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Increasing pain over time after Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Jan 14 1:42pm | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Your post has been reassuring to me. I had VATS in May for left lower lobectomy to remove a 1.5cm Adenocarcinoma. I did not even fill my script for pain pills but what I have had is rib and diaphragm pain consistently for 7 months now - EXCEPT when my Rheumatologist prescribed 20mg prednisone for an RA flare. My rib/diaphragm pain wasn’t just better - it was gone!! For the time I was on 20 mg and then 15 as I started tapering it was awesome. But when I tapered to 10 the benefit vaporized. I’ve said I felt like Cinderella.
So I know it is inflammation - which I didn’t know before. But I can’t live on Prednisone. I’ve had CTs , X-rays and nothing provides answers - so I assume it’s just stubborn inflammation.
Did your rib pain persist after the prednisone or did it resolve over time?
Replies to "Your post has been reassuring to me. I had VATS in May for left lower lobectomy..."
Most of my left lung was removed in September using VAT and now I eat vitamin B12 gummies, lot's of them, 12,000 mcg over the course of a day. I am increasing my red blood cell count and thereby lowering my inflammation level and pain levels. I also take some copper and B9, but I think it is the B12 that does the most to increase my red blood cells. The B12 also stops the diarrhea I had from the immuno drugs they pumped into me a few months before my lung surgery. The B12 is also helping with the arthritis in my hands. Cherry flavored gummies are my favorite.
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That was referring to pain after my first VAT surgery (RUL). The surgery was a walk in the park and needed little pain meds...but months later I developed pleurisy and related pain which is painful. The stuff they premedicated me for to do a CT scan with contrast (I get hives from contrast) was described as "industrial strength" by my Rheumatologist and I felt great after...then it ended.
With VAT surgery they go in between the ribs and disturb nerves and things. My Mayo surgeon says nerve problem can last up to a year or even sometimes be permanent. Mine all went away with first VAT surgery RUL but second one LUL had more problems - fractured rib for one. And it still is numb on that side (now 7 months).
Now I am taking Prednizone for radiation-pneumonitis and now tapering and hoping the EXTREME shortness of breath does not return.