Right sided shoulder and chest pain

Pains are normal

by Piggers365 - 2019-08-14 07:19:43

Hi 

I am 4 weeks post op of a St Jude ICD implant, I suffered chronic back pain in the first week and would often wake up hours before my girlfriend and have to go in another room and sit up right, I cant say I experience specific pain in the area you describe but certainly the restricted movement and sleeping on my back with no rolling over will contribute to your aches and pains. 

Also keep in mind you are likely very dependent on your right hand side and harbouring most of the weight on that side to relieve pressure. I think over the next week or two you will start to feel the pressures relive as you become more active and have more freedom to move. 

healing

by Tracey_E - 2019-08-14 09:58:15

It could easily be from sleeping in awkward positions or being manipulated during surgery. 

Other than not raising the arm overhead, try to use the arm normally. Babying it too much can lead to frozen shoulder. 

It can't hurt to give them a call and ask if they want to see you. 

Thank you for the responses!

by phia55 - 2019-08-14 12:12:14

piggers365 and Tracey_E thank you for responding...I was hesitant to post on here, but then reminded myself I have no one else to ask these questions! 🥴  I’m pretty sure it’s from the way I am sleeping as today I feel like I was hit by a truck and slept most of the night on my back...I usually move a lot and love to sleep on my stomach! I also have to sit up in the middle of the night to relieve pressure. My husband, bless him, is sleeping in another room so I can be more comfortable...

I read about frozen shoulder on here when I joined a few weeks ago, so I’m definitely using the left arm as much as I can to avoid that! 

I guess I have to remind myself that I am healing and it will take a while to get back to “normal”. Thank you again for the responses! You both have given me some peace of mind. I’m so glad I found this site! 

sleeping

by Tracey_E - 2019-08-14 13:59:19

Sleeping can be a challenge the first weeks! I found it helpful to sleep hugging a small pillow. It kept me from rolling onto my stomach and it supported my arm enough to keep the pacer from pulling if I slept on my side. 

Try some gentle movements to get the arm going. Heating pad on the shoulder might help. Ice around the pacer, I found that helped with pain better than pills. And have faith that this is temporary! 

If you have questions, don't be shy! There are no dumb questions if something is bothering or scaring you. 

Thanks!

by phia55 - 2019-08-14 22:25:48

Thank you Tracey_E! I will try the pillows...at this point I’m willing to try anything! I’m alternating between heat and ice and it seems to be working! Thanks for the tip! 

I will definitely come on here when I have another question! 

I had the same SSS/Brady at 36

by FirstDuely - 2019-09-05 02:31:35

I am now 69 and have had 9 pacers including moving the entire setup from left to right side.  And I've had leads replace (they cracked) twice.  I got the first dual chamber pacer in the world made my Siemans Corp. in Sylmar, CA. so have lots of surgical experiences.  I never, ever enjoyed any of it but the people in surgery are the best humans on the planet!!!

I know what post surgery feels like.  When leads are implanted the surgeons have to move arms and torso in ways that really stress joints and muscles.  And that's what may be causing you lots of pain now.  Doing what has been suggested above helps lots and not sleeping on your stomach...seems that really hurts me if I try.  But not today which is over a year now on my last replacement, also a St Judes Medical "installed by" Dr. Schaerf in Burbank, Ca.  THE BEST ever!!

Just a last quick note:  don't lift heavy things for awhile.  Maybe 2-3 months.  Then start slowly increasing.  Or you could just always ask your husband to do all the heavy work, cleaning, cooking, wash, etc.  :)

Gary in Hemet, CA