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post thoracotomy pain
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.
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.
I had a thoracotomy 2 years ago this May and still have significant pain. I have been seeing a pain management specialist for 1.5 years and have better control now. Narcotics have not helped. Neurontin and Lidoderm patch helped the most. Acupuncture did not help. I am back to work but in the past 3 months I have missed about 10 days due to pain. You mentioned that you were on Ultram at 6 weeks after surgery. I was taking oral morphine and a morphine patch for almost 6 months after surgery so perhaps you will have less pain soon. I hope this information helps. Good luck.
I had a thoracotomy 4/06 and I have started to have pain in the last 2-3 month. I take Darvocet which seems to help some, but I am concerned about long term use. I have had recent xray, bone scans and CT scan and there are no signs of cancer. Today is the first I am hearing of the syndrome. I wish the physicians would have mentioned it before.
i had a thorocotomy 5 years ago and still suffer significant pain down my left side. i it is probably due to nerve damage. i have been out of work since and feel at this stage that this pain will not resolve itself. is there anyone out there that suffers the same after about the same time lapse? i would be grateful for any feedback. thanks!
1 Comments
I have the same kind of pain; it helps to know I'm not crazy, lol. The scar tissue wrapped around the nerve involved is what causes all the pain and there really is no surgery that I know to correct it; I was told more surgery would just create more scar tissue. They tried epidurals, and many other types of medications that were too hard on my kidneys, so an opiod is the only thing that helps me.
I had a 10th rib thoroco-abdominal approach, discectomy- vertebrectomy, spinal fusion 5 years ago. I have been diagnosed with intercostal neuritis. Also unable to work. The pain doesn't seem to be in a hurry to resolve itself. I keep thinking physical therapy, try to be active, all the things that fixed little hurts in the old days, will help. They don't seem to.
I try to be a bit careful. Too active and I have begun to bring on other problems I don't need.
Have tried yoga, (definite no from my body and doctor) accupunture helps in the short run. Gentle PT. Right now having more aggressive Pt and hurting. Wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. Seems a hard call for everyone.
Really tired of pain every day.
love to hear from you. Have you had success with anything? Nicest thing I've tried was chi-gong. I did half of it in a chair. Kinda embarrassing. Used to be quite active.
bye
I try to be a bit careful. Too active and I have begun to bring on other problems I don't need.
Have tried yoga, (definite no from my body and doctor) accupunture helps in the short run. Gentle PT. Right now having more aggressive Pt and hurting. Wondering if I am doing the right thing or not. Seems a hard call for everyone.
Really tired of pain every day.
love to hear from you. Have you had success with anything? Nicest thing I've tried was chi-gong. I did half of it in a chair. Kinda embarrassing. Used to be quite active.
bye
hi there i have had 2 thoracotomies plus other ops on my stomach..i am 49yrs old male..my 1st op was in 1990 and the 2nd was in 1996,i am still in pain from the op and have been taking morphine for the pain for the last 8 yrs..i am on 400mg morphine a day which is a large dose but it has allowed me to have some quality of life...i had to fight all the way to get this pain relief but got there in the end..proof it is working for me is the fact that i was attending hospital at least twice monthly but dont have to attend now as i am in control of my pain..forget being addicted and all the other arguements against it,if you have real pain it needs sorting ...i was called a liar when said still in pain but this wasnt the case...i was in hell and no one knew it but myself...praise to morphine it as given me some kind of life again..steve g...mansfield notts..
i had surgey in july o7, they swore i had cancer, and it was crucial, i had my left side done , no one told me about the possibility of pain for ever till now.....but first they acted like i was crazy....imagining this terrible pain.....well the only good thing out of it i think is it wasn't cancer but histoplasma, so they say, i wonder daily, and i haven't been able to go back to work ,and won't be able too, so that sucks i thought i woulda been back to work, i'm young and had my whole life ahead of me.....i struggle daily with it, and have been on oycodone, high dosages every since surgery, i go to physical threapy 2x's a week, i try not to focus on the pain, i want my life back.... so to everyone before me ,i feel what you are going thru ,we all must stay strong, this is very real....char in ohio...
