Lynda

Hi i'm new to this, I had a pacemaker fitted on the 3rd of November 2014, it caused me a lot of pain near my arm pit, so the box has been moved to a different position that was 3 weeks ago. Problem is it isn't any more comfortable than the first one.. Is this something we all have in common, something we all have to live with or is mine still in the wrong position.. Would appreciate your advice guys...

9 Comments

Uncomfortable or painful?

by Grateful Heart - 2015-02-27 10:02:56

If it is just uncomfortable and not painful, it will take more than a few months to settle in. Each day or week will get better. The swelling needs to settle down, inside and out and your body needs to adjust to the big hunk of metal now in your chest. Rest assured we've all been there, so we understand. Your device may feel very heavy and it may be difficult to put your left arm across your body to the right side for example (assuming your implant is on the left side) but in time, with exercise that will get better.

On the other hand, if you are still in a great deal of pain, call your Doctor. We are all different in our pain thresholds so it is hard to tell.

Feel better,

Grateful Heart

Uncomfortable PM

by WillieG - 2015-02-27 10:02:58

Morning! Sorry to hear you are having so much pain and had to have ia second surgery to have your PM moved. I experienced more discomfort than I expected. The first week the area was very sore but after that I mainly noticed a "pulling sensation" when opening doors, using a broom, etc. I wasn't comfortable sleeping on my right side for 3 weeks and left side for 4 weeks and even now (9 months later) I occasionally feel it when laying on my left side. Pillows help and the position of your arm. My 2nd opinion doctor told me it can take 6 months to a year for you to adapt. I still feel my bra pressing on the area and I doubt that will ever go away. My biggest frustration is that my PM isn't doing anything and is basically turned off. I had exercise induced heart block but haven't had any for 2 months. They never seemed to be able to set it correctly so I asked that it be turned off. They won't remove it until the battery goes dead.

I hope you feel better soon!

Lynda

by lyndamax2 - 2015-02-27 11:02:03

Thanks sooo much for the response guys, it's good to hear from other people like myself , I don't think anyone who hasn't had this procedure done would understand..

I think the first op traumatised me to be honest, and believe me i'm not easily upset healthwise..

During the procedure they hit a nerve near my armpit twice it was like lightening shooting through ,, then they had trouble getting the leads in the correct place,, ended up taking them out and putting new ones in,, then the two surgeons were arguing over stitches or staples , the one who wanted to staple won the argument, and the final bit was I had been down so long , almost double the usual time , that the anaesthetic had started to wear off so I had to stop them from stapling me as I could feel everything they were doing...
So I have no confidence in anything they do or say,, and your opinions and stories hold more validation for me..

Sorry to go on guys , but again thanks a lot for the replies.......Lynda :)

Maybe time for a new Doctor

by Grateful Heart - 2015-02-27 12:02:54


I woke up while they were stitching me up after a lead revision....not fun. I told the Doctor I felt that stitch as my knee went up in the air. He yelled out that I felt the stitch, someone pushed my knee down and he went back in for 3 more stitches. My knee was pushed down again. I won't go back to that Doctor.

I got a steroid injection in my hip a few years ago under live X-Ray. The Doctor missed the mark and hit a nerve, then told me to move my leg. My leg was paralyzed for over 5 minutes. It felt like forever...very scary. They got my husband who was in the waiting room and then decided to lift me off the table and into a chair. I could tell the Doctor was nervous about it. The feeling finally came back. Never went back to him. My new Ortho wants to give me a shot in the other hip because it is getting worse. I had an appt. for January for that shot and I cancelled it. Guess I'll just keep my limp for now.

How unprofessional and scary....you had 2 Doctors arguing about how they would close you up. Since you have no trust in them....sounds like time for a new Doctor.

Grateful Heart

Group support

by WillieG - 2015-02-27 12:02:57

Yes, I have found this site very helpful, because friends that don't have PMs really can't understand your feelings. I am 61, but don't know anyone with a PM and the cardiology office did not give out very much info.

Your surgery sounded awful and I don't blame you for not trusting. I do hope with time, that you will feel better. Is your PM helping your problems with breathing, or skipped beats, etc.? I hope so as that would make your pain easier to deal with. Pros and cons....

Wish you the best!

PS. I had glue so didn't have to deal with stitches or staples. Probably less painful.

Choice

by lyndamax2 - 2015-02-28 02:02:45

Hi everyone,
I've read all your posts with great interest and empathy. you have all been through a lot and the sad part is as ANGRY SPARROW has stated, if we were treated as individuals and they explained what the downfalls were as well as the advantages, the worst case scenarios as well as the best, we would then have a choice, it doesn't happen .

I received a letter telling me a bed had been reserved for me 10 days before I knew anything was wrong with me, i got to speak to the surgeon on the ward for literally 5 minutes before the first operation.. The second operation i didn't get to speak to him at all until i was outside the theatre doors....

I have since spoken to the first surgeon i had and expressed my views on the way i was treated, i told him in my opinion complacency has replaced caring these days , they know they can do the job so they do it on automatic pilot, i suggested it was time they all took a step back and remembered that it's people individual people they are treating , with feelings and that should be taken into consideration.. He profoundly apologised for everything he had put me through and agreed that there needed to be more communication between doctor and patient.
After reading your posts , and listening to you all it helps me realise that this horrible little thing that has invaded my life my body and mind is there for a purpose , to help me live, maybe one day it will seem like a small price to pay.

Stay well everyone ... :)

Hugs Lynda

by Janenotarzan - 2015-02-28 03:02:21

So sorry to hear of uour experiences and how unprepared/unchampioned you must have felt in your time of most-dire need of suporrt & comfort. Glad you, too, found this site. Seems to be an amazing patchwork of survivors to me, a new member. Reminds me on here a bit of my huge family-- all intelligent, but with varying degrees of expertise, experience, and education. Best thing on here, tho, (IMHO) is the.fact that they 'get' the PM issues, because they have all been there/done that. Best Wishes! ~ Jane

Jane

by lyndamax2 - 2015-02-28 05:02:11

Thanks Jane , hugs right back at you, :) yes I've told my family about joining this site this morning , I've said how comforting it is to speak to like minded people who understand and empathise ,, and yes I have found a pacemaker family , long may we continue ...

Be well Jane ...

Treadmill

by lyndamax2 - 2015-04-15 04:04:12

Hi guys , I've been using a treadmill for a few days now and yesterday I developed a pain in the pacemaker site that hasn't gone away yet is this normal, I've also been doing a bit of manual work which I haven't done in a while... Any advice welcome :)

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