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

@rcerwin3 Try going to a pain management Dr. they increased the Gabapentin it seems to be working better. 300mgs 3x a day plus a patch which is Buprenorphine.
Stays on 7 days. It really has helped.
We haven’t talked to our surgeon but he has a wonderful staff of Nurse practitioners that steered us to the pain Dr.
the hospital gave us a pillow shaped like a lung it does help hugging it when he’s coughing.
I’m giving Delsym cough medicine for the cough it’s helping that too.
Wishing you all the best.

My surgery was 8 weeks ago. I have protruding area under left breast and upper abdomen… it’s heard to wear anything clothing with a waist …. Cannot get rid of pain… what to do ??

@ddld
I had Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) around 8 months ago. I am one of those folks who has been struggling with nerve pain since then. I also know of many people on this forum who have been able to manage their pain, so after 8 wks, I believe it's common to continue with what you have described. My pain has certainly diminished considerably since then.
For me, it was a drug called Gabapentin that has worked the best for me. I still take 400 mgs 3X a day. (and still have break through pain everyday).
I was told after a 5 mos check-up, that the pain under my breast bone will not likely go away. It's numb, but also painful to pressure. I still can't wear a regular bra, but manage with loose fitting jogging/athletic bras if I'm going out. Having said this, I don't believe this is the case for everyone.
I also still have nerve pain in the 4 areas where the robotic arms went thru. Certainly much better from my 8 wks mark.
Altho I found walking difficult after surgery, I did try to do short ones with a walking stick to help.
I definitely would speak to your Thoracic surgeon if you are still managed by them. I did have to do some fighting to have my Gaba increased to this level.
The other piece, is that it's important to let your Dr. know that you are still suffering and perhaps you require more meds, or a different approach. Don't stop asking or talking to those who can help you.
Everyone's pain issues are different and I strongly believe in fighting for our own needs. If you are not feeling heard, find someone who will listen. In Canada, there are pain cinics with nurse practioners who can perscribe pain meds for diferent needs. Don't hesitate to ask me any other questions.
I was a "young" 71 yrs old when I had my rt lower lobectomy. Altho my pain hasn't gone away, it's tolerable for me at this point and I'm grateful for that.

@ddld -Good Morning! I had my upper left lobe segmentectomy in March of 2023. I had/have the same issue of the bump that pops out right under my left breast right under the first rib. At my last scan I asked about it and there was no hernia or tear or any of that. After my scans I always see my thoracic surgeon and she shows me my scans and we go over them and I ask all my questions. She explained to me that the surgery weakens those muscles in that area and when bending or putting pressure on that area, since the muscles are weak and thin, it allows your insides to push on that area and feel like they are “coming through”. BUT, they aren’t. It makes that thin area hurt for a while until the insides settle back down. Bra bands still irritate the area right under the left breast, so I just keep trying to find non-binding soft bands. Now I just kind of live with it as it’s more of an annoyance instead of pain. Both of my doctors said I could exercise to strengthen my core muscles and that will help with the thin weak muscle. However, being only 8 weeks out, you are still pretty fresh from surgery and still healing inside, so I wouldn’t push it just yet. I still get little twinges of pains here and there and I definitely know when I’ve irritated that nerve! Just take it slow and steady and listen to your body. If you’ve been mopping or cleaning or lifting and you hurt afterwards, slow it down. For pain I found that ibuprofen and Tylenol worked better for me than all the prescribed drugs. I wish you all the best and God Bless you!🙏❤️

@cmcguire10
Your Thoracic surgeon sounds amazing! Mine has "signed me off" and I only had 2 appts with him. I feel like he avoided my pain concerns, instead perscribing more Gabapentin, rather than offer me explanations about what he was seeing.
I have been accepted into a Clinical Trial and as part of that, I am able to access their "pain team" to help me sort out different options.

@donnademps I’m sorry to hear about your surgeon doing that. I go to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. They always schedule all my appointments one right after the other. My blood test for my CT with contrast, then my CT, then the meeting with my Surgeon. I guess I assumed that’s how all Doctors did it. Yes my Surgeon IS Amazing.
I hope your trial goes very well and you get relief from your pain!🙏

How long does the barrel chest feeling and the uncomfortable way it feels to wear clothing last?…….

@cmcguire10
Lucky for me, the Clinical Trial is with Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. It's the best cancer hospital in our country, Canada. I am now experiencing a similar level of care that you speak of at Mayo. I could not have just asked for a referral there, but because of the Clinical Trial, I have a similar team approach that seems very close to yours. It's a 3 hrs drive one way, so my CT's and tests are bumped together so I can get the most of my time while there. A clinical trial includes a LOT of tests ahead of actually starting the trial. I do feel blessed to being a patient there. Before this, my care was very much a bit of hit and miss. More likely due to the accessibility available and long wait times. My pain was not something to deal with, rather what the previous or next tests were indicating. My pain was ignored bc the focus was more towards test results. Blah, blah, blah....sorry. Princess Margaret has already heard about my prolonged pain issues and are setting me up with the "pain team". I'll get there.