I have had my pacemaker for two months now and everything is going good with the PM itself. I did have quite a bit of pain after the surgery. Now I have pain above the site which I am presuming are the muscles healing. It also burns in that area. Also, I can feel discomfort around the complete circumference of the pacemaker. I was wondering if this is a "normal" situation which has been experienced by other members of this bionic club? Any comments??? Thanks!

Timberhitch

 

 

Hi Timberhitch.

It's so hard to tell without seeing it. IF it is swollen or red, then I'd have your doctor check it out for safety sake.

I too had a burning sensation for a few months after the initial surgery but with time it went away. Itched like a bugger at times too.

We are all so different and heal differently, so one can never define "normal".

If it were me....I'd have a doc look at it for peace of mind.

Take care,
Pookie

 

It is probably part of healing, the scar tissue building up to form a pocket, but it's best to let the dr take a look to confirm. Better safe than sorry, don't take any risk of leaving an infection untreated.

 

The pacemaker body can put pressure on the edges of the pocket and irritate it. Things that put pressure on that area just add to it. Give it time to heal. As long as it doesn't get inflamed or infected it is normal. Sometimes I'll reach across to the right with my left arm and it will get squeezed between my clavicle and chest wall. That can give me a twang of pain, and then hurt a bit for a few hours. None of it amounts to much though.

frank

 

yeah it will be sensitive for a few months, but not red and swollen after 2 months that was plenty of time for any infections to clear up by now..I would go to your doc. and get the area checked out.....Infections are nothing to play with especially with a weak heart..........

 

My comment is directed to Timberhitch, I too have now had my pm since 1/26, and having same concerns, some discomfort in the area, and burning, so I would imagine that is normal. I wore sling for 4 weeks 24 hr. per my dr. Did move left arm some though to be sure not to freeze. I was told to sleep on my back, which I hate, but I have been. If I do other movement I seem to get pain, hope in time healing will permit side sleeping once again - any comments re this out there? My dr said it will take 2 mos. for internal healing - any agreement or disagreement on that?? Thanks for info and opinions.

 

I have had mine less than 2 months and some days it is so sore I would like to just cut it out and chunk it in the lake. Some days it doesn't bother me much at all. I think a lot of mine might come from tossing and turning at night. Doc says give it time unless it gets warm and swollen.

I wish I knew how many moon we have to put up with it though! Good luck!
Dwight

 

I'd ask the doctor and if he says all is ok, you'll feel much better. I had my PM put in 1/18/10 and still have discomfort here and there when sleeping or leaning against my husband watching tv. Also to touch the area it doesn't hurt, but doesn't feel 'right'. Was at the PM clinic today and they said all is working correctly and site healing nicely. Still need to wear the sling at night and be careful with reaching and no over head anything. Every few days I notice that I feel a bit more comfortable with it all.

My dr. said to call or come in whenever I had any doubts...so call the dr. and get checked to be safe.

Good luck. Patty

 

Thank you to all my fellow pacemaker friends. Tomorrow, I am scheduled for my first regular pacemaker check. I am going to relay my concerns to them for their opinions as they are seeing as many, if not more, patients than the doctors. The clinic is in the same hospital as my doctor so if need be, I will be making an appointment with him. Just a note - the site is not red and I have no problems with mobility but, I guess, that doesn't necessarily mean everything is ok - I hope it is. I'll post what happens under these comments for those who have questions too. Thanks again.

Timberhitch

 

I had my appointment and asked about my concerns stated in my original posting. Everything checked out fine as far as the PM is concerned. She looked at the area and could not see any evidence of infection - I also thought that I did not have one. She also said that it could be because of the two surgeries that I had to have that there might have been a little more trauma to the area than normal. The nurse and the technician did not see any cause for concern at this point. I am going to leave it go a little while longer to see if the situation improves any and if not, I will see the Dr.