Sharp pain across chest.

[Belly55]

Hi everyone.

I've just come across this site so I thought I'd ask a question.I had upper right lung lobectomy recently due to cancer. Also, as many lymph nodes removed as possible. My question is: Is a very sharp pain and tightness across the chest under the breast bone a normal feeling post op? I get this on average once a week and it's very painful for about 5 minutes, then goes away (this has been for last month ) My operation was 8 weeks ago. All healing nicely. Chemo not recommended as I have a heart condition.

Thanks, Jane

[yorklass]

Hi Jane

Welcome to the site!

Not sure if I can give you any answers(but I'm sure someone else will be along soon) I had my lobectomy done in 2012, but didn't need any lymph nodes removing, so your post op pain is probably different to mine and again I was very lucky and didn't need chemo; I had open surgery, not sure if this makes any difference pain wise either, but take all pain meds on offer and a bit further down the line you will probably start and get the different pain of the nerve endings!! Then you need a different type of painkiller - but it's all worth it, feel free to ask any questions

Best wishes

Pat

[Belly55 in reply to yorklass]

Hi Pat,

Thankyou so much for replying.

It's a great feeling of comfort to know other people care enough to take the time to reply to you.

I'm off the pain medication now. It's all bearable, apart from this occasional sharp pain. I don't really want to go back onto medication if I can avoid them, as I was becoming a little zombiefied.

My main concern was the fact my heart isn't working as it should, and I didn't know for sure if the pain was due to heart or lung op. Bit of panic I think. When I'm thinking rationally, I know its recovering from the op.

Many thanks Pat

Jane x

[Jaynair]

Hello Jane, I remember having pain after my lobectomy but not specifically the kind of pain you describe. If you're worried about it, perhaps it would be best to ring your specialist lung nurse just to check and put your mind at rest? Best wishes for your continued recovery x

[Belly55 in reply to Jaynair]

Hello Jaynair

Thankyou for replying. I'm pretty sure it's due to the operation. I was slightly concerned as I also have heart problems. Couldn't be completely sure it wasn't connection ted to that. I found out about the lung cancer after a PET scan for my heart. Lucky really.

Again, many thanks for your best wishes

Jane x

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Belly55,

Yes, many patients recovering after surgery, feel pain, pressure ,a burning sensation or a tightening in the chest, especially at the incision site. Also, a tightening of tissue can lead to a sensation of traction in the area .I have included a link which discusses the different pain intensities depending on the surgical approach used.

thoracics.org/2013/07/08/po...

With best wishes,

All the team at The Roy Castle Helpline

[alice111]

My husband had a lobectomy in 2012 and suffered a lot of pain for several months post op...very much as you describe. Happily , the pain subsided with time and he now say's that all he feels is a numb sensation. Good luck with your recovery x

[Belly55 in reply to alice111]

Many thanks for replying. It's a relief to read that. It seems the general consensus is its due to the healing process. I had ovarian cancer in 1992 and still have numbness where the scar is. Thanks also for your good wishes. I also pass mine on to you and your husband x

[adanove1960]

In much the same position....had lower right lobectomy for carcanoid tumour 8 weeks ago. I was doing ab fine up until 11 days ago when I took a really severe mid chest pain...like you have heart issues and having surgery for an aneurysm , valve replacement and 3 other less serious issues at end of March. My kids called 999 as they were very afraid...kept in overnight but got home saying it was just pain from surgery...now i'd been back driving, walking 3-4km daily, doing meals for family, light housework etc...pain eventually settled in right side just under breast and continued to worsen...GP came to me last Friday and said I had a fairly large effusion & would need to go to hospital & have it drained. On CT & x-ray there was just about 40mls of fluid , no need for drainage but pain has been relentless...still in hospital & altering pain meds all the time...its a really sharp, heavy yet burning pain which gets worse as day goes on. There is a swelling there also which Dr says is just rib?? def not same as the other side and although i did have to have ribs broken for the surgery I did not have anything like this. Bloods were done in a&e on admission but nothing since and I am very worried about taking too much meds as I need to be way down on them prior to heart surgery. My cancer was early stages and no treatment required but heart needs doing asap as the aneurysm is growing steadily ...about 1 cm in 6 weeks, its an ascending aortic aneurysm and was caused by a faulty valve from birth which I knew nothing about until now...I'm 56...sadly lost my husband sudden on June 27th ...what a nightmare 8 months ...if anyone has any ideas re what Dr/I should or could do please tell me.

Evelyn , Ireland