Shoulder pain 6 weeks later...

Hi Everyone! I had a biventricular pacemaker implant on January 25, 2016. It is exactly 6 weeks ago today. I go back for an optimization appointment on the 17th. I've experienced zero improvement in my symptoms. Now I'm suffering from shoulder pain. I was instructed not to lift my arm above my shoulder for six weeks, no cleaning or doing anything with my left arm to prevent the leads from moving. I have been very careful washing my hair taking my shower and basic life functions. But let me tell you, the pain in my shoulder with the slightest of movements has been literally been bringing me to tears. It actually seems to be getting worse instead of better. I expect there to be weakness and stiffness from not having full use of my arm. But for the slightest of movement to cause excruciating pain is just absolutely ridiculous. And unfortunately because I have heart failure I can't lay flat, so I prop myself up with pillows. I wake up with worse neck pain and shoulder pain every morning. Today I had pain in my upper left breast. When I would gently push down on it in a certain area it would send shooting pain into my shoulder and down my arm. I emailed my doctor at the Mayo Clinic today about it. I was just curious if this is common. Thank you!

6 Comments

Shoulder pain

by Debs59 - 2016-03-08 01:03:42

I am 11weeks out from CRT-D and I have to say my shoulder pain is still there, but not as bad. I go back to doc in couple of weeks and will be addressing it for sure...may need some rehab. I'll let you know. Sorry for your pain...

can feel and see the wire through my skin

by DiannM - 2016-03-08 02:03:08

I wondered if anyone had experienced having the wire or wires be very pronounced when holding your shoulders back and sitting up straight, or sometime during certain movements? I will be 1 month this Thursday since placement of St. Jude pacemaker.

Wire pronounced..

by voiceofangelz - 2016-03-08 11:03:14

Have you let the doctors know about that? If not, I probably would before your appointment. They may want to see you sooner. It doesn't sound normal. I'm no expert but from all the research I've done, that seems odd. I hope your leads haven't moved. Please keep us updated, I'm curious if this is something common.

Thank you Debs59. Hope you are free from pain soon too!😊

Shoulder pain

by voiceofangelz - 2016-03-09 06:03:11

I understand exactly what your saying. I did use gentle motion and stretches everyday so I wouldn't get frozen shoulder. The only thing I didn't and couldn't do if I wanted to was lift my arm above my shoulder. I actually noticed prior to surgery when I would reach for something that I had pain in the back of my shoulder. I had so much going on and it wasn't constant pain that I didn't rush to the doctor. So now I'm wondering if something was wrong prior to surgery that has worsened due to lack of motion. I didn't keep my arm stuck to my side for 6 weeks but it's amazing how quickly you lose strength. Now I have constant pain.

Shoulder pain

by Ladyfish - 2016-03-10 08:03:59

I'm on my second CRT-D and haven't had that issue. Please let your EP know what is going on. The sooner the better.

Shoulder Pain

by Ricochet - 2016-03-12 07:03:22

I still have some shoulder pain. It has been 3 1/2 weeks. I found the less I used my left arm the worse it was. The more I used and moved my left arm the better it got. Still not over my head or anything like that. I also found that sleeping on my right side and propping my left arm ( like hugging the second pillow) up helped how the shoulder felt in the morning. Good luck, and that the Lord for extra strength Tylenol.

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.