newbee

[preyellow]

I had top lobe of right lung removed at the end of may and am now going through adjuvant chemo I di have a lot of pain in and around my right boob just wondering is this normal and how long for

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi preyellow

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you have breast pain. It is not uncommon to have discomfort /pain for some months after lung removal, which can be in the breast/chest area. This is due to damage to the nerves during the operation, this link provides information on symptoms after your operation:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

However, if this is a new pain for you or discomfort, do see your GP, specialist nurse or Oncologist about this.

If you are finding pain relief medication is not helpling, do discuss with the Doctor.

There is also some useful information on symptoms after surgery, see this link from the Roy Castle lung cancer foundation webiste;

roycastle.org/system/file_u...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

Hello - glad you're recovering after your lung surgery. Just wondering whether you had open surgery or video assisted (keyhole) as this may make a difference in the nerves disturbed around the surgical area. I had the upper lobe of my left lung removed in Dec 2010 and it took a while for the intermittant pain to go around the left side of the top of the ribs, underneath my left breast. It returns from time to time when bending/stooping and catches me unawares or if I have a chest infection, this is the area that seems to be most painful/spasmodic. However I don't have pain generally. Why not write down the occassions when you're in most pain and see if there is any pattern to this (after eating, sleeping, specific activity/posture?) and ask your doctor/nurse about this. It will take time for disturbed nerves to settle down after major surgery. I'm thankful that I'm still alive and try to get on with things despite minor niggles. It is normal and also normal to be anxious about the 'unknown'.

You may find the booklet about lung surgery on Roy Castle Lung Cancer foundation website helpful (listed under treatments) as it explains 'what can be expected' at different timelines following surgery and may reassure of what is normal or unusual. good luck with your continued recovery.

[Glitterpink_18]

Yes, had a top right lobectomy 17 days ago and right boob feels like it's on fire sometimes. had to stop taking Gabapentin because it made me feel restless and agitated. I did read online that it's a sign that nerves are healing. I hope so!