Severe Discomfort after 6 weeks

I had my pacemaker/ICD implanted in February. The pain has mostly gone, but there is a lot of discomfort above the implant, and it feels like there is something under the skin that is not present on the right in the same region. The area feels similar to what a large tendon would feel like. Is this usual? Whatever it is, it is extremely uncomfortable.

Any information would be helpful.

14 Comments

Seatbelt

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-26 01:03:13

Grateful Heart... I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt. If I tried not to, the dinger contraption in my car would drive me crazy. I pull it to one side, off the implant. I have the pillar adjustment set low as if I was a shorter person than I am, and also have a sheepskin cover over the belt.

The issue two state cops have had is that the belt was not aligned the way they wanted. Not long back, before I had the implant, a lady texting rear-ended me and the belt left quite a bruise right over where the implant was destined to be a few months later.

Honestly, I think they were more interested in getting their quotas up than because of any safety issue.

Again

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-26 01:03:44

Cecil, I DO ALWAYS wear a seatbelt! I simply have it pulled to one side a little, and OFF the implant.

As for the doctor's note, I want it to ward off overzealous police who insist on it being worn right smack over where the implant is situated. Just have the belt rest on it at all is painful enough, I cannot imagine what it would feel like in a possible collision. I would guess the pain would be blindingly severe.

My thinking is that officers see it to one side and see it as an opportunity to get a quick ticket. I have been in a collision as a kid in a car that was not equipped with seatbelts. The rail across the back of the front seat caused bruising that stayed for many months as I was flung into it. I am NOT saying I do not wear a seatbelt, just that I position the strap to one side slightly.

seat belt violation

by manaman - 2014-03-26 01:03:57

Unless your doctors note SPECIFIES not to wear seat belt you best have your $$$$ WITH YOU.
Also be careful how you play to game, you could loose driving privileges.
HINT: A clothes pin at the belt retraction site will relieve pressure!
Comments not guess work, cost me over $500. And getting a doctor to give you a note not to wear seat belt is not in your favor to acquire !
Cecil

Severe Discomfort after 6 weeks

by iheartemh - 2014-03-26 03:03:41

This much discomfort after six weeks doesn't sound normal to me. I only used a padded seat belt for the first two weeks. I am older and have been wearing camis instead of a bra for many years. I did have some problems with clothing with straps near the incision site. This isn't an issue any more.

I would urge you to see your physician and voice your complaints as to the level of discomfort after this much time. You should be concerned because it may indicate something is wrong such as a slight infection, inflamed tissues, or that you haven't healed properly. Do not continue to suffer and wonder. Get your healthcare providers involved!

idea

by Alma Annie - 2014-03-26 07:03:44

Have you thought of this:- place some thick padding on the belt above the level of the device, possibly on your shoulder, and some thick padding below the device. This should hold the belt sufficiently away from the device so that the seat belt is not touching it.
It is so important to wear your seat belt. Many years ago it saved my life, I definitely would not have made it alive in a bad car accident. Try it anyway with different thicknesses.
Alma Annie

Alma...

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-26 08:03:28

I have said it three times I think...

I DO WEAR MY SEATBELT...

IT is worn with the strap slightly to the left of where the PM/ICD is located, just not right over it... I also have a sheepskin pad that fits onto the seatbelt.

The officers that have stopped me have done so not for failure to wear a seatbelt, but because of the position slightly to the left of the belt.

The seatbelt is NOT off my shoulder, just slightly left of the PM/ICD.

Anywhere, but where I live, law enforcement would see me wearing my belt and leave me alone. Just not here in New Mexico.

I absolutely DO wear my seatbelt, and I have not been able to find anywhere on the internet that says keeping the belt in the position I do is in any way defeating the purpose of the belt.

I ought to take a picture of the belt's position so that you all can see it. It is NOT unsafe, and I DO wear my seatbelt!

discomfort overlead

by trish - 2014-03-26 11:03:47

and so can I. Try to avoid pressure on that area. I got a padding device for seatbelt on driver side , Do not need on passenger side. If you are a women , watch your choice of bra, straps need to be set wide enough to avoid this area. Trish

Well...

by Grateful Heart - 2014-03-26 12:03:00

It will be more painful if you go through the windshield.

Sometimes I have to hold the chest strap away from my device a little when coming to a stop or certain turns. Mine sticks out and can be very sensitive at times.

Also, if you keep getting moving violations (such as driving without a seatbelt), not only is it expensive, you could lose your license.

Maybe try a thicker padding.

Grateful Heart

Could it be that you feel.....

by donr - 2014-03-26 12:03:43

.....the leads going from the device to the subclavian vein?

They have to get across the top rib & essentially under the collar bone to the vein so they can get into the heart. I know that I can feel my leads right there.

Donr

Thank you

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-26 12:03:50

Thank you for the responses!!! Very nice indeed...

Trish, as to seatbelt use, I have actually been stopped twice for the seatbelt not being worn properly. I explained the reasons to the officers, but do not get any empathy or sympathy at all. Even putting a soft pad under the belt does not seem to help at all. It gets painful to where I just can no longer bear it. I will go to court over both stops, and take a doctor's note with me.

An officer relative told me to stop driving, but this is really not an option, and I think a very sudden stop with the seatbelt running directly over the implant could have its own set of problems.

I need to look at my x-rays better huh?

Thank you Trish

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-27 10:03:22

Thanks Trish,

I tried getting onto the site, but it says the site is not available. I will try again later. Something like that would be a huge help. It's strange how people cannot grasp what a problem such a device can be in the most mundane situations!

Tim

Grateful Heart

by NMWanderer - 2014-03-27 11:03:23

Thank you so much for replying. Yep, I do just pull it to one side a little. That's what is frustrating with our ticket-happy police. Incidentally, I spoke with the judge here locally, and she threw both citations out.

I hope this soft touch deal works. I am fed up with things that hurt all the time!

Hopefully, in time, it will feel fine, and all will be well.

Thanks again,

Tim

I got it NM

by Grateful Heart - 2014-03-27 11:03:34

The first time, after you responded to my post and explained it. When you said you pull it to one side, it sounds like you take the chest strap off and only use the lap strap.

Sorry about the frustration.

I hope the soft touch seat belt cover works for you. I may consider one too.

Grateful Heart

Seatbelt discomfort

by trish - 2014-03-27 12:03:41

I ordered from soft touch a seat belt relief device for implant patients, . Goes over seat melt, C shaped with dead air space fitting over implant, I find it really helps. www.softtouchingo.com. Trish

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Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.