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Had lobectomy 3 days ago: What's your post-op pain experience?

Posted by easmith @easmith, May 11 8:32am

Hi, I had a lobectomy (lower, right lobe and part of my upper right lobe) three days ago. I’m home now but experiencing a lot of pain. I talked to my doctors yesterday about the pain/medicine regimen. We’re switching things so that I’m in less pain, but I’m curious about others experiences post-lobectomy. I’m feeling really sad.

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mamajite | @mamajite | May 24 12:21pm
In reply to @jacdonz "This is a long one. I had a lobectomy April 15th. Was put on gabapentin for..." + (show)
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This is a long one. I had a lobectomy April 15th. Was put on gabapentin for nerve pain. At post op for lung surgeon, nurse practitioner gave me a prescription for one month and said good-bye, we are finished with your care. So I went to my internist and had a visit and requested Lyrica since the gabapentin, even at a high dose, really wasn't working. He gave me a one month prescription of 100 mg. ,3xa day and said that's it, I don't feel comfortable prescribing this. Now I have absolutely no doctor caring for me and I would like to try getting off of the drug but it says it must be done slowly with your doctor. Only having 100 mg. Tablets, I'm not sure how start cutting down. I am calling my lung surgeon's office and see if they can recommend a pain management doctor. I feel a bit lost.

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@jacdonz may I ask what your diagnosis is? do you have an oncologist or pulmonologist? even with surgery, someone should be managing your care long term, and that usually isn't a surgeon. you're right to be concerned about tapering off of Lyrica - and you shouldn't have to figure that out yourself.

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jacdonz | @jacdonz | May 24 1:10pm

I am cancer free as of the surgery. It was a left lower lobectomy and some lymphnodes which came out clear. You have given me an idea. I am going to contact my oncologist and see what he thinks. Thank you.

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jacdonz | @jacdonz | 6 days ago
In reply to @mamajite "@jacdonz may I ask what your diagnosis is? do you have an oncologist or pulmonologist? even..." + (show)
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@jacdonz may I ask what your diagnosis is? do you have an oncologist or pulmonologist? even with surgery, someone should be managing your care long term, and that usually isn't a surgeon. you're right to be concerned about tapering off of Lyrica - and you shouldn't have to figure that out yourself.

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Thank you. I messaged my oncologist and the original nurse practitioner who sent me on my way with one month prescription and no refills. I will wait to hear from them. I will reply again so I'd anyone else runs i to this problem, they will have this info.

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mamajite | @mamajite | 6 days ago
In reply to @jacdonz "Thank you. I messaged my oncologist and the original nurse practitioner who sent me on my..." + (show)
Profile picture for jacdonz @jacdonz

Thank you. I messaged my oncologist and the original nurse practitioner who sent me on my way with one month prescription and no refills. I will wait to hear from them. I will reply again so I'd anyone else runs i to this problem, they will have this info.

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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@jacdonz I'm glad your surgery was successful and that you reached out to your oncology team. make sure you know what your follow up imaging timeline looks like, too.

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jacdonz | @jacdonz | 6 days ago
In reply to @mamajite "@jacdonz I'm glad your surgery was successful and that you reached out to your oncology team...." + (show)
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@jacdonz I'm glad your surgery was successful and that you reached out to your oncology team. make sure you know what your follow up imaging timeline looks like, too.

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@mamajite I have a 6 month scan in October and I see my oncologist in 6 weeks with blood work. They are on top of it.

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cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | 6 days ago

Good Morning- My surgeon recommended trying the Lidocaine pain patches. But only if your incisions are healed. Do you have a regular Primary care physician? I would talk with them, since they are your regular doctor. I was taking Lyrica after my surgery. After reading about it, I decided I did Not Want to be on it and I went from the 2 doses a day down to one and after a week then down to one every other day for a week and then stopped. I never thought it did much for my pain. I think the Robaxin- muscle relaxer, 800mg ibuprofen and a couple of regular Tylenol worked best for me. And LOTS AND LOTS of walking! Walking gets your blood circulating through your entire body and that speeds up healing along with strengthening your lungs and muscles. I pray you get the help you need. 🙏

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jacdonz | @jacdonz | 4 days ago
In reply to @mamajite "@jacdonz may I ask what your diagnosis is? do you have an oncologist or pulmonologist? even..." + (show)
Profile picture for mamajite @mamajite

@jacdonz may I ask what your diagnosis is? do you have an oncologist or pulmonologist? even with surgery, someone should be managing your care long term, and that usually isn't a surgeon. you're right to be concerned about tapering off of Lyrica - and you shouldn't have to figure that out yourself.

Jump to this post

@mamajite I finally found a palliative care pain management doctor that my oncologist set me up with. I have an appt with her on June 2nd. I feel such a relief that I have a doctor to help me with this. I reached out to my oncologist and told him I was going to try to titrate off the Lyrica myself and he set me up with the pain mgt. Doctor. I love my oncologist. I have a portal that I am able to message him and he always returns my messages.

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