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Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (497)Comment receiving replies
My name is chary I had a pacemaker implanted about 7 years ago at night I can only sleep face down. Waking up in the morning lately my upper and lower chest burns slightly through my underarm to my back my left arm is loosing strength and has a bad tingling sensation. I’m a63 year old W/M had a quadruple bypass a year later the pacemaker this last couple weeks has been painful anyone else?
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Hello Charly
I am not sure I can answer your questons or address your concerns very well since they do not reflect my personal experiences. But I did want to acknowledge your post. I am hoping the symptoms you described have eased somewhat.
I do have a pacemaker (for just over 2 years) but I have not had any cardiac surgery. My first though in regards to your comment "my upper and lower chest burns slightly through my underarm to my back my left arm is loosing strength and has a bad tingling sensation" is to suggest you see your doctor for a thorough examination. Although it has been a fairly long time since the surgery - 6 years or so - I would not think of anything like an infection but perhaps something like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The symptoms described in the article sound a great deal like the ones you have supplied. I have included a link to an article which might shed some light on your issue:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5729003/
I think only a physician can diagnose such an issue and becuse it is noted as a "syndrome", I doubt you will ever get an expanlation of why you are experiencing this. But, speaking for myself, I would take some comfort in knowing that it is a "thing" and others have experienced it.
As for only being able to sleep face down, may I ask why? It is becasue of pain from the pacemaker? Or do you have an underlying issue like sleep apnea? I have obstructive sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for over 20 years with excellent results. When I was first prescribed the machine, I was told it was best if I could learn to sleep on my side - at the very least. Sleeping on my back would result in more episodes of apnea. Do you experince something like that?
I, over time, learned to not sleep on my back and now sleep primarliy on my stomach. And, after the pacemaker implant, I added tucking the corner of my pillow under my left shoulder in the front which seems to give a additional support to that area, making sleep in, in general, more comfortable.
I hope my response can shed some light on your concerns. And I wish you all the best in finding additional answers and support in your journey.
Wishing you good health and Seasons Greetings.