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Reply: Does Anyone Else Have Post Thoracotomy Pain Syndro...

While this is the first time I have heard this symptom given a real name, I have been...

Posted by GrumpyLumpy

While this is the first time I have heard this symptom given a real name, I have been having extremely debilitating pain, intermittently (roughly 2 to 4 times a week). First, I'll give some details:

Fall 2010 - I had to have a pulmonary lobectomy (upper lobe - left), due to a very invasive batch of aspergillosis. This infection was so bad that my surgeon discovered something... eating my 3rd rib (not exaggerating). He bisected the rib, and threw it away, leaving a roughly 2 to 3 inch stub of rib attached to my backbone. The ventral side of my body has a little less than half the remaining rib bone.

Today - I have painful "stars" in the entire left side of my chest and a numb nipple (maybe that shouldn't be a big deal for a male, but it feels very uncomfortable). My trapezius and lat on that side feel like they are being pulled very tightly over this stump of rib at times and the results are terrible:

1. Left trapezius is always (yes ALWAYS) inflamed and sore. It's about 15% larger than the right, for my guess. Was symmetrical prior to surgery.
2. Left lat seems to pop back and forth very painfully over this bone nub (7-8 on the medical pain scale at times) if I actuate my left arm across my chest at ANY angle.
3. Chronic severe stiff neck and tension headaches from the trapezius tugging on my neck.
4. Occasional loss of function in the entire upper left arm. This is tricky to explain: The muscles respond to me and I can feel them, but actually using them for even the tiniest task is so painful at times that it has literally brought me to my knees.

I am an otherwise healthy 38 year-old male, African American. Six feet tall and around 185 lbs with what is left of my once athletic build. I'm a former US Marine, sprinter, football player, and martial artist... I am no stranger to pain and perseverance. Sadly, I can't workout with any real intensity, as brisk walking, jogging, weightlifting and jumping all hurt like the flames of hell on my left side... if you'll pardon the descriptor. Worse still, this issue has cost me my career (IT/Tech Support) as well, since I have a "clean bill of health", everyone thinks I'm crazy when I can't lift a pencil one day, but can lift a server with the same hand the next.

YES. This is a real problem. No, it's not in my head, but my back, neck, chest and upper arm. I hope my tale helps your doctor(s) see the light.View Thread

Posted byGrumpyLumpy

13 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Does Anyone Else Have Post Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome? While this is the first time I have heard this symptom given a real name, I have been...

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