Excessive Pain during surgery/Lovenox

Hello,

My mother had pacemaker surgery at a major hospital in Boston Nov 12. My brother and I were there with her. All seemed to be going well and folks at the hospital seemed supportive. Although there was some comment from the docs/interns that she was being consciously sedated (and they wanted to make sure she stayed breathing on her own), at NO time did anyone indicate that the pain during the procedure would be excrutiating (sp?) and that the numbing/freezing whatever you call it of the area would NOT be numbed such that she would feel such pain. She is 82 years old.

When she was in post surgery and still laying down, mouth still cottony, she reached her hand to me and said something like "If anyone tries to tell you pacemaker surgery is a piece of cake, don't believe them - it hurt like H#LL.

Today is the 24th and boy is my mother angry about the surgery. She said what she experienced reminds her of the suspense books she reads - her arms and legs were restrained and she struggled to get out of her restraints. She said something was over her mouth so she couldn't talk. She said one guy seemed to acknowledge something was up because he said "we're almost done".

She says that she felt everything they did gouging around the veins, etc.

In addition, she is on coumadin (sp?) and had to go off that the day before. She was told she had to be on Lovenox for the time she was off the coumadin - however, she has gone through 10 shots then another 7 shots and now has to order more - is this normal? Unfortunately, her prescription coverage seems to be at end of year running out (common from what I understand) so 7 shots cost over $200.

Any advice. Unfortunately, I live 2 1/2 hours away and work full time so I can't race back right now to try to help her deal with this.

Her blood pressure today was 160/80 and that seems to be in part due to her being so upset over this surgery and the pain. It was really high post surgery recovery also but then went down.

Regards,

Janice

6 Comments

not normal

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-24 09:11:08

What you described is definitely not normal. They often do the insertion while the patient is awake and able to talk, that part is right, but I've never heard of anyone feeling so much. I'd be making a phone call to the doctor to ask why she wasn't numbed more.

Sorry, I'm no help on the coumadin, but one day off it doesn't seem like enough before a surgery.

Can you bring her to stay with you this week through the holiday? A change of scenery might help her relax and bring her blood pressure down.

Good for her

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-24 11:11:12

Let her be angry about it. She has every right to be. She sounds like a spunky woman.

Reminds me of a number of years ago when my wife was really upset and angry about the way a doctor had treated her. I was sitting on the couch with my arm around her being very understanding and comforting. She suddenly came up with a right hook to my nose and I saw stars. She said I wasn't understanding or I would be mad too! I learned something important that day! We often laughed about it over the years.

Seriously, I suggest she let the doctor know how she feels about it.

frank

Poor Mum

by Loopy Lou - 2008-11-25 03:11:07

Hey,
So sorry to hear what your mum went through.

With me, I had all sorts of sedation but was wide-awake during both procedures - (I had a failed insertion on left side and a week later had my PM fitted on right side).

I was awake and chatting with the nurses, and very scared. I was also cold. I did feel some pain but I asked for more local anaesthetic. When the surgeon made the pocket with his fingers (ERUGH!!!) it hurt and I asked him to stop - he did and gave me more local.

My surgeon and team listened to me every step of the way and helped me.

I am so so sorry to learn of what happened and I would seriously contact the hospital as soon as possible. Write down everything - all the details, and make an appointment with the Chief Executive or whoever is in charge of the Hospital.

May I wish you mum all the best for a speedy recovery. Tell her we are all sending our love.

Love & Hugs, Loopy Lou xxxx

Sorry your mom went through that

by VonnieVern - 2008-11-25 12:11:54

I was fully awake for my pacemaker surgery, and could feel the pressure of the incision being made and when it was stitched, but no pain. At no time was my mouth covered. With their concern about making sure your mom kept breathing on her on, it seems they didn't give her enough pain relief, but probably thought with the "conscious sedation" she wouldn't remember it anyway. I think you or she should put what she experienced in writing and send it to her referring physician, surgeon and anesthesiologist. If she doesn't get an explanation and/or apology you should send it to the hospital's patient care department.

Vonnie

By all means

by walkerd - 2008-11-27 06:11:56

let your mom tell the dr. her feelings but i would suggest that you be at that appointment. That way you can hear the story from dr. and be there for support. I didnt feel anything when I had it done,but not all surgeries are alike I have heard some horror stories in here and other support sites, I thank the Lord that I have had excellent surgeons for my open heart and pm implantation. Im sorry that your mother had a bad experience with her procedure, oh yes and im almost positive they had my arms restrained, safety procedure i would presume, umm messing around your heart wouldnt want someone to jerk thier arms while working around heart. Hope you get this resolved, and hope everything works out for your mom.
dave

I had bad pain too

by Dormouse - 2008-12-22 01:12:13

I feel so sorry for your mum, I too had terrible pain during surgery but at least I got a surgeon who talked about it and tried to sort it. The treatment she had was unforgivably brutal.

I had my pm surgery a few days ago. At first it seemed all was numb though I could feel pressure then suddenly an agonizing sharp pain like a dagger twisting in me, such a surprise, I let out a great shriek and he said he would give me more local but it made no difference and this went on and on with more local and no effect and more pain, after a long time (it all took a very long two and a half hours) yet another searing stab and this time, it was a direct hit with the local thankfully. He was very apologetic and clearly felt bad about it (though not as bad as I had felt, I bet!) even so, there was still some discomfort with threading the wire through the tubes and I was warned, as they ought to have warned your mum, that the blood vessels aren't numb and it will be a bit uncomfortable.

I also had extremely high blood pressure during the op and it took some time to settle after. The surgeon saw me later and said it was because he had been 'torturing me' and he was so sorry and felt terrible about it!

Likely your mother had plenty of extra locals and also sedation just as I did, but not a communicative or kind surgeon. Likely she will have a longer recovery time because lots of locals can cause more soreness and swelling after.

Please tell her she is not alone and someone 'out there' had just the same and is wishing her good recovery!

Love,
Dormouse
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