Pain When Breathing

I have chronic atrial fibrillation and bradycardia due to taking sotalol. I was going anywhere from a year to two years between a-fib episodes until this year when I’ve had four episodes in 10 months. My doctor recommended a pacemaker which I had inserted six days ago. I went into a-fib about four weeks prior to the scheduled procedure so I was on warfarin when I had the combined cardioversion and PM insertion procedures and am still on it. I have a tremendous amount of blue/black/green/purple bruising now draining down from the pocket area into my chest and left arm tissue. Today I have noticed a minor pain in what appears to be my trachea when I take deep breaths or bend over. I have a follow up visit in two days to check the incision and remove steri strips. I am trying to decide whether I should call the doctor now or just wait until the visit to ask about the pain. Any suggestions or similar stories?

2 Comments

I would call the Dr.

by janetinak - 2010-11-03 04:11:09

I have a similiar history except in permanent Afib for 2 yrs before ablation & PM insertion. But I did not hav eany throat pain @ all. The bruising may be due to the Coumadin ( I find I need to be off it close to a week not to bruise after a procedure) but better to be safe than sorry esp with breathing issues. Let us know what is said.

Janet

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by jhull413 - 2010-11-04 04:11:09

I somwhow keyed in the wrong email address when I first registered so I can't login under my original username. I since re-registered using a different username but I am the original author of this post.

You are right that the heavy bruising is due to the warfarin. Knowing this, I was wondering if the fluid in my left pectoral area somehow got into my chest cavity causing the pain I was experiencing. The pain went away by the next day. The doctor didn't know exactly what it might have been and asked if I had any problems with reflux. I have had some in the past but don't think this was the same thing. When I mentioned possible fluid build up I was told that was a possibility and if the pain returns to call.

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