Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Nerve Damage from chest tubes

Hi,

I recently had a punctured lung, and had to 2 chest tubes inserted under my left armpit.
I was not really sedated during the incesion because I was at risk of losing my life and the doctors had to work quick and effectivley. I later found out that under my armpit where the incesision was had only been freezed, but when the tube entered me, i remember UNbearable pain as the doctor jabbed the first tube through my ribs, it had felt like he had broken a rib to enter the lungs, which he obviously did not but I did yelp in shrieking pain.  I than had another tube inserted in me, which I do not recollect how it was inserted.  As the days went by in the hospital, one of the tubes stoped draining blood, which they than removed it one day prior than the second one.  I had both tubes inserted on October 31 2010, than had both of them removed maybe 5 days after(one tube removed one day before the other though), now it is Nov. 12, and I still feel pains around my lower left rib all the way towards my armpit.  Its a weird pins and needles and stinging sensation that I get when I move, or even if my shirt grazes on my lower left ribs, I can even touch a certain spot on my chest, that will sends the pains up my chest.  If I move my left shoulder in a certain manner, I feel the same feeling, that I had felt when the doctor had jabbed the first tube in me (not as painful as the real inscesion, but I feel it nonetheless).  I believe this forums has probably heard the likes of these problems before, and I'm just wondering if there could be permanent nerve damage to my ribs or anywhere around my left chest-to left armpit.  I know this is still early in my recovery but I would like to know if this is common.

I hope I have been descriptive enough for whoevers reading this

Thank you for your time and any answers and opinions are usefull, thanks again.

-Biny
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I had a chest tube and bullectomy 15 years ago on my left side which left my back and left side numb to the touch. Over the next ten years feeling slowly came back to the area, almost back to normal. I just recently had two chest tubes and another bellectomy on my right lung and this time my right chest is numb, but back is ok. I hope that over the next 10 years I will eventually get the feeling back again as well. It's a patience game for sure.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
4Cs
I had chest tubes put in on both sides for collapsed lungs due to a car accident.  I had 8 broken ribs, broken collar bone, broken shoulder blade, broken pelvis, perforated liver and spleen, and bleeding on my brain.  This happened 6 months ago.  Most everything has healed ( plate and screws in my shoulder now), but I have severe nerve damage on my right side from my shoulder to under my breasts.  It feels like I am wearing an underwire continuously and I don't have much feeling.  Except for bad feeling.  Has anyone ever experienced this?  Will I ever feel good again?  The doctors don't know if the nerve damage will ever repair itself.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
All sound sa me as me. Broke rib collapse lung. Chest drain. Only I've had a mastectomy so surgeon didn't know where scarring was under my arm from lymphoid removal. The cancer was 4 yrs ago n chest drain just over a yr. But I'm suffering terribly n it's getting worse. My pain is travelling bow round front n back of chest. Under arm into arm n shoulder. N just under collar bone on right.  The skin is numb in a big section hut the pain is like internal burning. It's awful n the pain when had chest drain fitted was worst thing in my life I felt the nerved inside as he crunched through my ribs.  Even my hubby almost fainted at the sound n my screaming in agony. And I had so much morphine and local that I should of been ok. Now I know te gas done some damage cos every having same problems.  Chest drain fitted. Long term incurable problems.  I'm so fed up some days I can't even get dressed. Anyone suffering see ur doctor n explain he pain.  I'm having med's but only takes the edge off. At pain clinic soon. Hope u all can start getting better n pain eases  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
recently I hade a collapsed lung due to trigger point shoulder injection.aftre injection,i developed tension pneumothorax, 2 day after discharge lung recollapsed i and had to had more chest tubes. total of 4 tubes in 8 days.  I am now 7 fays post removal of last tube and lung seems yo be fine on xray.. I now have severe chest pain under armpit radiating all the way through chest.  skin is very sensative to touch and hurts for clothing to even touch. pain is excruciating and surgeon has no answer.. anyone have any thoughts or ideas.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i just had a chest tube put in, only freezing done, left lung was 50% collapsed, hurt terribly, they took it out, 3 days later it collapsed again, another chest tube was put in but i dont recall that one and then i was sent for an operation (bullectomy), and they stapled up two weak spots in my lung. They then removed the tube and ever since i cant feel my ribs under my left breast, doctar has said it should have healed by now and there shouldnt be anymore pain, its been about 1 month that all of this took place. So i guess i just have permanent nerve damage, but i highly emphasize the word guess since i cant find an answer to why i no longer have sensation there. :/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry to hear about your chest tube the same thing happened to me 26 yrs ago and i am now on disability have a spine simulator and have taken every pain pill know to man no help at all even the spine simulator is not a cure all like dr think helps but no cigar if you would like to talk on what all i have been though call at 480-834-0841 Teresa i don't type very well and have 20 + yrs experiance
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease