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.

[Jayne2049]

I am a 53 yo female who was fit and healthy prior to a motor vehicle accident in Feb 2009.  I sustained multiple fractures, including ribs, that caused a right pneumothorax ( collapsed lung).  A chest drain was inserted in the ER to inflate the lung and the nerve pain was immediate.  Whilst in the hospital I received no pain relief that was suitable; basically I was not believed.  Since then, after several visits to the cardiothoracic guy, he acknowledged that I had post-thoracotomy nerve damage, even though I did not have actual surgery.  Schedule 8 painkillers (opiates) were prescribed but with little effect.  A TENS machine was provided, also with little effect.  I also was given amitryptiline (an old fashioned anti depressant) that I think helps a bit.  However I now have to live with the side effects (drowsiness, diarrhoea).  To date, the pain has diminished but it is still there, along with discomfort.  It is located in the right epigastric region and is aggravated by exercise, carrying loads, and the pressure from my bra.  The pain feels like a combination of electricity, sunburn and bruising.  I recently increased my level of  (very moderate) exercise at the gym and this has made the pain worse.  Unfortunately I think I will have to live with this pain, I just hope it gets better and not worse.
Jayne

[GingerJ]

I am having my thoro, left lower lobe remover on 12-18-09, then after it heals Cemo x 6/8 wks . I sure hope I do better than I read.  Good Luch to you GJ

[firemedic330]

Give it some time & it will get better! My surgery was May 2008 & I still feel some "discomfort" everyday.  Some days "pain" even.
Stay strong, you're doing it right.
We had our yearly skills/proficiency testing in September and I even beat some of the guys pulling the hoses!!

[NTNG]

Had my 6 month check up w/ surgeon in Nov. He is pleased with the progress I've made.Between the forced reduction in activity, and quitting smoking, I gained 8 lbs. Frustrating for me, but he *LOL* and said any time a cancer patient can GAIN weight, thats a good thing overall. Guess it all depends on your perspective.
I've been running and doing weights   I notice I am winded easier, and I have been fighting the same cough-sinus-chest crud eveyone else has been since October. Ribs are still sore, and if I "over do" it, I am in pain that night. Running calls as a medic again, which is great for my psyche. Overall, much improvement since my last post! I know I'll never be 100% of what I called normal  again, but I am doing the best that can be expected.

[EileenF]

I had a 14 inch thoracotomy incision for serious hernia repair 7/06.  After therapy and several months of nerve blocks, in  6/07 the doctor opened the whole incision and tried to do chest repair because my pain was horrible.  While one stabbing pain got somewhat better, my overall pain limited me from doing everything.

In 3/08 my pain management doctor implanted a spinal cord stimulator.  My daily overall pain has been reduced 60-80 percent.  I can travel and do almost everything.  I have my life again.  See poweroveryourpain.com for stories of spinal cord success although I have not met anyone else with SCS for post thoracotomy syndrom.  

EileenF

[firemedic330]

Just checking up on you - are things getting better for you?