Swelling in arm

Hi, I had my pacemaker- dual chamber implanted on my left side about three weeks ago. I had it placed between my left breast and arm pit due to I didn't want placed on my chest. I woke up this morning and my left arm was feeling very sore. My arm and hand swelled up and my arm was really tight. I went to the ER and had an ultra sound done and no signs of blood clot so will follow up with my cardiologist next week. Has anybody else had this issue?, and if so what caused it if it wasn't a blood clot.

Thanks
Sappy

5 Comments

swelling

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-07 10:12:53

Could have been the way you slept on it, or it could be a clot that they missed. Definitely follow up. Good luck!

swelling

by sappy35 - 2013-12-08 08:12:58

Yep I was thinking that as well maybe I had slept on it. Still swollen. Will definitely follow up.

swelling

by sappy35 - 2013-12-13 01:12:39

Thank you for the comment. I did follow up and if its not better by Wednesday they are going to run at CT scan. They also thought it was dema as well. So on a daily asprin and trying to keep my arm elevated as much as possible. I have to say its improving everyday so i'm hoping it will work itself out. I really like the location of the pacemaker and i really dont want to move it.

OEDEMA

by shirley d - 2013-12-13 12:12:54

Hi Sappy
Don't delay. It appears that the area in which the PM is implanted is close to the thoracic outlet junction and can impinge on the flow of blood nerves and lymph, this can cause oedema in the arm.
This is very annoying but not life threatening. However an ultrasound can miss a clot so don't delay.
Good luck
Shirley

Dealing with Swelling now

by Andrae_B - 2015-11-18 08:11:08

Hello, I had a ICD implanted 4 weeks ago and 10 days ago my left arm began to swell 30 to 50 percent of its size. I went to the ER to check for a clot and deal with the pain. They could not find a clot and placed me on pain and blood thinner medication. My concern is how long can I expect to have this swelling and what long term problems has anyone experienced? New to the club Andre_B, thank you

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