One day perfect health - I am 22 yr old male, next day spontaneous pneumothorax....go to ER get a chest tube that fails, get another chest tube after being admitted, lung expands to normal, health deteriorates, a week goes by...i am in ICU barely hanging on before they finally figure out a staph infection given to me by one of the chest tubes has been eating away at my chest wall and lung....but due to it being in an empyema normal antibiotics couldnt reach it and a emergency thoracotomy had to be done....5 chest tubes and a thoracotomy later I left the hospital after 3 weeks been on every pain medicine since....I suffer from post-thoracotomy pain syndrome as well!
To Vonni: its been 2 years since my surgery I was athletic, non-smoker non-drinker....best shape of my life never a health problem before, also have a high tolerance for pain and I still suffer from pain at high levels and see pain specialists all the time and am on a number of pain meds to get my pain down to a managable level. I must say I was compelled to see others out there going through similar issues with this procedure...as they dont really mention that it is rather common to have this with the thoracotomy....hang in there all!
To Vonni: its been 2 years since my surgery I was athletic, non-smoker non-drinker....best shape of my life never a health problem before, also have a high tolerance for pain and I still suffer from pain at high levels and see pain specialists all the time and am on a number of pain meds to get my pain down to a managable level. I must say I was compelled to see others out there going through similar issues with this procedure...as they dont really mention that it is rather common to have this with the thoracotomy....hang in there all!
I had a thorocotomy 5 months ago to remove a cyst in my esophogus (benign) and after the intial two weeks of taking 12 percocets a day I was down to what I thought was manageable pain. Went back to work even though I was not 100% pain free thinking that getting up and moving would work out the pain. Well, 3 months later the pain is exactly the same as it was the day I returned to work. The more activity I do the worse the pain is. Lying down stops the pain, but I can't do that during the day. No OTC pain relievers help, nor muscle relaxers. I'm only 45 and want to get more active, but I'm finding it difficult due to the pain.
What type of pain is everyone having? I have 5 different kinds of pain in different areas and want to know what is common:
1. Aching pain in my back over my shoulder and around my shoulder blade
2. Zapping pain along my front (not where the scar is - the scar is on my back (like electric shocks).
3. Numbness under my breast.
4. Aching, dull pain on my side and around the front under my breast (except where it is numb)
5. Pain throughout my breast on the side of the thorocotomy.
What type of pain is everyone having? I have 5 different kinds of pain in different areas and want to know what is common:
1. Aching pain in my back over my shoulder and around my shoulder blade
2. Zapping pain along my front (not where the scar is - the scar is on my back (like electric shocks).
3. Numbness under my breast.
4. Aching, dull pain on my side and around the front under my breast (except where it is numb)
5. Pain throughout my breast on the side of the thorocotomy.
1 Comments
I have all that same pain, sharpness, numbness, all of it.
Clarification: I did not go back to work after 2 weeks. I stopped taking the Percocets. I went back to work after 2 months.
Welcome to my world...it's not a very good world to be in but ...yeah read my above post in this thread to get a brief idea where I am coming from with the origin on my thoracotomy...anyways...as its been almost 2 years since mine and im 23 now....22 when it happened...and i am still in a lot of pain. Good news- it is nothing like it was 2 weeks post surgery nor is it close to where it was 3 months out. Obviously everyone is different but if youd like to compare to me here goes...as a note I seem to have a high tolerance for pain...
2 weeks out - Could barely move in so much pain. Tingling numbing pain throughout my chest and back. The worst feeling was someone simply running finger nails lightly down my chest (immense pain). (medicated with oxycodone ER and percocet same time medium doses for 1 month), hurt to wear a shirt or seatbelt, couldnt sleep from pain, etc. (not working but was a ft college student)
3 months out - Had been seeing a pain mgmt doctor for 2 months at this point...had a procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation of Intercostal Nerves....This made me feel about 30% reduction in pain....
