swelling
Hi, I am still swollen...I know it is the same as after one week and now I am three weeks since the surgery. Just needing reassurance that it will eventually be not swollen. I don't see the dr. for another 10 days so am anxious about that. Think she might not let me drive yet because it is still swollen. Already had stitches out after one week and then saw how swollen it was. It seems to be stretching my skin and it quite irritating. My shoulder seems sore and I do not sleep well at all. I am up about every two hours and sometimes can not fall back to sleep. Please send some words of encouragement and I am needing them. Feeling sad, depressed but not as bad as I was the first and second week. This site is great!! Thanks to all that respond ahead of time. NM
7 Comments
Problem?
by SMITTY - 2010-04-25 09:04:29
Hello NM,
I have to ask why suffer 10 more days if you have a problem now? If it were my doctor that gave me an appointment date like that it would mean they wanted to see me to just check things out, but if I was having a problem they would expect me to contact them sooner.
If you have an infection you are not doing yourself a favor by waiting. You also may be making the doctor's job much harder by waiting. Our doctor's have no way of knowing we are having a problem unless we tell them and they have every reason to think things are perfect if they don't hear from us.
Good luck,
Smitty
Patience is Key
by cruz - 2010-04-25 10:04:15
I had swelling and itching. In fact, the running joke was that I had a 3rd breast (female). I had the implant 7 weeks ago and now all swelling is gone. I also had the same sleep related problems. While I still don't sleep as well as I used to before my problems began, I'm sleeping better than before the implant. Even a couple of weeks ago, the max I could sleep was about2 hours at a time. I still sleep slight propped up because if I don't, there's still soreness when I get up out of bed.The doctor told me the swelling is blood pooling and I think it just takes a certain amount of time for the implant to settle in. I can now even sleep slightly on my side. I'm learning a whole new appreciation for patience, which is not my strong suit. I'd still call the doctor's office. I spoke with his nurse and it was very reassuring.
went to see dr.
by nm - 2010-04-26 07:04:43
I did get into the dr. today. She said it looks fine and the swelling will go down so not to worry. She also said I could drive now. I will be seeing her again in 10 days to have the pacemaker rechecked. Thanks for all the responses. I am so much better now that she reassured me that there is nothing wrong and that the incision is healing fine.
not sure
by walkerd - 2010-04-26 08:04:24
but I dont think it should still be swollen after 3 weeks. Well not alot anyways, do you have any redness around it? Like smitty said I wouldnt wait I would at least call the office and let them know it is swollen. Phone calls are easy getting rid of an infection is harder. Call.......
dave
nm
by LS - 2010-04-26 09:04:21
Hi there.
My site was swollen for many weeks also. Just make sure it isn't red, or warm to the touch. Those are signs of infection.
My Dr. let me drive the next day. The seat belt sure bugged me, and the range of motion for backing up, turning around, etc. was a bit painful. LOL
Sleeping was a real problem for me also, but that too has passed. Just hang in there & know this site is here for you.
Liz
Follow up and Call Doctor
by cruz - 2010-04-26 09:04:33
My swelling was still there after 3 weeks but no redness. I would call the office and at least speak to the cardiac nurse. They are very knowledgeable.
cc
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Member Quotes
As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
Still swollen
by Pookie - 2010-04-25 09:04:07
Hi NM
I am not a doctor so I am just guessing....but I think being swollen for some of us for that long is not that unusual. However, with that being said, you need to make sure you do not have an infection!!!!!! It is red??? Can you see your family doctor to check it out for you?
And your shoulder - it may be that is just takes time as mine hurt too for several weeks. I would ask your cardiologist for a chest Xray to see if anything has moved...but that's just me.
Feeling sad and depressed is quite normal. A lot of us go thru that. It will get better in time.
I still am concerned tho about your comment that your skin is stretching and irritating. Irritating as bugging you mentally or irritating as in itchy, or burning?
Again, my suggestion would be to see your family doctor as soon as you can just for her/him to take a quick look to make sure you are healing okay.
My motto is: when in doubt, get it checked out. :)
Take care,
Pookie