I'm in pain!

Here I am in the middle of the night on day 2 after my pacemaker surgery. Am I just about the only one who suffered significant pain during the surgery and after? My cardiologist told me he was going to give me Fentanyl and Valium during th surgery. He agreed to give me these two medications. I wondered why I was wide awake and feeling every cut and suture. I winced and made sounds when it was too much to bear. The nurse responsible for administering the medications during the procedure was very, very upset about the lack of pain management. She let me know afterwards that she documented the lace of pain medication. I felt like at several points, the doctor was bearing down with all his body weight to stop bleeding (I could feel the blood dripping off my shoulder and down my back plus they kept asking me if I took aspirin or any blood thinners) and to do the programming at the end. It was almost more than I could bear. I needed the Valium for a neurological problem but instead I was given 5 mg. of Valum 3 times for pain. Valium doesn't do anything for pain (in my case nor does it make me sleepy). I felt every angonizing second. I thought the Fentanyl was given but didn't work for me. They nurse told me she wasn't allowed to give the Fentanyl to me. I don't ever want to experience that kind of agony again. He told the nurse and others in the room (all of whom seemed upset) that my BP and HR were too low. I wasn't told the game plan changed. Now, I see I have a great deal of swelling I couldn't see at the hospital. I was there overnight. It extends to under my armpit. The swelling and pain extends to my left breast (the side the pacemaker was placed. In addition, I'm allergic to the adhesive of all tapes and including the electrode pads. I have a rash all over my chest that is very red, itchy and with a burning senstion. I'm so miserable I can't sleep. I was allowed to have only two doses of Dilaudid post op and ONLY because I insisted I be given some kind of pain medication so I could sleep. Now I'm on my own. The doctor's office acted like all was just fine and dandy. I was told to come immediately from the hospital to the doctor's office. If someone had taken a closer look they would have seen how swollen I really am and plus the extent of the allergic reaction. I had a pain medication here at home so I took it. I don't know if I should go back to the cardiologist's office or go to my Primary Care doctor for guidance and further care. I don't want to be dismissed as a "cry baby". I have a very high pain tolerance but this is ridiculous. This is my 26th surgery and 3rd implant (Baclofen Infusion Pump, Cochlear Implant and now the Pacemaker St. Jude duel chamber pacemaker). BTW, I have uncommonly severe, life-threatening neurocardiogenic syncope that lead to 2 respiratory failures. HELP!

9 Comments

go back

by Tracey_E - 2010-06-25 06:06:16

I would go back to your primary doctor and discuss changing to a new cardiologist. The rash needs to be treated and the pain needs to be addressed and clearly the cardiologist is beyond clueless. Some swelling and bruising is perfectly normal but someone should make sure what you're experiencing is a normal level. If you have red streaking, oozing, hot spots, swelling turns purple...don't wait for the primary, get to the ER to check for clots and infection.

Many patients do ok with the pain and get by on otc, but I've never heard of a dr not giving anything when we've asked for more. I can see not sending us home with a month's worth of strong narcotics but they shouldn't ignore you when you're suffering. You're not being a crybaby! I've had 4 pm's now and always been sent home with a pain prescrip. I never took it for more than a day or two but at least I had it for nights when I wanted to sleep.

ER-why I didn't go there

by hummerlady55 - 2010-06-25 08:06:22

I forgot to tell you that our little community hospital has the worst ER. I would have waited up to 12 hours to be seen. I doubt I could have held up that long. They don't know how to Triage at all. Urgh!

Anyway...at least I have 30 tablets of Percocet so I think I can get past the painful part of recovery. If it does get worse, I will do to much further University based ER for medical attention. It's far but I will get much better care at that facility than my local hospital. I thank God my caregiver was here this morning to get me to the doctor and back home. My husband is looking after me this weekend. Yay!

I'm in pain but have pain medication

by hummerlady55 - 2010-06-25 08:06:43

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advise. I called the cardiologist office as soon as they open. Your posts were not in my email Inbox yet so I had to do something. I knew my PCP would tell me to first call the cardiologist office first. The cardiologist was not in all day so I saw another doctor. They took me seriously but I didn't go into any real detail about my painful ordeal since I want to speak directly to that doctor on July 1st. The doctor did call my surgeon right after examining me. Since the swelling isn't hard, not red, not draining, she said it's not infected, just swollen as is expected. If it turns hard, gets red, has draining or the Dermabond closure opens up, of course, I am to contact them or go to the ER. Unfortunately, I live in a small community where access to good doctor is sparse. I travel 100 miles one way to see a good neurologist just to give you an idea. I will have my husband take photographs of the swellings, wound, and my inflammed chest (allergic reaction). I know I could start something big by reporting him but that may not be wise considering where I live and limited access to physicians. I am, very disabled and can't easily get to my doctors as it is. This cardiologist is rated very high even though my personal experience was terrible. For now, I will take a watch and see stance on all of this. I wrote down my experience (as is my practice) while I was in the hospital. I keep an extensive medical diary about everything medical. I do feel a little better today. The doctor today gave me a prescription for Percocet. Hallelujah! I know that will allow me to sleep tonight and rest during the day if I need to take pain medication. Honestly, I usually don't take any pain medication once I leave the hospital. I'm not a newbie. I've had 26 surgeries and more hospitalizations that I can count. I have a high pain threshhold so I know I wasn't being a crybaby. The pain was certainly overwhelming me yesterday and last night. I really do have a very complicated medical history so I have to careful not to burn my bridges behind me. There are a lot of doctors who won't even take my case for that reason. I will, just in case I need it, keep my evidence in case I need it. I have asked quite a few patients who have been treated by him and never has he done the surgery without pain medication before. I wish I had not been the first. Bummer! I truly appreciate all this feedback. I will visit often and ask questions as needed. Thanks so much!

