Muscle spasms

Has anyone experienced muscle spasms in the area around the pacemaker and in the general pectoral muscle area? I have begun experiencing this now 2 years after my device was implanted.

4 Comments

Don't Ignore This

by TwoCents - 2008-10-19 03:10:06

I had exactly the same sensation after my first pacemaker had been implanted for a couple of years. It was like muscle spasms in the pectoral muscle area. They were fairly painful when they occurred, but then would subside for a few weeks and then reappear. When I had my generator change out at the 6.5 year mark it turns out that the generator had migrated significantly and I had to have a pocket revision. I am now completely convinced that the intermittent muscle spasm pain was a consequence of the migrating pacemaker. So, moral of the story is to check with the doc...however, I bet you will get the same story that a lot of others have gotten that it's nothing but some nebulous irritation. Just my TwoCents.

I have

by PattiAnn237 - 2008-10-19 11:10:45

I actually started having muscle spasms 14 years after my pm was implanted. The doc decided it was just from over use of the muscle in that area, and that it felt worse then it was because of the pacemaker sitting there. I've learned that even 16 years after implant I still need to be careful with that arm. I rarely have any issues now, but if I do a hot shower and some motrin usually do the trick. Oh and my doc said that if the skin over the pm is red and/or hot then I need to be concerned.

I Think I Know Why

by bobad - 2008-10-19 12:10:11


I'm not at all surprised that PM's sometimes cause pectoral muscle or rib cramps and/or pain.

The generator is made of metal. It "shorts out" any raw nerves that come in contact with it.

Anyone that's cleaned fresh game and placed it in a stainless steel bowl or pot knows exactly what I'm talking about. The muscles can twitch and spasm for several minutes.

Why PM's aren't coated in non conducting material is a mystery to me.

More on spasms

by jbrown - 2008-10-20 01:10:31

Thanks to everyone for the comments and input. When I have the spasms it makes me wonder if it's a muscle spasms or if it's my heartbeat I'm feeling. It doesn't happen often, and my pulse reading is normal. So I don't think it's my heartbeat, but I hear people talk about atrial fib. Is that something anybody has experienced and can you feel it like that? I have expereience some atrial tach. when my PM was not set properly and it was pacing when it shouldn't.

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.