1 year out - Had second Radiofrequency surgery and only about 10% reduction in pain....(meds included lidocane patch, lyrica (high dosages), celbrex)
2 years out - TIME has resolved about another 30% of the pain...leaving about 30% of the original pain I had....(meds include ultram er, ultracet and work very well for me)
As far as what type of pain still remains?
The tingling numbing pain went away after my procedure....everything else remains just at lower levels....Just looking at your list...
1. Yes definitely have this still...
2. I think this is part of the numbing pain I had that went away...scar on back as well...however most pain in front especially in the beginning...
3. gone now but def. had it back then
4. oh yeah still got this.
5. yep yep still got this...
Really cant think of any additional you pretty much covered it I will say though sleeping or "laying down" as you said didnt feel good at all... left side (surgery side) couldnt ever do, right side felt okay for set amount of time, back was mildly okay. The best position for me was sitting up hunched over shoulders pinched inwards hugging a pillow....
Obviously this was just me and we are two very different people but you seemed curious....and I dont blame you.
My best advice find a GOOD pain management specialist in your area. Be open to trying what they suggest (not just meds). Ive tried TENS, radiofrequency, accupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractor, and meds...I hate meds and am willing to do all the other **** to lower my meds at all costs... Good luck on finding what works for you.
2 weeks out - Could barely move in so much pain. Tingling numbing pain throughout my chest and back. The worst feeling was someone simply running finger nails lightly down my chest (immense pain). (medicated with oxycodone ER and percocet same time medium doses for 1 month), hurt to wear a shirt or seatbelt, couldnt sleep from pain, etc. (not working but was a ft college student)
3 months out - Had been seeing a pain mgmt doctor for 2 months at this point...had a procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation of Intercostal Nerves....This made me feel about 30% reduction in pain....
1 year out - Had second Radiofrequency surgery and only about 10% reduction in pain....(meds included lidocane patch, lyrica (high dosages), celbrex)
2 years out - TIME has resolved about another 30% of the pain...leaving about 30% of the original pain I had....(meds include ultram er, ultracet and work very well for me)
As far as what type of pain still remains?
The tingling numbing pain went away after my procedure....everything else remains just at lower levels....Just looking at your list...
1. Yes definitely have this still...
2. I think this is part of the numbing pain I had that went away...scar on back as well...however most pain in front especially in the beginning...
3. gone now but def. had it back then
4. oh yeah still got this.
5. yep yep still got this...
Really cant think of any additional you pretty much covered it I will say though sleeping or "laying down" as you said didnt feel good at all... left side (surgery side) couldnt ever do, right side felt okay for set amount of time, back was mildly okay. The best position for me was sitting up hunched over shoulders pinched inwards hugging a pillow....
Obviously this was just me and we are two very different people but you seemed curious....and I dont blame you.
My best advice find a GOOD pain management specialist in your area. Be open to trying what they suggest (not just meds). Ive tried TENS, radiofrequency, accupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractor, and meds...I hate meds and am willing to do all the other **** to lower my meds at all costs... Good luck on finding what works for you.
do any of you suffer pain in your chest/back after eating?whenever i eat i have to lay down due to increased pain.
I also had a thoracotomy after 5 or so pneumothoraces - also after a VATS pleurodesis procedure which was surprisingly worse from which to recover than the pleurectomy/thoracotomy. In my case, I found out I have a rare, uncureable lung disease (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) which caused it - unfortunately, the blebs in my lung continue to pop and cause periodic small lung collapses. I try to just sit at home and see if they pass after the cumulative months in the hospital. I had the procedure on my left side and probably will have to eventually have it on my right though they are trying to avoid that in case of lung transplantation in the future.
