post thoracotomy pain

[hurtinginaz]

I had a thoracotomy on Dec. 20 to remove a tumor on the surface of my lung near my spine.  Luckily, the tumor was benign.  However, I'm still experiencing quite a bit of pain, especially near my shoulder blade and along the incision.  

Currently, I'm taking Ultram 50 mg every 6 hours during the day.  I'm scheduled to return to work a week from today, and I had hoped that I would be pain free by now.  I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon in mid March.  When I went to see him 2 weeks ago, he said some people have pain for a longer period of time than others and we need to treat my pain until it subsides.  That's when he gave me the perscription for Ultram.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had a thoracotomy and could let me know if it is atypical to have pain 6 weeks after surgery. I have read about post thoracotomy pain syndrome and I'm concerned that this is what I'm experiencing.  I sure hope it will get better because I can't imagine having to live with this pain for the rest of my life!  Any advice/information would be appreciated.  I'm especially interested in advice about long term pain management after a thoracotomy.  Thanks.

[firemedic330]

The doctors haven't gone thru the surgery - so they don't know what it feels like.  Kitten you are right - you know your body better then anyone.  I'm very afraid of pain meds because I've seen them destroy too many lives in my field.  Be careful out there.

[slightlyscaredkitten]

Hope you are feeling a bit brighter now and in less pain! I had my thoracotomy at the end of January (and a 2nd one two days later due to post op complications) and as of Saturday am now finally off the painkillers. The first couple of weeks were horrific, and similar pain to what you describe above and I had to also get more stronger painkillers from doctor, after using up the supply I was sent home with and told sternly that I would not get any more either! Re the nausea - did you get prescribed any anti-sickness meds? I was on them both in hospital and for 2 weeks after due to nausea and vomiting, which thankfully eased when came off the stronger pain pills.

However I did follow firemedic330's helpful advice and got myself active quickly, out walking and not sitting for long periods. You know your body though and just be careful, I got told off from my works Occ health dept after telling them I had been doing step aerobics, 4 weeks post op! After the initial 3 or so weeks of intense shoulder and rib pain, it eased to a further 3 weeks of no real change, then in last two weeks has completely eased off, barring a little shoulder ache at times, normally if I've been over doing it. I still have numbness in my left ribs and doubtful I will ever get back feeling, though it doesn't really bother me.

I have a further occ health review this week, with intention to go back to work next week on light duties, and reduced hours for a month. My surgeon also initially said would be off no more than 6 weeks, which seems a general lie according to what I have read online!

[firemedic330]

At only one week s/p surgery you should expect to be sore.  This is a major operation!  I'm nearly 3 years now, and still have "discomfort" almost daily.  The best advise I can give you is to get active and stay active.  It will get better.  Give it some time.

[chaotic13]

I had my thoracotomy on March 8th, just a week ago. Still haven't gotten the results back. After reading all your posts and with the pain I'm in, I regret ever doing this surgery! While in the hospital I was in horrific pain and was given two percocets every 4 hours and iv morphine in between. When released I was given percocet with directions to take 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Well I need it about every 3 hours but make myself go 5. I ran out of the orignal rx after just 6 days and the Dr. acted like I am an addict when I called to get it refilled. Before the surgery the Dr. told me I would only be out of work for 2 to 3 weeks and there would just be some "discomfort"! I'm very angry with the Dr. When released from the hospital I was given a check up for 4 weeks later and told I could not drive, lift,push, pull, or have any kind of sexual activity until after the follow-up appointment, if he released me to do any of those at that time. I don't understand how a week prior to surgery in his office he could tell me that I would only need to be out of work for 2 to 3 weeks, and then release me from the hospital with these restrictions for at least a month. With the constant agonizing pain I'm in I'm doubtful that I would be able to do any of them anyway. Currently I'm getting 3 hours or less of sleep a night, and when I spoke to the Dr when needing the meds refilled I was told that was very common after this surgery, so why wasn't I told this prior to surgery? I'm unable to lay down without horrific pain, so am left to sit up and try to sleep, at this point with only getting a couple hours of sleep a night it is catching up with me and I'm constantly nauseated! I have several different forms of pain in different areas as others have mentioned. The worst however is the pain in my right breast through my arm pit. This pain isn't constant but it doesn't take much to cause it. just slightly moving my right arm can cause it. The only way I can describe it is as if something inside is being ripped, or like a jagged peice of bone is be pushed through all my tissue trying to rip it's way out. I was reading this info hoping that I wasn't alone in this pain, but also hoping that I would find that it rapidly decreased. Which as it appears for the majority of people that have posted it becomes chronic. I'm a 31 year old male and now am left to wonder what if any quality of life I'm going to have left now that I've had this surgery.

[oleatha]

I had my thoracotomy is 1967 and I'm still experiencing pain in my shoulder, the incision area and unable to sleep on my left side. I had my operation in the army and for years I have been complaining about shoulder pain, but to no avail until recently. In December of 2009 they found a torn tendon and rotor cuff problems in my shoulder and the surgeon indicated that this operation would relieve the pain, but the pain is worse than before.

[JoshsWife1628]

My husband is 35 years old. He works construction (industrial electrician and pipefitter) He has always been healthy and strong. He had to be in order to do the hard labor job that he does. In May 2010, he began to have severe pain on his right side after he inhaled a large amount of coal/fly ash at work. He went to the doctor after about 2 weeks of pain, and was sent straight to the hospitol. He had a thick gel on his right lung and his entire right lung had colapsed. Because it was a gel not a liquid, it could not be drawn out with a tube. This surgery was the only option. Afterwards he spent a week in the hospitol and about 2 months out of work. The doctor said he would have pain for about 6 months. It has now been 8 months and he still hurts every day. He only takes pain meds. at night(lortab 10mg.) Other than that he just deals with it. As for me, I was very worried. I have been so afraid something more was wrong. Most of his pain is in his back around the scar. Sometimes if he moves the wrong way he says it feels like something is "ripping" inside. After reading all of your post I know more about what to expect and that a pain management doctor may help. Thank you all for telling your story, you have been very helpful.