need ideas for pain

10+ weeks post PM implant and I still have pain on the inside of my left arm between shoulder and elbow as well as pain/extreme sensitivity over my scar. The scar hurts just with clothing touching it. I know this isn't right and am trying to get help. My scar appears to have developed into a hypertrophic scar (which I never heard of until I read it on this board and looked it up). Sounds as if injections of Kenalog-10 may help with this? Anyone with experience with that??? I will call my dermatologist in the morning.

I am trying to get to a neurologist for nerve conduction testing but even though my cardiologist said he would do the referral they are very slow at this. I am also planning to request a referral to Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion.

I read tonight that an EP knows hearts but not pain. I feel as if I am being blown off a bit--being told to wait and come back in six weeks and now in three months. My arm hurts just touching the side of my body. I am not a wuss.

So--any experiences or other ideas anyone has? I welcome any and all comments as I force my medical people to pay attention to me and try to fix this. I know that I should not have pain and am so tired of it.

Thanks in advance.

1 Comments

Welcome to the club.

by IRONFISH - 2012-10-10 10:10:34

OKAY, FIRST go to your Dermatologist, he/she should beable to repair the damage, it is amazing what can be done. I had a scar repaired, amazing.

On the pain you are having. If you are over 35 years, you might be having a problem with your tendons tightening up. If you are not using a body part it tightens up the tendons, they hurt, it is like they are telling you to use you body, neck, shoulders and knees are the big areas.

Try these things:
1. Use moist heat, get the lymph system moving.
2. Either get someone to massage the sore area, or
get a large vibrator. You want to get everything
moving under your arm, in you pit and down into
your fingers. Work on your ribs, from your
spine to your midsection.
If you hire a medical professional massage therapist, they really know how to get your system working properly. It will probably be uncomfortable when the therapist starts (take a pain pill, if you have one). However, you will stop hurting very quickly. I was surprised the first time I let someone work on me.
3. This is tough, but it works. Get the area nice and warm, really warm. Then use a ICE Cube, all over the sore area. Cover up then warm every up again, do that three times or so. Then come back in a couple of hours and do it again. It works. My Physiotherapist showed me that years ago.

You have to advocate for your self. Sometimes it is very difficult. You just have to get tough or suffer.

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