Painful Surgery,

by SMITTY - 2010-06-25 10:06:26

Hello Hummerlady,

I know this may sound as if I disagree with Tracey but I don't disagree with what she says you need to do, I just think you need to be more aggressive in getting follow up treatment than starting with your primary doctor. Of course my feelings a bout that could be because it takes me from 2 to 3 days to see my PCP. There is no doubt you need further treatment and you need another doctor. Based strictly on what you tell us I think the ER is a good place to start and then refuse to let that quack treat you, if there is another cardiologist in that hospital. Then as soon as you get some relief, ask for a visit from the hospital administrator and tell that person what you have told us here. After that I think it may be time for a visit with a lawyer.

Don't think of the visits with the administrator and lawyer as being strictly for your benefit. If it may help get that quack out of business think of how many more people you will keep from being treated as you have. You survived, but there are many people that would never survive such treatment.

Come to think of it, I have some knowledge of the pain and discomfort you went through. When I got my first pacemaker in 2000 the laical wore off some amount of time before the doctor finished and I still recall the cutting and, the pressure from what I later thought later was them trying to get the pacemaker into the pocket and then there sutures. It was no a fun time.

Good luck to you,

Smitty

insanity

by keveri - 2010-06-25 12:06:03

i agreee with smitty, get to an er. none of your requests were granted and you suffered enough. i asked to be totally out for my pacer. it is hard to have trust when it is so easy for them to do harm. jan

Bless You ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-06-25 12:06:17

I am so sorry you had to be treated like an animal. You have read here, time after time, what a 'breeze' our implants/replacements were and how good all of us are progressing/feeling.

There is no reason a human should be put through what you had to endure. RUN, do not walk ~ to your ER & get an immediate look/see. Get some documentation for your bruises/swelling. Sit down and write exactly what you can remember of the happenings. Get all names involved, including the nurse who befriended you. You will need all the backgroud work YOU can get to keep this quack from hurting many other people like you.

You need to take quick action NOW and take yourself somewhere to have yourself looked at/observed how you were mishandled. You need to take plenty of pics of your excessive bruising/swelling/etc. Get someone to help you with the hard to reach pics. Get an experienced lawyer in medical/Dr. experiences, who will not/are not afraid to take on the medical field.

TraceyE and Smitty are both very experienced members of the PM Club and know what they are talking about.

Let us hear from you,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Do A Rain Dance For Us ~

good luck

by jessie - 2010-06-27 06:06:54

sounds like a horror story...i cannot imagine being cut open with no sedation or painkiller. sorry not that brave...good luck and hope your recovery is smooth..xxoo jessie

Doing better but have questions for doctor

by hummerlady55 - 2010-06-27 12:06:11

I'll post again after I see my Cardiologist on July 1st. I will get to the bottom of my nightmare story of surgery without pain medication. The hospital sent a follow up email about my stay. I told them all about it. Probably their legal department will not want to comment fearing a lawsuit. Monday may be an interesting day. I should receive an email or phone call from the hospital by then.

No pain medication during surgery

by hummerlady55 - 2010-07-02 09:07:52

I spoke to my surgeon on Thursday. I expected him to get defensive and he did. He blamed ME for not communicating clear enough about needing pain medication during surgery. He said I shouldn't have had to wait until I got to the room before it was administered. Duh! But, I had to asked him for pain medication before he was about to leave the hospital. He wasn't going to leave orders at all! He claimed I didn't make it clear that I was in pain. I guess I should have screamed even though I'm not the type to do that. Groans and the obvious pained expression the staff noted were not enough, obviously. I do blame myself for not objectng loud enough but ultimately he was responsible for making sure I was not in pain during surgery. I'm upset. I don' know what will happen with my contnued care if I complain now. Where will I go for continued cared? My pacemaker is working well. If I lodge a formal complaint, I will be blacklisted in this town. It has happened before over the years. It shouldn't happen but they are scared of being sued naturally. I'm not talking about suing. I want to perhaps lodge a formal complaint. I'm scared & very upset now. What should I do? How do I protect myself if I do complain? The hosptial emailed me to ask about my hospital experience and I told them. They did not respond to my complaint. They must be afraid I will sue. I'm really at a loss as to what I should do now. I'm nervous and scared now. Do I forget about this terrible and unfortunate experience? I have to live out here and live with the consequences in this small town. Advise needed.

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