How Long Have / Did You Experience Discomfort After Thymectomy?
It has been almost 2 years since my transsternal thymectomy. I had a good amount of pain afterward, toward my stomach, sides, and back. At my follow-up appointments, my scans showed everything looked good with the wires. They assured me that the area takes time to heal, and moving the ribs for surgery causes widespread pain.
I still have pain come and go, which I didn't expect this long after. When I lift weights and exercise, I understand why I would still get sore with the wires. But the soreness comes so randomly, and it is very sensitive and bothersome because of the area. It feels like a throbbing spreading from the wires.
Has anyone else had prolonged pain after their thymectomy? Nerve pain? Which type of surgery did you have?
What were your doctors' thoughts? Does/did anything worsen it. After how long did you notice the pain sensations stop if they have?
- Jodi, Team Member
Hi Jodi. I had a transsternal thymectomy in 2006. After the initial pain from the surgery passed, I experienced chest pain about twice a year for about 10 years, after that, about once a year, and in the last few years, only once. The pain was sometimes dull, sometimes sharp, not really focused on the wires or site of the surgery, and usually worse with movement (getting up, lying down, etc.). My thymoma grew into my pericardium so I always thought it was associated with that trauma, enflamed tissue, etc. It would usually last a week or two, and usually Advil liquidgels would greatly improve the pain. They did every kind of test on me to see what the cause of the pain was but they couldn't pinpoint a direct cause. A thoracic surgeon told me it was definitely due to the surgery but couldn't really explain the mechanism of what was causing the pain. I never could figure out what caused the the pain to flare up so its just something I had to get used too. I do remember the worst of it was the first few years after the surgery, so just know that it will get better. Hope this helps and hope you get well and pain free soon.
Andy,
I greatly appreciate you sharing!
- Jodi, Team Member
