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I had surgery May 2, 08 to remove the upper lobe of my left lung. The surgery was done after radiation and chemo treatments. I then had follow-up chemo that was called 'mop-up' by my doctor. I still have pain that is almost unbearable in my chest and back. How long will this last? Also I have to wear oxygen 24/7.
Exercise Cancer Tylenol Surgery Back pain Methadone Ibuprofen Physical therapy Fever Tramadol Pain Neurontin Lyrica Lung cancer Acupuncture
I had chemo first, then I had my upper right lobe removed June 2, 2008. They went in through the back. For me, it was painful the first two weeks or so. Now, I have numbness under my right breast (very common). In the beginning, it was uncomfortable to wear a bra, even now sometimes it bothers me. I thought the chemo was far worse than the surgery, although they were both horrible. I still have numbness and tingling in my toes from the chemo.
I hope you feel better, Karen
Hi,
I had conventional surgery to remove my upper left lobe 2 1/2 years ago and recovered quickly in 2 months. A year ago I had my upper right lobe removed by conventional surgery and recovered again quickly in 2 months. I think everything depends upon the individual and the surgeon. Find a surgeon who has done this operation many, many times.
I wish you much good luck and a quick recovery,
Con
I had my rt lung removed and a carinal ressection done on 12 Mar 09. I have a hard time taking narcotics (gives me nausea) (lost 20 lbs) so I take nerve ending pain pill. I still have lots of pain, but worse if I overdo things. the pain is sometimes sharp (like a knife) and other times, my whole back hurts. I still think it's better than what it was last month, so I'm keeping faith that every day will get a bit better. And I am still alive.
I think that everyone reacts differently. I had my right middle lobe and a section of my upper left taken out four and a half weeks ago at Mass General by Dr. Wain. Have had to use very little narcotic pain med for the last week. I think walking is very important.
I had the left upper lobe removed last June 2008. Almost a year to date. I had a cyst attached to my upper left lung the size of a grapefruit the doctor said. No cancer. He did have to remove the upper lung, but was able to save most of the lower portion of the lower lung. After a year sometimes I do get chest pains below the left breast that will last for a few minutes to maybe an hour. I have not taken any medication for the pain. I walk and swim every day and do experience some shortness of breath. The doctor has told me my lower lung has expanded well. Most of the time under normal conditions I don't notice any different s in my breathing. It seems the same as before the operation. Once in a while I need to sit up very straight because it feels like things are compressing on that left side where the upper lung was. Hope this information is helpful.
Hi. I had a lobe removed in 2006. My doctors told me that it depends on the patient. Some can handle pain differently than others but pain is pain. I was also told that it is like a "phantom" pain, such as an amputee may have. The main thing is to talk to your doctor about anything you read or hear. They can help you set up a plan to help deal with anything that bothers you. BTW, I had that done, then chemo & radiation. I now see the onc. only if I "need" him (as he said to me) & my pulmanologist every 6 months with cat scan. So, as you see from this group outcomes vary but we all keep HOPE & PRAYERS high. Good luck.
This information is exactly what I needed. I too am five weeks out from having a left side thoracotomy and have felt like I was going nuts. I had been constantly weepy but am getting better. I had even gone to the Dr's office and cried when the secretary told me her computer wouldn't work, Weird.Because I rarely cry. I am back to work and have been walking since the surgery, The pain is there and tightness. I was prescribed darvocet but this didn't really help so now I take Tylenol PM at night, I've been getting depressed because this is the first time I have been ill. I am grateful that I didn't have cancer but am concerned this pain will always be here. Any encouragement will be helpful.
I am 71, the pain pills help and believe me, laughter really helps. The worst part for me was sleeping, but my husband put a pillow up to my back and leaned against it which really helped me sleep and sometimes I found sleeping upright on the couch helped. The pain will lessen before you know it. Everyone is different with pain levels, so report everything to your Oncologist and you will find this site is fantastic. check out my bio. Hugs
I had a lobectomy in 05' and I still cannot wear even a sports bra more than half of a day. Some of the numbness has gone from the lower breast area however. I had a difficult biopsy in 08' of the other lung and once again it was the same pain, same numbness on that side of the chest. In the winter I just try to wear a strap undershirt that is snug and I go without a bra when I don't have social functions to attend. I just "hang out" when I am home hanging out! cynthia
I'm also on oxygen 24/7 and had my surgery Nov 29, 2005 followed by six months chemo. It is really hard accepting the fact I need oxygen all the time but if I try and go without it I have a tendency to pass out. As to the bra..... Istill can't wear the normal bra but have found Vanity Fair has a "barely there" type that you can get at JC Pennys and its the only bra type I can wear.
