Sensitivity over PM

I have had a   PM since beginning of February. I am finding the skin over the PM becoming very sensitive. Voltaren seems to help. Is this common and does it go away?


4 Comments

skin sensitivity

by Gemita - 2020-06-08 07:06:24

Hello Eliza,

I sometimes have skin sensitivity over my device implanted in 2018 and even clothing touching me can trigger worsening discomfort.   Bra straps can be particularly troublesome unless I place some padding underneath.  Have you noticed any redness or problems with wound healing ?  Those are the things to be concerned about or if you notice anything coming through the skin (the device or a pacemaker lead for example), this would then require immediate assessment by a doctor.  As long as no infection or broken skin is apparent, the sensitivity you feel now should hopefully gradually lessen if you can protect the area to avoid anything rubbing against it.

I have never used Voltaren.  Are you using the gel ?   I know it contains Diclofenac Sodium and this can be pretty powerful stuff when used in sensitive places and if you take it orally it can cause many unwanted side effects and may even be dangerous if you take it for long periods.  I am not sure that I would want to rub the gel into the skin over my pacemaker, unless your doctors have prescribed it?  It could cause an adverse skin reaction making the sensitivity worse. 

I wonder if you have sustained some nerve irritation during the pacemaker implant which could be causing this sensitivity?  A word with your doctors might put your mind at rest.

Good luck

padding

by dwelch - 2020-06-08 10:46:59

I am on my fifth, it is still sensitive over the device depending on what your definition of sensitive is.  I'm a guy so dont wear bras but have always struggled with the seat belt.  And with that it has always been about padding.  Currently I have a faux fuzzy sheepskin seat belt cover and it works great.  

Others experience may vary, but it may end up being the new normal for you.

Skin Sensitivity Aound Pacer

by Marybird - 2020-06-08 11:43:06

It's been a few days short of a year since my pacemaker was implanted, and I still have a bit of skin sensitivity around the site. It's bit red around the scar, extending maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inches above and below the scar in some places, though the scar itself is well healed and white at this point. It doesn't hurt, just itches a little sometimes and I regard it like I do my belly button at this point. I just don't like touching the area and don't like anyone else doing so either.  I find rubbing cortisone cream on the area helps.

Sensitivity

by AgentX86 - 2020-06-08 23:19:21

My implant site was quite sensitive to the touch for about eight months.  It felt like a good sunburn when touched (clothes didn't bother it).  It's mostly gone away (two years) but the skin over the leads can still be a bit sensitive.  It feels like there's friction on the skin from the other side.  No big deal.  I can pretty much ignore it.  I don't scar well and they tend to hurt for a long time (at times my sternotomy scar and wires still hurt after five and a lalf years).

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