Post surgical pain

HI,
I'm due to have a pacemaker installed Tues. All this has happened very suddenly--only 5 days ago I wore a monitor that said my heart was "pausing" periodically for as long as nearly 10 seconds. Other than this, I'm in good overall health.

My question is about post surgical pain. My cardiologist (not Mr. Warmth, but reputed to be excellent) says most people don't have much pain in the hospital after the procedure. I don't see how that's possible, considering the incision and having a foreign device installed in your chest. Tylenol doesn't do much for me and I can't take other OTC painkillers because they hurt my stomach. I'm afraid of being in severe pain and being refused adequate meds. What were others' experiences with this? How can I advocate for myself in the hospital?

7 Comments

New Pace

by ccallahan - 2010-07-03 05:07:06

You will have some pain depending on your tolerance. I had pain the first couple of days and then did not take pain meds any further. I am always worried about addiction and I have a high pain tolerance. I am sure they can find something for you to take afterwards. I am allergic to almost everything and they give me pain meds. I usually have to take benedryl with them. Good luck. You might have them give you something for your tummy to help tolerate the pain meds better.
Keep us updated on how you are. I will say a prayer for your successful surgery and speedy recovery, the pain too.

Rev Chuck

pain

by Tracey_E - 2010-07-03 09:07:21

Everyone has different reactions and different tolerances for pain, but I've never heard of a dr refusing to give you something when you hurt and otc won't help. In the hospital, all you should have to do is tell them if you are in pain and they'll get you something. The dr who did my first three sent me home with a prescription, the one who did my last one did not write it automatically but when I asked I was given something. I didn't even bother to fill it after the 2nd and 3rd replacements, just the first and the last (last time got a new lead and had scar tissue cleaned up by a plastic surgeon). I only took it at night the first few nights, I got by just fine on tylenol during the day. I'll add that mine is not the normal under the clavicle placement, it's buried deep behind the breast so my surgeries are a little more involved than average.

Tylenol doesn't do anything for me for headaches and body aches but for some reason it works great after surgery.

pain

by LS - 2010-07-03 10:07:06

I must have a high tolerance for pain. I didn't experience anything but a bit of discomfort. Nothing that I would classify as requiring pain meds. No pain meds needed here.
Good luck to you.
Liz

pain

by 1sassygal - 2010-07-03 11:07:06

Pain tolerance is different for everyone. I believe that the younger you are the more pain you will have. I had my last pacer switched out 5 years ago at the age of 43. The pain I experienced was more of a tightening sensation. I go to the gym on a regular basis and due to my age I am more toned than some people that have pacers. I have found cold packs to the site for the first 24 hours helps. I took about two Darvocet immediately after then switched to Tylenol.

If you have found pain medication that has worked for you in the past, I would insist that you stay with that.

Take Care,

Bonnie

Lulu

by Bill T - 2010-07-03 11:07:06

I had a pacemaker implanted 5 days ago on June 28. I only needed 3 pain pills about 6 hours apart. The nurses gave me darvaset (sp?) and it relieved the pain but still had the discomfort. They put my arm in a sling that is to remind me not to lift my arm over my head (could pull out the leads). The worst part of the immediate recovery for me is that I'm not supposed to drive until I'm given the okay by my Doctor. I have follow up appointments on 7/7 and 8/13. Good luck with your procedure.

Bill

depends

by justme - 2010-07-03 11:07:46

I think that it depends on exactly where the device is placed and how it is placed into your body (as in was it forced or did it fit well without much pushing). I think some areas are less sensitive than others. I have my implant in my breast and it was extremely painful after the first pain killers wore off, but I only needed additional pain killers for about a week and after the first few days only when I slept. I also used ice to keep the incision site calmed down.

Pain

by Charr - 2010-07-03 12:07:13

I've had my pacemaker for 3 weeks. I was in pain immediately afterwards because the retractors (which keep the incision open) had badly irritated a nerve and a tendon in my shoulder. I was told that this happens rarely, but it does happen. The only thing that helped the pain was morhpine. My doctors and nurses where all very supportive and worked with me to find out what worked with the pain I had. As time went on and this problem continued to resolve itself, I found that the actual incision and pacemaker are just sort of irritating and not painful. Since coming home I've only used Tylenol when necessary. I was very apprehensive about the surgery, but found that the anticipation was worse than dealing with the actual pain.

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I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.