recovery time for open lung biopsy

[mab52]

How long does it take to fully recover from this procedure.  I had this done 16 days ago with no complications and will be seeing my physician for the first time since the procedure next Monday.  I've been trying to do a little yard work in the mornings but I tire quickly and the pain in my back in horrible.  I hate taking the pain medication but after so long I can't help but take it.  Can anyone tell me how long this will last?  (the reason for the lung biopsy was to determine if some nodules on my lungs were sarcoidosis or if a melanoma had metastatized - the diagnosis was sarcoid).


This discussion is related to Open Lung Biopsy.

[Nana0105]

I, too, had a open lung biopsy on Sept. 11 and have found the limitations and pain very difficult to deal with.  I also find that the amount of material or support seems non-existent.  I know I've brought my cat home from the vet's office with more instruction than I was given leaving the hospital.

The doctor's instruction to resume your life was so unclear.  A month after the procedure I am still very limited as to what I can do without pain and I have concern about being dependent on pain meds.

I would welcome hearing back from you as to how you are feeling now.  I was told six weeks of "recovery" would be normal.  I am 62 years old and the reason for the biopsy was to determine if the nodules found in a pet scan were either cancer (I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost five years ago!).  The good news is that the nodules werenot cancerous but the whole experience has left me feeling very isolated.