discomfort

How long does the discomfort last after having a PM put in? It’s been about a month and the seatbelt still makes it feel sore as well as just a lite touch. I also saw a lot of people talking about not sleeping well, I haven’t slept well for a while either and thought it was from the beta-blocker. But it sounds like it could also be from the PM it self. Although it seams to be worse after they increased my metoprolo to 200mg a day. 100mg in the am and 100mg in the pm.

Ron

10 Comments

a bit longer

by Tracey_E - 2009-01-04 10:01:06

You should be feeling significantly better by 4-6 weeks, but it can take 2-3 months or even longer for all the discomfort to go away. A lot depends on your build and your surgeon, how close it is to the surface. Some are never quite comfortable with the seatbelt. Check the sponsor page of this site for info about the Soft Touch pad to put on your seatbelt.

I would ask about the beta blocker. It's also possible your settings need adjusted. When do you go back for a checkup?

hang in there

by mandogrl - 2009-01-04 10:01:30

although the seat belt, mandolin strap, bra strap all still irritate me in a minor way, it is minor! At 6 weeks (when I was able to move my L arm freely), I got significant improvement, and then again around 3 months. Now almost a year-and-a-half later, 99% of the time I don't notice it. The other 1% it's easy to compensate. Move or pad the offending strap, and it's ok. My cat has even learned to jump on my shoulders from the right... she too had to compensate.

re seatbelt discomfort

by piggie07 - 2009-01-04 10:01:34

I can answer to the seatbelt discomfort and you may not like my answer, but it was a good 9 months before the seatbelt did not bother me. My pacemaker was put in late Nov. and it was August before I realized I was no longer sensitive to seatbelts, certain clothing, touches,etc. Hopefully I was just a little over sensitive, and yours will not take so long.
Also, I went from constantly waking all night long to sleeping like a baby after the PM was put in. I am not on any med for heart related issues. I'm sure someone else out there in pacemaker land will get you straight on those things. They are really good at that!
piggie07

Took close to a year!

by bambi - 2009-01-04 10:01:52

For me it was about a year before the soreness went away! But when it finally eased up, it never bothered me!
Bambi

thanks everyone

by ronbabsh - 2009-01-05 05:01:08

I appreciate all of the feedback. At the moment I use a towel between my seatbelt and the PM and this does help. But it will be good when all of the discomfort is gone.

Ron

7 months and still going

by candi51 - 2009-01-05 09:01:12

Hi-
I had my ICD placed 7 months ago and I am still very sensitive to the seat belt being on it. I tried various pads and cushions but all of those just seemed to put more pressure on the area. I just kindof pull my seat belt out so it sits lower. I don't want to tuck it under my arm but it just "loosen" it so that it sits lower on my arm just below my shoulder it works ok. Some days it is more sensitive than others. My 5 yr old son has accidentally whacked me there several times but it just hurts for a minute. I'm getting better at blocking :-)
It still feels weird when I am running or riding. I can feel it in there bouncing- strange feeling.
I was told up to a year for things to "heal"
Best Wishes-
Candi

Same...

by turboz24 - 2009-01-05 12:01:22

I was going to say it all really depends on placement as most have mentioned.

I'm lucky that I'm tall enough that the belt sits between my neck and my ICD, but on my father's truck, it rides on the edge and is still uncomfortable 16 months after mine was implanted, but mine sits just under a 1/16-1/8th an inch of skin, so it's up there.

I will say it does improve, but my doc said it will probably never be "comfortable".

3 months for me

by jessie - 2009-01-05 12:01:40

it took that long to feel okay again and the soreness and just feeling great took 3 months. jessie

Pacemaker Discomfort

by Jonn - 2009-01-06 09:01:21

Hi Ron-Had my p/m implanted in December 2007. Seat belts were uncomfortable for 6 months for me. It wasn't until about the 9-10 month post implant date that the pm did not bother me. Even now I can sleep on my left side without discomfort. But I have come to discover that when I sleep on my left side I sometimes "sqeeeze" the pm as I roll more on the left side. Although no discomfort at the time or any adverse effects-the next morning the site is somewhat sore. But not in any waypainfull. Just enough to let you know you sqeeezed it. candi51 is right though-a year to heal will just about do it. Also, since the pm is placed in a pocket just under the skin you will always feal its presence. I have heard that when it comes time to switch batteries in the pm some people opt to have the pm placed under the chest muscle. Longer recovery time but who knows.
Take care,
Jonn

Same Problem

by bioniclady - 2009-01-12 03:01:21

Hi Ron,

I had my pacemaker implant in October 2008, and still have discomfort when I wear my seatbelt. I purchased the SoftTouch seat belt pad online and love it! It's specifically made for PM/ICD implant patients. Their website is http://www.aboutsofttouch.com.

Take care,
Connie

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.