scar from lobectomy

Hello Christie.K,

Thank you for reaching out on the Online Community today, I'm Eliza from the Online Community team. I hope other members will be along to share their experiences soon.

I just wanted to let you know that we would always recommend contacting your GP or medical team if you are experiencing any new or changing symptoms.

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Take care,

I've had it since a few months after my lobectomy last year and it started when I was moving bags of potting mix.  It's not uncommon but you should definitely mention it to your doctor.

Hi Christie,  I've had it for 15 years since my lobectomy.  It seems worse in the winter and when it's going to rain. After the first few years it became much less frequent. Hope that helps. Regards, ric0ric

Thankyou it does help .i spoke again to my surgeon on tuesday she did tell me it was normal and could continue for a few years .and knowing you are 15 years post op also helps a lot 

HI Christie,  i also learned that painkillers aren't very helpful.  what has worked for me was a) wearing soft vest against the skin / scar and b) using a warm not hot, water bottle.  Painkillers, even strong ones weren't helpful as I couldn't predict well enough when I was going to need them and didn't;t want to keep on them any longer than absolutely needed. Best wishes, Richard

Hi Richard ,I have found on bad days it is difficult to wear anything other than a soft sports bra ,i have not tried a hot water bottle ,but will try now ,i do have a herb bag which i can put in the microwave ,i have took painkillers but they only work for so long .The thing is i can go weeks with no pain ,then out of the blue it hits me ,but it is usually when i have been doing some gardening ,or a lot of housework ,so i will take your advice and try some different things ,thankyou Christie

This thing about it coming out of the blue is just what I found. I could be sitting at rest watching TV when out of nowhere it came like a sharp++ stab.   Earlier on I found it good to put some soft cloth against the scar as that was sensitive for a few months.  I was given tramadol but found that it kept my mind bussing so sleep was difficult. Actually my wife just pointed out that I had it more on days when I had been woodturning (my hobby). Even though I'm right handed and the scar / op was on the left activity did seem to bring it on. You will I feel pretty sire find that it gets less frequent and less severe gradually. All the best. Richard

i refused to take tramadol ,because i had heard so many bad reports ,they gave me amtriptolene (i think thats how you spell it) my scar is on the right  and i did try about a month after the op to knit ,bad decision ,but i can do it now ,i hope it will improve with time ,my surgeon seems to think so ,so i suppose its baby steps till i know what i can and cant do ,though my husband said i was trying to do too much too soon ,but i do not like to sit around ,i have not done any gardening for a week because it caused the pain ,but it went after 4 days ,so i will wait a couple of more days and this time i will stop before it starts to hurt ,all the best to you too thankyou for your helpful advice

Interesting about the Tramadol.  I was prescribed it together with paracetamol.  It worked well initially but did tend to a0 make my brain hyperactive b) cause some itching and c) constipate. Having said that I would take it again but only for the acute phase. I don't think it's too good to take it on the off chance that it's a day when you're going to have pain.  Sadly I do have another op coming up much like the first and guess I'll be taking pain killers (Tram) but for as short a time as I can. Take care, Richard