Pain after robotic assisted lobectomy: How long does it last?

I have a question. I had a lobectomy on my left upper lung February 2024. I started getting serious pain by the incision sites, my upper back my chest and my side and my lower back three doctors at the hospital I go to told me it was nerve pain. I asked five months later you get the pain? I didn’t have this pain when I first had the surgery. It would’ve been a problem because I had a cough for three months day and night and now if I cough sneeze, yawn I’m in severe pain. The pain is constant for hours then it might go away for an hour feels like somebody stabbing me in my back. I’m just wondering is this normal to have this five months later and everything I’m reading says it can last for a years. I asked the doctors could cancer have spread. They said I wouldn’t have pain, but I don’t know. I’m getting really discouraged. I take Tylenol over-the-counter and a muscle relaxer for my back non-narcotic, it’s not a controlled substance
It’s called Robaxin is the brand name. Methocarbamol is the generic. I’m in so much pain when I’m sleeping. I just can’t believe this. I had no clue this was going to happen. Today I didn’t take any medication. I’m just dealing with the pain. The pain management doctor gave me gabapentin three days ago. I started it. That drug was offered to me 30 years ago for restless leg syndrome. I never wanted to take it. Now for this nerve problem if that’s what it is, I’m taking it. I also had a nerve block six weeks ago. It didn’t help my concern is is this from nerve damage is that what it is or could it be something more serious? Even my side hurts. I had robotic surgery. I’m going take Tylenol and the methocarbamol now because I had enough of pain for today.

I have a question. I had a lobectomy on my left upper lung February 2024. I started getting serious pain by the incision sites, my upper back my chest and my side and my lower back three doctors at the hospital I go to told me it was nerve pain. I asked five months later you get the pain? I didn’t have this pain when I first had the surgery. It would’ve been a problem because I had a cough for three months day and night and now if I cough sneeze, yawn I’m in severe pain. The pain is constant for hours then it might go away for an hour feels like somebody stabbing me in my back. I’m just wondering is this normal to have this five months later and everything I’m reading says it can last for a years. I asked the doctors could cancer have spread. They said I wouldn’t have pain, but I don’t know. I’m getting really discouraged. I take Tylenol over-the-counter and a muscle relaxer for my back non-narcotic, it’s not a controlled substance
It’s called Robaxin is the brand name. Methocarbamol is the generic. I’m in so much pain when I’m sleeping. I just can’t believe this. I had no clue this was going to happen. Today I didn’t take any medication. I’m just dealing with the pain. The pain management doctor gave me gabapentin three days ago. I started it. That drug was offered to me 30 years ago for restless leg syndrome. I never wanted to take it. Now for this nerve problem if that’s what it is, I’m taking it. I also had a nerve block six weeks ago. It didn’t help my concern is is this from nerve damage is that what it is or could it be something more serious? Even my side hurts. I had robotic surgery. I’m going take Tylenol and the methocarbamol now because I had enough of pain for today.

Hi everyone . My husband had a lobectomy the Dr said he took 40% of his lower lobe in his right lung. He originally was diagnosed with stage 1 carcinoma all lymph nodes were negative. However the tumor was bit larger 4.1 cm. The surgeon was a Robotic specialist.
That was 4 weeks ago and the nerve pain is extreme. The Nurse practitioner has changed his meds several times. Narcotics do not agree with him. He’s now on 900mg Gapentin 3x a day along with a muscle relaxer. His pain level after 3 days is about 7 from an eight. Most of the pain is on his right side where the drain tube was located. He describes it as burning, tingling and sharp. Besides drugs we've tried a heating pad. They talked to us about pain management. Has anybody tried that?
Well we wish you all the best and
A speedy recovery.
If you have any pain suggestions please let us know. Tx

@canarsiegirl9 I am three weeks today from lower right lobe lobectomy and am also allergic to narcotics (itching). I have been relatively pain free and then for the past three days - wow. In my right side rib cage. And gosh....let's add a cough in there. I feel for your husband and I do not know how long this lasts!

My Thoracic surgeon told me the robotic instruments they insert between the ribs cause nerve damage (tingling, burning, sharp pain), and nerves are very slow to heal.

In the hospital after my two robotic lung surgeries, I only took Tramadol and Tylenol for the first 1-2 days after surgery. All other codeine based narcotics make me very nauseated. Has your husband tried Tramadol?

Ask your doctor if it is ok to try 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid, which is a supplement that my Neurologist suggested I try for my painful peripheral neuropathy in my feet. The neurologist said it was the only supplement that could help nerves heal. It worked for me, but it took time. All the nerve pain in my feet went away. He also recommended exercise.

I posted earlier about seeing a physical therapist for post-surgery exercises. The early exercises involved sitting in a chair and holding onto a cane with both hands to guide gentle movements. She progressed through the exercises over the next several weeks. She told me it was essential to keep moving as the body heals. The therapist also showed me how to perform a gentle scar massage around the incision sites to prevent scar tissue from attaching to the surrounding bony structures and muscles, which could cause future pain after the incisions heal. I saw her starting two days after surgery and continued seeing her weekly for 4 weeks.

My incisions healed and are smooth and flat. I have a full range of motion and no pain. Be patient it takes time. I hope your husband feels better soon as he heals.

@canarsiegirl9 I am three weeks today from lower right lobe lobectomy and am also allergic to narcotics (itching). I have been relatively pain free and then for the past three days - wow. In my right side rib cage. And gosh....let's add a cough in there. I feel for your husband and I do not know how long this lasts!

@janet23
Thank you great information. He was never offered a therapist or Tramadol. Never heard about scar massage. They offered him Pain management which we are going to tomorrow.
Let you know if it’s of any help.
So happy you have no pain. Stay well.