Pacemaker Lead

Hi. Tomorrow will be 3 months since I had a pacemaker implanted. I have only 1 lead. Sometimes I have a burning pain or just pain in the top of my chest where my lead is. I could just touch that area and it is really sore.

Do you think it is because I'm being more active now? I was just doing a chore that required arm lifting and I noticed how sore it was afterwards.

4 Comments

I am experiencing the same thing

by Angelie - 2008-11-13 11:11:25

I was just thinking about you last night. Aren't you my pacer twin? I was wondering what happened to the person that got implanted almost the exact day as me. 8/14/08.
Anyways, I'm having the same exact problem. My pacer is right above my left pectoral muscle, and it moves around a lot. It's also very tender to touch right at the top where my leads connect, but I can't tell if that's the scar that's so sensitive, or not. It sure seems like the pain is coming from below. Now that the swelling is 100% gone, it seems now that the pacer has become more of a bother to me, but I'm trying my hardest to ignore it. Sometimes, it feels really uncomfortable just to move my arm a certain way.
I'm really hoping that this feeling does go away. It's funny that we're both at 3 months and feeling similar things. Makes me wonder if it really is just regular adjustment that everyone experiences. There's hope for us afterall.
Angelie

Tender to the touch

by PeggyR - 2008-11-13 11:11:29

I am 9 weeks after PM and went through some tenderness also, couldn't have clothing touching the skin over the PM a couple weeks ago. It seems to be better now. Someone else on this site mentioned that the tissues have to stretch to accommodate the PM, sounded logical to me, BUT I am going in for checkup today with cardio doc and it is one of the notes I have in my steno pad (if I don't write it down will probably not remember it at the right time). Keep on top of any unusual feelings/sensations is my thought. Take care and "Always Blessings, Never Losses"
Peggy

Pacemaker Lead - Comment # 2

by sonkitty - 2008-11-13 11:11:54

Thanks to all for your info. Yes, Angelie - I am your pacemaker twin - 8/14/08! I have to agree now that I'm thinking about it that after the swelling goes down, it would become more sensitive. I hate in the shower when you go to wash on your left side by your arm and the pacer moves!! Still totally grosses me out!! Or laying on your side and it kinda sticks out. I hope I get used to this soon. It definitely feels more of a burning and pain in that area after doing work. Oh well, guess it could be worse! I keep trying to keep positive, but sometimes you just go back a step and have to snap out of it!

feelings will diminish

by aldeer - 2008-11-13 12:11:07

My single lead is to my ventricle. My pacemaker moved downward about two inches while doing backstroke swimming at about five weeks. I found out later I should have waited another week before swimming. For a long time it was very tender to the touch (the lead wire which is just under the skin.) I occasionally feel a slight "burn" in the shoulder area, but am really very comfortable with it now. I had it done in Aug. 2007. As a matter of fact the pacemaker is in a much more comfortable spot right now. I was told that I could have it repositioned at the always risk of infection. I plan on keeping it right where it is. Lots of good luck with yours, but it really does take time and patience and I no longer realize it is there. aldeer

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