Nerve or Muscle Damage?

Well, it has been a while since I've been on, or asked any questions specifically.  But, I'm still alive and able to ask, so why not go to the experts of experience!

December 21, 2016 I had my third ICD device installed.  The difference this time, was they had to do a lead extraction(damn Riata).  During extraction the wonder lead uncoiled in my heart like shrapnel and had to be taken out piece by piece over a ten hour period.  Doc said they had me arched back for most of the time for angle and also because after the lead "sprung" they were certain they would have to crack my chest, filet me open, and use a the old tool magnet to get the pieces out(some of that is sarcasm).  

My complaint, concern, question is that ever since then I have had a droopy left shoulder/pectoral with numbness/tingling intermittently through my arm, mass amounts of pain in my neck and about six months after surgery developed a large, growing, fluffy lump at where the neck meets the shoulder.  The lumped area is probably 3-4" from front to back along neckline and about 2-3" wide.  I have massive pain in my shoulder and find it extremely discomforting to lay on either side without a pillow stuck between my arms to keep things stretched out.  The extremely ODD part are the violent and sporatic head jerks I get without warning. I'm not sure if this is due to the arm/neck issue or if it is related to the amount of time I was out and the fluid/blood I lost while on the table.  

Hoping(though i don't wish it upon anyone else) someone has had similar experience.  I have been back to the electrocardiologists twice.  First guy shrugged it off saying it was muscle troubles and would go away with healing.  When that didn't happen, I went to a different EP of the same clinic network and she wouldn't even look at it, just said brachial plexus nerve injuries happen and sent me to a neurologist.  Saw the neurologist yesterday and it is as though he thinks I'm crazy.  I showed him the 1-1.5" drop in shoulder level, pectoral level, the lump on my neck and explained the rest and his only response was: "Do you want pain meds?"  NO! I don't take pain meds, I want someone to tell me why after 32 years on this planet depending on myself do I randomly have to ask my 15 year old daughter to pick up 5lb boxes from the bottom shelf at the grocery store because the pain is so unbearable I can't do it!

Any way, thanks for listening and thanks in advance for any thoughts.  I really don't have the time or the money to run around to multiple doctors all the time and really believe I am probably stuck with it anyway if it is a severed nerve or muscle issue.

3 Comments

damage

by The real Patch - 2018-02-14 14:07:13

The damage you experienced is from the golf shoes the Electrophysiologist was wearing when he stood on your chest to gain leverage pulling that lead out. Likely both nerve and muscle damage. Try going to a good physical therapist. Don't laugh, it helped in my case

Get going on shoulder and arm pain

by Gotrhythm - 2018-02-14 15:37:12

Whoa! You have been through the mill. So sorry.

I did a quick Google and found this   http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-injuries/Brachial-Plexus-Injury

(Not a live link. You will have to copy and paste into your brouser)

It describes your injury exactly, especially the part about over-stretching the neck backward.

Why you would have been sent to a neurologist I don't know, but I'm not too surprised at his ignorance. When I had a pinched nerve in my arm only a doctor of osteopathy, DO, recognized the problem (not the 5 or 6 others, including an orthopedist and a physical therapist.)

DOs have the same medical training and licensing as MDs and advanced training in how the bones and nerves are working together. In my case the DO diagnosed the pinched nerve just by looking at my hand and sent me to a hand surgeon. A DO was also the only one to diagnose a shoulder injury I had.

A DO willl understand the significance of your shoulders being uneven, the pain, and the lump, and treat it or suggest what treatment is needed.

If you can't find a DO, try a hand surgeon. They too understand injury to the brachial nerves and they don't operate only on hands. I hope you don't need surgery, but if you do, there's a finite amount of time before the injury is permanent, so you don't want to mess around.

If you can't find a DO or a hand surgeon, a good chiropractor might know how to offer some relief.

Hope you can find the help you need soon.

3 ICD?

by Sky60089 - 2018-02-25 11:10:00

I’m curious why did you have 3 ICD due to infections?  Reason why I’m asking is because this Monday I’m going on for surgery my 5th surgery to remove my second ICD from my right chest.  My left ICD removal was August 2016 due to infections also.  I also have nerve pains and shoulder pains.  My doctor blames it on my diabetes that’s causing the infections.  I’m 41 years old 

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.