Shoulder pain that wont go away

May 4, 2010 I had a pacemaker put in and ever since then I have had shoulder pain in the side of my PM was put in. The doctors keep telling me it's muscle or tissue from when I passed out or sleeping wrong. Always not related to pm. Has anyone else gone through this? The pain is still there,,,,some days its not to bad and some days,,, its a pain.
Also, is the scar suppose to still itch?

11 Comments

shoulder pain

by Pookie - 2011-01-19 03:01:21

Hi:)

The best advice I can give to you is to speak to your family doctor about this and tell them what a difficult time you are having....hopefully you will get an ultrasound or CT scan (or both) of your shoulder....it happened to me too, and I also blamed it on my pacemaker, but in the end (5yrs later) I found out that I have a 50% torn rotator cuff.

Your scar itching - anything is possible as mine still itches on occasion and I've had my pacer for 6 yrs now.

Call your doctor about your shoulder:)

Pookie

It should get better

by bluesforthesoul - 2011-01-19 03:01:28

I had quite a bit of pain in my left shoulder after the surgery for some time. I have had mine for a year and a half and it has improved considerably but still is a little sore at times. The scar tissue can definately itch as well but in my opinion that is normal since I have had other surgeries and injuries where this was the case as well.

Shoulder pain

by Roys - 2011-01-19 07:01:35

Hi
Do what Pookie said he is spot on. After 8 weeks my family Doctor sent me for an X-ray and Ultrasound and they found a 15 mm tear in my Rotator Cuff. It will not get better by itself.

Roy

Shoulder pain and scar

by kermiehiho - 2011-01-21 03:01:12

I had shoulder pain when I had the pressure dressing on, and for a week or two after that (I think I was unconsciously slouching the pacemaker shoulder forward because drawing it back and sitting up straight made it feel like there was pressure where the pacemaker was). I don't get that so much anymore, though. My scar is itchy, but it's probably because I still have a teeny bit of scabbing, as I got mine at end of November. I'm going to ask my cardiologist tomorrow what I can use on the scar to minimize the irritation and pinkness.

Shoulder Pain

by marg - 2011-01-21 05:01:53

Hi,

My shoulder hurts naturally from two prior surgery's. Told the Doc I really didn't want it on the left side due to already deep pain, and, of course, he told me after the surgery he had gone ahead and implanted the PM on the left side, since I cannot raise that arm above my head.

So much for that ... so now I have a very painful left arm, and there are many times during a week that the PM feels like it is going to jump right through the skin. My scar also itches and/or hurts.

That doesn't help you much - but it sounds like many people probably do have shoulder pain -whatever the reason may be.

Good Luck!
Cadence

shoulder pain

by kathykat11 - 2011-01-21 10:01:57

I had shoulder pain before getting the PM and swelling I am now waiting on getting the PM movedunder the muscle. My rheumatologist told me to use aspercreme on the shoulder while we were getting it sorted out. I went through all the differerent apercreme formulas including the store brand and had about given up when I get to the lotion rather than the cream. for some reason the lotion actually works. It is the maximum strength formula it comes in a 6 oz bottle rwaher than a tube and I can't believe the pain relief. the swelling is still there and I still need to have the PM moved but I haven't thrown up from the pain since I started using this. I won't be without this lotion. I think I will stock up you know how they try to new and improve things out of existance. I hope it work s for you as well as it did for me.
Kathykat11

Aspercreme a bust after all

by kathykat11 - 2011-01-29 04:01:05

I hate to say this but although the aspercreme works great on the pain i am no longer allowed to use it. apparently whatever caused it to stop the pain after trying all the different kinds of aspecreme out ther also allowed it to get into my bloodstream beacuse my INR is totally out of whack. I do have liver issues but everything was working ok again until I added the aspercreme. I am waiting on the surgery to move My PM and am tnttively scheduled for next Friday. I reaaly have to get more sleep before i see the doctors. I forgot to mention acouple of sensitivities I have and since i will be going under this time I really need to make sure they know this stuff.
Aspercreme was a wonder for me and I hope someone else without coumadin and liver issues can benefit from finding out different formulas work better than other and you just have to keep plugging away til you find a winner. The frog and prince tretment I guess.
I am sleepy now so off to bed for this old gal.
Kathykat11

shoulder pain

by akr8256 - 2012-01-21 03:01:54

I was wondering if your shoulder pain is in the back, like around the shoulder blade. I've had my PM since 10/11 and I've had the shoulder pain since day one. It actually seems to be getting worse. My Dr says he doesn't know what could be causing it, I feel like he discounted my worries about it. I'm really tired of it!!
Andi

Arm Pain

by glowiegirl - 2013-07-05 12:07:28

I had my PM put in April 2012. I know I didn't lift my left arm enough and was not too surprised that my arms seemed weaker. About three months ago the intense pain started in and around the front biceps muscle of my arms--yes both. So far every Orthopedic doctor has x-rayed and when I don't need an operation just says oh take Aleve. It has not helped and now I am trying an Arthritis doctor in August of 2013. I live in Glassboro Nj and so far I wouldn't give you a wooden nickel for any of the bone doctors in this area!
My question is--(and my heart doc dismisses this out of hand--it is not his area he says :-( Could the PM and my disuse of my arms have caused this--and where do I go for help? I can't lift my arms and suffer intense pain several times a week--especially at night. I feel like all doctors are disinterested unless they can operate and make money. Wouldn't therapy help me? Why won't a doc send me?? Is it me or them??
OK--no more rant--but are there any ideas out there?
Thanks!

sleep positions?

by bratdawg - 2016-01-08 04:01:38

I had my implant in November so still fairly new. Found this thread hoping for some suggestions on working out the stiffness and shoulder blade pain i seem to be zapped with frequently now.

I dont see anyone talking about sleep position as a possible contributor to the pain.

I have noticed a greater compulsion to sleep on my right side since - implant is on the left. Helps to use small light pillows to support left arm so it doesnt press. Also try to support my left breast. When i sleep on my back i use a flat pillow or folded towel to support my arm. I sleep with my bed at a slight incline. Again, breast support seems to help.

I hope it gets better. :( oh, and a hangar or the wand that comes with swiffer duster - perfect tools for applying aspercreme!

Shoulder movement limited

by Bjtroiano - 2016-04-19 02:04:18

I have shoulder soreness and stiffness since my pm insertion in Janurary. It seems to be getting worse instead of better. Seems like movement is limited. When I try to move in bed, it's really hard. Feels stuck.

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