swelling

I've only had my PM since 10/20/11. I'm recovering easily from the incision, everything looks good there. My problem is with the swelling I have in my neck, breast, left arm and underarm. I also feel numbness and tingling in those areas and right over the incision site. Even just going to church made it swell. I'm also having a lot of pain in my shoulder, especially if I get cold at all. I've had an ultrasound to determine there is no blood clots. Am I just being overly anxious, or should I be worried? Dr's just keep telling me to just keep it elevated, but they haven't seen me since I left the hospital.

8 Comments

New Pacemaker

by SMITTY - 2011-11-07 01:11:00


Hello AKR,

Its now been three weeks and you should be 99% over the surgery. You may still have some limitations on arm movements, but no pain in the implant, or surrounding, area. I'll not say you should be worried, but I do think if all that Dr can say is "keep it elevated " you should be looking for another Dr. One that knows what he is doing.

Good luck,

Smitty

Swelling

by Pookie - 2011-11-07 01:11:38

Hi:) & Welcome to the club.

I am sorry to hear about your swelling. I am by no means a medical professional, but having swelling in so many areas doesn't sound quite right to me and if your doctor is just telling you to keep your arm elevated, well I'd be going for a 2nd opinion. Did you get the results back from the ultrasound, was it clear from clots??? Or did I read it that it has been determined there were no blood clots?

You say they keep telling you what to do but haven't seen you - that my dear, is a red flag to me - they obviously aren't taking you seriously enough. I'd either find myself another cardiologist (and quick) or I'd go directly to the ER....but that's just me.

Don't ever let the doctors intimidate you. Obviously something is going on and you can't continue to have your arm stuck up in the air....I'd politely demand to be seen by whomever did your surgery.

Remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Take care,
Pookie

swelling

by akr8256 - 2011-11-07 05:11:58

My surgery was done at the Cleveland Clinic, which is 2 hours from home. Maybe that is why they haven't wanted to see me, that part is what makes me so nervous. I was able to make an appointment with my regular Dr, for Wed., so hopefully if there is something going on he will address it. I'm being tested for Sarcoidosis, and all that testing will be done on Nov 28. That is the first they will see me, since the surgery. My device check isn't until 12/17. Thanks for the comments and support!!

Same implantation date

by kerrbear79 - 2011-11-07 09:11:14

Hi,
I had my PM implanted on 10/20/11 too! I do not have any swelling like that now. I still have some minor swelling around the incision but that is all. I was having numbness and pain in my right arm, but that has gone away since I've been able to use that arm more this week. Mine was implanted on my right side (i'm lefthanded) and near my underarm, not the collarbone. I have no idea if that makes a difference but that much swelling you are still having doesn't seem right.

Please tell me...

by pacergirl - 2011-11-07 10:11:56

Please tell me that you have had the swelling re-checked. I had some swelling in my left arm 3 months after getting my first pacemaker in 2005 and let's just say that it wasn't as simple as a I thought.

So please, if you have not had it re-checked, do it before any more time passes.

I hope that you continue to tell them that you have unusual swelling and you are losing feeling in the arm. Sometimes an ultrasound isn't done in the correct area to find a blood clot. Mine was located behind my pacemaker which made it very hard to find/see with ultrasound.

Good luck,
pacergirl

I agree

by ElectricFrank - 2011-11-08 01:11:31

I won't repeat all that has been said above, but something isn't right.

frank

Me again:)

by Pookie - 2011-11-08 01:11:37

I really think you should call the Cleveland Clinic and ask to speak to whomever performed your surgery, even send them pictures of your swelling if you can and ask them what you should do. Can you travel back to the Cleveland Clinic if they said they are willing to see you? Like Pacergirl said - sometimes things are missed so if I were you I'd be the squeaky wheel and start insisting that someone deals with your issue immediately even if it's locally.

Worst case scenario - go to your local Emergency Room and get them to check you out.

Take care and push them if you have to.

Pookie



Dr's visit

by akr8256 - 2011-11-09 11:11:55

So I went to my regular Doc today. He agrees that it's just part of the healing process. He thinks my pacemaker might be sitting on some nerves. This is what is causing the swelling and numbness. He's suggested wearing a sling when I know I'm not going to be able to keep it elevated. Today was a much better day, swelling wasn't so bad, of course. Three weeks tomorrow, I've still got a lot of healing to do, so I just need to be patient. I wore a shirt yesterday that actually showed my scar, my daughter was worried that it would upset me. Now way!! I'm gonna wear that scar like a badge of honor!!

Back to Cleveland Clinic on the 28th, wish me luck. I'm being tested for Sarcoidosis. A negative on these tests would rock!! A positive would mean the pacemaker comes and a defibrillator would go in. ARGHHHHH!

Thanks for the support and comments!
Andi

You know you're wired when...

Friends call you the bionic woman.

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