1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Pain around pacemaker site

Posted by dorothynoz45 @dorothynoz45, Jun 22, 2019

I am getting very frustrated with this situation. I have had my pacemaker for over 2 years and I still have the same cramping ache at the site that I experienced after the implant. No one takes me seriously. I have been trying to rattle the cardiology office cage for a week and 1/2 now. Several weeks ago it got worse; woke me up at night and in the morning it hurt so bad that twice I couldn't stand straight. It seems to harder to stand up when I get up and start moving. I can't get past the phone nurse. She left a voice mail for me ' that it couldn't possibly be the device because I've had it so long. That it must be something else.' Dr. told me they could re position it but didn't like to for fear of infection. I am posting because after this long of time, although I've been told nothing can be done about it, I don't want this in my life anymore. Has this happened to anyone else?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

mfenn | @mfenn | Aug 10 8:08am
In reply to @jamesrock "New to site. My name is Jimmy, 62 Had PM surgery May 30. 10 weeks yesterday...." + (show)
@jamesrock

New to site. My name is Jimmy, 62
Had PM surgery May 30. 10 weeks yesterday. followed all instructions no lifting , golf swimming for six weeks plus. slowly started to get back to activities. played a few rounds ( maybe 3 rounds) of golf, exercise on bike, hit some balls at range, all with no issues. Felt good. Just this week when I lie down I have that burning pinching pain around site towards shoulder. when I stretch I feel the pain. now I am back to being gingerly about my movements. my question is; Is this what I have to look forward to? Did your situation get better after mare time? Doctor said after 6 weeks I would be able to do whatever I did before. I called the doctor and got the nurse. She said it is most likely muscular related, also said if there was a problem the monitor would have picked it up.

Jump to this post

Jimmy:

While 6-8 weeks after you can do "whatever you did before" you need to be careful when lifting the arms above the shoulder and the force used as that irritates the site and slows the healing.
I suspect the rounds of golf and the balls at the range might have been a bit too much too soon.

I'm not a golfer but I regularly train with weights. I waited 8 weeks or so and then began with fairly gentle whole body work without weights. Then I started slowly. My progress has been steady and I generally do "whatever I did before." I actually feel better and stronger and more confident than before. I occasionally get a bit of discomfort.

When I first started to recover I was discouraged because my pacemaker was put in Sept. 2022 at age 75. I thought my age and the procedure and time 'off' would prevent me from ever doing any meaningful (to me) lifting. Not so. I don't remember the exact progress timeline but by the end of year 1 I was happy with my progress. We (trainer and I) did a test of my 3 favourite lifts for my 77th birthday in June and I got a "high five" from everyone.

I worried and had anxiety a lot in the first months after the implant. I used the Metronic site (www.medtronic.ca/patientresources) and toll free line a few times. And this Mayo Forum.
Long story short: I am not a doctor nor a technician but I suspect the nurse is correct, muscles are unhappy. And yes, it does get better...much better. If not, keep calling the doctor or technician for advice.

Long story

REPLY
1 reply
bill0996 | @bill0996 | Aug 10 9:25am

I am 12 months out. I would continue to stretch and the discomfort should go away with time. I am very active as a 78 year old lifting and doing pushups every day. I did add a pad over the car shoulder strap. At my 12 months out appt, I described an unpleasant sensation when touching and/or rubbing over the PM, my EP changed the conductivity pattern and that went away.

REPLY
1 reply
jamesrock | @jamesrock | Aug 11 11:08am
In reply to @mfenn "Jimmy: While 6-8 weeks after you can do "whatever you did before" you need to be..." + (show)
@mfenn

Jimmy:

While 6-8 weeks after you can do "whatever you did before" you need to be careful when lifting the arms above the shoulder and the force used as that irritates the site and slows the healing.
I suspect the rounds of golf and the balls at the range might have been a bit too much too soon.

I'm not a golfer but I regularly train with weights. I waited 8 weeks or so and then began with fairly gentle whole body work without weights. Then I started slowly. My progress has been steady and I generally do "whatever I did before." I actually feel better and stronger and more confident than before. I occasionally get a bit of discomfort.

When I first started to recover I was discouraged because my pacemaker was put in Sept. 2022 at age 75. I thought my age and the procedure and time 'off' would prevent me from ever doing any meaningful (to me) lifting. Not so. I don't remember the exact progress timeline but by the end of year 1 I was happy with my progress. We (trainer and I) did a test of my 3 favourite lifts for my 77th birthday in June and I got a "high five" from everyone.

I worried and had anxiety a lot in the first months after the implant. I used the Metronic site (www.medtronic.ca/patientresources) and toll free line a few times. And this Mayo Forum.
Long story short: I am not a doctor nor a technician but I suspect the nurse is correct, muscles are unhappy. And yes, it does get better...much better. If not, keep calling the doctor or technician for advice.

Long story

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for the support and reply. Let me start off with a high five. Ha, I hope I didn’t do any damage that is irreversible. That’s what worries me. The pain comes on at night when I lay down. Burning , stinging pinch sort of pain. If I sleep on my back the pain subsides. I also feel it when I do any upward motion on jaw. The pain is at the top of PM. When I touch it I feel it a little as well. When I shrug my shoulders I could feel it as well. I didn’t do anything for 6 and 1/2 weeks. I played a round of golf with no issue at all. Did some calisthenics shoulders and so on ,no weights. I am going to call Medtronic’s this week. See if it is an adjustment on PM. I thank you for you input.

REPLY
jamesrock | @jamesrock | Aug 11 11:12am
In reply to @bill0996 "I am 12 months out. I would continue to stretch and the discomfort should go away..." + (show)
@bill0996

I am 12 months out. I would continue to stretch and the discomfort should go away with time. I am very active as a 78 year old lifting and doing pushups every day. I did add a pad over the car shoulder strap. At my 12 months out appt, I described an unpleasant sensation when touching and/or rubbing over the PM, my EP changed the conductivity pattern and that went away.

Jump to this post

Both you guys are an inspiration, I will not give up. I am active as well and want to continue with the active lifestyle I am accustomed to

REPLY
mfenn | @mfenn | Aug 12 7:30am

Thanks for the high five! Just an aside...you mention sleeping position (side, I assume) generates pain but not on the back. Side-sleeping likely squashes the implant side. Stay on your back for sleeping.

I used to sleep on my back all the time. I love it BUT (there is always a but) I also have sleep apnea so I have had to learn to sleep on my right side. If it's not one thing it's another.

Your positive and determined attitude will serve you well.

REPLY
freddo | @freddo | Aug 18 12:16am
In reply to @dorothynoz45 "Just this week I have decided to pursue a 2nd opinion. I have an app't with..." + (show)
@dorothynoz45

Just this week I have decided to pursue a 2nd opinion. I have an app't with my PC and I want a 2nd opinion.

Jump to this post

you have never been to australian hospital with heart prob you wait in waiting room till your turn

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.