Continuous Pain 18 months after surgery

Was your surgery MEI or open? My husband is 3&1/2 years out from MEI Ivor Lewis. He still has trouble on his right side between a couple of ribs where they entered his chest robotically. The pain has gotten better but he says it is sort of numb now and he is unable to put much pressure on that side.

My husband felt his wound for more than 3 years, in year number 4 it got slowely better and now in his fifth year he finally gets feeling back in the rest of his chest on this side. It really hurts for a long time and it really takes a lot of time to get back to normal feeling, more or less normal. Hope this helps. You really need to be patient, he needed 5 years to find the right supplements and how to eat properly...he does not have any hunger feeling or appetite, has not had it for the last 5 years....hope you don't have this...all the best

I had the same open surgery in April of 2020. My pain is still bad all the time. I have found it has gotten worse over the years as I regained feeling in areas that were numb. At times it or nauseating especially when I have to do physical labor like shoveling snow, to the point I feel like I will pass out.
I have attempted nerve blocks several times. They only last till the lidocaine wears off. I was given a referral to a neurosurgeon at Dartmouth. Had an appointment in February of 2025 were to I was told an OR would be scheduled after several attempts to contact this neurosurgeon she finally replied over a year later to say she can’t find a thoracic surgeon to assist her.
Very disappointing

I would urge you to consult with an experienced Esophagectomy surgeon in a major medical center such as UCLA where I was treated. The lack of response from your referred institution seems unreasonable to me.

My surgery was open Ivor Lewis. I appreciate your sharing this information and others have shared similar experiences which makes me realize it is not uncommon for the pain to linger.

Only 4 weeks post Ivor Lewis, robotic, surgery. And that pain on my right side, feels like a cement block is stuck there. Very hard, tender to touch and restricting movement. I was hoping that it would go away soon, but seems like I'm years away from some relief. Hard to fathom making a different decision.

Best of luck to everyone!

I am 6 years out and still have constant pain in the same areas. Increasing when I eat or do any strenuous activity, which is hard as I live alone in northern New Hampshire..
I’ve tried nerve blocks 4 times which lasted till the lidocaine wore off..Tried gabipentin for almost a month dealing with terrible brain fog and eventually my feet randomly stopped lifting while I was walking. Dr said i might have an allergy to it. A year later and I still have to be careful when walking. Been waiting a year and 3 months for a neurosurgeon that said she would schedule a OR. So disappointed in Dartmouth.
I would like to tell you it gets better with time but I found it gets worse as I get more feeling back in areas.
Best of luck
Lori

@llegih
Thank you for your response. I am encouraged that you are 6 years out but hate to learn you still have the pain. I tried gabapentin in the past for my neuropathy and had the same experience with brain fog. Guess I will continue to rely on lidocaine patches and Tylenol.

I am happy to report that I heard from the neurosurgeon at Dartmouth this morning stating that she’s sorry it took so long getting back to me (1 year and 3 months). Looks like they will be calling to schedule surgery to clip and tie off the nerves causing my pain. Hopefully this will help. I will keep you posted.
Glad the lidocaine patches are working for you. They didn’t help me.