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

My doctor also said he zapped the nerves, so I asked him why I have so much pain. He said my pain would’ve been worse without it. Geez. 🤷‍♀️

The pain management doctor gave me a couple of injections with lidocaine & steroids in them, also prescribed meds called Gabapentin. My home remedies are lidocaine patches and lots of Ibuprofen. I hate opioids & I didn’t think they worked anyway. I have another appt with the doctor next week.

Well, I’m hoping that I will be up running around, so is my husband, but this is proving to me that it won’t be as quick as I hoped for. What did you do for pain management? Medications? What did you have done? Live tiny, Segmentectomy, Wedge?
Thank you,
Cindy

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

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

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.