Arm/Shoulder pain after surgery

Sore arm

by Runsalot - 2024-08-25 08:30:54

Yes, after my implant I was black and blue from my shoulder to my elbow and really sore. I took ibuprofen and it eventually stopped hurting but took about six weeks.

Not Uncommon

by Andiek11 - 2024-08-25 08:49:44

While others with much more experience than I will chime in, pain in the shoulder on the side where the device was implanted is very, very common.  And the pain can be extremely uncommfortable and last for several days.  And for reasons I can not fathom, it appears that few facilities d/c anyone with the appropriate pain meds. 

I got my PM in May of this year. I asked for a short course of pain meds before I left the hosptial but was told I didn't need them, but use Tylenol if necessary. My shoulder was in agony for about 3 days, and all the OTC pain meds in the world didn't do much good, but they were better than nothing. Ice packs might also help.  About the 3rd or 4th day after surgery, my shoulder was about 80% better and improved rapidly after that. 

Hopefully they told your mom about movement limitations for her arm during the first 2-3 months to facilitate the leads not getting dislodged during the initial healing (i.e. no reaching behind her back / overhead movements, lifting her elbow higher than shoulder level, or not lifting more than a "gallon of milk," etc.).   But your mom doesn't want to imobilize her arm either as that will lead to its own set of frozen shoulder issues.  So encourage her to use her arm, but just within limits till MD gives the "all clear" in a few months. 

Your mom's shoulder should start to feel better soon, (everyone's timeline for hearling is a bit different), but in my book I'd say call the office of the doc who did the surgery (I'm guessing that on the d/c papers from the hosptial they gave you a telephone number to call with any problems) and specifically ask for some stronger pain meds if necessary.  Sending good thoughts that the remainder of your mom's recovery and adjustment to her new "buddy" go smoothly.  And this IS the right place for you or your mom to come for support.  This site appears to have quite the Brain Truste!  ;)

So cruel to send home without pain medication

by IrishToast - 2024-08-25 09:00:51

This happens all too frequently. Do these surgeons have any idea what it can feel like when the pain medications wear off? Dentists and veterinarians have more compassion. Your  mom needs to stay on top of the pain. The second day after mine the pain was bad, my arm swollen and my hand was purple. EP said go to the ER. They took xrays and did an ultrasound off the arm, being concerned about blockages. Turned out, it was just a symptom of pain. It took an ER doc to tell me ì needed to maintain 6 extra-strength 500mg Tylenol every 24 hours. The scheduled that worked fo me was to take two at 7:30 AM, one at 4:00 PM, two at 10:00 PM, and one at 3:45 AM, or so. 

Hugs for mom💕

by Lavender - 2024-08-25 10:29:06

Yes this can happen. I was told to take 650mg Tylenol every four hours. I also found ice packs to be such good relief! Be sure to put a light towel over the area treated and then the ice pack on that. Twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off. 
After my five week recheck, the cardiologist approved massage therapy. That helped the most!  It took a few months but I was completely restored to the no pain zone!

Your mom is blessed to have you as her protective advocate! 

ice

by Tracey_E - 2024-08-25 11:48:18

I found ice helps more than tylenol.

If you call the office, they may be willing to call in something stronger. They're often hesitant to send it home with us as a matter of course, but if she's suffering it can't hurt to ask. 

You can take both tylenol and ibuprofen together. Stagger them every 3 hours so the next dose is in her system before the last one wears off. 

Thank you!

by ElloEmy - 2024-08-25 23:53:52

Thank you everyone for all the very helpful advice and kindness, we really appreciate it! :)