Incision site still sore

Hi there, I'm new to this and the world of pacemakers so please bear with me. I'm a 46 year old female, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor sometime ago, however it flared up leading me to be hospitalized, due to the swelling in my head and the wrong signals being sent to my body they couldn't keep my heart rate up, I was moved to the ICU unit, where my heart dropped to 21bpm, a pacemaker was the only option at that time so they operated inserting a MRI surescan because of the tumor issues. Well it's over a month on, the incision site is good no real redness but still sore to the touch, just like a really bad bruise, I also have put on over 30lb in weight due to the steroid meds I'm on, I was just wondering how long it should take so I don't feel the device at the incision area, and how long before I can really exercise again, I'm walking, and going to try to go for a bike ride today, everyone around me keeps saying "don't over do it" but geeze I have to do something lol

6 Comments

Thank you

by Traciek - 2014-04-27 02:04:42

Thank you all for the warm welcome and answers to my questions, I have found this all so very helpful, it's so much easier talking to people who actually have experienced this and are continually doing so rather than reading horror stories on line about aunt Bettie's experience by her brother in law.

I'm setting myself goals, I have been walking around the block easing into it, I have been getting great at doing that without breathlessness, I also started riding a bike just a little ride, going to ease my way into that I think. I'm raring yo go, the head says yes body says heck no young lady not yet lol

I'm reading through all of the other posts here hoping to find answers to my questions, I'm so glad I found this group, I feel this is where I should be for info, so thank you again.

Don't listen

by Grateful Heart - 2014-04-27 02:04:58

Don't listen to Aunt Bettie.....she complains about everything. :-)

Sounds like you are doing well.....good for you!

Grateful Heart

sore incision site

by bluebowtye - 2014-04-27 09:04:14

Hello and welcome!

I too am fairly new to the world of pacemakers. I am 52 and have had mine for almost 10 weeks now.

My incision site was sore for about 2 months and the PM pocket felt bruised and painful to touch for that amount of time too. It is a lot better now but sometimes certain clothes still irritate the incision. It's not really pain but just a bit of discomfort.

I can relate about the weight. I am not on any meds but gained about 10 pounds during my recovery. I am now back to walking lots and doing some light weight workouts. But it is kind of depressing when your clothes don't fit like they used too, etc. Try to keep a positive attitude and not let it bring you down.

The best advice I can give is listen to your body. I found if I overdid it those first few weeks I felt really lousy the next day. If you have pain or discomfort, stop. It does take some time and we are all different. Do what you feel and it will get better with time. Many members here are doing everything they did before and some even more because the feel so good now that they got the PM. You will get there.

I wish you all the best!
~Sheila

returning to normal

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-27 09:04:18

We aren't supposed to raise our arm above shoulder level or lift anything heavy for 6 weeks. Other than that, if you are otherwise healthy and cleared for exercise, do whatever you feel up to. It took a while before I could handle much impact so I stuck to walking with hand weights and the recumbent bike at first, but we have members out running within a few weeks. I found the bounce of the bike to be too much the first weeks, that's why I stuck with the recumbent. It's not dangerous, just left me sore.

Ignore the "don't overdo it" crowd. They mean well, but as long as you feel ok, go for it. They will worry, but as they see us back to normal and feeling great, they get over it.

what's normal?

by judyblue - 2014-04-27 10:04:05

Welcome to the club (the unexpected membership). The one thing I have learned (in the 7 weeks since implant) from this forum is that we are all different. Like what has been said, some pick up their lives just where they were before the pm, or they are even better. Some have minor soreness that heals quickly. But some of us are now dealing with major change. I experienced nerve damage during my implant. I am quite certain of it, but the docs won't admit it. my hubby has extensive nerve damage to his leg from an accident, and the way he describes the pain is exactly how mine is. I stupidly stabbed my incision site with my finger nail last night at a restaurant and had to put my head down because the pain was so bad I was nauseous. I also have another internal pain that is constant in which i take naproxen for daily. This pain I am hoping subsides some day. This pain has decreased my energy to half of what it was, which has caused me to give up most of what I was doing before. I can still work which I am very grateful for (we are in debt up to our eyeballs), but the running is over, as are all my volunteering. Perhaps these will be a part of me again. I don't tell you this to depress you, but to let you know that no matter what your situation becomes, you are not alone here. Someone is experiencing or has experienced what you are going through.
I wish you the very best, my friend. Don't judge yourself, but listen to yourself. I agree with ignoring the "don't over do it" crowd. Unless they are carrying one these things in their chests, they don't have a clue!!
judy

9 Weeks Out Today

by BHayes - 2014-04-28 02:04:26

I am 9 weeks out since my PM surgery and I was limited to 10 lbs but no movement restrictions. I have just started lifting more weight (not while exercising) while working and push mowing the yard now. I still have a little tenderness from the increased activity that Tylenol will relieve, but I think the most irritation I have found is from the car seat belt on a long road trip I took last week. They make a special attachment for the seat belt that will help, so I am looking at ordering one now.

Good luck with your continued recovery.

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My muscles are very sore but each day it gets better and my range of movement is improving.