I recently had a chest tube (large one with Pleur-evac) inserted for a pneumothorax with effusion, and upon being released from the hospital I had severe pain and sensitivity over my lower ribs and under my breast. It was a strange pain, and I thought it might be shingles because the pain was in the front of the ribs. I did more research on shingles and found that the pain is extremely similar, only I haven't had a rash. My doctor gave me some Lyrica, which I took for a few days, but it did not help and I had nightmares, so I DC'd it. The area of the pain has been becoming more and more localized and I find that I can touch it and it does not hurt but if my shirt just slightly grazes it it's quite painful. Sort of like a bad sunburn. It's been about 3-4 weeks, and now it's down to about 3-4 inches in diameter and I can feel a small lump or swelling under the skin right where one rib ends. This seems to be the source of the pain. Could possibly there have been internal damage during the chest tube insertion? Any suggestions for the pain? Any idea if it will resolve on its own? This is very frustrating.