Pain after thoracotomy/wedge resection of left lung . Advice please?!

Hi Elf72 I am sorry to hear you are in pain after your procedure. If this is a new pain, I think you should get it checked out. Are you feeling ok in yourself ? The way you describe the pain I did think maybe it was an infection, so please do call your GP and get it checked x 

Good evening Chelle

thank you for your reply. I don’t quite feel myself, but the last few weeks have been a slog. I’ve been the same again today so I will take your advice and contact my GP tomorrow. Thanks again x

Hi Elf72

I'm sorry your pain has increased just to reassure you a little, I had my surgery a couple of months ago now and have found the pain variable, coming off all pain meds periodically to then find that needed to even take morphine again periodically. What I can say is that the overall trajectory is less pain over time. I agree with Chelle is always worth getting it checked out to make sure there is nothing that needs looking at.

Take care and wishing you a speedy  recovery.

Mash

Thank you Mash for your help. I did contact my GP and the ward who said to take the painkillers again as the pain has probably increased when all the medications I was using have left my body. So I’m back on the Codeine and starting to feel much better! 
I found your message reassuring and feel less worried. I do hope you’re continuing to make a good recovery. Thank you x

Hello, new person here. I had a lower left lung lobectomy 10 days ago and was warned by my surgeon that just as you start to feel great and come off the meds is about the time all the nerve endings in the chest begin to ‘wake up’ after the op. This can come as a shock if you’re not expecting it and feel quite painful. Quite a few people end up in A&E thinking they’re having a heart attack, or that there’s a problem with their lungs apparently. He told me gabapentine is your friend at this point. Hope that helps x

Hi PoppyKatkat

sorry you too still experience pain after your surgery-but it is good to know it’s normal! Still taking codeine as prescribed  but reduced to one a day with paracetamol in between. Hope you have a good recovery. I have to have more lung surgery once the MDT decided. Either lobectomy or pneumonectomy) and dreading it- this has been bad enough!  Take it easy x