Back to Normal?

Hi All!
I am new to this website and very happy to have found such a supportive group. I was initially diagnosed with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy in January 2014 after what I thought was an exacerbation of asthma. Since that time I have been on cardiac medications, 2 week Holter Monitoring, and had an insertion of a loop recorder. I had been having episodes of fainting, nausea, and vomiting. Bradycardia was the culprit! My heart rate dropped below 30 on several occasions. I had a dual channel Biotronik Eluna 8 Pacemaker implanted on May 27, 2015 so I am about 3 weeks post surgery. My PM is implanted under the skin but also imbedded in fatty tissue above my left breast but under my left clavicle. The swelling has decreased but the area is very sore and when I touch the incision site I cannot feel my finger moving against my skin. Is this normal?

I am trying to make sure I use my left arm while keeping it at shoulder level but noticed I am quite uncomfortable when I stretch my arm out to my left side. I have not returned to work as a classroom trainer which requires me to raise my arm above my shoulder and am fearful of returning to work with any restrictions to movement. I noticed that I am more anxious and fearful post PM insertion. I hope this is temporary. Is this my 'new normal'? Has anyone else experienced any of these symptoms? Thank you.

3 Comments

All normal

by Theknotguy - 2015-06-18 03:06:48

Yes, all your descriptions and feelings are normal.

Until the nerves heal on the incision site, you may not feel a thing. May have a zone with no feeling for a while. You really don't want to touch the incision site too often until it heals. I didn't want anything touching my incision and PM site for over five months. Used to take a shower with a cloth covering the site as I couldn't have the water splash on it.

Stretching arm out on left side will be uncomfortable for a while. After wound heals you can use warm and cold compresses on the PM site. You have to give the body and skin time to grow around the PM. That area was "tight" for at least seven months for me.

After the wound heals - 4 to 6 weeks - you can raise the arm above the shoulder. There may be a period where the arm and shoulder area are still "tight" even though everything has healed.

More anxious and fearful post PM is normal for the course. You've just had a foreign object put in your body, been told you need it to keep living, and don't make a mistake. Who wouldn't be a little anxious under the circumstances?

Once you figure out the PM won't stop working, the pain and soreness goes away, and you start feeling better, the anxiety goes away.

Sounds like you are adapting well so far. Hope everything continues to go well for you.

Give it time

by Grateful Heart - 2015-06-18 11:06:17


3 weeks is not long. It's all new to you so who wouldn't be anxious and worried. I have a CRT-D. I was worried about moving....or moving too fast at first. I didn't know when my defibrillator would fire.

6 years later...it still has not fired (I know, maybe I have a dud....I've thought of that). :-)

Mine is implanted where yours is....wait....don't we all have fatty tissue in that area?

Just keep an eye on the soreness, it should start to feel better. Make sure there is no fever, red streaks or leakage from the incision site.

You'll be ok...we've all been there......welcome.

Grateful Heart

Thank you

by Namaste - 2015-06-19 09:06:51

Theknotguy It is good to know these feelings are all 'normal' the 'tight' feeling I am experiencing will be a thing of the past and I can move forward with living.

Grateful Heart I will keep an eye on the soreness there is no weeping from the site at this time. The Durabond adhesive is still covering the site and starting to curl on the ends.

You know you're wired when...

You read consumer reports before upgrading to a new model.

Member Quotes

A lot of people are and live normal lives with no problems whatsoever.