Just had Ivor Lewis with shark bite cut does anyone have any advice on the pain from that it’s so horrific 🥲🥲

[Von66]

Ivor Lewis op

[ccfc]

Hi Von 66, I didn’t experience horrific pain as you describe so I would advise getting checked out in case you have an infection.

Best Wishes, James.

[Von66 in reply to ccfc]

They have done chest X-ray and an X-ray with swallow stuff see if any leaks there no leaks small fluid but they haven’t said infection put me a drip of antibiotics on 🤷‍♀️ Waiting for chest drain to come out x thanks for your reply x

[Singforyoursupper in reply to Von66]

It may be the chest drain that’s causing the pain. Like you I had a chest drain inserted a few days post op and - once 1.5L of fluid drained, the pain became intense - horrific even. I couldn’t lie down or move really. Staff didn’t seem to be worried but took it out pretty quickly and improvement was instant. Thinking of you and hoping you get relief very soon.

[Carisbrooke-24 in reply to ccfc]

My husband is 6 weeks post op , the shark bite as you say is painful but not horrific . My husband did have a chest infection which was very painful on coughing . Would recommend getting it checked out . The drain holes have proved problematic as one was leaking but at last think it’s starting to heal now . Hope it all goes ok hope this post might help .

[kiddy]

Hi there,Yes it is painful but make sure you have enough pain meds. I take ityou are in hospital.

When did you have op?

The chest drain is painful in itself once mine came out it was a relief. Also when the staples come out it feels easier. The pain is where they either break ribs or go through the intercostal muscles.

Best Wishes

By the way I am celebrating 5 years from op today had my COVID jab today too.

Debbie

[Von66 in reply to kiddy]

Yes I had op 8th March at queen Elizabeth Birmingham I’m actually home now but I’m so much pain still and sore and acid and all the rubbish things not feeling very positive at all at the moment but I’m sure it gets better x

[Carisbrooke-24 in reply to Von66]

My husband was operated on 1/2/21 for the Ivor Lewis we are now almost 7 weeks post operation. He is still getting lots of acid reflux and burping . The oncology nurse has recommended Gaviscon tablets or liquid and it does help him too. We have had very down days feeling very depressed but it’s early days stay positive and rest . We are getting good days and bad days each day is different.My husband has just started driving again so that in its self was a morale booster . Stay strong it will improve its a steep hill to climb but it will be worth it . Make sure you eat well small and often .

[Singforyoursupper in reply to Von66]

It is still very early days for you if you had your op on 8 March so be kind to yourself. Things will improve slowly - such major surgery- try keeping a diary of what you achieve in a day and watch the improvement. Sleep.

[liz_crisp]

My op was 11 years ago. It was painful, I do remember having a lot of pain killers including oramorph. I got an infection from the feeding tube it was removed after 8 weeks I think. When the staples came out front and back it felt more comfortable but I remember being worried if it didn't hold together. (It was my first big op) it did all was fine. Take it easy there is a lot to heal and not a lot of nutrition uptake at first your body has had a huge shock. Keep in touch with your CNS and doc and take the pain killers you haven't got energy to waste. There's that little walk twice a day to help stop the chest infections, my physio a lovely young man said I would be dreading him visiting, he was right. Thankfully he forgave my ungracious comments 🤭. Well done on getting so far and good luck hugs Lizzy

[kev57]

I'm 6 years post operative and suffering from pain every day due to the damage around intercostal muscles where the rib has been removed and damage to the nerves around the surgery, I've been referred by my consultant to a pain clinic but this is on hold because of the pandemic but the treatment so far hadn't worked anyway so just having to cope with the pain with cocodamol I've some good days and some bad.

[liz_crisp in reply to kev57]

Hi Kev57,

I had pain from nerve damage to the nerves along the rib, My GP reffered me to a pain management clinic and I had the nerves microwaved, he put needles in my back at certain points and then fried them. It was a tad unverving as he had a book for reference in one hand and a felt tip pen he used to draw on me in the other,then stuck the needles in and said lets give it a go. but it did help alot. It didnt cure it completly but it did stop alot of the pain. this was about 8 years ago. Also as Janahlin says below there are some great exercises you can do to stretch the scar tissue and strengthen the muscles. But please get someone who knows what they are doing to sort out the right exercises and how much to do to allow them to mend and strengthen. In some areas Macmillan has a physio service and programs for exercise after cancer Good luck cheers Lizzy

[Janashlin]

I had my operation two years ago with many complications and it was all horrific. The good news is that I am two years out and life is good.

Take as much of whatever they will

Give you for the pain to try to get through it. I had a lot of all different kinds.

When you do feel good enough a few months down the track I highly recommend doing reformer Pilates.

I wish I had started sooner than I did as it is really helping with movement and stretching out the fascia that is so badly damaged from this operation.

It will get better but make sure you advocate strongly for yourself for pain meds and the support you need.

All the best, keep going.

[Kentishred]

A year on from Ivor Lewis and I still get pain from my side. Post op I was in considerable pain it got a little better after the drain was removed. We all have different pain thresholds so what one person finds really bad another doesn't feel so bad. We are all different but it does get better ask the physiotherapist for the correct exercise leaflets to take home and work gently to start with. It really it will get better. Good luck.

[Mentalmicky6]

I had it and the pain control was brilliant, nothing to worry about, the feed line was worse when I got home very sore

[grandylynda]

I wasn't even out of hospital at your stage. The most painful bit for me was the 24hrs or so after they removed the epidural. They said the pain may get a bit worse, they lied!Were you sent home from hospital with the strength of painkillers you were on in there? I wasn't but the GP quickly prescribed them after zI had one terrible night at home. It does get better but don't expect it to be quick. Baby steps and be kind to yourself. I had my Ivor Lewis Sept 2017. Life is fine now but in cold, damp weather I can still get an ache where a rib was removed. Take care, all the best x

[Von66 in reply to grandylynda]

Totally agree in hospital was the same when they took epidural out was so much pain I came home with morphine so using that and solphidine max 🤷‍♀️ Thank you I know it’s going to be a slow recovery x take care x