Anyway, my thoracotomy was in March 2006 and I am still in pain. Between all of the various chest tubes (lost count of how many) and the two surgeries, I am certain there is nerve damage from all of the cutting, not to mention the subsequent small lung collapses. I was on morphine & dilaudid in the hospital and oxycontin & percocet afterwards. I had to taper off of it over time because I could not go to work all drugged up. I do suffer through every day and try to deal with lidoderm patches and other OTC analgesics such as ActivOn Backage, Salonpas Hot and Johnsons Back Plaster. I've also tried Advil, Percogesic, Doan's, etc. and get temporary relief from all of these. Deep tissue massage helped some but makes you sore for days afterward. I am going to try to find a good pain doctor to check out a couple of options....
Has anyone tried nerve blocks for this? Do those just numb the area or do they also affect your mind? Have they made you gain weight? Surgical options? I've heard of trying certain prescription medicines not all directly considered painkillers such as Neurontin, Dopamax/Topamax, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Keppra, Toradol & Celebrex that might help....all seem to have side effects worse than the pain itself when you search on the internet!
Either way, it's starting to hurt so bad I can't think at work, but if I don't work I don't have insurance to pay for all of this stuff...I
Anyway, my thoracotomy was in March 2006 and I am still in pain. Between all of the various chest tubes (lost count of how many) and the two surgeries, I am certain there is nerve damage from all of the cutting, not to mention the subsequent small lung collapses. I was on morphine & dilaudid in the hospital and oxycontin & percocet afterwards. I had to taper off of it over time because I could not go to work all drugged up. I do suffer through every day and try to deal with lidoderm patches and other OTC analgesics such as ActivOn Backage, Salonpas Hot and Johnsons Back Plaster. I've also tried Advil, Percogesic, Doan's, etc. and get temporary relief from all of these. Deep tissue massage helped some but makes you sore for days afterward. I am going to try to find a good pain doctor to check out a couple of options....
Has anyone tried nerve blocks for this? Do those just numb the area or do they also affect your mind? Have they made you gain weight? Surgical options? I've heard of trying certain prescription medicines not all directly considered painkillers such as Neurontin, Dopamax/Topamax, Cymbalta, Lyrica, Keppra, Toradol & Celebrex that might help....all seem to have side effects worse than the pain itself when you search on the internet!
Either way, it's starting to hurt so bad I can't think at work, but if I don't work I don't have insurance to pay for all of this stuff...I
If someone's still reading this thread...
I had my thoracotomy on 05/02/08 - removal of left upper lobe due Carcinoid - and feel like maybe I'm not taking "enough" drugs to feel better? Ultram 100mg per 24hrs as needed, Norco 1 at night, rest of the day attempt to control with Advil. I still have pain 24/7, but am scared to death of being addicted!
I exercise daily in attempt to get my lung capacity back up - treadmill and stationary bike for starters, and last week added rowing machine.
I don't see much in the posts above about exercise - are you all still having the pain even with working out? How is your lung capacity?
Any updates are appreciated. Thx.
I had my thoracotomy on 05/02/08 - removal of left upper lobe due Carcinoid - and feel like maybe I'm not taking "enough" drugs to feel better? Ultram 100mg per 24hrs as needed, Norco 1 at night, rest of the day attempt to control with Advil. I still have pain 24/7, but am scared to death of being addicted!
I exercise daily in attempt to get my lung capacity back up - treadmill and stationary bike for starters, and last week added rowing machine.
I don't see much in the posts above about exercise - are you all still having the pain even with working out? How is your lung capacity?
Any updates are appreciated. Thx.
I would start a new thread, post your question. I am sorry but I know nothing about your medical issues other than pain!!! People who have true pain such as you do not become addicted, at least according to all the physicians I have spoke with AND more importantly is your quality of life. There is never a good reason to live in pain. I wish you the best, take care and please post your question on a new thread so you will get more responses. We have a lot of memebers that will offer you some good information. Tuck
I am so sorry you are hurting. Hurtingiaz posted this 22 months ago. You may want to contact him directly to see if he is still monitoring this site. Best of luck to you. Tuck
My last post was 3 months ago when I was concerned about pain meds. And to be honest, I'm still tempted to take them daily. But I don't.
