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Anybody have intercostal nerve damage (neuropathy)?
Intercostal nerve damage following VATS pore than one year ago. Includes transverse abdominis muscle atrophy and a pseudohernia. Surgeon and hospital system basically abandoned me with the thought that it will heal on its own…or it won’t. Limited PT to core strengthening. Denies that this would be causing any digestive issues for me.
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Welcome @johnt54, There are a few other members who have mentioned nerve pain or other symptoms following VATS surgery in another discussion group here - Sudden numbness 2 months post VATS: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-numbness-2-months-post-vats/.
I did see this research paper that mentions a connection between VATS and digestive issues.
-- Gastroparesis after video-assisted thoracic surgery: A case report
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10037284/
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1 ReactionThank you for that info!
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1 ReactionHi, I also have intercostal nerve damage and a condition called Post-thoracotomy Pain Syndrome. I developed this as a complication of a thoracotomy type surgery I had 24 years ago. The pain is so bad that I had to take a complete disability. This pain controls my entire life. I really hope your intercostal pain isn't as bad as mine and that you find relief.
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1 ReactionHave you been tested for gastroparsis? Slow stomach emptying. Causes me to be nauseous and go days without eating.
@artemis1886 No I havent been tested for it but I believe that I have it. I just had blood and fecal testing done, colonoscopy and endoscopy, and an Ultrasound. Will be having a CT next week. So far I have learned that in addition to my abdominal muscle atrophy I have a redundant tortuous colon which is exacerbating my problem. I have constant constipation, bloating and slow motility. If I would be tested for gasteoporesis what would that tell me and what could be done if I have it?
@carolynhughes75
So sorry to hear that. Mine has only been 13 months and I am having difficulty dealing with it emotionally. Mine is probably not as severe. O can get by with one Tylenol every 6 hours, but I also have the complications that come with it, like the muscle atrophy and psuedohernia along with muscle tightening accross my jest that effects my breathing. I continue to search for something that might help, but haven't found much yet.
It is sad you have these life challenges. I several time had a chest pain not conected with the heart. I usual go to a chiropratctor and get a back adjustment. If it is effecting my breathing I get a large towel. Wet it and put in the microwave for no more than 20 seconds so I start a fire and place it on my chest and it seems to loosen the mucales of the chest and my breathing gets better. One of the good side effects that I see is it also losens the mucus in the lungs and removes them.
I have shingles and i'm approaching 6 weeks. I already have sensory neuropathy in hands and feet r/t chemo 10 years age. Now finished taxol for new breast ca last spring and will be on perjeda and herceptin til summer so my immunity is down. Problem is with shingles...now I have stabbing and shooting pains mid abdomen and chest. At same time especially if i sit down and eat I get gastritis and intermttent generalized abdominal pain rated 6 on 0-10 scale. It's like a tight band on my chest too. Also if i sit or stand for awhile my torso gets weak amd i have to lay down so it really sucks
try a muscle relaxor flexeril if you can get a script
yes and lots of water helps those thick secretions get loose from your chest