What should I be concerned about?

Hi there! I just received my PM on 11/11/13. As with many of you, it is not known as to the cause resulting in my PM. It has generally been a fairly easy recovery, but I have noticed some neck and shoulder pain, and I seem to have more symptoms during the night. I have been taking Ibuprofen, which helps, but how long does this type of pain/tension last? I have been a good patient, but the disruption to my sleep makes it a little rough going, especially as I look top go back to work. Just wanted to check with everyone out there & see what your experiences have been like. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

2 Comments

Stiff shoulder

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-19 08:11:23

My permanent PM was installed on 8-Oct-13. Got a stiff shoulder on the left side where my PM was inserted. As soon as I'd start to use my left arm everyone would start yelling at me to stop because they were afraid of me damaging something. So my shoulder got stiff. I really noticed it while walking as my dangling arm would pull on the incision. I also had a broken rib and a chest tube wound on the right side from where they were doing CPR.

So what I do is to take a pillow and wrap my left arm around it when I lay on my right side while sleeping. It helps alleviate the pain from pressing on the broken rib and chest tube wound. Also something to snuggle with seems to help too.

After spending all the time in the hospital sleeping on my back in an elevated bed being able to lay on my side really helps me sleep.

Sweet dreams. Hope this helps.

Theknotguy

Keep it moving

by jenny97 - 2013-11-20 09:11:14

Heat and ice can be helpful, as previously suggested, but be sure you are keeping that shoulder moving. Gentle stretching can be really helpful in alleviating and preventing tension and pain. You might try stretching it out right before you go to bed to get it all loose and relaxed.

Stretching can help prevent you from developing frozen shoulder, which sometimes happens when PM recipients are overly zealous in protecting the arm on the side where the PM was implanted.

Good luck!

Jenny

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