Pain after robotic assisted lobectomy: How long does it last?

Posted by pat3017a @pat3017a, Nov 27, 2021

I had a robotic assisted lobectomy about 5 weeks ago and still experiencing pain. Seems like there has been very little improvement in past couple of weeks although incisions look great. The pain is mostly when I am moving and at night when trying to get comfortable in bed. Just wondering how long others had pain after this type of surgery? I feel bad even asking this as so many people have went through so much more in their cancer journey than I have. I know I should feel fortunate.

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Well this is good to know. My Dr said they zap the nerves so they stay numb for months to help with the pain, but it doesn’t sound like it helps very much from what I’m reading here! Guess that’s why they send you all the pain management guides… Well, it is what is is. Gotta go through it to get through it. I hope you ALL feel better very soon!
Best wishes,
Cindy

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Profile picture for cmcguire10 @cmcguire10

Did they ever tell you WHAT the bulge was or Why it was there? This is good for me to know in case I get the same thing. I would still have it checked by the doctor but at least maybe I wouldn’t be so freaked out knowing it happens to others too.

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So sad but I didn’t. I have an appointment in April and will be sure to ask. Better late info than none.

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Profile picture for laurab25 @laurab25

It’s so nice to hear from others in the same situation as me. I have the same numbness, which is starting to wake up, It’s very tender. And I was just telling my husband that this lump doesn’t seem to go down, but he says it’s really not as swollen. I’m over 7 weeks into recovery and still have a lot of nerve pain. I had pleural effusion so they did a thorcentnesis. I thought that would help the pain…..not so much. I’m still sleeping sitting up in bed, and I still have a cough. Does anyone cough all the time?

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Did your doctor ever explain the reason for the swelling? I mostly understand the numbness as nerve cuts were involved. I think the swelling may be down somewhat but hard to tell.

I am almost 18 weeks postop and generally feel well. Surprisingly, my pre-op PFTs were normal but I still experience dyspnea with stairs and steep inclines.

At 7 weeks, I was still experiencing all you describe so hang in there!

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Aww, I keep feeling I should be fortunate that they caught my cancer at a very early stage, and I am, but that doesn’t minimize my pain or yours. I’m over 7 weeks in recovery and still have a lot of pain. I really didn’t know this was going to be sooo painful. I thought, maybe 6 weeks, just a little pain and I’d be back to myself. HA! My husband is getting sick of me complaining..Lol. Hang in there and write back if you want.

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Profile picture for spikeb1 @spikeb1

I commented here perhaps in December or January about the persistent pain I was having after a LUL lobectomy. It occurred daily at around 2 AM. Long story short, it disappeared. But since surgery I have had a bulge of sorts beneath my rib cage. It was totally numb and I was told this was normal. I should have asked more questions. Fast forward and it is not so numb but it is tender and so is the underlying rib?

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It’s so nice to hear from others in the same situation as me. I have the same numbness, which is starting to wake up, It’s very tender. And I was just telling my husband that this lump doesn’t seem to go down, but he says it’s really not as swollen. I’m over 7 weeks into recovery and still have a lot of nerve pain. I had pleural effusion so they did a thorcentnesis. I thought that would help the pain…..not so much. I’m still sleeping sitting up in bed, and I still have a cough. Does anyone cough all the time?

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Profile picture for spikeb1 @spikeb1

I commented here perhaps in December or January about the persistent pain I was having after a LUL lobectomy. It occurred daily at around 2 AM. Long story short, it disappeared. But since surgery I have had a bulge of sorts beneath my rib cage. It was totally numb and I was told this was normal. I should have asked more questions. Fast forward and it is not so numb but it is tender and so is the underlying rib?

Jump to this post

Did they ever tell you WHAT the bulge was or Why it was there? This is good for me to know in case I get the same thing. I would still have it checked by the doctor but at least maybe I wouldn’t be so freaked out knowing it happens to others too.

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Profile picture for stankent @stanleykent

Hi. I did not have any PT for the nerve pain.
Also, following the surgeries, the pain was very dependent on movement and sitting/laying position. Once I got into a comfortable spot, it wasn't bad. For me, getting in and out of bed was even a challenge due to the movement and incision pain. but after a couple weeks it wasn't an issue. And I dreaded anytime I had to cough or sneeze . Ouch!
Where are you located and which hospital will be doing your surgery?

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Morning! I am in Arizona. Will be having everything done at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I love that place! They have been wonderful with other surgeries that myself or family members have had there. I also have an adjustable bed so I think that will help to get me up to sitting position to get out of bed. I can’t imagine laying flat. I know I’ll be in pain, from what I’ve read on all the different posts in here, but I’m trying to get some ideas on what may help best. I even bought a set of those leg massagers that they use after surgeries to keep the blood circulating so you don’t get blood clots. I’m trying to be super prepared. Even have those prepared meal kits being delivered. Only for once a week for a month. Can’t afford more than that, but it will give my husband a break so he won’t get exhausted trying to go to work and take care of me and everything else.

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Profile picture for cmcguire10 @cmcguire10

Thank you! I’m trying to have a very positive outlook for this, but I just keep reading about the pain afterward. I just keep thinking that I’ll just try to keep walking as much as permissible, and listen to my dancing music and have the sun shining in my windows to keep me motivated. I know they say to listen to soothing music that relaxes you and calms you , but I prefer the other. Thank you for the good thoughts, and I hope you are good now. Did you have any PT for the nerve pain?

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Hi. I did not have any PT for the nerve pain.
Also, following the surgeries, the pain was very dependent on movement and sitting/laying position. Once I got into a comfortable spot, it wasn't bad. For me, getting in and out of bed was even a challenge due to the movement and incision pain. but after a couple weeks it wasn't an issue. And I dreaded anytime I had to cough or sneeze . Ouch!
Where are you located and which hospital will be doing your surgery?

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I commented here perhaps in December or January about the persistent pain I was having after a LUL lobectomy. It occurred daily at around 2 AM. Long story short, it disappeared. But since surgery I have had a bulge of sorts beneath my rib cage. It was totally numb and I was told this was normal. I should have asked more questions. Fast forward and it is not so numb but it is tender and so is the underlying rib?

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Profile picture for Wally @wallyk

All surgery zaps energy and certainly this is no exception. I don’t live near a Mayo Clinic and I had a complication that required me to stay in the hospital several extra days. Our trip home was about 6 hours (plane and car) and I was exhausted from it. I napped or at least rested each day for several weeks, but also took walks and did social things most days. I don’t know how old you are, but I was in my mid-70s when I had my lung cancer surgery. Respect your doctors and your body and you should do well

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Thank you. I am 58 years young. I figured on probably a few naps during the day, but I do want to make sure I get up and walk a lot. It’s just good to read that most are saying they were doing pretty well afterward. I am doing lung exercises now, before I go in. I’m using a little breather called a lung expander, and have been walking briskly for at least a mile every night and running up and down a flight of stairs five times each day besides my regular up and down about 3-5 times for dog duty. Thank you again and I hope you continue to do well!

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