Stinging sensation

Can someone please answer a question for me? I had my pacemaker implanted 4 weeks ago.

Several days ago I started experiencing a stinging sensation on the left side of it. The stinging increases when I move my arm up or if I extend it in front of me.

I can't prop up on this arm while lying down.

Is this normal or should I contact my doctor?

thank you, thes0wer

5 Comments

my experience

by VonnieVern - 2008-08-16 03:08:38

I got some relief from some pain after one of my doctors prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin). In addition I got Kenalog injections in my scar because it was hypertrophic (similar to keloid).

contact your doctor

by VonnieVern - 2008-08-16 03:08:53

burning pain from lead
Posted by VonnieVern on 2007-12-28 19:13

I got my pacemaker on Oct. 16. I expected pain/discomfort from incision. But now, whenever I am active I get a burning pain above my pacemaker. I showed my doctor where the pain is and he says that is the location of the leads. Neither my cardiologist nor cardiac surgeon say that they have ever had this reported before, and can offer no help other than try something over the counter for pain. Can anybody tell me anything about this?

5 comments

lead pain
Comment posted by aldeer on 2007-12-28 20:36.
My pm was put in end of August. Very definitely when I am very active I have discomfort with the lead.(so much I want to slow down). My lead is just under the skin and pm is down much lower then the collar bone area. After swimming or even anxiety, I feel the pain. I am not sure it is "burning", but up near the collar bone & shoulder area at times it really hurts...definitely from the lead area.


Burning Pain
Comment posted by Smitty on 2007-12-28 20:40.
Hi Vonnie,

No, I haven’t had a pain like that with mine and I’ve never heard of it before. But one thing I have learned about pacemakers is that each of them can bring their own brand of misery and way too often our doctors take the nonchalant attitude you have found. The pain from mine went on for several years before I got relief and all the time the electrophysiologist that implanted the thing tried to convince me it was not my pacemaker.

Be all that as it may, I have a few suggestions for you. The first is to get different doctors if possible, but I know from experience that is easier said than done.

My next suggestion is if you can tolerate this pain, give it a few more months to subside. Once in a blue moon these pains will go away just as mysteriously as they come. When it becomes obvious that the pain is not going away, you might try the same thing that solved my problem. Get an injection to deaden the nerve that is being “stimulated.” Now I’ll be the first to admit that what I’m suggesting may be totally out of reason and will not work for you, but it solved my problem. However, my pain was located on the right side of my chest, several inches from the pacemaker/lead implant area.

The only other thing I have to offer is do your best to make those doctors as miserable as you are until they get off their duff and fix whatever has happened. I’m of the opinion that if the doctors are smart enough to implant pacemakers, they should be smart enough to solve the problems that can sometimes come with them or get out of the business. This old crap of "I never heard of that before" is no solution, so far as I'm concerned.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

I have some lead and implant pain
Comment posted by turboz24 on 2007-12-28 23:11.
After 3+ months, my implant still hurts to an extend and when I move, sometimes the lead does cause discomfort. I am seeing another EP in another month, for a 2nd opinion. Even if you have a good Doc, a 2nd opinion is never a bad idea.

yes this is real....
Comment posted by queen_beez on 2007-12-29 14:39.
and yes I had burning as well. i know exactly what you are feeling. It did go wawy eventually. I, too, went to my docs and was checked and proded. They found nothing out of the ordinary. I have said this before and will say it again. The docs tell us it is a prcedure. Many do not even call it surgery. It is easy and you will heal up fast. Well I say that it simply isn't so. I believe that is why Blake started this site. If all were simple and easy we would not be "talking" right now. Many people handle it differently and there are lots of different types of pains from it. I put pillows behind me in the beginnig and slept for quite some time practically sitting up. I took pain meds. as well as sleeping meds. I found that if i got sleep I could at least face the following day a little easier. I asked lots of questions and got alot of support right here.I also ,after the staples were out, used a heating pad. I know this sounds odd as it was a burning pain. But the pain is under your skin and with mine I think it was my muscles around my heart along with the leads. I think my body just wasn't happy being pushed around and wanted to get this thing out. It got used to it after awhile. It took about 6 months to get to a point that i was feeling a day went by and I didn't think about the PM. I will tell you though, I still get the burning you describe. Not often but when I use the are alot or do a lot of lifting .( I am left handed so it is hard not to use that side) .I just take a hot cloth and place it on the site or use a heating pad the is cordless, the ones that are for the neck. I place it on the area and after 20 to 30 minutes i am feeling good again. A hot bath also is a help for me. I beleive it is the leads along with upset muscles ,it could be different for you. I just think anything you can try can't hurt. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Didn't mean to go on but wanted you to know you are definately not alone.
Truly,
your "strange" friend,
Susan

Burning pain
Comment posted by KarenAmirault on 2007-12-30 18:47.
I too had burning pain but mine was all around the incision. It felt like I was being stung by bees! And the incision site looked fine.

I went to my regular doctors, some specialists (including a dermatologist) and mostly the ER and one of the doctors at the ER "secretly" gave me some ointment that numbed my skin, which helped a bit.

My burning or stinging took at least 2 or 3 months to finally go away. I know....not fast enough.

Karen Amirault

Hi there

by Lotti - 2008-08-16 04:08:05

I couldn't prop up for a few months, we all take a different time to heal.
As for the stinging, I would get it checked out. I had some severe stinging too but was told that it was the nerves knitting back together from the incision and pocket making. I also got this on my chest wound from open heart surgery so I was happy with this diagnosis, but best to get it checked out.
All in all it was well over 5 months before the pain etc subsided, but it was a difficult implant and i was very skinny.
Hope you get some answers and reassurance from your doc.
Lotti

Hi

by kaka - 2008-08-18 03:08:37

I had my implantation 8/07 and had the burning stinging pain(like nasty pins and needles).....had my second injection of Kenalog 2 weeks ago and feel really good(even though I can tell you when we are going to have rain or thunder and lightning).I will have another injection at the end of the month and hopefully that will be it....scar looks pretty good too!

Burning

by Ktflower - 2021-02-17 23:35:14

I had pacemaker implanted Dec10. I have burning on right forearm, hand, wrist & across my neck. I have had these symptoms since pacemaker was put in. My incision is sore & it is sore under collarbone & very sore beside pacemaker by my shoulder. 

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