Post-Op Arm/Shoulder Pain Help.

It has been almost 3 weeks since my PM implant. The PM itself is functioning and I am feeling great from the PM doing it's job. My problem is with my left arm - it is excruciatingly painful. I have done a few things that may have precipitated this - accidentally reaching above my head, receiving a giant bear hug that hurt and walked the dog who jolted my arm while chasing a squirrel. I called the device clinic and they said that it could be scar tissue that was dislodged, and that may take time to heal. SInce I am 36, they said that sometimes younger patients experience more pain because of more taut muscles. They suggested I call my local cardiologist. I was patched through to the nurse who handles the PMs and he said that it might be some inflammation in the vein where they snaked the leads (below my clavicle) and the scar tissue may be causing the pain. He said to take ibuprofen, but I have been taking 3 every 4-6 hours since yesterday and it isn't helping. I don't want to be the sissy patient who whines about non-PM function issues, but it really hurts. To the point of bringing me to tears and it is interfering with work (I work in administration at a desk pretty much all day). The pain radiates to my incision area, down the inside of my left arm and is a sharp pain. The incision looks fine. Has anyone else experienced this? Do I call the cardiologist back? Or the device clinic? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

4 Comments

Dun't Know ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-06-29 01:06:12

My cardio had told me last October when my ablation/PM implant was, to be sure and do not wear any form of sling after surgery on that left arm. Be sure I keep using the arm in my normal use, just not to raise the arm above my heart. The cardio/hospital nurses said I could have 'shoulder freeze' which would be very painful and require long, hard, painful re-hab. Sure enough, coming out of surgery, I had a sling on, of which the cardio. immediately took off me & said, ' take it home as a 'souveneir'.

Personally, I would call my cardio Dr. office & TELL them you want an appointment 'now' for the pain you are in. They do have 'extra slots' for this type of situation. You are paying your Dr. to listen and check you out. You went through a couple of 'bad' instances with your dog & a Bear Hug. You may have some serious trouble going on. Good Luck. May be 'nuttin'.

Let us hear from you,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Gratitudes/Smiles to Everyone ~

I ran into some issues post implant

by COBradyBunch - 2010-06-29 01:06:52

Everyone told me I was dreaming but pain got worse, spread down my arm and up the left side of my neck and anti-inflams weren't helping. This went on for a couple of weeks until they put me on some strong antibiotics and wouldn't you know, within three days things turned around. They think I must have had some low grade infection going on even though my incision looked fine and I wasn't running a fever.

Just another thing to talk to your doc about.

just a thought

by cattlelady - 2010-06-29 06:06:49

I am not a pacemaker patient, so this probably doesn't apply to you, but when I had my neck surgery two years ago, the pain down my left arm did not leave. The surgeon warned me this could happen and it may last up to two years or longer or forever. I take gabapentin which has the off-use of easing nerve pain. You can take a lot of it and it is non-addictive. Ask your doctor. I have no idea if this would work for heart patients.

Cattlelady

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by ddl57 - 2010-06-30 10:06:02

You shouldn't be lifting more than 5 pounds for at least a month. Don't move furniture or even drive a car if you don't have to. The sharp pains will decrease, but it takes time. About 3 months. You want to make sure that the leads don't dislodge, so don't rush to do any physical work.

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A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.