chest and throat pain

i got my pacemaker about 3 weeks ago and soon after the surgery i started getting pain in my chest and my throat when i would breathe in. it went away, but it has started again, mainly when i go from a sitting to laying position or laying to sitting. last night i ran up the stairs in my house to answer the phone and when i got to the top of the stairs my throat was hurting really bad for about a minute when i would breathe in. i went to the dr. about it about a week after i had my PM put in and he seemed to think it was just sore from the surgery, but i feel like if that's the case, it still shouldn't be hurting 3 weeks later. i've never had surgery before this so i don't know how long recovery takes. has anyone had any pain like this after their PM was put in? thanks!

paula


7 Comments

Hi Paula

by KarenLL - 2007-05-17 01:05:46

I have had a similar problem with pressure in my chest that seems to go into my throat. I wouldn't call my a sore throat but a pressure, almost burning sensation deep at the base of my throat. I had my surgery Mar 23 and I still get it. It seems to be worse on days I am very active. It is frustrating because the doctors can't explain it. They keep suggesting that I might have reflux...I don't think so. They tell me to take advil, which I do, it seems to relive it but it just keeps coming back again. I feel like I'm crazy because they make me feel like I am imagining it. I hope yours gets better soon. If you find out anymore...let me know!
Karen

Chest and throat pain.

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-05-17 06:05:05

Hi Paula and Karen.

Since neither of you mention the reason why you were fitted with a pacemaker, I did some research, based on the description of your symptoms.
I have no medical background, so don't take what you read to be what is going on with you.
The following data is what I was able to find. You might want to mention it to your respective doctor.
Neither of you is crazy, your symptoms are very real, doctors don't know everything. Sometimes, they need a big nudge from their patients, to make them work a little harder to figure out your problem.
I have AFIB, so I know the feeling.
Good luck, take care,

~ Dominique ~


SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA (SVT)

What is SVT?
SVT is an abbreviation for a long complicated sounding term. It stands for paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. SVT in plain language is a term we used to describe an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that typically starts suddenly and ends suddenly. SVT often begins with a sudden fullness in the chest or throat or a sudden strong heart beat. The heart beat then takes off at a very rapid rate. When SVT stops, it does so abruptly. Some patients describe it is similar to turning off a light switch. First it's on and then just as suddenly it stops. Some patients may feel lightheaded for the first few seconds. The spells are often misdiagnosed as panic attacks because during panic attacks the heart does beat very rapidly and the patient may feel frightened. One tip-off that the spells are not panic attacks is that SVT begins and ends suddenly.

Read more....

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-05-17 06:05:54

Hi.

It's me again. I forgot to add, if you want to read more, go to the web site:
www.nmhifoundation.org/pcsites/addPage.cfm?section=
addPage&pageOrder=1

~ Dominique ~

hi

by randrews - 2007-05-18 12:05:34

I also had problems with my throat. After the pm was put in I developed a cough every time I layed down and I almost lost my voice. The doctor just dismissed it and said it wasn't due to my pm. whatever.
It all finally went away.
I hope you feel better, keep us updated,
Rusty

sore throat

by lana - 2007-06-10 06:06:48

I just had mine put in 4 days ago.
My throat was so sore
it was from the tube they put down my throat.
It was preformed as a reguar surgery and they had to put me out. They said it would be too painful, because they would try out the shock system.
Now I am glad I was out.
Did you have the tube in your throat?

Lana

Sore Throat

by BeachGirl - 2017-05-06 21:05:01

I just had pacemaker surgery 4 days ago and my throat hurts too. I thought it might be my thyroid? Or maybe even my heart is a little swollen from the leads?

I know it's late by many years , but....

by Shroselo - 2024-01-09 15:46:30

Since this is #1 on Google when searching for an answer and I recently had the same issues, I decided to consult my Cardiologists. When they implant the pacer or ICD they go through on of 2 veins; The Auxiliary Vein or the Subclavian Vein. (At this point Google an image of those veins)

They Ideally want to use the Auxiliary vein but in cases like mine, that was not an option so they went with the Subclavian. Either way both sets of veins and their corresponding Arteries run right up the neck. Both veins brach out to the shoulder region where the pacer is implanted. I really wish I could use a picture to explain this but I will do the best I can with words based on what was explained to me. 

The veins in Which they use resemble a lowercase "r" on the curved part of the "r" is where the shoulder is and where the lead for the pacer starts, the lead moves down to the bottom of the "r". When you shift, are very active, or simply going through any kind of stress wether it be just standing up, running or your emotional the blood pressure rises causing blood to pump through those veins which are used to having a lot more room. since the top side of the "r" doesn't have a lead in it the pressure tends to seek relief there, in the region between your upper sternum moving up to the base of the throat or for a male, the bottom half of the Adams Apple. 

It is also possible the lead is tugging the artery downward creating even more pain or discomfort. This is also why we don't lift out arms. Our leads need time to bond to the heart and or veins and arteries need to work around having a wire through them by essentially stretching. 

I was assured that over the course of the next 3 months that sensation would be less common and potentially gone completely, and was also recommended light cardio and exercise to speed up the adjustment time. 

Hope this helps future and current pacer recipients, I googled it and thought it was SVT and nearly freaked out but it wasn't and everything is normal dispite it's challenges. 

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