I just had my right lobe removed due to lung cancer 8 weeks ago and I am still having a lot of pain near the incision site and inside under my breast. Is this normal? Has anyone had this type of procedure? What can I expect for a recovery timeline??
I’m one of the nurses. I am sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing and I can appreciate that this must be a difficult time for you. Two months after your surgery you would usually expect the pain to be getting better but how long someone has pain following a lobectomy varies. Unfortunately it’s not possible to know how long it will affect you. In some cases the pain can last for quite a few months but it is rare for it to be long term. If the pain is caused by nerves damaged during surgery it can take a while for them to repair and grow back.
We have some information about pain following lung cancer surgery, you can read it by clicking here
It would be a good idea to speak with your lung cancer nurse specialist who can tell you more about your situation and ensure you have the best pain relief.
I hope this has been of some help, if we can help in any other way please do contact us again. If you would prefer to speak to one of the information nurses, you can telephone us on 0808 800 4040. We are here between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
I had the lower right lobe removed exactly 1 year ago today. I still have pain and numbness under my right breast nd my back and ribs hurt just terrible. I am waiting for results of my pet scan from wednsday. Hope itturns out well.
I am 44 years old and I had open surgery on my right lung in January 2015 and in May 2015 I had a VATS lobectomy so I´ve had the "pleasure" of both types of procedure. I still experience pain from both procedures here a year after.
My ribs (and the small muscles between the ribs) are very sore to the touch and some days my scars and incision holes hurt quite a lot- other days they are a lot better. I get a tingling sensation or the feeling of electrical current running through the area of the incisions and around them once in a while. To word of consolation I can say that the pain has decreased over time, so although it probably isn´t the answer you´re looking for, my advice to you is to be patient. I will probably get better but it might take some time :|
Try to stay as active as the pain will allow you to in order to improve the healing process, but remember not to overdoo it ;)
Hi,i am 70 years old and am fairly fit,i had vats labectomy op march 2021 and have had nerve pain since then,taken painkillers for a full year,the pain is numbness just under right ribcage which sometimes moves across to stomach and is so annoying,when i tell docs about this numb pain they sort of think i imagine it,of which i do not,, has anybody had this and have any tips as this pain is really taking its toll on me now after a year thanks for reading this,,,,,,
Dear Rab. I am now 60. I had my Surg. 5 years ago and still have pain. A lot during times of stress or dampness. I have been on and off pain killers for most of this time. But they too have their own kind of pain. I don't know if it's the pain of this procedure or the meds but depression has been very much a part of my life this last year or so. Anyway that's my word of advice if you want it. Be very careful with the meds. For me they are a double edge sword. Be well. Love to you. Shan
Dear shan,thank you for reply,sorry to hear about your 5 years of pain,, it just becomes you have to live with it i suppose and i will try and stay away from the deppression side of it,,thanks again for your time and reply
Reading my answer almost 6 years later. Sorry to say that the pain is still there.
Since then I have been on Gabapentin 3 times daily. Started of on 200 mg/day which over time has increased to 1200 mg/day. Helps a lot for the pain, making it bearable to deal with.
@Rabhutch19 - ask your doctor about medication for neuropatic pain.
