odd feeling

Hello everyone! Lately I have been getting horrible spasms in my left armpit and chest area right where my PM is implanted. This isn't my first PM, but for some reason these cramps and spasms are getting much worse and much more frequent than they used to, and every time this happens I have to lift my arm up for probably over a minute for the cramp to go away. I can't even sleep on my left side anymore because the pain and tension starts instantly; it is also starting to effect my work life. I thought maybe my pacemaker moving could be the culprit, but I don't really have a good idea. Anyone know how to help this? Or has anyone else experienced this? Please and Thanks!!

Jo

3 Comments

This may sound weird

by ElectricFrank - 2011-01-09 01:01:35

By any chance are you on a very low salt diet? With all the push for low salt, which is needed by some folks with hypertension, it is possible to become deficient in sodium. This can lead to an increased tendency for muscle cramps. Potassium deficiency is more common so Na gets missed.

The other problem with the low salt diet is that iodized salt is the major source of iodine for most of us. It was introduced in salt back in the early 1900's for just that reason. Now we are being told to reduce salt intake without doing anything to make up the iodine loss.

I've just gone through some of that my self and cramps were part of the symptoms. Reaching down to adjust my office chair would produce painful cramping in my rib cage.

Anyway, just a thought.

frank

salt

by JoFosqk226 - 2011-01-09 11:01:04

Thanks Frank! Actually though, I can have all the sodium I want; I have very low blood pressure. It's nice to be able to eat all the chips and pickles I want. ;) I do tend to get very low on my potassium with my condition, however. I figured it was just my muscles pushing my PM into my armpit, I didn't think there could be a chemical reason. Interesting!! Thanks for the advice!! I will look into it. :)

Jo

Spasms

by rbracken - 2011-03-09 12:03:43

I also occasionally have experienced "spasms" or rythmic muscle twitches right in the area around the pacemaker -- sometime for minutes, sometimes for hours or a day or two. The spasms go away when I lift my arm up -- no idea why that happens, so I'm also searching for an answer.

Yet none of this is painful, just a major nuisance, so we may be experiencing different conditions.

Rob

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