Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

PAIN AFTER OPEN LUNG BIOPSY

Thank God I read all the posts about the pain after a lung biopsy, I thought I was alone with this. I wish I had read these posts pre-op as I would definitely would have canceled the biopsy. I had scarring on both lungs and the biopsy was done to determine the cause. The diagnosis was Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. I was in the hospital for 4 days and it was a nightmare. The pain was terrible. The worst part was when they removed the test tube, I thought I would get a local to numb the area but no, they yanked that thing out of me and sutured right away. I screamed like hell! It as been 5 weeks now and I'm still having pain, under my right breast, under the armpit and down my right side. When I touch it it feels numb. I am also experiencing loss of breath and a shooting stabbing pain that comes an goes in the middle of my chest. I felt okay before I had the surgery but because my blood oxygen level was 90-92 the doctors wanted to know why it was so low. I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THIS DONE HAD I READ THESE POSTS! There is no cure for what I have and now I have to be on oxygen 24/7. Doctor told me that the pain after is normal and would take about 2 weeks to subside......not true. Walking is torture and if I climb a small flight of stairs my heart pounds so fast I think it's going to pop out of my chest. I am also diabetic, insulin dependent and I think this procedure has messed me up big time. Of course doctors don't tell the truth about the agony you go through to have this done and the pain after..........to them it's all about money. Will this pain ever go away?? Thanks for any input.
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I feel horrible for the others but I am glad I am not alone. I had the VATS done on March 6tg and have been in pain ever since. reason for it was to get a diagnosis which I did which is sarcoidosis... Now on High dose of prednisone which isn't helping matters.. putting on weight left and right and feel miserable. my pain was mostly under breast and down right side, under arm pit, but then about a week and half ago I got extreme pain again in my back that felt like I had the chest tube in again... dr. seems stumped.. I can't get anymore pain meds (which is okay.. idon't really like them anyway). My pulmonologist consulted with the surgeon and now they are talking about a Nerve block to help... Has anyone experienced that or had it done? Did it help? Pros cons?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
My husband had a lung biopsy a month ago- he is in incredible shooting pains that takes his breath away day and night.  Doctors say he “shouldn’t” be in pain....  no pain meds now and he’s in agony at home after 7 days in Hospital. Did the nerve block help?
Avatar universal
I am wondering WHY they do so many of these Needless open lung surgerys, I would Never have it done, Ever! Thank God I Researched and read comments against it otherwise, I myself would never have known. CT scan PFT is all you need to determine lung disease.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the VATS procedure 4 months ago. Experienced exact same symptoms and the stay in hospital was the most horrific thing I've ever experienced. Absolute agony for 3 days taking intravenous morphine. 4 months in pain under right breast, under armpit and down right side. Numbness in various areas a painful right elbow ? god knows why and my breathing is now bloody awful. I have had my post op appointment and tore shreds out of the butcher who operated in me, I was never told if the post op problems and would never ever have had the op knowing what I know now. Reason for the op was to rule out histiocytosis with a probable outcome of COPD, well the outcome was COPD and what really has upset me is that now I understand there is no treatment for the COPD and there would have been no treatment on the UK NHS for histiocytosis. So if there is no treatment for either what was the point of the operation? Caused me a truly horrendous time which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Think twice before you agree to this if your doc wants you to gave it
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Omg. Wish I came across this a few weeks ago. I ham 9 days post op for left side vats biopsy and broncoscopy. Pain left side is horrendous. If I had been told of post op pain would never have agreed to this procedure. Was to confirm a rare lung disease called obliterated bronchilotis or pulmonary fibrosis. Hope this pain decides to do one soon.
5535868 tn?1369422777
  I had similar surgery, having same symptoms as you, everyone tells me it takes time. My family Dr is a godsend, I'm praying for both of us! I was doing better until my allergies kicked in last week.
  There is good advice on this forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your response, I really appreciate it. My pain is not as bad now, I would describe it as numbness, a feeling of heaviness under my armpit and I do not need pain killers. Hopefully this feeling will subside. Thanks again!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Any injury to the pleura can cause pain. Pleura is the lining of the chest cavity. But as the post op inflammation subsides, your symptoms of pain should resolve. Consult your doctor for stronger pain killers. And limit your activities to help with your breathing. Continue with your breathing exercises.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Respiratory Disorders Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.