I had thoracotomy in May 2008. 10" incision, 2 chest tubes, 1/2 lung removal, the whole 9 yards. It was carcinoid cancer. I'm 48, female.
Yeah - I still have pain - every day - and my left breast is still numb - but I think we all have to decide how much we're willing to deal with and do we let it get us down. Or do we rise above it?
I'm a firefighter & made it back on the engine after 4 months. I worked my butt off and it hurt like heck! But the point is, if I can do this, ANYONE can.
Or...we can say poor me it hurts I'll take some drugs "just one more day, I'll stop tomorrow..." - then we REALLY F--- ourselves up with narcotics, withdrawal, etc - (I nearly went that way myself). Or we can choose to get OVER it and BEAT the pain.
What really helped me was weight training and the rowing machine. The hardest part was getting started and warming up those muscles! Also heating pad at the end of a long day is wonderful.
Please don't think me cruel - I understand true pain! - and I deal with people in pain every day at one of my other jobs - people who struggle with degenerative diseases, MS etc - some refuse to let it get them down and live full lives - others cry and go on public aid. Same disease, different reactions.
My opinion is that so much is in our head and heart. We have the power to control our destiny.
Pain sux - but we could be on a slab with a tag on our toe - that sux worse.
I wish you all luck and willpower!
I had thoracotomy in May 2008. 10" incision, 2 chest tubes, 1/2 lung removal, the whole 9 yards. It was carcinoid cancer. I'm 48, female.
Yeah - I still have pain - every day - and my left breast is still numb - but I think we all have to decide how much we're willing to deal with and do we let it get us down. Or do we rise above it?
I'm a firefighter & made it back on the engine after 4 months. I worked my butt off and it hurt like heck! But the point is, if I can do this, ANYONE can.
Or...we can say poor me it hurts I'll take some drugs "just one more day, I'll stop tomorrow..." - then we REALLY F--- ourselves up with narcotics, withdrawal, etc - (I nearly went that way myself). Or we can choose to get OVER it and BEAT the pain.
What really helped me was weight training and the rowing machine. The hardest part was getting started and warming up those muscles! Also heating pad at the end of a long day is wonderful.
Please don't think me cruel - I understand true pain! - and I deal with people in pain every day at one of my other jobs - people who struggle with degenerative diseases, MS etc - some refuse to let it get them down and live full lives - others cry and go on public aid. Same disease, different reactions.
My opinion is that so much is in our head and heart. We have the power to control our destiny.
Pain sux - but we could be on a slab with a tag on our toe - that sux worse.
I wish you all luck and willpower!
Had my thoracotomy Dec 3rd 2008. Fortunately, all findings benign.
I returned to work 2 weeks later altho' only for 2-3 hours/day. Today is the 22nd, and I am frustrated as I am still in discomfort. Darvacet gets me going in the am, but at this point, Tylenol would probably work as well. I am not in pain, but I am in discomfort. Beneath my left breast hurts the most, I feel like I have a belt synced tightly across my rib, and all internal organs are floating back and forth freely. Lying in bed is probably the most painful, If I lay on my back, it feels like my organs are pushing up through my chest wall, if I lay on my side it feels like the organs are dangling and swinging sideways....
Can anyone relate...and does this discomfort eventually go away?
I returned to work 2 weeks later altho' only for 2-3 hours/day. Today is the 22nd, and I am frustrated as I am still in discomfort. Darvacet gets me going in the am, but at this point, Tylenol would probably work as well. I am not in pain, but I am in discomfort. Beneath my left breast hurts the most, I feel like I have a belt synced tightly across my rib, and all internal organs are floating back and forth freely. Lying in bed is probably the most painful, If I lay on my back, it feels like my organs are pushing up through my chest wall, if I lay on my side it feels like the organs are dangling and swinging sideways....
Can anyone relate...and does this discomfort eventually go away?
