still pain when i move my arm

Well,I went to the doctor Again, told them about the pain in my arm that seems worse now after 4 months of having the PM implanted. They said have no ideal and it was not coming from the PM,I know it is ,I can move my arm up and forward but not straight out or back,and the pain nearly makes me pass out if I reach out for something.It was placed on the right side,I am a lefty.I have a boston scientific with two leads,have both fast&slow heart beats.They tested my PM and said leads were still in place and it was working fine.What is causing so much pain in my arm?Thanks for any help.


6 Comments

Pain...In the arm

by Pookie - 2009-04-27 03:04:26

It could be nerve damage. It could very well be a lead pressing on a nerve. It could be a clot....don't mean to scare you, but pain is our body's way of telling us something is not right.

So...IF I were you, I'd take my butt back to the doctor and ask for an echo, a CT scan, a chest Xray, anything that might show them what could possibly be causing this pain.

I get SO angry when we present to the doctors with a pain (after having a defib or pacemaker) and all they can tell us is that the device is working. Yeah, it's working, we know that, but what, for crying out loud, is causing this pain that I did NOT have prior to the pacer. Ugh.

I too have upper arm pain since my pacer in late 2004. It comes and goes. But holy mackerel, when I get it, boy does it hurt. Sometimes its just for a few minutes, sometimes it can last for days. Knock on wood, I haven't had it for a couple of months now.

My point being: push the doctors. Ask for some tests. Could it possibly be that you have developed Frozen Shoulder?

Only YOU know your body best and remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease.!!!!!!!

Now go call your doctor!!!!

Pookie

pain

by franko1966 - 2009-04-27 05:04:39

i had my dual pacemaker put in jan 2007,still have pain,cant move it striegt out either,like droping of a letter at maibox,fails like a funnybone,told both of my doc,they ralyb did not seem concern

pain in the arm

by punkin - 2009-04-27 08:04:00

Thank's for the quick replys.I really beleive it is something on a nerve.My husband has a different heart doctor,he is going to talk with him about it,mine is never available.I hate that anyone else has this kind of pain but I know now ,I am not the only one.

frustration

by Susan - 2009-04-27 08:04:58

Another approach is to call the company and speak to a service rep kind of person. Tell them your problem. They can get in touch with company reps in the area and at the district level. Get a little more pushy.
SusanD

Post implant pain

by ElectricFrank - 2009-04-27 11:04:46

One thing that gets missed quite often is what sort of positions an arm or shoulder in put in during the implant. This is especially true if you are out or on one of the amnesia drugs during the procedure.

I've mentioned this before on the forum, but I chose to remain totally awake during the implant and am glad I did. Just one example of what happens in OR is that someone decided to use my chest as an elbow rest during the surgery. They were pretty put out that I complained and demanded they move it. The guy even told the anesthesiologist to give me something. I quickly let them know that they would have a lawsuit if they did.

Otherwise, I was friendly and cooperated with them. I did ask for a chance to stretch my legs at one point. Bottom line is that I wasn't nearly as sore as I hear reported by other patients.

So the pain you are having may not be directly the pacemaker, but rather damage done during the surgery. Usually if it is in the pacemaker pocket area the pain is worse reaching forward rather straight out or back as you describe. You may need to see a physical therapist for some should movement work.

frank

Had X-Ray

by punkin - 2009-04-28 04:04:35

I had my medical doc order an X-Ray on my arm,and shoulder.waiting on the results.I know all I could see was PM. The heart doctor said they had no choice but to put it where he did ,it comes out about 1/2inch pass my armpit,so no way I can even see under my arm anymore,my daughter helps shave that armpit,they said something we just have to ajust to.That made me so upset,to me that was heartless. Thank's everyone for your replys.

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