Incision Healing Time

Hi everyone,

I've just had a pacemaker implanted on July 17.
My incision is still very tender and hurts. Everytime my clothing touches it, it stings.
Is this normal?
How long before it doesn't sting anymore?

Ken

11 Comments

Incision

by chillks - 2008-07-27 01:07:21

It definintely takes time to heal...had mine put in four weeks ago and it is still very sensitive and hurts a lot. I did buy the seatbelt pad advertised on this site and it really helps! My Dr. says it will take several more weeks to seed and not hurt as much! Good luck!

Incision

by kev-o - 2008-07-27 01:07:50

Hey Ken, my name is Kevin, had my PM put in on 7/11/08. Did follow doc's instructions about washing incision with antibacterial soap, I just removed the last of the dressing tape today. You can expect to be tender for awhile(couple of weeks) but it heals quickly! Make sure you keep your arm down below the shoulder line. I know everybody heals differently, but for me it has been well worth the discomfort. Best of luck to you and your new gismo.

hey ken

by jessie - 2008-07-27 02:07:50

it took me about 3 months to heal completely. now i have no problems. received mine 2006 at university hospital in london ontario. am from the area. good luck. welcome to the site jess

healing

by joy1 - 2008-07-27 03:07:18

Hi Ken,

Welcome to the family of wired in folks! Everyone heals differently. Some people have no pain some have alot. Some people are back to assuming their normal activities within a month and others it make take months or years even.

As for the stinging sensation you mentioned, it sounds like it's surface discomfort, in which case it will probably subside when your incision heals. If it doesn't and it's a deeper sting, it maybe your body is trying to adjust to the irritation of having a foreign something under your skin.

Also it seems that until scar tissue begins building up around the sight and the device has the ability to move around a bit, you may feel some discomfort. Listen to the doctors but more so listen to your body; be patient with yourself. You will know if something is wrong or not.

hope your pacer starts making your life better.

Joy

Stinging

by ElectricFrank - 2008-07-27 11:07:35

The stinging pain you describe sounds like it is related to exposed nerve endings in the incision area. That should respond to one of the topical anesthetics that work on cuts. I use a product called Sting Stop for cuts and abrasions. I would plan on giving the incision another week .
As for my pacer I almost no pain at all with mine. Even the seat belt harness wasn't much of a problem. I just tucked a folded T shirt under it.

frank

Skin type...

by dward - 2008-07-28 11:07:13

As you have read, healing tim can vary. If you are fair skinned, it may very well take a couple of months.
I know I didn't heal as fast as I thought I should, but my Dermatologist (skin doctor, who I was seeing for something else) told me that many people scar and heal quite differently.
Creams do work.

And to Bambi, I am in the BC interior... less than 12" percipitation per year, semi-desert, cactus, tumbleweeds, and Summer temp around 96... in the shade!
But don't tell anybody, we want to keep it a secret! :o)

Don't wear a shirt...

by bambi - 2008-07-28 11:07:32

at home. The air and lack of friction from clothing will help it heal faster! Or is it too cool up in Canada to go topless? LOL! Just had to get that in Jessie! I 'm just jealous at the pleasant summers up north! I grew up in Buffalo, NY. Now I'm slow cooking in Memphis Tennessee! I hope you find each day a little easier Ken!
Bambi

Thanks to Everyone!

by Ken(Toronto) - 2008-07-28 12:07:38

Thanks to everyone; Kevin, Jess, Joy, Frank, Chillks, Dward, Bambi.....you're all great people!

I still have to get over the shock of getting a pacemaker; very unexpected.

Anyone know if I can still operate my gas powered lawn mower (only 4 Hp, small one)?

Ken

Mower

by ElectricFrank - 2008-07-30 02:07:34

The only problem with running the mower is that you will lose the chance to con someone else into doing for you!

Seriously, no problem. I've run everything from chain saws (both electric and gas powered) to jack hammers. The only problem with the jack hammer was that the vibration energized the rate response and shot my HR sky high. Once I had the rate response turned off no problem

My approach with new devices is to try them with someone around to turn them off if I pass out. I usually hold them fairly close to the pacer to challenge the possibility of interference. If it passes that test I know I'm OK. So far never found anything that bothers it.

frank

ken i know about unexpected.

by jessie - 2008-07-31 02:07:38

for 4 months i felt awful. they could not seem to find out why. i was a walking time bomb so i consider myself fortunate i was saved by a french canadian cardiologist who was there in the right place at the right time. i lve in a small town with 11,000 people. i went for yet another ekg. my pulse was like 28. they rushed me to e.r. and up on a table and slapped a p.m. in. then ic ouldn't breath so was intubated and woke up at 4a.m. in another city in icu intubated. i had chf and not to bad a case of it. so i was really sick. it took me 3 months to get over the fatigue. so take it easy. you just had it put in. jess the spam filter is ozxeg too much like oxygen which i was not getting

re healing time.

by seeker581 - 2008-08-03 01:08:27

The discomfort in very short.Try not to wear any tight fitting shirts until your incision heals.I received my pm one day and I went home the next day.Going home with this new'thing' in my chest was a little disconcerting.I was always waiting for something too happen.But after talking too other people on this site,I've learned too depend on pm too do it's job if and when I need it.

Take care

seeker581

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