Hello Barefoottrader,
I am very sorry you are having pain. Darvocet is a very week narcotic and I am not surprised it is not effective. If you are very uncomfortable I would discuss this with your surgeon and hopefully he will prescribe something a bit stronger.have pain
This is an old thread. I suggest you begin a new one.
Best of luck to you. Take Care,
Tuck
I am very sorry you are having pain. Darvocet is a very week narcotic and I am not surprised it is not effective. If you are very uncomfortable I would discuss this with your surgeon and hopefully he will prescribe something a bit stronger.have pain
This is an old thread. I suggest you begin a new one.
Best of luck to you. Take Care,
Tuck
Good Morning,
I understand what you feel, I have discomfort also. My doctor says it will take at least 2 years to fully heal. Remember: we got filet'd (sp?) like a trout.
Discomfort is OK! Pain *****.
Please be careful with Darvocet - and any other narcotics! - weak or not. They are so addicting, and before you know it you need them just because you need them - not necessarily for the pain.
Best of luck to you.
I understand what you feel, I have discomfort also. My doctor says it will take at least 2 years to fully heal. Remember: we got filet'd (sp?) like a trout.
Discomfort is OK! Pain *****.
Please be careful with Darvocet - and any other narcotics! - weak or not. They are so addicting, and before you know it you need them just because you need them - not necessarily for the pain.
Best of luck to you.
Hello
I just found this site and would like to share my experience. I had bi-lateral thoracotomy's for pleural abrasion in 1993 (at 31) after failed VAS. I had horrible pain for a couple of years after the surgeries. 15 years later I still hurt and feel it everyday of my life. Especially right near the scars where they spread and fractured the ribs. I saw neurologist for pain management at first. He advised nerve blocks which my pulmonary guy was against. In the nineties you did not here of post thoracotomy syndrome. Now I read plenty about it, and am here to tell you it definately exist. My pain is mild to moderate and goes up and down. I control it for the most part with anti-depressants(they work to some degree because I can tell a big difference when I go off of them) and have learned tolerance over the years. As frustrated as I get, I am glad to be alive and have not had another pneumothorax that I have had to be tubed for. I wish everyone the best that is experiencing an issue such as this.
One thing else. As I am getting older I am now progressing with COPD with the bullous disease. I can tell that my breathing is more restricted. Best of luck to all!
I just found this site and would like to share my experience. I had bi-lateral thoracotomy's for pleural abrasion in 1993 (at 31) after failed VAS. I had horrible pain for a couple of years after the surgeries. 15 years later I still hurt and feel it everyday of my life. Especially right near the scars where they spread and fractured the ribs. I saw neurologist for pain management at first. He advised nerve blocks which my pulmonary guy was against. In the nineties you did not here of post thoracotomy syndrome. Now I read plenty about it, and am here to tell you it definately exist. My pain is mild to moderate and goes up and down. I control it for the most part with anti-depressants(they work to some degree because I can tell a big difference when I go off of them) and have learned tolerance over the years. As frustrated as I get, I am glad to be alive and have not had another pneumothorax that I have had to be tubed for. I wish everyone the best that is experiencing an issue such as this.
One thing else. As I am getting older I am now progressing with COPD with the bullous disease. I can tell that my breathing is more restricted. Best of luck to all!
