Duration of Severe Pain Following Robot Assisted Upper Left Lobectomy

I had severe pain for a few months., but I had pleural effusions 2x & they had to perform 2 thorocentesis, so I may have had severe pain longer. It’s been 5 months now and and I still some crazy nerve pain across my ribs, stomach, & back. I take a drug Gabapentin. It’s supposed to calm the nerves. It help a little

Thank you so much for your response. Yes, this helps. I am sorry to hear about your prolonged pain. I was receiving Gabapentin while I was in the hospital. But once I was discharged, I was put on Tramadol, Tylenol and Oxycodone (I have a bad reaction to Aleve and that family of drugs). Only the Oxy is bringing the pain down so I can sleep but it only lasts for around 3 hrs. I have an appointment to see the surgeon for my follow up in 5 days and I'm sure we will discuss pain management then.

I am only 6 weeks since VAT surgery (wedge not total lobe) to upper left lobe. I have had nerve pain and other type pain since. I am taking Gabapentin (300mgx3/day total 900mg) which helps a little. What concerns me now is when I wakeup I have to be very careful how I get out of bed because bending on left side I get shooting pain in front and even going to the back. It is like my lst rib is digging into me. Today it was really bed and I wondered if I should go to ER. It is better when I get up. I feel like there is a belt around me.
They told me nerve pain can take up to 6 months to go away. Actually, if one googles it, one finds that in some cases of nerve damage, it can be permanent.

Good Morning! Well maybe I can be a positive case for you. I had my LUL segmentectomy and a small wedge resection as well, 14 weeks ago. I take no medicines and only took Lyrica for 2 weeks and Tramadol maybe a week. I still get the weird feeling under my left rib, left of center, and sometimes the feeling of a band going around but not hurting just a feeling. Hopefully that makes sense. I walk and walk as much as I can and I work full time (desk job) but I make myself get up and walk around there too. I have noticed if I over indulge in eating or drinking a lot of liquids, (water, coffee, tea), it seems to make those feelings worse. Things shift around after you have this procedure and you have to get used to that as well. I wish you a speedy recovery and good luck on your next procedure as well!
Cindy

Thank you so much Cindy.

Just remember, if you are able, walk as much as you can, safely. You’re pretty fresh out of a major surgery, so don’t push it outside too much, but walking is truly one of the best things to get your lungs moving and breathing and stretching. It also keeps your blood moving so you don’t get blood clots. AND…it will help in your healing and getting you in shape for your next procedure. Very Doctor I have at MAYO, has pushed the walking. I was happy with a Mike or two a day, they said to work towards more! Again, Good Luck to you and God Bless You!

Hi @steveskolnick, I hope you are getting some relief. There has been a recent discussion of pain, and pain meds after surgery here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/886491/
It may be helpful, if you haven't already seen it. I have a different type of lung cancer that hasn't required surgery yet, but I certainly hear from all of the members here that walking is one of the best things you can do. I know you are still very fresh from surgery, are you able to walk at all, even a block or so?

Hi Lisa
Thank you for your comment. I have started walking and it has helped with the pain. Pretty amazing that as soon as I dedicated myself to walking 3 or 4 times per day (around 1/4 mile each outing), my pain became less severe.
Steve

I was given hydrocodone right after my surgery ... a limited amount and dr. said to take it while the pain extreme b/c getting mOVING was the key thing to do post op and it was going to hurt.......I am not a fan of any sort of opiods but I took them, WALKED iand within 2 weeks I had graduated down to Advil. Routine was still the same, walk, walk, MOVE, MOVE but the advil helped with my pain and I was moving along at an almost clip.

Wow! I can’t stand my phone’s auto correct! It’s funny too because Mike is my husbands name! Only ONE of those is enough. It was supposed to read Every doctor, not Very. Also, one MILE a day not MIKE.
Gotta laugh!
Cindy