What is this pain?

My dad had a very large, poorly differentiated carcinoid removed from right lung in October along with part of that lung, 4 ribs and lymph nodes. He did very badly on pain meds before and during. Constant frightening hallucinations and utter weakness. He lost so much weight and strength. Once released from hospital and the meds he regained his mental faculties but the weight continued to drop away. 5 weeks later after a scan showed possible hotspots occuring he began chemo treatment Carboplatin and Etoposide. Managed chemo treatments well initially. Actually began gaining weight and exercising. Just before 4th round his blood counts dropped. The exhaustion was back, along with plenty of fear. He's had 3 shots to try to boost them back up. Next week is round 5 (on his birthday! he'll be 67)
He's still tired and is now experiencing 'severe' pain in his right shoulder and arm and chest. So severe he says that he cannot stand for long, is doubled over by it when it comes and when eating it actually makes him gag. So far he's been told to take regular painkillers but they don't touch it. He is managing to sleep at night a little but says it's too much to move around during the day or really leave his chair. He won't eat, or walk, or talk, or even watch TV much. He's just sitting.
Doctor reluctant to prescribe meds because of dropping platelets and of course dad's afraid of them anyway now.
He's always been so strong and never complains and it's hard for him to make it really clear to the doctor. Never wants to make a fuss!!
Is this normal nerve pain after surgery, shouldn't he be having scans to check to see if the treatment is even working?
He will be given radiotherapy after this. It seems to never end.
Thank you.
Prayers and best wishes to everyone going through this.

Hi Becky,

 I also had lung surgery 8 years ago and my entire right lung was

removed.  They almost removed 3 of my ribs but decided to leave

them and give me radiation to insure that there wouldn't be anymore

cancer.  To make a very long story short -- I have been in constant

pain ever since - 24/7.  I've been to every Dr. you can think of trying

to get an answer and have had every scan known to man.  The only

person who came up with an answer was a chiropractor!!!!   When

the Dr's go through your back and open your rib cage to get to your

lung they dislocate the rib heads and that's where alot of the pain

comes from.  Also the nerves get destroyed where they attach to

the spine.  This pain is called neuropathic pain.  Is your dad on any

type of meds for this?  Search out a Pain Management Group for

help.  I have no idea why this occurs, but alot of Dr's. don't refer

patients to Pain Management Dr.s.  It has made my life bearable.

Good luck,

Connie Allen