Pain in Left Arm due to ICD Placement?
Hello, I am also new to this forum and hope this is not unusual but I am posting on behalf of my mother. I've been reading some of the other postings and am writing about my mother's nightmarish ordeal in hopes of getting some help for her. On top of other symptoms, she has an excruciation pain in her left arm and we think the ICD may be affecting the nerves in her arm. Is this possible and if so, what can we do about it?
My mother had a three lead ICD placed middle of July, 2007 so it has been roughly 3 months since the placement. In July, we went to the ER to run tests on her heart condition. The doctors said that it was urgent for her to get an ICD/pacemaker placed so we did despite our doubts and concerns.
A week after the ICD placement, she complained of severe chest pain and went back to the ER. A lead punctured her heart and she had to have the blood drained out.
A week after that episode she went back because of severe shoulder, back pain as well as stabbing pains in her left and right abdomen area.
A week after that, she went back again for severe shoulder, back, and arm pain.
Now it has been about three months and she has excruciating left arm pain, that starts as a dull aching pain and increases. The doctors tell her they do not know why she has that pain. Is there anyway the ICD is affecting the nerves in her arm??
She can barely lift her left arm due to weakness and pain. She's lost almost 15 pounds since the surgery and currently weighs only 103 (5'4" height). She can't walk much, can't do much activity, never has energy. All of the so-called benefits of the ICD/pacemaker have been non-existent for her. I guess we can be thankful that she doesn't have odd shocks or discomfort in that area, but the constant pain she is in is straining on our whole family. She is only 48, I am only 25 and we both cannot work due to her condition. Can anyone help us? We just want her to not be in pain.
4 Comments
Welcome!
by tcrabtree85 - 2007-10-12 05:10:59
Welcome to this amazing club.Smitty is exactly right I would not be shocked for a minute if the cause of her pain comes from the PM/ICD. Have they done any recent x-rays to see if one of the leads is too close to her nerve. I don't know where you live but if your drs are not helping your mother. I would travel to get help. I just came back from Mayo and they are good and spend time listening to you and answering any question you have.
I have spasms that are near my shoulder and armpit area they discovered that my lead is close enough to give it that little shock. I loose feeling in my left hand sometimes and it just depends when I am postitioned on my left side I have severe spasms this is the way they were able to tell that the lead is close to my nerve.
I wish you luck and as I am 21 I can't imagine my mom facing it but i'm also more like Smitty where I would sit and yell at that doctor until I knew what was going on.
Get another opinion if you have to travel. At your mom's age she should not have to be in that much pain. If you need somebody to talk to feel free to send me a message.
Many thoughts and prayers to your family!
Tammy
HI,
by Gellia2 - 2007-10-12 07:10:53
I agree with Smitty and Tammy. Your Mother's doctor should be helping her. If they have checked out her ICD thoroughly, then it may be possible that your Mom has a frozen shoulder. They are excruciatingly painful and the pain can last a year. Many times recent surgery can excerbate an attack. A NSAID and ice along with physical therapy can do wonders. Your Mother's doctor should be telling you this, though. Please take what Smitty and Tammy say to heart. Sometimes we have to fight for ourselves. Your Mom's doctor is NOT the one in pain. He
owes your Mom an explanation as to why she is.
Very best to you,
Gellia
Shoulder pain
by shipps - 2007-10-19 09:10:17
Hi, I am new to this site. I had my ICD implanted in Aug of 2006 and have done pretty well. However, the one big problem I have is that I still have oain in my shoulder and left arm. I used to play golf with my husband but now just swing the club hurts my arm. I thought this would improve with time but it hasn't. I mentioned it to my Doctor but they didn't really give me an answer. They have told me in the past that one of my leads is very close to a nerve ...they say because I am thin. I have another appointment next month and I am going to bring it up again..
I hope your mom finds some help.
Sharon
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My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.
Pain In Arm
by SMITTY - 2007-10-12 04:10:28
Hi Amory,
Pacemakers and/or ICD can hold a world of surprises for any of us that have one. Some of the surprises are good and some are bad. So, I would say it is entirely possible that what your mother is experiencing is caused by her PM/ICD. Of course her doctor will have to pass final judgement on that but, if you think she is getting the run around you might try getting his attention. I
f it were me, my first choice would be to grab that doctor by the nap of the neck and shake the living daylights out him while I explained this is my mother and YOU ARE GOING TO HELP HER AND NOW! Of course with you being a reasonable person (and unlike me) that is not your way of doing things. But if you continue to be dissatisfied with her treatment, you may want to try changing doctors. If that is not a reasonable alternative, then have a talk with the administrator of the hospital where the device was implanted.
Hospital Administrators travel in the shadows of where we get our medical care and we don't often see or think of them. But that hospital is their first and usually only concern. If they get a complaint about a doctor and it sounds reasonable, the first thing they see is the red flag of a lawsuit going up. That will move many of them to see help the patient gets help poste haste.
I wish your mother the best.
Smitty