Increasing pain over time after Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery

I can't relate exactly to your situation, but do have experience with surgeries. Healing pains are definitely a thing. They diminish over time. Your doctor should be able to explain more about the nerves that transmit these sensations...

Hi, I had an open thoracotomy in September (started as VATS but they had to go open due to calcified lymph nodes that weren’t coming out easily) to remove left upper lung for stage 1A mucinous adenocarcinoma nodule. I was in the hospital for 6 days with two chest tubes and in a lot of pain. But after a few weeks, I wasn’t taking my Lyrica and only oxy at night. After 2 months, I felt a lot better and now take Tylenol PM if I have pain at night. But it seems like I’m getting more intermittent pain lately. After my first check up they did notate some fluid but not enough to remove. My pain is not caused by breathing. I get sharp, stabbing pains by my incision and more throbbing pain under left breast to sternum. It does sometimes wake me up. I’m assuming it is nerve related. I have my first official “check for cancer” CT scan and appointment with my pulmonologist Tuesday. Can’t deny that I’m worried pain is related to recurring cancer but I realistically think it is just my body recovering from surgery. In reality, the aches cause me more mental than physical pain. It is comforting hearing other people’s experiences so thanks to all of you for sharing.

Thanks. I have one of those. I’ll try it.

I have same thing but they are filled with seed corn - so they don’t cook when heated. But they smell like corn 🙂

I have two rice bags that are microwaveable and they really help relieve the pain.

I will add that exercise. Thanks.

Have been stretching in doorways and with a bar overhead - lie on floor, hold bar (I use a cane) straight up, then slowly move arms overhead as close to the floor as you can w/o pain. Doc says try cold packs and/or heat. Haven’t done that yet. I don’t have trouble breathing.

@franciekid - seems we are twinsies in terms of our post surgical pain profile - still pain on deep breath. Still am gasping for breath when I bend over or lift anything or walk in the cold or walk up a modest incline. I sometimes get muscle pain on the other side - I suppose it’s some kind of contralateral pain from “guarding” against the primary pain.

Anyway, I have discovered no clever mitigation. But perhaps of either of us do, we can agree to share. One of the mentors suggested I check out videos on you tube. There’s a fair amount of yoga type stretching and “wall Pilates” and some fairly technical discussions on pulmonary rehab type activities. I’m trying to do band exercises but it doesn’t take long to be breathless.
What success have you had and what is your doc saying?

For what it’s worth, I still have left side rib and diaphragm pain 8 mos after lower Left Vats lobectomy. For stage 1b N0 tumor.

I have been experiencing the same think almost 10 months after Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Also Stage 1b. In the past week or so, I have pain in my right side that almost feels bruised. Not sure if it’s scar tissue. I just had my quarterly CT scan and everything looks good. Hope you get to the bottom of this.