soreness 6 months pm implant

I've had my pacemaker for about 6 months now and it's still quite sore where the pacemaker sits. Has anyone else experienced this?

My doctor said it could take up to 6 months for scar tissue to fill in there, but I thought for sure by this point the soreness would be gone.

Thanks

11 Comments

Sounds like a long time

by ElectricFrank - 2009-08-14 01:08:49

6 months seems like a long time for it to be significantly sore. I hardly noticed mine after 3 weeks.

You may need to put a bit more pressure on the doc. They will tell any story to avoid dealing with a problem.

frank

4 months

by pezzypooh - 2009-08-14 05:08:20

I had my 4 month mark yesterday as well, and I also experience pain, discomfort, and itchiness. I'm sure it is part of the normal healing process, and it will be less and less noticeable with time. It's just a bit irritating sometimes!!! Take care!

Like frank said

by walkerd - 2009-08-14 07:08:23

not sure how much pain you have, I have had mine 1 year on sept 16th and mine hurts sometimes still not real bad mainly if I sleep on it wrong, I would imagine that um its something that really isnt supposed to be there and I think its just the body saying hey what is that. But like frank said if its pain all the time or extreme pain I would put alot of pressure on your cardioigist or doctor whichever or both, make sure there is no infection or something else. Make them tell you and if they do, ask how did u come to that prognositist (no spell check and spelling is not my strongest suit) lol. Make sure you get a copy of office notes and all your medical records i did. Good luck and keep us informed.

dave

Itchiness

by milosax - 2009-08-14 08:08:04

It is really bothersome to me. I'm just 8days post op and was thinking that it is just a little prickly heat feeling from my hair starting to grow back. Now, hearing that women have this too, some folks experience this for long periods of time..... yikes!

Does anyone have any suggestions - I've been trying some talcum powder, but it doesn't last too long?

4 months

by geejbee - 2009-08-14 11:08:39


I am at my 4 month mark for receiving my pace maker. I still experience pain, discomfort, and itchiness. I find even some shirts seem to cause discomfort. My doctor seems unconcerned about it and so I've just tried to accept the fact that I have a foreign object in my body and that it will take time. Try not to become discouraged - need to be patient with you body. Good luck - don't be hard on yourself.

3 weeks

by tlw1013 - 2009-08-15 09:08:39

I am hoping the pain, discomfort and itchiness will subside as time goes by. A friend has had hers nearly 6 years and she says she doesn't notice it all now. I think I do because I still very cautious to what I do and what to do. I think as I get ust to it I will do better. I am praying that is what happens.
Yes some shirts are uncomfortable and I have started wearing an undershirt which I never did before. That seem to help alot for now.
Good luck to all. Glad to know others are in my shoes and feeling the same way.

pain 6 months

by raccoongirl04 - 2009-08-16 02:08:56

Thanks for all your comments. My doctor was unconcerned about the pain/tenderness too, saying it would just take time for the scar tissue to fill in. But I would have thought by now it would feel better.

It's not extreme pain, but it is annoying. Wearing a bra hurts (sorry guys), wearing seat belt hurts (so have to use this clip to loosen the belt), and it just gets achey there.

Now I did just get back from a Safari in Africa, which involved a lot of bouncing around on horrible roads. I noticed the pacemaker site hurting more after this trip. Do you think it's possible I tore some of the scar tissue and this is why the pain is getting worse?

I sure hope someday I don't know the pm is there, but so far I'm very aware that it's there. My life is so much better with it though - no more dizziness. So maybe I'll just have to get used to the discomfort.

Thanks,
Melissa

Cathy

by i_nurse99 - 2009-10-22 10:10:07

I too am 6 months post op. My pacemaker site itches all the time, drives me nuts. It is also a little painful and my bra and seatbelt omg. I wonder sometimes if all this will ever go away. However, at least I am still alive to complain about it.

pain 6 months

by raccoongirl04 - 2009-10-22 11:10:56

I too am happy to be alive to complain about it. It took a really long time for the doctors to figure it out, and I'm so grateful they diagnosed the problem. The past few weeks the pm has been feeling a tad bit better. Still sore, but not quite as painful. I think I might have tore some scar tissue on safari.

Cathy

by nickp - 2014-04-26 08:04:04

"However, at least I am still alive to complain about it."

I am sooo there with you on that.

Mine is still a little sore and itchy 5 months post-install. I asked my doc if that was 'normal', he assured me there was no problem. Thank you all for confirming that I'm not an outlier.

Discomfort to Pain

by ScottfromGA - 2018-05-29 22:12:33

reading alot of your comments are very reassuring that I'm NOT okay.  I have another post up listing my complaints I'm having since my PM on Dec. 18th 2017, (6 months ago).  I also posted a question of how long it takes to get over the soreness and pain from the PM area.  I have been having some harsh pain from the area at and around my incision area.  i am also having sharp pains coming from my heart area.  I can literally pinpoint the area and its directly above my heart.  It's been happening before and after my PM.  I'm beginning to lose hope and question everything when it comes to this procedure.  nothing can seem to go right for me.....6 months and i've told them numerous times at how the soreness is still there and doesn't seem to be getting better, they just look at the cut area and say "oh its looks alright though."  its not the incision, its the area around it all the way to the center of my chest.  I have a 4:30pm appointment tomorrow....im going to show my ever loving ass.

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