Positioning

Hi,

It is 3 weeks since I had a single wire pacemaker fitted for SSS. I am pleased to say that I feel so much more alert while resting now and my energy levels have increased after the rate response setting was switched on. My scar has also healed up nicely so all in all I am feeling pretty pleased and blessed. My only niggle is that it is really uncomfortable when driving or I'm on the computer because the device seems to dig in when I bring my arms in front of me. Is this normal and do you just get used to it - at the moment it causes my arm to ache and makes me feel slightly sick when it digs in. Also my arm is still a bit numb yet tender at the same time - how long does it take for all the nerves to heal?

Thanks

4 Comments

Months

by DampDog - 2016-11-10 05:24:25

The short answer is months.

Bear in mind the scar you see on the outside is only the tip of the iceberg.  At 3 weeks in I doubt the swelling has gone, let alone it been long enough for nerves to heal. They need to cut down through fat and muscle to get access to the vein; it all needs time to heal. Of course we are all different, if you are a “skinny” build the skin tends to pull a little tighter over the device until things stretch and you get used to it. The area feeling tender/ sore for quite a few weeks/months yet is in the ‘normal’ range.  I’m sure others will have had different experiences but I’d say 8-12+ weeks before you find any kind or new normal. I’m 8 months in and it still becomes sore if I have a day when use my arm and shoulder when gardening for example. To some degree it’s not a matter of things needing to heal, just getting used to them feeling different, it can take a while.

Thanks

by Diane C - 2016-11-10 13:10:00

Thanks for your response DampDog, that's good to know - it's much easier to cope with if you know it's normal! 

LOL

by DampDog - 2016-11-11 05:24:21

LOL… I re-read that and it looks like "normal" is my new favorite word.

I simply meant to say it sounds fine, just give it a little time to heal and settle. It will probably be niggly and tender for a few months yet, and the tenderness may come and go. I found as it healed it went through a spectrum of sensations. Tender, sore, prickly, itchy. Just keep an eye out for it becoming warm, more inflamed or reddened, as that may be a sign of infection. As I’m getting used to mine I still have days when it becomes a little tender or sore even though for the most part it is not so bad now.

Good luck with it anyway.  
DD

LOL

by Diane C - 2016-11-11 14:01:36

LOL, thanks DampDog - 'Normal' works for me!! 

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