HOW I RELIEVED NERVE PAIN FROM SURGERY WITHOUT DRUGS

Summary

A 67-year-old individual recounts their journey to alleviate nerve pain post-lung lobectomy through non-pharmaceutical methods, including guided meditation, yoga, and acupuncture.

Abstract

After undergoing a lung lobectomy for a serendipitously discovered lung tumor, the patient faced persistent nerve pain and discomfort, which was not adequately addressed by conventional medical treatments or acknowledged by healthcare professionals. Frustrated with the lack of progress and side effects from drugs, they turned to alternative therapies such as "ColorWorks" guided meditation, Kundalini Yoga, and acupuncture, alongside a Chinese dietary supplement. These methods led to significant improvements in pain and breathing function, allowing the individual to regain energy and return to daily activities without reliance on pharmaceuticals.

Opinions

The patient was surprised by the lung cancer diagnosis, given their active lifestyle and lack of smoking history.
There is a perceived lack of post-operative care and recognition of the patient's pain and recovery challenges from the medical profession.
The patient is critical of the over-reliance on drugs for treatment, especially given their negative side effects and inefficacy in their case.
The patient values alternative medicine and holistic health practices, which they believe have been instrumental in their recovery.
There is gratitude towards the surgeon for the successful tumor removal but also frustration over the lack of information regarding post-surgical recovery and expectations.
The patient is an advocate for integrating alternative therapies into conventional medical treatment plans, as evidenced by their positive experience with acupuncture covered by their medical insurance.
The patient is eager to share their recovery experience and the alternative methods that aided in their healing process with others in similar situations.

A lung lobectomy is no fun!

At 67 I was diagnosed with lung cancer. A tumor in my upper right lung lobe was found somewhat serendipitously. I had open heart surgery when I was a kid and felt the need to investigate some odd palpitations. My doctor recommended a CT scan which revealed my heart was in good condition but they found a lung tumor. Sheesh!

Now, I don’t smoke, I am a hiker, walker, and gardener. I generally have a lot of energy and never felt any difficulty in breathing my entire life. I can count the number of times I have had bronchitis — 3. So this was a complete surprise to me.

My pulmonologist recommended that I have a lung lobectomy, wherein the lobe with the tumor is removed, which I did. Because it was so small, considered stage 1, no chemotherapy was required. And it’s a good thing it was on the right side. Our lungs have two lobes on the left and three on the right. So now I guess you could say I’m balanced with two and two.

Anyway, the “minimally invasive thoracic surgery” entailed 5 — count ’em — 5 incisions between my ribs on the right side of the rib cage, both front and back. They inserted mechanical arms to do various things. Unfortunately, in the process of doing these various things, nerves get cut. And in my case, A LOT of nerves got cut.

The resulting pain and discomfort from the nerve damage was horrendous for me. I was unable to do things I used to take for granted such as sleeping on either side, being intimate with my husband, getting in and out of the car, and just sitting up from a prone position without help. Touching my rib cage in a hug or just turning one way or the other was excruciating. It felt like a dull blade was inserted under my rib cage. The constant pain wore me down causing me to have less energy. I was in a prone position for most of a year with a heating pad on my chest while it slowly healed. And I do mean SLOWLY!

Funny, all of the online information stated it would take up to three months to recover. I find that very amusing. I found a blog for people who have had a lung lobectomy and hundreds stated they were in a debilitated state with pain a year afterwards and more. Unfortunately, when I asked my doctors why I still hurt so much, it was as if they didn’t hear me — like talking to a brick wall. Apparently I should have been grateful they saved my life, which I am, but my quality of life was so pathetic it just would have been nice if someone in the medical profession gave me an inkling of recognition of what I was going through.

Fast forward a year later, I was still having severe pain and discomfort and still unable to do a number of activities, although there was some improvement. And my breathing was still impaired. The doctors want to treat everything with DRUGS! I don’t like drugs. They don’t like me. The side effects are worse than the original problem.

I tried four different inhalers and lots of Advil, to no avail. The inhalers only contributed to my existing symptoms with excess fluid, wheezing, weird side effects, and more pain and breathing issues, so I stopped using them all. I started looking into exercises and alternative ways to heal myself; at the very least, take away some of the fricken pain.

It has now been 16 months since my surgery, and I am doing a great deal better. I consulted a friend of mine who is a medical intuitive among other things, and she suggested I start practicing a guided meditation called “ColorWorks” by Patti Conklin. I have been doing it every morning for about 4 months and what a difference.

Prior to my surgery, I practiced Kundalini Yoga daily. Once I recovered enough from the surgery, I began doing yoga again, starting out slow and building up. There are a lot of breathing exercises in this type of yoga. I have started practicing a kria called “Exercises for Expanding Lung Capacity” which was given to me in one of my yoga classes years ago. One of the components of this exercise requires lifting the rib cage up while taking a deep breath which has definitely reduced the pain and inflammation and allowed for more movement. During this exercise, I also visualize that my lungs are healthy and pink and that my nerve endings are finding all of their little partners.

I also started seeing an acupuncturist once a week for about two months. He prescribed a Chinese dietary supplement of turmeric gardenia called “Breath Natural” that I continue to take. This seems to assist with morning wheezing and has no side effects.

My medical insurance (Kaiser) pays for acupuncture which means the medical profession is finally accepting the possibility of alternative medicine. I am very grateful for the surgeon who removed the ugly little bugger, don’t get me wrong. I’m just frustrated that no one told me what to expect.

So, the good news is I feel like I have a new lease on life again. The nerve pain has decreased considerably, my breathing has improved, and I’m not taking any drugs.

If you know anyone who is in the same boat as me, please pass this information along. If you or someone you know would like to ask a question, feel free to do so in the comment section. I would be happy to share the exercise with you.

Be well.