1 year post op and back pain

[Tighan]

hi everyone

My husband is 1 year after Ivor Lewis (T4N2M0) and overall had been doing really well. He is very very slowly gaining weight, dumping syndrome happens rarely and he’s eating and sleeping well. The last couple of days he’s had a pain on the right side of his back just under the shoulder blade and also a feeling of skin sensitivity on his back and front around ribs ie the surface of his skin feels very sensitive to clothes. I’m sure others will know that horrible scary feeling when you start to worry about a reoccurrence! Just wondering if anyone else has had the back pain or skin issue?

We will obviously phone the MDT if we’re still worried in a couple of days.

[Danstable]

I'm not at all qualified in this matter, other than having gone through the same procedure. However my guess would be that he's regaining some nerve function that would have been removed at the point of surgery to avoid ongoing pain post-op.

I have a sort of numbness around these areas, although not totally numb, I have a sort of tingling sensation when I touch the skin in those areas.

Speak with a professional for peace of mind though.

[PopandMo]

hi there, I am over 2 years post Ivor Lewis and often experience pain or discomfort as you describe coming from the scars. A lot of nerves are cut during this op not to mention trauma to the rib cage and it’s perfectly normal to feel pain or a feeling like an electric shock for a very long time after. Of course it’s always wise to discuss anything with your specialist nurse, but I do know long term post op pain is very common. Hope this helps! X

[liz_crisp]

hi Tighan, I am 14 years on and still get back pain just under the shoulder. I have got a tens machine which does help and I have been referred to a physio finally to exercise as I have a weaker muscle on the right side and it goes I to sparsam if I ask it to do too much. It cab be from sitting typing or using a sledge hammer makes no difference what I do just using my arm repeatedly brings it on. I find a heat pad and pain killers can help but the pain it is excruciating when it kicks in

[Tighan in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks everyone I am a twit! I meant his pain is on the LEFT side - was just feeling panicky yesterday when I wrote the post.

[KfromUK in reply to Tighan]

Hi Tighan

I’m 5 yrs post op and like the others experience intermittent pain. I believe it’s down to the nerves they cut to access the oesophagus. It’s more common on the left I because they make several incisions …. The sensitivity you describe I also get although not very Overend these days .. mine tends to be numbness …. Particularly around the bottom of the rib cage

If he feels ok other than this tell him not to worry.. but I agree with everyone else.. if in any doubt get back to his team

Best wishes

K

[Tighan]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, what a brilliant and supportive group this is. We did check in with the team who brought forward the oncologist appointment, he thought it was nerve/muscle issues and wasn’t worried but organised for Paul to have a scan anyway and we’re seeing him again next week for the results. Paul then happened to see a poster advertising pharmacist services in helping diagnose rashes and called in and the pharmacist diagnosed a classic case of shingles! Just in case it’s useful to anyone else, the pharmacist recommended a shingles vaccination when Paul’s clear of the virus and this is available to anyone over 65 I think.