lung resection

[Jdel513]

Had VAT lung resection a month ago and I’m still having pain is this normal

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Very normal. Your body has had some major trauma and it takes time for it to heal. I had a VATS surgery for something less invasive than a resection and I was told not to lift anything more than a gallon of milk for 6-8 weeks. Recovery can take several months.

If you’ve developed a cold, burning, pins and needles kind of pain, or if it feels like you’re wearing a bra four sizes too small that indicates nerves damage. There are medications that can lessen that pain.

You should have received instructions that act as a guide to recovery. Call your surgeons office and request that they resend the information. If they have a patient portal you might be able to access that as part of the post procedure report.

Was the resection to remove a small mass or to biopsy it?

[Jdel513 in reply to Denzie]

Had a small mass removed!, Thank you you the information! Yes everything you said I feel.I just wish I would feel a little relief!, Going back to surgern this Thursday Will talk with them Thank you again

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to Jdel513]

Don’t wait. Call them in the morning to see what you can do to start reducing pain right away.

[Jdel513 in reply to Denzie]

Yes I wii call in morning Thanks

[judg69]

Yes, it is very much normal. Let your Doctors know so they can hopefully reduce the pain a bit. ThE pain WILL lessen over time, judg69

[JanetteR57]

well done on having your resection. I had open surgery for upper left lobe removal in Dec 2010. People recover at different rates dependent on the type of surgery, their pain threshold and any other conditions so try not to worry. Are you moving about and keeping active? sitting still or lying around can impede the nerves/muscles recovering - my surgeon told me to keep active as possible - walking around the house, garden or neighbourhood as soon as possible. I have noticed a huge difference during lockdown by not being so active that I feel sluggish, have more difficulties breathing etc than when I'm normally active and swimming regularly. I've enclosed a link to a booklet developed with clinicians and patients and only updated at the start of 2020 by Roy Castle lung cancer foundation (the only UK charity dedicated to lung cancer) that describes average milestones and answers some frequently asked questions. good luck with your appointment and continued recovery. roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

[Jdel513 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much for the reading material

[LieutenantASmith]

I had a wedge resection on December 22, 2015 and on January 12, 2016 I had a right upper lobectomy (both were VATS). I was given Gabapentin to take for the nerve pain which helped tremendously. I have since stopped taking it and to this day I am still having nerve pain on the right side and in my arm. I have just learned to live with it. @JanetteR57 is right about staying active as much as possible. It will help lessen some of the pain. God bless!!!

[Jdel513 in reply to LieutenantASmith]

Yes spoke with Dr this morning and upper Gabapentine for me and 800 mg of Motrin hopefully it will help and moving around the best I can. I had back surgery 9 years ago fusion and rods and don’t remember it being this painful Thanks for advice

[Roxie500]

I had it done 6 weeks ago. Finally feeling pretty good. Rib cage still a little numb. Walking and moving around helps.

[Jdel513 in reply to Roxie500]

Yes I’m starting to feel a little better it’s 5 weeks today. I’m walking around and moving the best I can ! Thanks for the encouragement Every day it’s getting better

[LieutenantASmith]

It took me quite awhile to start feeling some relief. I was taking 900 mg of Gabapentin. I could not even sleep on the side I had surgery for some time. After 5 years I am still feeling the pins and needles in my arm and around where the incisions/scars are. I have it especially when I am using my arm to exercise. I also noticed part of my diaphragm is a little numb as well. Like I said I still have residual effects after 5 years but the pain did get better. It just takes time but eventually you will notice the pain to subside some. Hope this helps.