torso pain with pacemaker

Pseudo pain

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-16 01:02:21

The body and mind can sometimes be rather complex. I don't deny you feel those pain symptoms, the question is why?

Doctors in the Ohio area of the USA have severe restriction on painkillers. They can lose their license and go to jail. And since we've had some recent court activity in that area with really nasty jail times, doctors in the Ohio area are loath to address the pain issue. Sorry 'bout that.

I had pain going up into my jaw on the left side. I also had pain in my back directly behind the PM site. Got quite a few neck spasms on the PM side. I attribute the pain in the jaw and neck spasms from the leads under the collar bone. I attribute the back pain from the PM insertion site. I call it pseudo pain because it was my body reacting to the PM and leads. The pain really wasn't there it was just my body reacting to the situation. Your body doesn't know how to interpret the new sensations so it tells you it's pain.

But, back to your pain. If you can find what triggers it, get it addressed, then you should start to feel better. Massive painkillers is not the answer. You probably won't like some of my suggestions either, but here goes....

I had a lot of pain right after my PM insertion. Broken rib, cracked rib, collapsed lung, sore PM insertion site. Busted up shoulder from the CPR. Then Propofol hallucinations and reaction to some of the wrong heart meds, then new meds. I was begging them in the hospital to address some of the pain - all went on deaf ears. However, I had dealt with pain before as they had to rearrange the inside of my mouth using braces. Braces as 50 years of age is no picnic. So, what did I do?

1) The first thing I did was to get moving. Walking is a great exercise. You can't stay tight and walk at the same time. Walking loosens muscles. Loose muscles mean less pain - you sleep better - less pain - you feel better.

After my PM visit, I started out at 500 feet and gradually worked up to a mile. Then went 1 1/2 miles. Every day. Slow at first, then more. Moving was one source of help. The first few days of walking were tough. I'd go out and walk, then take a one hour nap. But it gradually got better. Right now I'm taking cardio rehab. They have me do a lot of walking on the treadmill. That has helped a lot.

2) The second thing I did was to hydrate. I was drinking 1/2 liter of water per 33 pounds of weight per day. A lot of water, but that helped. For cardio rehab I have a 1/2 liter of water before and 1/2 liter after. Then another 1/2 liter about an hour after cardio workout.

3) I put beach towels on the bed and slept on them. Beach towels keep the muscles warm without drying them out like a heating pad will do. Sore shoulders - put a smaller towel up in the shoulder area and sleep on that. Loose muscles - less pain - sleep better - feel better.

4) Found a good, licensed massage therapist. Got a prescription from my cardiologist so her insurance would cover her. Three one-hour sessions so far. She's been able to find the trigger muscles that cause all the other muscles to tighten up. Loose muscles - less pain - sleep better - feel better.

5) Stretching. Under the direction of a physical therapist, I've been able to do stretching. It's helped a lot.

The only pain killers I've taken have been Tylenol. That's after my massage therapist sessions. Keeping down swelling lessens pain - sleep better - (you get the rest.)

You'll see on this forum the PM people who do the best are the ones who get out there and get active.

Hopefully something I've mentioned above will help you. I hope you start feeling better.

Theknotguy