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Anyone have chronic pain years after lobectomy?
Hi,
I am almost 5 years out from my lobectomy for stage 3A. I had my lower left lobe removed, chemo, radiation, & immunotherapy. 2 recurrences in my back near the surgical site, and radiation again. 30 years ago I had breast cancer and the oncologist believes the lung cancer was most likely caused by the radiation I had then.
I am 1 year cancer free. I have had pain ever since my lobectomy. It was a robotic lobectomy. My ribs protrude on that side and the pain starts in my ribs near the surgical site and radiates up and down the left side of my back. I have tried PT, medication, though I won’t do the narcotics patch. I am currently taking gabapentin but am working up to a full dose slowly due to the fact that it makes me very tired. Currently using Advil Dual and have started massage therapy. The massage therapist seems to be the most knowledgeable about how I might be helped. The pain doctor has told me that she has a few patients with the same issue, PT tried stretching exercises. Nothing seems to help much. And no one has any experience with it.
Has anyone had the same, or similar problem?
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I’ve had the same problem and since nothing seems to be wrong I think it’s nerve damage from the surgery, some people don’t have any issues but others do. When you cut into the body the muscles and nerves are damaged and eventually they will heal but it can take a while for them to heal but they’re never going to be the same especially if you were older when you had the surgery, another example is when someone breaks a bone or tears a muscle, the injuries will heal but there’s always some residual pain that can come up throughout your life, it seems that you are doing everything possible to help you with the pain.
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2 ReactionsWelcome @allyjane61, You've been through so much! Hopefully you will remain cancer free now. As frouke noted, this type of ongoing pain can happen. It's unfortunate that with everything else that you've dealt with, you still have this persistent pain. Hopefully the massage therapist and/or gabapentin is able to offer some relief.
Here's a search for other similar discussions, which at the very least shows that you are not alone:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/
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1 ReactionHi,
I also had a lower left lobectomy, chemo, radiation, and I am on an inhibitor for my ALK lung cancer. (Stage 3 A)
I had surgery in 2023. I still have pain. I couldn't wear a bra until the middle of 2025. I can only wear a light support bra with no underwire, or I have pain.
I was on gabapentin, then I decided to stop at the end of 2025. I had numbness for a year. I think bodywork is a great way to deal with the pain. I worked with a Reiki practitioner and also a masseuse. I have less pain, but it is still present. If you have a good message therapist, and it sounds like you do, it should continue to help. I hope your pain decreases. april
@frouke
Thanks so much for your response. It was very helpful. I was 60 when I had the lobectomy.
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1 Reaction@aprilradek Thanks so much. I forgot about Reiki. I had a friend who had great success with her back. I still can’t wear a bra. My ribs are very misshapen on the left, and my spine has curved because I have been leaning to help ease the pain. I think I said I had lower left but it was upper.
@lls8000 Thanks so much Lisa!