Is it normal?

I have had my PM now for 7 weeks. I was wondering if any of you have had your PM site feel sore to the touch at 7 weeks post surgery. Mine is sore (feels bruised but doesn't look bruised) when even the lightest pressure is on it. I suppose that might be normal during recovery, but it didn't feel that way to begin with.

Other than that, I am going for my first data dump on Monday.

5 Comments

Sounds like it's working

by bowlrbob - 2009-03-06 11:03:36

Well 18 to 20 percent isn't a bunch but it is still 1/5th of your time alive. You might be feeling a lot worse without it. It just all depends mine started out pacing at 8% then after some adjustments went up to 38%. Now it is up to the 60% range. I know I need it. Things change as we go on. It is nice to know I have the back-up. Bowlrbob

Sorry Muirghe

by bowlrbob - 2009-03-06 11:03:57

I clicked on the wrong spot when answering the question. You must think i have lost my mind. Well I guess I have. That last answer was for the question below. Sorry!! As for your question I have had mine since 2005 and it is still noticeable when i catch it just right. It gets much better but you will always feel it. It is a foreign object and that's just how it is. But it is comforting to me to know it's there. Bowlrbob

Likely Normal

by joni - 2009-03-07 05:03:43

The same thing happened with me (had my pm implant last September), and I had my doc look at the site for infection. All was well. He told me that some pm recipients (less than 1 percent) end up with overly sensitive nerve endings that may not improve for six months.

Yes

by sophiesnuggler - 2009-03-07 08:03:25

Your body has experienced some trauma in that location. Although much has healed on the outside, it has to heal on the inside too. I am about 12 weeks post surgery and am finally not tender. The incision is still a bit itchy though. The nurse at my clinic told me that it is just the incision healing on the inside. She gave me some hydrocortison cream and it is helping. As was mentioned as long as you have no inflamation or warmth and reddness you should be fine. Ask at your appointment though.
I am told that it won't be this uncomfortable for a replacement. Now that we have a "pocket" formed, things will heal a lot faster next time.
I hope I've been helpful.
Kathy

Suggestion

by ElectricFrank - 2009-03-07 12:03:34

When you go in Monday ask for a copy of the pre and post programming data dump. It could be handy later.

Is the site warm or inflamed? That could be a sign of infection. My implant was 5 years ago so I don't remember for sure, but by 7 weeks I was doing most everything including driving my 4wd around in the desert. I don't remember any pain with the seatbelt against it.

Check it out with them when you go in.

frank

frank

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.