tissue can just link into that pulling tension across large areas of the body. Myofascial release has helped me a lot with releasing scar tissue after spine surgery, ankle surgery and thoracic outlet syndrome. Arm pit pain does happen with thoracic outlet syndrome because it is a compression point of the nerves traveling into the arm, and MFR has helped me with that. Surgery near that area will add inflammation, and if you have TOS (often missed by doctors), it probably aggravated it. If you are having an appointment with a neurologist, definitely ask about TOS. I have done MFR since 2010 and my therapist has taught me ways to self treat at home so I can work things out for myself mostly. Here is our discussion where you can learn more. There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/ .

Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Even if your surgeon doesn't know about MFR, that doesn't matter. Having pain is enough to warrant physical therapy. You can also ask your primary care for a referral. You may need to be several weeks past the surgery before you can do this if the incision is still healing. This would be a good discussion to have with the neurologist too.

Jennifer

I was diagnosed with shingles 3 weeks ago. On my upper back and under arm. The outbreak was preceded by left chest pain, followed by mid back pain.

The shingles are clearing and scabbing but I am left with intense left chest pain 24/7. I spent a day in the ER, normal chest Xray and EKG and blood work. The chest pain is unsettling and somewhat disabling.

Nothing helps the pain including Lyrica. Gabapentic makes me hyper and agitated and unable to sleep.

Has anyone experienced chest pain due to shingles? Thank you for any comments.

I wonder if you may also have internal shingles. I had it 2 yeas ago and had chest pain and sensitivity for 2 -3 months. My dermatologist diagnosed it. It can be mean. I'm terrific now.