7 weeks post PM dual chamber

Hi! I just joined today. I've read some of the postings over the last couple weeks. I was under the impression that I'd be uncomfortable for a couple days or so, but have had several different pain problems, some of which have improved.
During the surgery something painful happened (I think it was insertion of PM) that woke me up + stopped my heart for about 20 seconds. Since then I've had sore throat/neck, armpit, breast, pacemacker pocket, and back..all on the left side. The throat/neck is better, and many of the pains have decreased in intensity. I finally cut my bra strap off yeaterday at work, after deciding even with the pads, it was increasing my pain greatly. My job requires very active arm usage all day long. For the 1st 6weeks I worked with elbow never over shoulder height, but am using it as normally as I can stand to now.
I had a medtronic check at 5 weeks and an xray to check leads at 3 weeks (because arm escaped 4 x in my sleep), and that's all fine. After reading some of your entries I am going to talk to my old physical therapist today to ask her if she does post-PM therapy and will ask my doc to write up an order. My main pain areas now are armpit and left side of back. I appreciate this website. Since I wasn't expecting this amount of pain, I was feeling like a whiny-baby freak. It helps to realize we're in this together.

3 Comments

Welcome

by SMITTY - 2007-11-01 07:11:34

Hello Mandogrl,

Welcome to our corner of the world.

"It helps to realize we're in this together." You said a mouthful there. Our pacemakers have sprung a few surprises on many of us. Fortunately, most of the time these surprises can be eliminated with a little time and a few adjustments on the pacemaker.

I found mine to be a far cry from what I was told to expect. Let's see it went something like this:
We will give you something (Valium) to relax you, which may make you go to sleep, and then we will use a local so that it will not hurt. (Big lie - the local wore off about five minutes before they were finished and I woke up groggy from the "something" and was ready to hurt whoever it was hurting me, but I was tied down and my face was covered. But I guarantee they (I do not know who they were as I never saw them) did not repeat what I had to say to them in church. While you are asleep, we will make about a one inch incision and cut a pocket in the muscle where we will place the pacemaker which is a little piece of metal about the size of two stacked silver dollars. Then we will punch a small home in a vein and run two very small wires from the PM to your heart. After that we will sew up the incision and take you to your room where you will stay over night. The pain will be minimal, if you have any at all. You will probably be a little sore for a couple of days but after that, other than not using your left arm very much, you will hardly know you have a pacemaker.

By the time I got home all of it but that part about my probably not knowing I even have a pacemaker was correct, but a really big lie followed. I was very much aware of the PM when it started shocking me every time it came on line. Big pain that felt about like a bee stinging me. It only took five years to get all of that corrected.

You must be wondering by now what is that fool leading up too? Like I said earlier, the surprises can be corrected, but it takes patience, perseverance and a doctor and staff that cares enough to want to correct your problems.

As for you being a "whinny-baby" forget that. Like I said our PM can come with some big surprises and you are now getting to open some of those surprise packages. Just keep letting your doctor about your problems as otherwise he will think everything is just like the instruction book said it would be.

I wish you the best.

Smitty

Hey I believed that too

by scpck - 2007-11-01 09:11:33

It's a "simple procedure" NOT
There will be a little discomfort, but we'll give you something for it "WHAT???"

I was so convinced by the simplicity I insisted on signing my own permit ,cause I didn't want to trouble my napping husband in my CCU room.

I wonder do any of these cardio/EP guys have a PM?

My PM is from Aug 15 and I am STILL sore. I finally gave up on wearing a bra most of the time and bought some of those pull over camisoles with the "shelf." At least it's a coverup.

I was so scared right afterwards and thought I was the abnormal acting one. I was so happy to find this forum, and so welcomed by the folks here. Welcome to you and ask anything. The people here are fantastic.

Welcome

by Carol - 2007-11-02 09:11:53

Yep, having the PM implant isn't "no big deal" to some of us. I too remember waking up on the table to the sensation of the doctor shoving something into my left shoulder using all his weight behind the shoving! My face ws pretty much totally covered but I distinctly remember seeing this "masked man standing over me and pushing with all his might! Now, I must admit I felt no pain just pressure, but I remember thinking "what the h____!?! and then fell back to sleep. I was pretty sore in my neck, shoulder and chest area for about a good week and that first night in the hosital was no picnic.
And then the little "surprises" as Smitty recalls. I know that some people have very few if any and sail right through, but that's the beauty of this website, here is where you can get all the support and wisdom of PM recipients who HAVE experienced a few and are willing to share and offer support. I know it has sure helped me!
P.S. I'm one month post PM and that 'ole Bra strap is a problem-even with the padding. I just tuck it into the cup so it doesn't rub. It works better on some bras than others. Just a bit lopsided perhaps, but I'm old enough now to say "who cares!" Take care and blessings, Carol

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