Recovering from pacemaker surgery

Twinge

by FitMomma - 2017-06-03 19:20:08

After my pacemaker surgery I felt definite pacing heartbeats under my left breast. This went on for 6 weeks and it was like a tapping. My EP turned that lead off and told me I didn't need it. The tapping has gone away with that adjustment.

cathy

Twinge

by Happygirl8 - 2017-06-03 23:30:12

Did you notice the twinge under left breast at any particular time?  Today, I noticed it both times after eating something.  The rest of the day I had no symptoms.

Same here

by WiredandTired - 2017-06-04 08:29:32

I have had the same twinges and slight "pressure".  Sometimes center chest too. I could feel food sliding down my esophagus and when it hit a certain spot, it's like the food hit whatever was making the twinge. It started waning now. (9 days post op) It scared me a bit but I think it's just part of the healing process. 

odd feelings

by Tracey_E - 2017-06-04 09:54:47

There will be all sorts of odd feelings as the leads settle in, the heart gets used to being paced, the pocket and incision heal. Aches and shooting pains, hiccups, weird twinges are all normal.

Symptoms that are worth a call to the doctor- trouble breathing, persistant cough, chest pain, return of pre-op symptoms.

Things on the incision that should be seen - new swelling or redness, heat, streaks, fever, oozing

When in doubt, it's always best to call. 

Smile, you're healing.

by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-04 15:04:56

Listen to Tracey.

Every little twinge doen't mean something has gone wrong! 

Something has been placed in your chest that was never there before. To do that your skin had to be surgically separated from the underliying tissue on your chest to make room for the pacemaker. Now your body is making scar tissue to stick your skin back on but with a pacemaker betwwen the skin and the chest.  

Yikes! Of course you feel something. It would be strange if you didn't. Nerves regrowing and reattaching and scar tissue forming can produce all sorts of strange pulsing, pulling, pinching, stinging, tingling, itching, twitching sensations.

Tracey told you the real warning signs. A monentary twinge doesn't mean something is wrong. It means something is right. You are healing.

If a feeling really bothers you, ice it for a few minutes to let the nerves calm down. Otherwise, get your mind off it. Smile, you're healing.

Feeling it

by FitMomma - 2017-06-04 15:20:07

i always felt mine whenever I bent over (prior to the doctor turning it off) now when I bend over my bp drops and I get lightheaded. Even if I am just getting something from the kitchen cabinet. I hate it!

One more thing...

by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-04 15:25:13

Being careful not to overdo is good. Not moving your arm and shoulder at all is bad!

Not moving can cause "frozen shoulder."

Be gentle, take it a little bit a time, but do move your arm and shoulder several times a day. A momentary twinge or two is to be expected, but as you move more it will go away. Every day you can do a little more. Exercises to regain full range of motion in the shoulder can be found on the Web.

Twinge

by Happygirl8 - 2017-06-04 20:46:08

Thank you all for your comments.  I'm a little anxious but feel better now.  How long did you wait until you can get back to normal with exercise?  I have an appointment in two weeks so I thought I'd just wait until then to ask my EP.

4-6 weeks

by Tracey_E - 2017-06-05 09:22:08

I was told not to get sweaty for 4 weeks, not because of the pacer but infection risk. 

Doctors vary on range of motion on weights, from 2 weeks to 6 weeks. After that, ease back into your old routine. It took me about 3 months to get back to it and not feel any twinges. 

Twinge

by Happygirl8 - 2017-06-05 17:50:04

I called my EP today because I continue to notice the twinges under left breast.  They want to see me.  I have an appointment tomorrow, praying all will be ok!