Is this normal?

Would like to know if many of you have had problems with the operation site? l had my pacemaker inserted 2 wks ago and l was in agony all the way through the operation, which surprised me, as l really wasn’t expecting to be. The doc apologized to me after for the pain and said some were more difficult to do!!!!

Anyway, l went home that evening but had to go to my GP the next morning because l was bleeding, that stopped but l was left with what they think is a haematoma.  l am still very sore and very swollen [but no infection].  So far l have been away from work for 3 wks and no one seems to know how long it will take to heal, can anyone relate to this, PLEASE !!!

3 Comments

Should check with Surgeon

by MSPACER - 2011-04-22 09:04:15

Hi Sue

I'm assuming that you are from the UK and not the states, so it sounds like they do things a little differently. For my initial implant, I was under general anesthesia, so I did not feel anything. I'm surprised you felt the operation-I don't think that should have occurred; you should have at least been under more sedation. I also stayed overnight in the hospital, so I guess that I'm surprised that you went home the same day. After 2 weeks, most of the swelling should have subsided, although there still could be some swelling. Has the doctor looked at it? My very bad pain subsided within a week, but I still had some pain but not the way you are describing. I also went back to work in a week. I found that keeping my arm elevated on a pillow when I was sitting, and sleeping helped with the pain. Are you able to see the doctor? You should have it checked out.

MSPACER

by sue uk - 2011-04-23 08:04:42

Many thanks for your comments,l am new to all this and its comforting to know there are "others"out there.l do feel as though l am making progress,guess l need to be more patient but l have had lots of surgery and procedures over the past few years and no problems but this has knocked the stuffing out of me ! The pain has definately lessened but the wound is swollen and lumpy my friends think there is some sort of alien in there waiting to pop out ! ! ! But looking on the positive side my heart seems to be a lot more regular l am just looking forward to feeling better and testing it out. Once again many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Don't be so quick to rule out infection...

by COBradyBunch - 2011-04-24 09:04:03

I was in horrible pain for about 2-3 weeks post implant. I had no visible sign of infection but the entire upper left hand side of my body was hurting and the pain was moving down my arm (now I guess I know what a heart attack might feel like, but mine was constant). I couldn't even sleep it got so bad. Docs kept saying it would go away. My wife who knows me and knows I have a high tolerance finally got people to listen. They put me on high dose antibiotics in what a world of difference it made in just 24 hours. Best bet was I had an internal infection that was spreading but not showing up at the incision site or as a fever. Within three days all the pain was gone and after 10 days I was off the antibiotics and haven't had pain associated with the pacer since.

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Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.