I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 04/04.They got it all they said. In Oct 06 the supposed chief did thoracotomy left side but instead his residents severely broke two ribs. This was to be a rib sparing/muscle sparing procedure for a mass in left lung they thought was my renal cell cancer moved to left lung. It was benign thank goodness. I kept having pain they told me I was just wanting meds and not hurting that bad after 6 weeks of prescribing Lortab 10 which took the edge off the pain. By June they thought cancer spread to abdomen I could not get on OR table without screaming of pain even with pain meds. The anesthesiologist came in and lookded at x-rays and said my gosh they have two ribs that look like stairs broken so severely. Got me very sedated to lie me down for procedure and once again this was benign. By October with help from a great Orthopedic Surgeon - he convinced another thoracic surgeon that he had to go in and help do something with those ribs. They had already done many nerve blocks telling me it was just nerve pain but of course it wasnot and is not. This surgeon did his best and took 5 1/2 inches off of rib 5 and 8 1/2 inches off of rib 6.This was done 10/07. He thought he cleared my shoulder blade in back so that I could now loft my left arm without it catching and causing more major pain. It did not. He thinks he can possibly go back in and remove the rest of those two ribs and put me in less pain but at this point I am not letting anyone go in unless they would like to rebuild my ribcage if possible. I am a mom 49 yrs old with 16 yr old twins and want to live life with husband and kids not stayed medicated but I have to take a high dose of meds daily still to have any life at all. My list is as follows: Lortab 10 - 4X daily, Oxycodone 80mg ER - 3X daily, Dilaudid 4mg - 3X daily (for breakthrough pain and it does break through often) unless I am still. To sleep Ambien 12.5 CR. If anyone has any ideas of who to speak with about rib reconstruction I have been told that patients with post thoracotomy pain that have ribs damaged and removed that a possible reconstruction might help. I have large hole in my back by my shoulder blade and posture is also a big deal. Immediately after first thoracotomy I learned I could no longer sleep in regular bed. Had to buy a tempurpedic that does help with the nerve pain and nerve damage that you have post surgery. I am afraid that too much damage has been done to get out of this hole. I pray for all patients and every person that has to deal with chronic pain. BlueEyes1022
Hi all, glad to find some people out there going thru what I am, as opposed to professionals. On 1/7/09 I had my 2nd Thoracotomy (1st one 2002 during cardiac arrest) for cardiac procedure. Did well post-op, had epidural which was wonderful/w/Dilauded for break thru pain(allergic to Codein/Percocet). I was doing well (or so I thought) 3 weeks out down to 2 dilauded a day/w Motrin & on Neurontin for some nerve damage from 1st Emergent Thoracotomy. Now I find as I'm moving more I need more pain med/both VNA nurse/and ER-which I ended up in feel I'm undermedicating myself & I finally agree as I'm a bear if I only take 1-2 2mg/Dilauded a day. My question...............how long should I expect to need pain med for?? Most of my pain is under my left breast (left Thoracotomy)-although the area is really numb as well. Had no pre-op teaching, which is what I think is the problem because I didn't/don't know what to expect & what is normal. Any thoughts out there would be appreciated.
Thanks,
CMB
Thanks,
CMB
At age 44, I was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma on 9/11/01-very bad day. After several courses of miracle chemo, my inoperable tumor became operable and I was scheduled for a sternotomy on 1/7/02. By the end of the day, I not only had the sternotomy but also an unscheduled 12 inch thoracotomy incision on the left side of my back. After 5 weeks of percocet followed by 3 1/2 months of darvocet, I stopped my daily pain medication. A dull pain persisted at the rib right under my left breast. I had several consultations with my surgeon (a genius) and pain specialists. I tried 1) neurontin-made me groggy; 2) lidoderm-no effect; 3) nerve block-took one shot...pain was worse before it returned to status quo...did not return for further injections; 4) consultation to consider cryo-therapy which would essentially permanently freeze the nerve that was causing the pain...when I asked the doctor whether he would recommend the cryo-therapy if I was his wife, he observed that I was "so darn functional without it" that he did not know. That's when I backed off and accepted my pain. Yes, it is uncomfortable at times, especially after a long day on my feet-it is a relief to lie down in bed at night. I have not worn a real bra in over 7 years...just a soft elastic "crop" top (Barely There brand for the ladies)-an underwire bra is like torture. But I can play golf, use the elliptical treadmill (2.5 miles in less than 30 minutes-pretty good for a paralyzed left-side diaphragm and missing part of my left lung), swing a tennis racket, maintain my home and yard, etc. After I got over the idea of having a dull, lingering chronic pain, my attitude improved. And a positive mind set is the most important analgesic of all. And I am still cancer free after 7 years. PS - Kudos to firemedic330.
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