Scar Tissue issues

Hi everyone, I had a pacemaker inserted back in December 2011 for vasovagal syncope issues and for the past month of so I've been having a lot of tightening and general swelling in my upper chest, shoulders and neck. I called my cardiologist and he said that this can result from the scar tissue having healed and then pulling and tugging on the skin and muscle around it. Has anyone had this happen? I'm very uncomfortable and it makes me miserable (I'm a woman), especially when I take my bra off (sorry for the TMI!). I went to my orthopod and he prescribed PT twice a week and stretching. I'm not sure what to do but apparently the more you lift, the worse this gets? My cardiologist said this can last for months of years. I'm very upset as I was never told any of this when I asked what side effects I might expect from the insertion of the PM. Any suggestions about how to deal with this? Anybody know about this happening? The PM itself is okay. Last interrogation revealed it was functioning 20% of the time (I'm not dependent on it save when I go to sleep 'cos it's set at 70bpm). It's supposed to work if I have surgery etc, as the vasovagal issues kick in then. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated. Thank you so much.

6 Comments

you have to stretch the scar tissue so that it doesn't restrict your movements

by kathykat11 - 2012-05-27 09:05:51

Way back when I had my first surgery, 1972. I was less than 2 months post open heart surgery, back then it was a major undertaking and I speny 10 days after surgery in the hospital with pleurisy and just general misery.
We lived in MI and it was the first major storm of the season. My mother in all her wisdom was worried about my dad who waa a bit over weight shoveling the drive. So she sent me out to do it. I thought it was too much but she said your heart is the best in the house now so she guilted me into doing it before my dad came home from work. I was not even released to go bad to school at this point but I had to do the drive I did it and although I was tired I really didn't feel all that bad... until the next morning. I hurt so bad I couldn't get a full breath in. My dad took one look at me and rushed me to the doctors office. The doctor after he heard what happened said I didn't arrange for this surgery for you people to kill her. Then he said now that you have pulled everything you will get adhesions if you don't keep it stretched. you need to shovel for at least 2 hours a day for the next six months... he said if you don't have snow to shovel, shovel sand you just have to keep your schest stretched until it doesn't hurt even a little bit to do it, then gradually wean yourself back.
It didn't take me six months to get to feeling good. but it was a lesson to always keep things stretched after surgery.
I think they will give you some exercises to stretch the area and keep it limber. it is an awkward stop to try to do any major extensions but i am sure a good physical therapist will be able to figure some thing for you.

PT and stretching

by ElectricFrank - 2012-05-28 01:05:24

I agree. This isn't just with pacemakers, but any surgery. It's strange they don't deal with it in the post op instructions.

With the pacemaker there is the concern about raising the pacer side arm above shoulder level, but that doesn't keep us from stretching in other directions. After both my implant and replacement I got active the next day. This included gentle stretching by just pulling my shoulder back, and doing rotations. The key word is gentle. Move to the point where you just start feeling a pull, and then go just a bit more unless it is painful.

The only adhesion related pain I have ever had was when I reached across with my left arm to retrieve an item from the right front seat of the car. The pacer caught on my clavicle bone and flipped up on edge. It yelled ouch followed by me. I had to flip it back down and it was sore for a day or so, but I feel like it was needed. Now I do anything.

Unless you have other medical problems there is no reason you can't lift reasonable items. The truth is the more you lift the more you solve the problem as long as you progress slowly like any of us should..

frank

thank you!!!

