Anyone have this problem???

Hi, I havent been on here in a few months as i have been studying very hard, but I just had to come back to ask all people with pacemakers something!

Ok, so I had my pacemaker implanted on 17th February 2009, so over a year ago. It is my first pacemaker and i was 14, nearly 15 at the time. Over a year on, I am now 16 and something is still bothering me!
I have two scars. One that is 1.5cm beneath my collar bone, and one that is about 4cm directly on my left armpit (axilla).
At my 6 month check up post-operation, i brought up with my consultant the concern that i had very limited movement of my left arm. I could not lift it further than shoulder length, could not reach backwards for anything and found it uncomfortable to carry objects for any long length of time. I was told that it should only take a few weeks to regain the full use of my arm!

My consultant said that there may be a tear in a ligament or muscle damage. This would more than likely need surgery to repair, and recently I have had too much going on in my family to consider another operation, so i left it to see if it would get any better. It didn't.

Another 8 months after that, I am still feeling all of these discomforts! I am worried that it will affect me long-term, and may affect my future career, as I hope to be a nurse.
Does anybody else have this problem?
I have arranged to go and see my consultant in one months time to, again, discuss the possibilities. I am now willing to consider an operation if that is what is needed.
Please help!

Sian xx

4 Comments

Could be Frozen Shoulder

by heartu - 2010-06-23 02:06:07

I am 4 months post pm and have some problems with complete range of motion when I now do yoga. There is no way the doctor (consultant) would know if there is a tear without an MRI (I don't think an X-ray will show this as my husband has had ligament tears in both shoulders and incomplete tear in left elbow) which you should not/cannot have unless you have the new MRI compatible pacemakers. Have you ever been referred for physical therapy? There they can also determine if it is frozen shoulder and can work with you to restore full range of motion with stretches, arm exercises and heat/cold therapy and possibly ultrasound. My husband had the physical therapy first and when that did not work it was surgery (doctors will try to do the easiest fix first before resorting to unnecessary surgery).

If it is a tear (depends what kind of tear- partial, full, etc) it could still possibly be treated with physical therapy or minimally invasive surgery. His 4 surgeries (his elbow had been operated on twice - first surgery was called Topaz and he was the 1 out of the 100 it did not work- exremely minimally invasive) were done arthroscopically. 3 small incisons and completed after 1 hour went home and in a couple of days was moving his arm (kind of like after pm surgery) and then physical therapy for 3 weeks to restore range of motion and strength.

If you are curious look up Frozen Shoulder and see if that matches what you are experiencing.

Good luck to you and come back and let us know what is going on with you. I am sure the people here would appreciate your feedback.

BTW

by heartu - 2010-06-23 02:06:36

BTW, as you described how your arm feels is not what my husband experienced with the ligament tears. He still could move his arm is all directions, it just hurt.With the tear in the elbow he still played golf, lifted heavy weights, etc (normal routine). He just had some weakness in the arm and it swelled up after heavy activity.

Therapy or Surgery??

by donb - 2010-06-23 03:06:21

I have had quite a few related surgeries & therapy in the last 18 years. I've had right shoulder rotor cuff followed by 5 more PM related surgeries in the last 2 years. I would try to get a good orthopedic surgeon who specializes with sport injuries and therapy follow up. I was very happy with my Dr. as the results were great.

As a young person you should have no problems getting good results. I have had 4 PMs' over the years with the 6 week RULE imposed only on my 1st PM. Well, my left arm range is far less than my right arm which had the rotor cuff surgery with therapy. Also, I had a complete right chest PM implant with 2 new leads with my last PM with the only RULE, move my arm only as much as pain allows.
That was about 18 months ago.

Hopefully there wasn't too much damage in your case. I've learned over the years that a good surgeon can do a job without MRIs'. I had major back surgery , L1 through S1. That was 4 1/2 hrs surgery and sucessfull without MRI. Now, in the next hour I will go for shoulder Therapy 3 times a week after fracturing T2 & T7 between my shoulders. NO surgery this time, only healing time as no MRI to work with. Coming along real good as this injury happened in early February. So, again get some answers, maybe Therapy will do it for you. Good Luck!! donb

Don't Worry

by BarryMoss - 2010-06-23 11:06:27

In a few years you won't feel anything, I don't even know I have a pacemaker.

You know you're wired when...

You have the perfect reason to show off your chest.

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