Stinging Skin Pain

[BrownBagger]

This has happened to me before, though this time it's worse. Basically, after some procedures, I get very sensitive skin covering numb, vaguely sore muscle tissue. In both cases, it's my upper chest that's affected, either right or left side. The first time it happened, I had a chest tube inserted to repair a pnumothroax. A couple hours after they pulled the tube, I got a sharp pain in my arm, and my main vein in my left arm clotted up. My left breast area got kind of numb and as I said, vaguely painful. But the real pain was the topical stinging. Now, about 8 months later, I've got the same problem over on the right side, near my port. The veins in my right arm seem like they've hardened up. Not sure what caused this one, other than it popped up a day after a recent bronchoscope and radiation treatment. I mentioned it to the people down at Sloan-Kettering yesterday before I went in for my second treatment, thinking it might affect their plans, but nobody seemed too concerned and the procedure went off without a hitch, (and without me coding out on the table and causing a bunch of excitement in the OR). The only possible explanation I got was that sometimes when they pull a port connection, some of what's in the pipeline leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing irritation.

It's intermittent, but it hurts like hell when it's acting up. I have a chemo treatment tomorrow, and I'm going to see what my local onc has to say. I'm inclined to ask for some oxycodone or something for the pain--something I'm not used to doing. But in this case, I think it might be a good idea.

I guess my question is if anyone else has had this happen, and if so, what's it all about?

Thanks!

[mypinkheaven]

The only possible explanation I got was that sometimes when they pull a port connection, some of what's in the pipeline leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing irritation.

It sounds like the "leakage" is causing inflammation that's pressing on some nerves. I'd sure ask for some pain meds. And I'd ask if hot or cold packs would help - cold to reduce the inflammation, hot to ease the pain.

I'm glad your procedure went well. Hope your onc can help you tomorrow.

Sally

[Yolanda]

See, they're always telling us "tell us everything that happens" but then we do and they act like we're overreacting and it's nothing... Makes the trouble of piping up a lot less attractive knowing they're going to minimize it anyway.

[juliej]

Subcutaneous leakage is a definite possibility. Is there any redness or swelling in the area?

There is also a thing called "superficial thrombophlebitis" -- it is the inflammation of a vein located just below the skin’s surface due to a blood clot. The symptoms include pain along a vein and a feeling of hardness in the area. You might want them to check that out. A duplex ultrasound should be able to find out if that's the case. They wave this wand (called a transducer) over you, kind of like a Harry Potter thing. No pain involved.

Sorry it's hurting. I'd definitely ask for pain meds!

[CRguy]

Hey bro' glad part deux went well for you
That's the way it is done people
NO MORE "interesting" episodes if you don't mind

I am ditto with juliej's comments and the only other thing I can relate to is possible referred nerve pain from nerve tissue damage due to the trauma
... of which we have all had our share !

I had these sensations after healing, overlying the sites where the VATS incisions were made.
Never had real issues with the port site ... BUTT had some milder types over the abscess drain tube entry on a BUTT cheek and with the para-incisional primary drain beside my full resection scar. The resection scar and my takedown scar have not given problems and I have not had issues with veins because of the port I guess.

I have had various oxycodone Rxs over the years for things and took as needed. Good news IMO is that all these things are now sealed and healed and the superficial pain sensations have pretty much all gone.

Just off the top of my head :
consider a pain specialist consult ?
see if they think some of the "neuropathic" pain meds are worth a try ? ( pregabalin etc. )

Cheers 'n Harmony my friend
nobody quite seems to "do things" the way you do ...

ONE OF A KIND in many ways
gotchur back bro'

CRguy on the Journey witcha'

[BrownBagger]

Just an update. My local onc doesn't want to give me any chemo until he knows what we're dealing with, which should become clear on Tuesday, when Kemeny has me scheduled for both a CT and PET scan. Waiting to hear about the pain meds, which I asked for and they said they'd order up at the pharmacy. NY has gotten a little funny about prescription narcotics. More hoops to jump through. Oh, I also have a mole that my wife is suspicious about, so Kemeny is going to take a look at that while we're at it. Might as well get this stuff all wrapped up in one visit.

Managing this disease is getting to be like a fulltime job.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I hope you get the pain medication soon as well as some answers!*hugs*

[justin case]

I had some significant pain, and skin inflammation, way after port removal, and my GP suggested it was caused by port inflammation. Perhaps some antibiotics are in order .....
Michael

[kiwiinoz]

Hey Eric,
Any updates on this? You said your local onc has taken you off chemo until you get this sorted out so I was just wondering what the game plan is and how you are getting on?
Of course, I also want to know how your Thanksgiving went and how your brussell sprouts went at your neighbours? Were they the hit I imagined them to be?
Kiwi