Opposite arm and back pain...

Had pacemaker w/ two leads implanted 3 weeks ago on left side.  That side is fine, but over-using my right arm for things like putting on shirts and coats has caused unreal pain on the right side - from the top of shoulder, straight down to the middle of my back.  Anybody else experience this?  Thanks!

4 Comments

4 weeks post-op and still being careful

by Pacemaker_Sally - 2019-11-20 23:25:24

It is challenging to find the 'sweet spot' of just enough activity to allow healing, but not so much activity that it causes irritation. I find that it might not hurt while I'm doing it, but afterwards, boy oh boy! 

It sounds like you might have overdone it a bit and your good arm/back/rib muscles have been overcompensating. Maybe try reducing the amount of "upper body" activity and see if things calm down? Try soaking especially your right side, in an Epsom salt bath without immersing the incision. 

Speedy healing and I hope things improve soon!

arthritis in right arm

by new to pace.... - 2019-11-22 08:25:39

you might have some other problems with the right arm.  Do get some x-rays to verify what is going on.  You were not aware as you used your left arm more.  Our bodies have a way of doing that without us really knowing what is happening.

Same symptoms and painful to breathe

by Torsen - 2019-11-23 03:51:05

Hi

I have experienced the same symptoms as you mentioned. PM implant 10 days ago (total AV block). The shoulder/backpain on opposite side (right) might be related to the fact that this side has done more work now and been used when sleeping. However my big concern now is that taking a deep breath is painful, especially when laying in bed. This pain came 6-7 days after surgery . The pain is more or less in the same areas. Could it be a reaction to the wires? Do they go on opposite side of PM?

Torsen—

by Lizzie19106 - 2019-11-24 15:14:00

I, too, had my pacemaker implanted 10 days ago, and had been experiencing the same discomfort you describe. The pain of simply breathing became unbearable yesterday, so I went to emergency services. After hours of tests, I was sent home with a diagnosis of pericarditis. They did an echo that showed no effusion, so the simple treatment is plenty of NSAIDs and time. I honestly feel worlds better today. I’m supposed to follow up with my own ep tomorrow, but I’m thinking they made the right call and that I will recover fairly quickly. I hope that you will see your doctor right away. 

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