Hi, I have a new pacemaker; installed two weeks ago and went for my first checkup this week. The bandage is off, and now that it is, the incision site hurts. It hurts a lot. Anything touching the incision is too much! The area was not raised when the bandage came off, but it is now, right along the "seam." I'm still getting twinges in my heart and back, same as before the surgery. And I am still short of breath. I thought this was suppose to make me feel better? I'm wondering, How Long? The pacemaker is dual lead, Boston Scientific.

 

 

it may be that the incision is infected or just that clothing is irritating it. Hard to tell from here. So I personally would cover it with something clean that won't stick to the wound, even a paper tissue might help until it can be checked out. Also th PM needs some tweaking of the settings & I certainly would mention how you feel to the doc's office. Hoping your feeling better soon.

Janet

 

My pm went in on the 23rd so we are close in our time. Mine wasn't bandaged as a lot are, but was covered with a layer of "glue" that wore off with time. When the glue 1st came off my incision was very tender, I was not able to have anything rubbing on it (for 8 days). I actually pinned my clothing over so that nothing rubbed for awhile. It is not as sensitive, now. Still a bit sensitive from time to time. I still try to keep clothing off of it. Not sure, but maybe in a few days the sensitivity will go down. If it looks like it is getting pussey, feels hot, gets more raised...talk to your doctor. If you are concerned, be sure to call. Good luck!

 

If your on here for any amount of time you will notice a trend..........almost all of our implant sites itch......its only normal, you just had thousands of nerve endings cut in your skin layers and they are building new pain receptors......I've had mine almost 3 years and it still itches from time to time......and I didn't waste my money on the wooly seat belt strap, I put the seat belt under my left arm.......I have airbags everywhere, and who can go over 15 mph with a school zone every 50 feet........
Good luck and good health..........

 

if ur still short of breath after ur operation i guess you need to consult ur cardio and asked about it...i already been in the operation twice but i feel good no short breathing, no painting just little itchiness on d scars and its normal...anyway, u will go for a check up after 6months or earlier so u can tell all these things to ur doc but if it really bothers u so much and to avoid confusion that will make us worry then don't waste any time and ask for enlightenment from ur doc...pacemaker operated is like anybody else...we can enjoy life to the fullest:):)o good luck n god bless u:)

 

I got my pm on 2/24/10. At times my incision site itches. I place a piece of gauze with surgical tape over it so my bra strap does not rub up against it. For the seat belt on the drivers side, I improvised and bought a quilted square (fabric store) folded it over the seatbelt and velcroed it in place ( cost me $2.00). I did something similar for my daughter when she was in a car seat, In fact I would check with baby stores to see if they have some seat belt covers, if that helps.

Before the surgery were you physically active? Like others have said, you may need some tweaking of your pacemaker settings. I am betting you may just need to get a little more physically active. I feel better with each and everyday as I try to walk more and get back to the level I was at before all this happened,

Remember it takes time for our bodies to heal. Keep us updated on how you are doing. There are a bunch of us who got our devices around the same time and it would be nice to be able to compare notes.

Hang in there!

 

Hi flamingo. I have the exact same pm installed in me and about 2 weeks ago as well. Maybe your site hurts because it was covered all this time. It will get better. Everything will get better, honest. I'm feeling better and my blood pressure is better now. I just need to start getting stronger. I heard it takes a good month to "start" feeling somewhat normal again. I know anxiety plays a big role in getting better (at least for me). I'm realizing the more relaxed and excepting I am about this whole thing is the better I feel. But give it time, you will improve daily. Keep us posted.

 

Hi flamingo, I agree with the suggestions above. As far as pressure from seat/shoulder straps are concerned - some of you remember back when you could adjust the tension on the shoulder harness. What I have been doing is putting a small, strong spring clamp at the point where it loops down at the top support. I pull the strap away from my chest just enough so that I do not have pressure exerted against my body and then apply the clamp at that upper support. I know the strap should be in firm contact for maximum safety but I am following this procedure so that I have less pain at PM site. Living in the northern US, the roads are pretty bumpy due to frost heaves and this method reduces the constant moving against the strap. Just thought I would throw my two cents in. Hope your pain goes away. Some us (+me) have more problems than others. Good Luck!!

Timberhitch

 

I just saw my doc for my 1st PM check, I talked to him about being short of breath & he said it is because I am out of shape, I haven't done anything in awhile. He said to start with brisk walking daily & that the shortness of breath will go away as I get in better condition.

 

I didn't know that I had heart issues until 2006 when I collapsed at work and was air-lifted to a hospital with V-Tach and high BP, had an ablation. Fine for six months, then dizzy and weak. In 2008 fainted while shopping, and diagnosed with A-Fib/ heart failure/high blood pressure which, for a year, doctors managed (not too well) with drugs. In December 2009 I was referred to an electrophysiologist who immediately performed electro cardioversion (4 times, one hospitalization) and, during first checkup decided to do another holter monitor. After the holter, he called about the pacemaker and that surgery was Feb. 23. Since I had been so weak, dizzy over so long a period, I am really not in great physical shape. During the checkup this week the doctor indicated that, as I feel better, I need to walk more and more each day. The out of breath may be heart failure (??) or maybe it's just that it's been so hard to move for so long. I am feeling stronger today. And I only walked a little bit, less than 15 minutes at one time outside, but I could do it without feeling like I was going to collapse. The doctor's nurse said the pacemaker is "motion sensitive" (?) and I need to remember to move arms when I walk in order for it to take over pacing. I was very conscious of that today. Because I have been so weak for so long (and frankly, out of shape) I find that I often need to push up from a sitting position with my arms, and yet at the same time I have been cautioned not to reach, push, pull, lift with the left for five more weeks. Hard to avoid. Last night (so I could stand cloth on the incision, covers or a nightgown) I put a curad adhesive gauze over the incision and I left it on all day. I don't know if that stalls healing, but it certainly feels better because nothing is rubbing on the incision. I am still getting twinges in my chest and back, upper center heart region, and some of those really hurt. It hurts to cough or sneeze, and wouldn't you know I couldn't stop sneezing last night. It really helps to have found this web page and I want to thank each of you for answering my post. To my knowledge, I have never met anyone with a pacemaker and so it's hard to know what to expect, or how I should feel. I know this is suppose to make my life easier, and I just wish it would hurry up and do that! Today though does seem a little better than yesterday. My permanent ID arrived today.