Just recieved a PM

So I just got a pacemaker put in on wednesday. I had a horrible experience. I'm 26 and this is nothing like id hope it turn out to be. I've been having horrible chest pain like a heart attack... doc said that's not uncommon because I have a screw in my heart and it could leak enzymes which could cause chest pain. I've been having weird rhythms that I can feel. My heart rate was at 34 before surgery now its set at 50. I have a complete heart block. To me it feels like my heart is trying to go back to being slow...doc said my body is sensitive. He says I'm sensitive because they gave me enough medication during surgery to knock out any normal person but I was wide awake. Is this going to get any better...will my rhythms get used to the pm. Anyone else have chest pain beside the incision site. Any one else feel weird or different like something was wrong?Doc says everything looks good. Im scared I don't know if it will feel better or feel different forever.

7 Comments

go to the ER

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-08 04:10:42

A little twinge here and there or pain at the incision, yeah. Bad pain in the heart, no not normal or common at all. Did he talk to you on the phone or do an ekg and chest xray? If he didn't see you and doesn't want to see you, I'd go to the ER just to be on the safe side. Any bad chest pain should always be seen.

I have complete heart block also, got my first pm at about your age. I was very aware of my heart rate all the time at first, it felt like it was racing but it was more weird than bad. It should get better soon! I'm 44 now and doing great, healthy and active and having a blast. Welcome to the club. If you have questions, please don't be shy.

Chest Pain From Lead Not Right

by J.B. - 2010-10-08 09:10:45

Please get another opinion. As Tracey said pain aroung the incision site is not uncommon. However I think chest pain like youi describe is not right. Frankly I doubt that it is caused by your pacemaker leads. Every one with a pacemaker has the leads attached to the heart wall in one manner or another and of all the comments I have seen here and other places blaming the leads for pain in the heart is a first. Anyway it is it is my understanding that there is no pain when the heart wall is punctured for implanting a pacemaker lead.

My opinion, based strictly on what I see in your message, is as I said you need another opinion.

Weird

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-09 03:10:17

That's the weirdest story I've heard. My leads are screwed into my heart wall and have never so much as given me a twinge. The only way you could be leaking anything from the leads is if the heart wall was perforated. That is an immediate medical emergency.

The story about meds is also strange. The procedure doesn't require that level of anesthesia, and even if it did modern meds are effective if handled correctly.

If you have any choice get a second opinion.

frank

Pain

by Pookie - 2010-10-09 12:10:50

Hi.

Pain is the only way our bodies can tell us something is not right.

I totally agree with the above posts....when in pain you should have yourself checked out at the ER.

Better safe than sorry.

Perhaps you should ask for a chest Xray at the very minimum or a CT scan.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Pookie

I agree

by TracyN - 2010-10-12 12:10:16

I see I have something in commom with you and TraceyE. I got my first pacer at age 27 , now 48 and just upgrade to a pacer/defib.4 months ago. There should be no pain inside the heart muscle as inside the heart there is no nerve endings.( I am a nurse).. As for the pain in the chest I agree you should seek possible a second EP Drs opinion or ER. As for feeling the pacer working. Some people are very sensitive to the pacer as it changes rates, the pacer settings can be changed to change the thresshold or senitiveity to where it feel better and works better for you. I go to University of MIchigan and have tried other place so I didn't have to drive as far, but the EP Doctors & device nurses are the best at U of M. I will drive the distance to get the care I need. I have heard from Drs. that don't know me ..you are just having a panic attack and when I go to see my Dr he said no the pacer setting needs changing and over time this happens as your body changes and does your activity level. Don't take no for an answer and see if they can change the setting and find the cause of your pain... this is not normal dear.

I had pain too

by misencik4 - 2010-10-21 11:10:20

I had sever chest pain that radiated to my back. I was crying and screaming. It has been 2 weeks since I got my PM and I am 39. My doctor says that younger people sometimes have pain when getting a PM. Our muscles ans nerves are tighter, which can cause pain. I am feeling better now.

I had pain too

by misencik4 - 2010-10-21 11:10:51

I forgot I was wide awake too!

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.