Left arm pain

hello all! i am 39 yrs old and was implanted with a medtronic pm in august of this year. i have sick sinus syndrome/bradycardia. the implantation went well. i had an easy recovery. my scar is healing nicely. the problem started about two weeks ago. i have a dull ache on the underside of my left arm. it starts above my elbow, extends past my armpit into the front of my shoulder, and back down my left side to my breast. as the days pass, the dull ache and throbbing are becoming more constant. i have an appt with my cardiologist on dec 1st. i just know that he is going to blow it off. has anyone experienced this problem? does anyone have advice? i know that my pm is important and is serving a purpose, but it scares me to think that i might have this arm pain as a side effect. it has started to affect my sleep and sunny disposition! :)

any help and/or advice is greatly appreciated!
shannon

7 Comments

Hi Shannon

by janetinak - 2011-10-30 09:10:14

Welcome to the club. I had my 3rd PM put in end of Aug too. If I were you I'd call the Cardio's office & insist I get seen soon. It may be nothing but I sure would want it checked out before a month goes by. If cardio can't/won't see you until 12/1, I'd call your primary provider & get in and get an opinion from him/her.

Let us know how it goes.

Thinking of you,

Janet

good advice from.......

by biceps72 - 2011-10-30 10:10:08

.......Janet above. See your cardiologist asap. Very, very unlikely you will have this arm pain permanently and it is very unlikely this is serious. See your cardiologist-- do some easy arm exercises (no weight curls) give yourself some time.

good luck

biceps

Left Arm Pain

by doctorsbandaid - 2011-11-01 11:11:28

Hello Shannon,

I am 43yrs old had my first REVO pacemaker implanted on 7/29/11, on 10/30/11 my left arm was swelling and numb. I called my doctors they also can not get me in. I am very worried as well. I think I am going to head the ER today. It start with a swollen gland and then my left arm something is not right so I will listen to my body and seek help. Shannon what pacemaker model do you have? Hope you feel better.

Debbie

arm pain

by 28sedan - 2011-11-01 12:11:52

I had my pm installed in April 2011 I have had the sore arm right to the elbow as well. It is getting better slow but sure. I think that this PM has to find a place to sit in there and its pissing off some nerves and such till it finishes building a place to live. Like building scar tissue around it. So see the Dr. I have had all the symptoms you have and they are all improving.

thank you!

by robo-shan - 2011-11-02 07:11:50

thank you for the feedback. i have noticed that the more i use my arm, the worse the ache. i am going to keep notes so that i will have something to show the dr at my appt.

debbie- i haven't had any swelling or numbness. i have a medtronic dual chamber PM. i hope you feel better.

janet - my primary care dr wouldn't be much help. she will just instruct me to see the cardiologist.

biceps - as soon as i and/or the dr figure out the problem, i am definitely going to start exercising and try to improve the strength in my arm!

Blood Clots

by doctorsbandaid - 2011-11-06 01:11:16

Well after seeing my PCP and going for a doppler I had DVT blood clots in my left arm. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I had a medtronic dual chamber Revo MRI friendly pacemaker. Your symptoms where the same as mine expect I had swelling and veins showed like a tree on my left side.

I wish you much luck with your diagnosis. I now found out I have a spot they are concerned about on my right lung.

Debbie

Its fine

by Luq - 2011-11-15 08:11:10

I had severe arm pain for 7 weeks post implant. I could not move my arm an inch, no holding anything. I could not even take shower without a help..no hair combing..pain..pain..pain! I get it checked out nothing was serious. but you will need your own check up to confirm it is working right for you. otherwise dont worry too much.

Luq

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