Shoulder problems!!

Hi there, I just had my pacemaker put in on May 3rd in an emergent situation.I didn't know that could ever be a possibility! lol... My HR had dropped to 29-35 and wouldn't stay up. I have always had a slow hear rate but this was extreme! I have had terrible shoulder pain, I mean excruciating, since the surgery. Radiating across my upper back and down my arm to the elbow in the ulnar nerve, even into the hand at times.

I had had thoracic surgery on t-7 thru t-10 (because of a high fall, I had broken my back in that spot) and had left shoulder surgery, rotator cuff and shaving or sanding of arthritis. There was very little time to tell my surgeon this info. I was being wheeled down the hall having medicines injected into my IV for surgery prep as I signed papers, literally,
I'm a very active and fairly fit 57 year old woman. That had all of a sudden changed dramatically because of my HR (heart rate). I was blaming it all on PTSD which I have been diagnosed with, another forum altogether.....on depression and pushing myself to do things I had no energy to do. When I fainted I realised it wasn't depression, lol. Thank God I happen to work in a hospital.

This shoulder pain, I'm being told, is a very uncommon side effect of pacemaker surgery though I'm seeing some posts about this very problem. I would just really love to hear from anyone who has had or is having a similar experience. Even if you know someone who has had this experience. I'm being told it's probably due to positioning of my shoulder during surgery which makes sense. I'm just needing affirmation and support for my circumstance I think.
Happy to hear any kind of hopeful response and to know I'm not so alone with this repercussion of surgery. Thanks

4 Comments

time

by Peg541 - 2012-05-09 03:05:06

Give it time. My shoulder screamed for a few days after my pacer was put in. I have tendinitis and arthritis and like you did not tell them that. I never imagined it would make a difference. It might be positional.
Good luck.
Peg

Me too!

by Many Blessings - 2012-05-09 10:05:52

I had problems with my shoulder as well. In fact, the doctor said I may get "frozen shoulder" later, since they don't let you move your arm above chest level for 4-6 weeks.

Some of us were put in slings during our hospital stay as well, so that didn't help things either.

Hang in there and hopefully it will go away. If not, check with your regular doctor before it gets worse.

Good luck!

thank you!

by quinnface1 - 2012-05-10 03:05:51

Thank you so much. To hear that makes me feel better. It kinda pisses me off the docs don't tell you about shoulder problems. I was under the impression I was back to work in days. Right now it's 2:00 am. and no hope of sleep on the horizon. At least I know it will get better!

Welcome !!

by donb - 2012-05-10 09:05:36

And Thank You for a good Bio which is so helpfull to most members to give you support. Sounds like you're in a similar boat as I am in. First off, I know that as you being in massage therapy, that being inactive what happens to a body. With my 4th PM, fresh implant right chest, another pair of leads, my (New) Cardiologist took my sling off my right arm & flung it in the corner of my hopital room. He informed me that he wants movement of my arm to avoid shoulder problems. He also told me that not to worry about lifting my arm as "pain" would tell me the limits of movement.
As I've been the route of right shoulder rotator cuff surgery and also fracture of T2 & T7 from taking a horizontal ride in a slippery tub shower, I know what Therapy is all about. After a period of 6 months of severe pain Therapy did the job of healing. In the last 6 months Ididn't follow up with proper exercise and the pain between my shoulder blades returned with vengence. So, I've been very active this Spring doing lots of shoulder activity and find improvement in shoulder pain. Oh, forgot to mention 2 lower back surgeries 40 years apart, L4 & L5 disc in 1960 and year 2000, L1 to S1 Laminectomy. Again, staying active, limiting lifting, has been the best for me at age 80. Mom taught me that & lived to age 101. So, as a therapist I've probaly wasted a lot of words as you're way ahead of all this & you know you'll do well. Happy Healing !!

donb

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