1. < Lung Cancer

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

Posted by allstaff @allstaff, Feb 21 8:00am

Two months out from lower left lobectomy and just started to feel better when pain started again all around the incision area and upper part of back and spine area. Almost like a stinging sensation. I have read this could happen. Has anyone experienced this?

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jill7517 | @jill7517 | May 12 11:32am
In reply to @jannam "I had VATS surgery to both lungs in 2020 and also still have pain. Pain management..." + (show)
@jannam

I had VATS surgery to both lungs in 2020 and also still have pain. Pain management is going very well BUT I am breathless most of the time.

Are you on oxygen?

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No, I had oxygen therapy 4 times a day for 2 days in hospital, but have not needed it since.

I can now walk about 3 miles a day, but get breathless going up hills.

Almost 6 weeks since surgery and the pain is improving. I can now sleep on my left side.

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jill7517 | @jill7517 | May 12 11:34am
In reply to @denzie "I have multiple cracked/broken ribs that have been mentioned on every CT for more than a..." + (show)
@denzie

I have multiple cracked/broken ribs that have been mentioned on every CT for more than a decade.

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Were the cracked ribs incurred during surgery or after surgery?

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sjohnson60 | @sjohnson60 | May 12 12:14pm
In reply to @jannam "I had VATS surgery to both lungs in 2020 and also still have pain. Pain management..." + (show)
@jannam

I had VATS surgery to both lungs in 2020 and also still have pain. Pain management is going very well BUT I am breathless most of the time.

Are you on oxygen?

Jump to this post

no, and may never be, hopefully

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grandmasheri | @grandmasheri | May 12 1:21pm

I have pain after my robotic surgery from nerve damage. I don’t want to get hooked on pain medication so I have found frankincense oil through research. I use a company called vitality extracts here in the USA. They are quick to get it to me, have many sales and it’s affordable anyway. I was in so much pain I got the full strength and after a skin test I rub it on liberally every time I hurt after about two months I needed less and less. It’s been a godsend. I still use it every morning and throughout the day if I do too much. Still can’t walk around a whole store without needing a cart or a walker but I couldn’t get up hardly at all for the first 8 months. Praying the nerve damage heals which it is slowly. I even Cary the diluted roll on with me everywhere I go and it is really helping. One time I ran out until they got me more in 3 days and I was grateful to have it back. I stock up a lot when they have sales. My lung surgery was Nov 2022.

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pb50 | @pb50 | May 12 3:11pm
In reply to @denzie "I have multiple cracked/broken ribs that have been mentioned on every CT for more than a..." + (show)
@denzie

I have multiple cracked/broken ribs that have been mentioned on every CT for more than a decade.

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Great to know. It could be connective tissue that was attached to ribs. Whatever it is, when I take a deep breath it feels like a vice grip tightens.
When i have reason to take Prednisone (like an RA flare), it doesn't just improve, it disappears. Wish I knew what that implies.

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1 reply
babs1956 | @babs1956 | May 12 3:32pm
In reply to @pb50 "Great to know. It could be connective tissue that was attached to ribs. Whatever it is,..." + (show)
@pb50

Great to know. It could be connective tissue that was attached to ribs. Whatever it is, when I take a deep breath it feels like a vice grip tightens.
When i have reason to take Prednisone (like an RA flare), it doesn't just improve, it disappears. Wish I knew what that implies.

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I feel the same way too. I had gone for a pet scan and they found a tumor sitting on my 10th rib. So tomorrow I start radiation for 10 days. I had lung cancer seven years ago they had taken out my upper left lobe I’m just hoping and praying the radiation works and takes this pain away so I can get back to my life. I hope you feel better real soon.

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1 reply
pb50 | @pb50 | May 13 5:40am
In reply to @babs1956 "I feel the same way too. I had gone for a pet scan and they found..." + (show)
@babs1956

I feel the same way too. I had gone for a pet scan and they found a tumor sitting on my 10th rib. So tomorrow I start radiation for 10 days. I had lung cancer seven years ago they had taken out my upper left lobe I’m just hoping and praying the radiation works and takes this pain away so I can get back to my life. I hope you feel better real soon.

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Gracious. Here’s hoping for a great outcome from your radiation. ❤️‍🩹

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1 reply
babs1956 | @babs1956 | May 13 5:47am
In reply to @pb50 "Gracious. Here’s hoping for a great outcome from your radiation. ❤️‍🩹" + (show)
@pb50

Gracious. Here’s hoping for a great outcome from your radiation. ❤️‍🩹

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Thank you so much !!

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skm101 | @skm101 | May 14 8:53am
In reply to @pb50 "Google this “Back patches for muscle pain” There are a bunch. I’ve used Salon Pas and..." + (show)
@pb50

Google this
“Back patches for muscle pain”

There are a bunch. I’ve used Salon Pas and @babs1956 mentioned BioFreeze. One is Lidocaine to numb it. They do help.

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Your doctor can prescribe a lidocaine patch that is a bit stronger than the over the counter ones and insurances cover it from my experience. Just FYI

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