Twinges

I'm 2 weeks into recovery from pacemaker surgery and still getting twinges under left breast.  They don't cause pain, just uncomfortable!  Last week I was checked at doctor's office.  They lowered settings, and even shut one off.  Leads are in place.  My concern is that I still get these twinges generally with activity. ( going from sitting to standing position, bending over to pick something up, bending over sink to wash hair) What is puzzling is that it doesn't twinge all the time.  I sleep well, can lay on right side, and sleep on back with no twinges!  I called the EP office again yesterday and the nurse thinks it's a muscle that needs healed??? I have another appointment in 2 weeks if I'm still having these twinges.  Anybody have this problem after setting were lowered?

3 Comments

Twinge

by Gotrhythm - 2017-06-15 13:30:11

I'm not a doctor, but I've had enough experience with surgeries to know that a healing wound can cause all kinds of strange, intermittant sensations.

Plus, you have to remember a piece of metal has been stuffed between your skin and chest wall where nothing ever was before. Scar tissue has to grow around it (to hold it in place) but scar tissue doesn't have the same nerve supply, and it isn't as flexible as regular tissue. The twinge seems to happen when you are bending or moving. A reasonable hypothesis is that scar tissue is being pulled on and stretched.

You say it's not painful, and not constant. As long as it isn't, there's no redness or heat in the area, no fever or malaise, I wouldn't worry.

A surgical wound can have odd sensations every now and then for as long as six months afterward. I had a sensation like tiny pinches, or stings like gnat bites from time to time for months.

frequency

by dwelch - 2017-06-15 14:38:51

When you do get them are they in sync with your heart rate, every heart beat you get a muscle ping?  At least when you are in one of these positions where it happens?

Twinges

by Happygirl8 - 2017-06-15 19:36:59

When I get the twinges they are not in sync with my heartbeat.  I am generally moving around when it happens, when previously I was sitting.  For example:  I was sitting watching tv then got up, walked about ten steps to get a glass of water, and picked up glass and felt a twinge.  There's no set time when it happens but usually when I'm active.  They are not painful, just uncomfortable.  They are always in the same place, under left breast. 

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