Increasing pain over time after Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery

I am wondering about a similar problem. I had robotic surgery in late August to remove a secondary lobe. A previous surgery was done about a year and a half ago for NSCLC Stage 2A. That surgery went well and I felt fine after a couple of weeks. The second surgery last August was done because there was a spot on a CT scan that turned out to be just an infection, not a recurrence. Again, I felt fine after a few weeks. But about two weeks ago (mid-December) I had a sudden onset of bad pain. It feels like the pain post-surgery in the general area of the incision but it's much worse. It occurs only with movement--picking up a box, reaching for something off a high shelf, bending over. Has anyone had this happen? I'm a little nervous that it could be some new cancer, although I do recognize that my fear that I broke a rib because I now have bone cancer is almost comically catastrophic thinking.

Have you brought this to attention of your surgeon or pulmonologist? It is likely not recurrence but everyone gets paid to help you answer that question. So it’s not asking a favor to engage them. I say ring them up!

I am wondering about a similar problem. I had robotic surgery in late August to remove a secondary lobe. A previous surgery was done about a year and a half ago for NSCLC Stage 2A. That surgery went well and I felt fine after a couple of weeks. The second surgery last August was done because there was a spot on a CT scan that turned out to be just an infection, not a recurrence. Again, I felt fine after a few weeks. But about two weeks ago (mid-December) I had a sudden onset of bad pain. It feels like the pain post-surgery in the general area of the incision but it's much worse. It occurs only with movement--picking up a box, reaching for something off a high shelf, bending over. Has anyone had this happen? I'm a little nervous that it could be some new cancer, although I do recognize that my fear that I broke a rib because I now have bone cancer is almost comically catastrophic thinking.

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.

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.

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.

Your post has been reassuring to me. I had VATS in May for left lower lobectomy to remove a 1.5cm Adenocarcinoma. I did not even fill my script for pain pills but what I have had is rib and diaphragm pain consistently for 7 months now - EXCEPT when my Rheumatologist prescribed 20mg prednisone for an RA flare. My rib/diaphragm pain wasn’t just better - it was gone!! For the time I was on 20 mg and then 15 as I started tapering it was awesome. But when I tapered to 10 the benefit vaporized. I’ve said I felt like Cinderella.

So I know it is inflammation - which I didn’t know before. But I can’t live on Prednisone. I’ve had CTs , X-rays and nothing provides answers - so I assume it’s just stubborn inflammation.

Did your rib pain persist after the prednisone or did it resolve over time?

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.

That was referring to pain after my first VAT surgery (RUL). The surgery was a walk in the park and needed little pain meds...but months later I developed pleurisy and related pain which is painful. The stuff they premedicated me for to do a CT scan with contrast (I get hives from contrast) was described as "industrial strength" by my Rheumatologist and I felt great after...then it ended.
With VAT surgery they go in between the ribs and disturb nerves and things. My Mayo surgeon says nerve problem can last up to a year or even sometimes be permanent. Mine all went away with first VAT surgery RUL but second one LUL had more problems - fractured rib for one. And it still is numb on that side (now 7 months).
Now I am taking Prednizone for radiation-pneumonitis and now tapering and hoping the EXTREME shortness of breath does not return.