site discomfort

Had a St. Jude's dual lead pacemaker implanted in Feb. of 2017 due to a random and unexplained cardiac arrest at age 69. Now lately I have been having some site discomfort.  I don't do strenuous exercise anymore due to a rotator cuff tear in left shoulder, so that can't be it.  I do play drums in a rock band, but that doesn't pull on my chest muscles.  Anyone else have this?  I know that I overreact to stuff since this happened because I flatlined for 8+ seconds and it still freaks me out.  Sort of like a form of PTSD. I worry most of the time that something is wrong. Especially since they had to turn on the rate response because my own heart was not picking up like it used to. I have had many questions answered on this site so am hoping will get some now.  I am grateful for this little device, but...


3 Comments

site discomfort

by ellenmary - 2018-04-16 23:48:23

Thank you, Robin!  Good to know that aching and itching and pinkish hue is "normal".  Not something that the doctor's office tells us, is it?  I am a retired professional counselor, so I do know that I need to see someone about this. The problem is finding someone who is knowledgeable about pacemakers and heart issues, not just anxiety and PTS. But I have already begun the search. I am glad this website exists!

Be well!  :)

PTSD

by Gotrhythm - 2018-04-17 14:08:40

In the almost 7 years I've had my little device, and all of the 9 cardiologists I've seen, only one cardiologist ever has asked me if I had site discomfort. I guess it's the least of their worries.

And yeah, even after all this time, the site will sometimes feel a little sore, or feel like it's itching way deep down inside. It doesn't happen often and never enough to alarm me--but then I haven't had a traumatic experience relating to my heart.

I have a counseling background too. Living on edge all the time isn't healthy. Some counseling woud be a good idea. But I honestly don't think you have to find a counselor with pacemaker expertise. After all, the traumatic episode wasn't caused by the pacemaker. Having a pacemaker, living with a pacemaker, is not the problem. It's the solution.

In addition to couseling, neurofeedback has been shown to be effective for PTSD.

Site discomfort

by ellenmary - 2018-04-17 16:04:53

Thanks, Gotrhythm!  I do understand that site discomfort is a small problem that most cardiologists don't want to bother with.  I also understand that it would have been helpful to be told that some of these things would happen and to not be alarmed.  I had Stage 0 breast cancer in 2014 and received a ton of information to help me through treatment and recovery and survivorship. And I was never as close to dying as I was during the pacemaker episode.  Hence the alleged PTS.  And I also know that cognitive behavior therapy is the best treatment for PTS, and a counselor who has some knowledge in cardiac issues will be just that much more informed. The pacemaker is most definitely the solution, but  sometimes a solution can also create some problems along the way.  To ignore or diminish that is not helpful. In my case, the traumatic episode was cardiac arrest. It has simply exacerbated some anxiety issues related to the heart.  To fully accept that one's heart beating is dependent on a little device can be daunting. Along with the gratitude there are many emotions at play.

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

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