@pb50 Thank you for your post. Amazing the prednisone worked for you, but I can see why. You would think doctors would think to prescribe these alternative therapies, especially with pain lasting so long. You mentioned you had your entire lower lobe removed (?) Did they use staples internally? I had quite a few, and only had a lower lobe wedge. I don't do well with some metals and thought that could be causing my pain. Was the lessening of your pain a gradual thing over time for you? I was told I would be back to work after 6 weeks. Not a happening thing.