Pain and discomfort 6 monthsafter pacemaker fitting

I had a pacemaker fitted 10 days after my second aortic valve surgery. The sternum is still very sore and tender as is the the pacemaker scar and surrounding tissue. I find it difficult to get comfortable in bed. The pacemaker feels heavy and very sore. Has anyone else experienced this. Does it eventually go away ? Is there anything that can be done about it. The medics are not very helpful. I am feeling very down about it.

4 Comments

Pillows...lots of Pillows

by Grateful Heart - 2016-12-03 15:45:43

Try placing one under your arm on your pacemaker side.  Try different positions and pillow sizes until you find what is most comfortable for you.  We are all different and some have no pain or discomfort sleeping but it can take a while.  I still have discomfort sleeping on my left side and it's been quite a while.....others.....no problem.

It can take up to a year for the PM to completely settle in so it may feel heavy for a bit longer.  One day you will realize that it does not feel heavy anymore....all in good time.

Feel better.

Grateful Heart

It will get better

by Good Dog - 2016-12-03 16:32:54

I have NOT been through what you have, so I cannot speak from experience. However, I can tell you that after a couple of major surgeries that include a shoulder replacement and my 4th PM replacement, it sometimes takes forever for the pain to subside. My PM replacement should be no big deal, but due to scar tissue it has taken a year for the pain to fully subside. 

You just need to hang in there knowing that it will get better. Try to keep a positive attitude. You are through the worst of it. That is the good news. Actually, it is all good news. You'll probably feel a million times better in the next six months!

 

 I wish you the very best!

David

Surgeon

by BillH - 2016-12-03 22:50:32

Have you talked to the surgeon that did the aortic valve to verify that the sterum has joined.

Non-urion of the bone can be a problem.

Thank you.

by AnnieG - 2016-12-05 16:39:11

So grateful for helpful reassuring replies. I have had chest X-rays so kind of assumed someone would have said something if the sternum was not healed  properly ? Could there be a  possibility that this would not show on an XRay ?

You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

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