by idgie - 2012-05-28 01:05:46

Hi KathyKat and Frank, thank you so much for responding. KathyKat, wow! You shoveled snow post open heart surgery?! God bless you. I'm so glad to read both your replies. I've been miserable because I went through hell with this whole thing (I had some botched surgeries before the PM was inserted) and was convalescing for about two months before I could do anything. Frank, so I was kind of not doing much and maybe that's why it happened? My orthopedist says that he's seen this in women who have long recoveries from illnesses and that my muscles have gotten weaker as well. I think the PM insertion is an additional problem because the main tightness seems to stem from my left shoulder (where the PM is). I don't have pain really, except some twinges around the PM area at times. The interrogation and the EKG revealed nothing wrong with the PM or my heart or leads. But what I have is this overall feeling of tightness and swelling in my chest, under my jaw, neck, and left shoulder (the most). The right shoulder isn't that bad. So I'm going to the PT twice a week and then stretching. but it's hard!! I feel so restricted in that area. It's a feeling I've never had before. I feel like I was all ready to get back to normal life and exercise but I just feel completely deflated with this situation. I'm trying to stay strong and keep that chin up. I'm hoping that with the stretching etc, it'll take less than a year to beat this. Hey, I'm trying to look at the bright side here: at least I'm getting a nice message twice a week, right? Hah! Thanks again, so much... for writing back... Take care, both of you.

Hi Hurtheart and everybody

by idgie - 2012-05-28 05:05:30

Hurtheart, thank you so much for your post. Lot of helpful hints there. I've printed this thread out to show to my ortho and my PT. I've a few questions for you if it's okay (I'll PM you as well). The elastic bandage around my chest sounds good. Where do I find those, do you know? And do you mean I should get the racer-back bras? Would they help? I never actually used to wear bras when I slept. I actually hate the things! Only wore them when I went out. Now I might have to change that habit! Ugh. Right now, I'm using the underwire, slightly padded ones. They seem to be of most help.

I also notice that sleeping on the left side seems to be easier. Getting up is okay now but the worst feeling I have is when I get up in the morning and try to get ready/take a shower etc. I have little support then and it's really difficult going through the motions. I will follow your advice re the cold and then heat. I'm using a hot water bottle on my upper back and I feel as if it helps a bit.

By the way, do you (or does anybody) know if I can find the kind of stretches you're all recommending on the 'net somewhere? I want to compare the ones my PT are giving me to anything you recommend. I want to know what kind of muscles I'm using and need to use.

Hi ElectricFrank: I'm glad you mentioned lifting solves the problem. My primary actually told me not to lift even my backpack (it's light as I just basically slide my lunch into it and then drive or take the metro to work). I was shocked when she said that because I can't live like that. I'm normally an active person and was, before all this happened. I asked my PT and he said he actually prefers a light backpack (he hefted it and didn't think it was heavy) then the shoulder-strapped purses. Do you think lifting is something I shouldn't do at all? I mean, even doing dishes and washing out a blender can feel heavy to me now but I'm a bit confused about this now. My cardio put no restrictions on me in terms of doing stuff so I can push myself as much as is possible.

Either way, this thread is so very helpful. I want to thank you all for putting my fears to rest. You have no idea how different I feel mentally today after having read your posts and hints and reassurances. I've been in a very deep funk for the past two months and I'm usually a toughie... but this whole thing just hit me like a ten ton truck. I wasn't expecting it at all and it was crushing to find out that after the absolute hell I went through in the last year, I'm still not out of the woods. But your words have buoyed me a bit and I can spot a dim light at the end of that tunnel. So thank you all... so very, very much! xx

Lifting

by ElectricFrank - 2012-05-29 01:05:04

I actually never paid much attention to lifting. Within a week I was climbing in and out of my Jeep and Truck, both of which are fairly high off the ground. I just grabbed something in the cab that wasn't above shoulder level to pull myself in.

I don't know where the lifting thing got started. Actually, I just used pain to limit my lifting. I figured if it wasn't painful it wasn't too heavy.

The only thing I can think of is that the docs don't know whether we understand "gentle" or are we jocks.

frank

PT

by idgie - 2012-05-29 11:05:27

Hi Frank, thanks. I showed this thread to my PT today. He gave me some more exercises to do on my left arm etc. I hope it works 'cos I'm about at the end of my rope.

Thank you all for all the reassurances and help and advice. I don't know what I would have done with you all xx.

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