Uncomfortable @ sight where Icd Implanted

Hello, I am new to this sight which when I first scanned through it thought  this is the place I had been looking for.

I had a ICD implanted on January 16th, 2019. After the first couple of weeks of uncomfortableness I found the surgery sight would be very uncomfortable when moving my left arm in certain positions and especilly with sleeping. I feel like I need to hold on to the device when rolling over during the night and changing positions. My left shoulder also became painful and sometimes down my arm. Which still does when doing some exercises. I was told that the shoulder and arm issue could be from the position my arm was in during surgery.

my question is ... does the shoulder/arm get any better ? And will I always have the feeling of the uncomfortableness from the device moving around?

thanks for any information

 

4 Comments

Post PM Implant

by TomL56 - 2019-03-28 05:00:35

I couldn’t sleep on my left side for a few months after the PM implant (left side) but 2+ years down the road I barely know it is there. Occasionally the skin over the PM or the scar gets itchy but I honestly forget I have it most of the time.

Maybe some rstful nights ahead??

by Mamma D - 2019-03-28 18:24:54

Thanks for the comments .. they are very helpful.. this whole process has been quite a surprise for me in a very short amount of time .. I realize everyone/ everyone’s body is different but the doctors really didn’t tell me anything to expect or what could happen.. 

Me too!

by RedRocksGirl - 2019-04-01 00:03:40

I had my first ICD implanted January 17, the day after you, and had the exact same problems and question! Mine is subpectoral, just below my armpit, and can rarely lie on my left side and when I do, only for a few minutes. I also feel like my device is moving around quite a bit even though the EP said he anchored it in really well. (I do believe that he did.) I’m pretty petite and they said that the devices are made for average/larger sized males so they knew the size and weight of it would be more of a challenge for me. 

Mom also a leg amputee and use forearm crutches to walk and use all the pec muscles they cut into to put the device and leads in so I’m thinking that’s going to make it even a longer recovery for my shoulder and chest muscles. 

I’m glad to hear it’s normal to still have pain/discomfort 2 1/2 months out. I’m so ready to be pain free there and have the device settled in!

Not Alone - need to adjust to the new me

by Mamma D - 2019-04-01 13:05:45

Thank you RedRocksGirl.. It least now I know what I am going through I am not alone. All of these feelings are what a lot of people have happen to them. This whole thing is a very new experience for me in many ways. The langauge, understanding what I can or shold be doing from now on and just generally accepting that I have a heart issue that I dodn't know anything about until less than 6 months ago.

Thank you for your comments they are all very helpful.

 

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