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Tush, the pain management doctor and facility I'm going to prescribe NO medications. They only do the nerve blocks which helped me so much!! When I was released from the hospital, I was told I would get no RX for pain and that I should just 'rest' as much as possible and take over the counter meds. I understand there are pain management doctors that do prescribe low doses of RX - but mine doesn't. I go back on July 30th. I'm not totally out of pain but at least it's better. He thinks by the end of August my pain should be gone. I sure hope so. Today I an not hurting but just feel like I've been in a fight and someone has broken 3-4 ribs. So sore! Thank you.

For such an invasive surgery i do not understand why the doctors would not have you on pain medication.

Seems cruel and hindering to the healing process.

Im praying for you to be pain free asap!

Dragn, I agree. I feel they think people are going to get 'hooked' on the pain medications - and doctors are seriously afraid of being prosecuted for prescribing too many meds. To GUT someone (which is how I feel) and then say there will be no RX for pain after leaving the hospital is cruel. I'm going to have to call the pain management doctor in a few hours and beg for more help for the pain. It will be one week tomorrow since I had the nerve block injections and it's worn off. Pain is back with a vengence so it seems I will have another sleepless night.

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It's ignorant that they won't treat your pain.

Your state may have even tougher laws about prescribing. That's insane.

Is med marijuana an option in your state?

Have you tried lidocaine patches? They can be extremely helpful for nerve pain.

Neurontin is NOT a narcotic, it is a neurorecptor blocker. There is no reason to not give it. Many Dr's use it now after total joint surgeries, and other surgeries where pain is an ongoing issue and does decrease the need for pain meds.

Jeaniegirl

How are you today? Are you still having visits from wound care nurses?

I hope you managed to get some rest!

Jeanie, I can't believe you weren't given something for the pain. You are one tough cookie!! Hang in there.

Well here I am again up and awake with the 3 a.m. rib pain. I want to say I have such a new respect for those with broken ribs, trying to heal. Guessing I am turning in my sleep and waking up the two broken ribs and it's like they start screaming at me. NOW is the time I wish I had some magic pill to just knock myself out and escape the pain.

Supposedly, according to my primary care doc that I've had for years, I have the BEST pain management doc in the state and I should start feeling better any day now. The nerve block injections gave me relief for a few days and I sure enjoyed that. The pain management's PA called to check on me yesterday and said the MAIN nerve block injection (9 days ago) should be kicking in and it will be better as it has delayed medication. I go back on the 30th and if I am still in pain, I will be given more nerve blocking injections. This procedure is just for the nerves and muscles that were cut during top lobe lung removal but as for the ribs, I'm on my own with that pain and that should be getting better. Ribs can't stay broken or cracked forever, I've been told. I'm 6 weeks post-op and supposedly I am doing better than most who have had lung lobe removal surgery. Sure makes me feel so bad for these other unknown people who are 'worse than me.' For sure.

I remind myself every day that I have SO much to be thankful for -- the cancer caught early and they say it's all GONE but I will have to be scanned often to make sure. Being weighed yesterday, I have a 17 pound weight loss and I look really bad. I am trying SO hard to eat - and eat healthy but food I always loved now seems so gross and my sense of smell is so KEEN and my stomach just revolts at some of the smells of food. I am sitting on my porch early every morning and watching my barn cats play and also watching the Red birds who nest in my pine trees. The cool morning fresh air makes me feel better.

SO much to be thankful for. My incision is totally healed and I have ZERO breathing problems so the lungs are working fine.

I'm sorry you are still in pain, but I love your positive outlook. The visual of the barn cats and you sitting on the porch is just lovely!

I know that injuring the ribs is a bitch and super painful. But after 6 weeks I'm surprised they still hurt so much. I guess that makes sense considering every time we breathe they move. We can't exactly hold them still like other bones.

Hopefully that delayed nerve block will give you much needed relief and that you continue to improve, even if slowly. And most importantly, no cancer!! Yay!

I am sorry there is still so much pain, but glad that everything is healing and that your breathing is great. You are such a good writer — I could picture the barn cats.

Sending you wishes for good sleep and no pain. (((Gentle hugs)))

Protein shakes and Juven if you can afford it. It does help you heal.

TushNurse, thank you so much for the suggestions. I am also going to try to see about getting the

lidocaine patches. I had not heard about those.

You help so many people here. THANK YOU.

Bearlybreathing, my barn cats are SO funny. They know me and are tame with me and my daughter only - but anyone else shows up and ZIP ... they disappear. They seem to really enjoy wrestling with each other in the mornings. Then they get in their hunting mode and start looking for gophers, which they love to PRESENT to me on the porch. I'm not appreciating those gifts much, with this goofy upset stomach.

I'm glad the incision has healed on schedule. I'm really sorry about the pain.

@Jeaniegirl - don't know if you saw this today in the news, but comedian Kathy Griffin underwent surgery today for stage 1 lung cancer. Like you, they are saying a partial lobe removal, no chemo or radiation. She's lost two siblings to cancer, and like you, she never smoked.

I'm sure you can totally related with what she's about to go through with her recovery!

Number4, I saw the news about Kathy. I met her once after a concert. I feel so bad for her. She was quoted as saying the doctor said she'd be as good as new in a month. I HOPE she has that kind of luck!

I had to go back to pain management Friday and they discovered I have a lot of scar tissue in my ribs area and live nerves are irritating that area, causing a lot of pain. I go back in two days and he will do a procedure to freeze those nerves. Sure hope it works. My lung incision and surgery is fine, just the rib area that is dealing me misery. It feels like a hot, sharp knife being put in my rib area and being twisted. It literally brings tears to my eyes.

My surgery was two months ago today. I expected to be more healed by now. But I am still very thankful the cancer is gone.

I used to be a smoker but stopped quite a while ago. Took that nasty habit up in law school as it seemed like everyone else was smoking.

[This message edited by Jeaniegirl at 6:33 PM, August 3rd (Tuesday)]

Update:

I went to the hospital this morning at 7:30 a.m. and the pain management doctor froze most of the nerves on the right side of my back, immediately stopping all the pain. He said they will stay frozen for 9 months to a year, giving the nerves (and me) time to heal.

It's wonderful to be pain-free. I hope it's true and it works. Since the surgery on June 3rd. it's been a blur of pain. I feel very fortunate that I am on Zero medications.

Very glad to hear about your pain relief.

So happy you have no pain. It must be such a relief.

You are so strong!!!

So glad to hear that!!! It has been a long road for you.

Cancer free!!!!

👏👏👏

YIPEEE!!!!! That is fantastic.

If you start to feel pain do not hesitate to call him back and ask for help immediately.