Hi,

Was just wondering if anybody had their PM implanted under their left pectoral muscle? And do they have complete range of motion to that arm?

I had mine implanted in Oct of 09 and still cannot raise my left arm above my head like my right one without having pain, Was wondering if it gets better? Thanks Carol

 

 

Hi - I got a pacemaker under the left pectoral in Nov 09 and I can raise my left arm above my head fine at this point. However, I did have limited range of motion and pain with raising my left arm or reaching behind my back for quite a while - it actually turned out to be due to problems with my shoulder from keeping it too immobile after the implant. Physical therapy for my shoulder took care of the problem.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if it had to do with not moving my arm much in the begining. Are there any particular exercises that you did that helped alot??

 

The physical therapist did give me exercises to do - some involved gentle stretching, others using a small weight - but it's hard to know which ones helped and the PT tailored them to the problems I was having with the joint. I think a lot of the effect was probably the manipulation of the joint that she did. If you can see a physical therapist, they can assess the shoulder and tell you exactly what to do.

I really had a lot of pain in and around my shoulder and thought I had permanently damaged it. Now all I notice is that if I stretch my arm way back, it's a little tighter than my other one. Definitely worth seeing a PT if you can!

 

And it's pretty deep I think, 'cause I can barely see the "bump. Once I'm able to wear a bra again, I'm sure it wont be seen at all. My mom has an ICD as well, for about 10 yrs, now. Hers is high up... right below her collar bone and almost looks as if it's just under the skin. She also has a big (ugly) horseshoe shaped scar as well. Both of these are visible thru her clothing. I was absolutely distraught when told I'd need an ICD. When speaking w/ my EP, I voiced my concerns about that & he told me not to worry, he'd "hide" mine. I believe he was true to his word. Keep in mind that I'm not vain, but I am 58 yrs young!!!!! I keep up with the styles AND we have a pool. All summer long, I'm in a bathing suit and I certainly didnt want to walk around with that ugly scar visible. Not only did my EP bury it deep, he made my incision vertical, right where my bra/bathing suit straps would be. Once healed, I dont think it will be seen at all. (even by me!!). On the downside of that, I understand that heaing time is longer because if the pectoral muscles that were cut and the nerve involvement. So we should expect a little longer in healing & propably, more pain. Even tho I had mine only 3 wks ago, I have been gently excersizing my left arm. If I raise it about my head a bit, I really dont have any real pain, just some slight soreness. I guess each one of us are different in the way our devices were implanted & the way we heal but because of your post, I'm gonna keep an eye out in how it feels several months from now. I'm thinking that it will totally be fine. Now I wonder??? Just have to say, as it's been told to me....just hang in there. Of couse, what other choice do we have??? LMAO