Pain still in ribs post Ivor Lewis - Oesophageal & Gas...

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Pain still in ribs post Ivor Lewis

Guitarhero profile image
19 Replies

Hello,Im hoping someone can help

my husband had Ivor Lewis op in early March, but is still experiencing problems with pain in his ribs and side of the op generally. He’s off morphine now but generally takes a few paracetamol every day.

Thanks in advance for replies

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Guitarhero
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19 Replies
ccfc profile image
ccfc

Hi, I am seven years post op this November and still get some pain in my ribs. Everyone is different so this may not be the case with your husband but I know of other people experiencing this after this op. The pain is not normally too bad and is just one of the things you learn to live with. Best Wishes, James.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to ccfc

Thank you James, appreciate the reply.

fortunatus profile image
fortunatus

Did your surgery involve removal of a rib (ivor lewis)? If so, you mart have to endure the discomfort indefinitely. But it does diminish. There's also an issue with scar tissue. Sorry to be a bit bleak. But the pain will become less

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to fortunatus

Thanks for the reply. Just seems like some things he will just have to live with....

slobjohnb profile image
slobjohnb

I had Ivor Lewis 18 months ago and still get pain (discomfort) in the ribcage. It is a major operation and the nerves and muscles take a long while to recover. This is why keyhole surgery is preferred if possible because there is liitle or no post operative pain.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to slobjohnb

Thank you for the reply

Janashlin profile image
Janashlin

I had my operation 8 months ago and still have pain, tightness and numbness in my right side and pain in my back. I have recently started light Thai Massage and I am finding that really is helping to loosen up some of the tightness which in turn is relieving the pain.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to Janashlin

Thank you for the reply

Gerdopoulos profile image
Gerdopoulos

When I complained about rib pain after my op, I learned that they broke a few to get better access. I now only have very occasionally pain, but I still get tightness.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to Gerdopoulos

Thanks for the reply

nuttytreacle profile image
nuttytreacle

I'm nearly 8years post op and still have discomfort , it's become part of me now.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to nuttytreacle

Thanks for replying

Kajeo profile image
Kajeo

Yes same as everyone else. 2 years post op at the end of the month. Ribs still are sore and bothersome to touch some times. Some days I don't notice it, but its there. Some times it's just super sore. Back aches always too.

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero

Thanks for reply. At least we know it’s ‘normal’ if not nice....,

Tanktank profile image
Tanktank

I’m exactly a year post op and still get manageable twinges on my back and across my chest. Your husband is doing well as he can control it with a few paracetamol. I suspect twinges are part and parcel of the effects of what was very invasive surgery. Good luck to you both. Tanktank

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero in reply to Tanktank

Thanks for the reply.seems like another long term side effect he will have to learn to live with.

Jluchi profile image
Jluchi

I had mine done 10 months ago (Oct 2018) and still have times/days/moments that my ribs hurt almost as much as the day I got home from the hospital but then I have a long stretch of time that I have absolutely no pain. I am still learning what is normal and what is not and of course it's different for everyone. I hope this helps some.

Jane

Guitarhero profile image
Guitarhero

Thanks for reply. As I’ve said to others it’s one of the things he will have to adapt to that was never really explained to us.

btd123 profile image
btd123

nearly a year post op of ifor lewis . still have light pain around ribs and front .this is a big operation so there have cut through lots of nerve endings which causes numbness and a sort of dull twitchy pain .i have this feeling all the time .hope your husband feels better soon .my op went well and i was told i was all clear .but unfortunately after chemo for 6 treatments i was told it had spread to my liver stage 4 with two aggressive tumours .and at present back on chemo i hope your husband problems will get better. keep your chin up .i was just a unlucky one

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