Pain

HI

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-27 10:40:28

I suspect that what you are feeling is part of the healing and it will take time.  As nerves regenerate, they tingle, burn, we all have different ways of describing it.  Its a good thing, not anything to be concerned about.  Any time they cut you open, you have a recovery period/healing time.

BTW, did they tell you it went through your heart??  Most times, the lead simply hits the nerve leading to the diaphragm and its like having the hiccups.  If they pierced your heart, that would be a very major thing to have go wrong.  It CAN happen but is exceedingly rare.

If the lead is on the nerve, they simply move it over a bit.

Best Wishes,

Bionic Beat

Scar pain

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-27 12:40:20

They had to cut lots of little nerves when they made the pocket. Now the nerves are regrowing and that can cause all kinds of sensations from pain, to itching, to burning, to pinching little "ant bites." I'm sorry you're having so much discomfort but it will go away eventually.

In the meantime you might invest in a bra with widely placed straps that don't touch the pacemaker scar. Also there are commercially available strap pads, but in my opinion they're pricey and you can probably rig up something that will keep the strap off the scar just as well.

For me, the seat belt shoulder strap was more problematic than the bra. I wrapped a wash cloth around the strap where it touched my chest and secured it with duct tape. Worked fine.

Do keep the scar moisturized. 

Put an ice pack on the area occasionally to give the nerves a chance to calm down. Sometimes that's all it takes to give hours of relief.

Count your blessings. This too shall pass.

Thanks

by Karinlee - 2018-07-02 17:21:45

Yes, the lead went through my heart and was pacing my diaphragm —saw it on an echo. I had surgery the next day to reposition the lead.

I’ll just be patient with the healing!