Pain swelling and burning in new pocket

Hi all... It's been a while which means all has been quiet ! But now I need your help again:

had my third pm implanted 11/22/13. My old one had "sunk"into my breast tissue so when time can to replace my unit they decided to close old pocket and move everything up nearer my collar bone. I am 4 weeks post surgery and am in constant discomfort and pain, part Of the unit is so close to the skin it's protruding and is a large area. The whole thing aches from the pacer into my shoulder and neck, there is a burning sensation that won't stop! Forget wearing a bra or any top with straps that go across the area. Even worse, bumping it, hugging my kids, any contact at all results in searing pain and burning and can bring me to tears. Additionally when I lift my arm the pacer moves with it, I mean it moves, not just a little bit. The surface looks ok swollen but not red or warm to the touch.

My surgeon is battling his own illness and the outlook there is bleak for him. My problem is getting him to listen, after my surgery was over he NEVER spoke to my husband nor came and checked on or spoke to me.

At my 1 wk appt I was quickly checked by a nurse and sent on my way. He has, at best, a terrible bedside manner and honestly he poo poos everything! Any ideas how to get him to listen? Are these things to worry about beyond the discomfort? this has quickly become unbearable, I'm exhausted, sore and afraid this thing will come popping through my skin! Help advise and answers much appreciated!! Thnx! And merry christmas!

8 Comments

Pain

by Marie12 - 2013-12-26 07:12:07

The swelling takes quites a while to go down. I have an ICD that is larger than a pacemaker. It is directly under the skin and I can feel all edges of it including where the leads come out. Feeling the leads didn't happen until about six weeks after. You will get use to that part. It sounds like before it was implanted quite low from the collar bone. Mine is about two fingers depth from the collar bone and have been told it protrudes more than most but that is in part because of body size.

What concerns me about your posting is the severe pain. I don't think you should be having it quite that bad that four weeks post op. A little pain yes but the burning and severe pain when touching it doesn't sound right to me. I'm sure others on thsi site have experienced this and will comment in time. Personally, I'd go to the ER or try and find another surgeon who can help you if that is possible.

Good luck.

pain swelling

by cindyredd - 2013-12-26 07:12:26

Hi there,

I am new hear but am a small gal with no fat on my chest. I have the same issue when they put in my pm a week ago my Dr did a great job with what I have. He insure me its deep in and will buldge a bit but its secure. It is close to the bone but I have a loop recorder before and it took me five months to get use to it , I finally did not know it was there endless I hit it or worked out crazy and flopped it around for a good hour . I am hoping the same will go for my new pm. I can feel the recovery is going to be allot longer.

There are tons of great people here that can help you , I am just a newbee....

Best to you hang in there

Pain

by Bostonstrong - 2013-12-26 07:12:52

It's been 6 months of pain for me. I asked my EP about it at the last check and he said it can take up to a year for the nerves to knit back together. Still can barely tolerate the seat belt against it. Burn, sting, ache, throb, cramp...
I only took Tylenol in the hospital after the surgery, and have pretty high pain tolerance. But this is different than anything I've dealt with before.

healing

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-26 08:12:07

You've been through this before, you know it shouldn't hurt this much more than a month later. Placing it under the skin is supposed to heal faster than when you bury it. Does he have a partner or another person in the office that you can see instead? If not, it's time to find another dr.

If you are used to having it buried, it may feel like it's protruding more than it actually is because it's closer to the surface than what you are used to. Once it heals, it should settle in and get flatter, fingers crossed for you!

If the swelling is fluid, a heating pad on low might help.

Support Message

by donb - 2013-12-26 10:12:40

Hi, I just sent you a Private Message of my similar problems & finally satisfaction !!
DonB

Same Symptoms

by Velvet - 2014-01-07 09:01:58

I joined this site because of my mother. She has been dealing with an intense burning sensation that goes up her neck down her back & arms, up her face, around the ears, etc. for over 17 months. We have taken her to different doctors including her cardiologist and no one can seem to diagnose the problem. She's literally been told it is all in her mind and to see a shrink. Please let me know if you ever receive a diagnosis

Still hurting

by skye - 2014-01-09 07:01:31

Hi all thanks so much for all your thoughts and messages! I am now post 7 weeks and can actually almost flip the thing over just by lifting my arm. Called x2 for appt but can't see my doc until feb 19!!!! Can u imagine ?!?! I did get an appt with the nurse jan 21. Still 11days away but that's the best they could do!!!! I'm just hoping when the nurse sees this thing she finds any dr in the practice to take a look at it, it's grotesque and has to be putting stress on the leads moving around so much...
It's not like I'm in a small town, I drive to Lankenau hospital to Lankenau heart group in Philadelphia, to their brand new wing (huge) attached to the hospital so I am praying there is someone to check it out beyond the nurse!!! I'm so frustrated, this affects my job, my daily activities and wakes me up at night!!!! What else can I do?

Still hurting

by skye - 2014-01-09 07:01:33

Hi all thanks so much for all your thoughts and messages! I am now post 7 weeks and can actually almost flip the thing over just by lifting my arm. Called x2 for appt but can't see my doc until feb 19!!!! Can u imagine ?!?! I did get an appt with the nurse jan 21. Still 11days away but that's the best they could do!!!! I'm just hoping when the nurse sees this thing she finds any dr in the practice to take a look at it, it's grotesque and has to be putting stress on the leads moving around so much...
It's not like I'm in a small town, I drive to Lankenau hospital to Lankenau heart group in Philadelphia, to their brand new wing (huge) attached to the hospital so I am praying there is someone to check it out beyond the nurse!!! I'm so frustrated, this affects my job, my daily activities and wakes me up at night!!!! What else can I do?

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