Lobectomy 1 year post surgery pain

I had my robotic lobectomy in early February. I still have occasional pain and my chest feels swollen, as if I had a very tight bra. I've just thought it's normal. Is it?

I had a resection back in May. I still have generalized pain, like you were saying. The biggest thing that struck me though is when you said your chest felt like you have a tight bra on. That's been my complaint for the last month or so, and wondered if anyone else ever had that. So thanks! Guess it's not just me!

I had my upper right lung lobe removed by robotic surgery in 2019. I was in ICU for 3 days, then moved to a private room. On the fourth day, I was informed that one of the two drains that I had was not working and I was taken back to a small operating room where a new tap was made on my lung. This added a couple of days to my hospital time which was nine days total.

I need to let you know that all this took place in the V.A. hospital in Gainsville, Florida. I did not have any pain throughout my stay there; NOT ONE day. I was in a hospital room that was appointed as well as any hotel room, with a nurse seated right outside my door. Pretty good care for an enlisted man.

I did not experience any lingering problems till almost a year ago. I began to feel like there was a muscle on my right side just at the bottom of my rib cage that seemed to tense up, like a knot and cause a lot of discomfort. I could feel there was a knot there and had to wait until it went away. Just a slight pain and discomfort......still don't know what it is.

My doc says “it happens”. I had a lower left Lobectomy in May of 2023. To this day I can’t take a deep breath without pain. My rheumatologist gave me prednisone for an RA flare about 6 mos ago. OMG my rib pain was gone! I could take a deep breath without guarding. But as i tapered down from 30mg of Prednisone a day, the magic died. Sadly one cant stay on Prednisone for long but it was a great week!

I have lost hope that I won’t be reminded of my lung cancer with every breath I take. If the pain I have isn’t gone 1year post surgery , it never will be. You have confirmed it for me. Thx for responding. Stay well

Welcome to Mayo Connect @griffineliz . I'm sorry to hear that you are still experiencing pain. It has to be hard to move on and live your life.

I'm wondering if anyone has seen a Pain Management Specialist? Are they able to do anything helpful with nerve blocks? I know they are doing more with that for back and knee pain (understandably this could be very different).

I am sorry if i caused you to lose hope. My (clearly bumbling) intent was to say that this does happen. It’s maddening to be sure. But two things to keep in mind: * unless you aspire to be a runner, it does become kind of background noise, not an in your face reality - and * given that Prednisone effect suggests it is inflammation at least in part, I focus on a diet that has an anti inflammation focus. I can’t take ibuprofen but that may be an option for you.

Hang in there. It’s tempting to lay down with a cool cloth (a southern thing 🙂 ) and give in. But live your life and let that rib pain live in the background.

Thank you for your encouragement. I’m just in a bad place mentally right now. My lung area actually hurts when I breathe deeply, cough. Sneeze etc. I wasn’t expecting this 1 yr post surgery.

Only you can judge your pain. But if your quality of life is too elusive, I would send my surgeon a note that you need a pain management specialist. I believe biofeedback and other efforts could help.

Thank you for this info. I would not have thought of this! I see surgeon PA in 2 weeks. I will talk to her about this.