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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
To hear someone else describe the pattern I experience of immediate post surgical pain, then predictable nerve disruption pain, then this long-lasting rib/diaphragm painful restriction with deeper breathing, to be eliminated temporarily by Prednisone… well that was hopeful because it’s not unique to me.
Replies to "To hear someone else describe the pattern I experience of immediate post surgical pain, then predictable..."
I would add that 1) My first VAT was not very painful, and I was off all pain meds in 5 days. The numbness below the breast lasted 4 months and then went away. It felt like I was wearing a belt. 2) My second VAT was a lot more painful (cracked rib). And I had prickly nerve pain. They gave me Gabapentin and that helped the pain a lot. It is still numb feeling (7 months out) but that doesn't bother me. Still feels like I have a belt around me. 3) I have somewhat more shortness of breath, and my chest feels stiff when I take a deep breath while standing, and sometimes a bit sore. I had the inflammation from radiation treatment so that impacts it.
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I has the same experience. My surgery was on July 20th and I still have rib pain. Much better than a couple of months ago. I only wish my surgeon would have told me that this pain was probable so that I would have been mentally prepared. I thought something went wrong and then, by reading comments here, I realized that it is very common.