My husband is three months post op and still in pain. He's tried everything but the one that helps most is methadone. I know that sounds heavy duty but he only takes it twice a day compared to the every 4 hours of oxy. His pain doc said it works better for nerve pain than most pain meds. His neurologist told him he can expect three more months of pain but it will diminish if he slowly changes from pain meds to large doses of neurontin. He's trying that and having some success. For those of you with ongoing pain try talking to a neurologist.
am approximately 5 weeks post surgery. My top right lobe on the right side was removed. I have been released by my surgeon and I am left with pain and discomfort (sometimes unbearable) under my right breast and arm. I currently can't comfortably wear a bra. I really need to get this pain undercontrol. Your comments were encouraging to me. Exactly what did the pain specialist do for you? Physical therapy (what type)? Pain medication? I would like to seek the same treatment so I may get on with my life. Thanks.
am approximately 5 weeks post surgery. My top right lobe on the right side was removed. I have been released by my surgeon and I am left with pain and discomfort (sometimes unbearable) under my right breast and arm. I currently can't comfortably wear a bra. I really need to get this pain undercontrol. Your comments were encouraging to me. Exactly what did the pain specialist do for you? Physical therapy (what type)? Pain medication? I would like to seek the same treatment so I may get on with my life. Thanks.
I am approximately 5 weeks post surgery. My top right lobe on the right side was removed. I have been released by my surgeon and I am left with pain and discomfort (sometimes unbearable) under my right breast and arm. I currently can't comfortably wear a bra. I really need to get this pain undercontrol. Your comments were encouraging to me. Exactly what did the pain specialist do for you? Physical therapy (what type)? Pain medication? I would like to seek the same treatment so I may get on with my life. Thanks.
Dianarose, i am with yu. i am six months post op and still have the constant tightness and pulling under my breast. I called my surgeon yesterday just to ask if this is still normal and his reply " i operate mostly on 60-70 yr olds and they don have these problems because they are not worried about going back to the gym"! Nice! Yes, i am active but that shouldn't screw up my nerves! I hope to God this gets better because i am in constant discomfort every day esp at work. I have given up any upper body exercise because i now am afraid that i am doing more harm than good but even wehn i go for my long walks, my side gets tighter and tighter with every step.
After having my lower left lobe removed in August I experienced muscle pains, numbness, pulling, spasms, sudden stabbing pains and several other strange sensations in my chest, arms, side and back. This has continued in various degrees and limits my sitting ability and mobility in many activities. Much of the time I have to hold my side when I sneeze, burp or cough. There is a misshapen lump measuring 3 by 5 inches located below my breast as a reminder, especially when the medical staff tell me it's all in my head. My surgeon said no other patients of his have ever told him about these kinds of difficulties and all the rest of my doctors seem baffled. It is only on this site I find others have and are experiencing some of this. My solace is praying on a daily and nightly basis for relief and occasionally taking ibuprofen when I can't get past it. The types of discomforts are constantly changing so I find it bearable most of the time and there are a few times a day when I don't notice them.
The intense pain lasted a few months for me, then I was relatively comfortable except for needle like pains on the surgery side. I tried ignoring the needles but they became worse and worse until my doctor put me on Lyrica.
Even though Lyrica was not originally designed to deal with Ghost Pain it worked like a charm and has releved me of 95% of the pains. I call that about as fine as one can get.
I have done Chi Gong exercises for years but they didn't help with the needles.
There is NO comparison between VATS and open.
Certainly a lot of experiences being posted. Here's my story.
Stage 3b - underwent right upper lobectomy on Oct 6, 2008 after 18 chemo and 35 radiation (starting from Dec 2007).
Thank God that I didn't suffer much except for first month. Started driving around X'mas and now 4 months after the operation I am "near normal". Do have front chest numbness and the occasional twitch but not much pain. No difficulty breathing.
Did breathing exercise during first month but no strenuous exercise until 3.5 months after operation.
Suggest consider Tai Chi exercise - really great for breathing and stretching muscles.
Believe in the Lord and prayers help.
God Bless All.
I had my upper left lobe removed by VATS last October and was back at work the next week.
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