Pain around pacemaker site

Oh dear...that sounds painful and frustrating, Dorothy. If I were you, I would to Emergency. They see people with heart issues immediately. Hopefully they call a cardiologist and that you are not just treated by a resident. Maybe go early in the morning on a weekday.

@dorothynoz45 @dlo56
Are you seeing a cardiologist or an Electrophysiologist? If you are not seeing a Electrophysiologist do you have access to one.

From what you are describing and my own experience with now my 3rd ICD/Pacemaker it does not sound right to have pain after so many years.

When you first get your device the body will see it as a foreign object and you will experience discomfort not only from bodies response but from the surgery itself. However, per my EP the body will start to encapsulate your device and discomfort and irriation should go down.

If you have every looked at a ICD/Pacemaker you can see at the top there are several external nodules to connect wires. They protrude outward as well as wires leading to your device. If thes nodules are not flat they can rub against your skin and or muscle. My device is below my chest muscle as I did not have enough skin per my EP to put under skin.

When a cardiologist or EP just looks at functioning of the device they are not looking at patient first philosophy. If you area having pain find out why and treat it. If you are experiencing pain years after device surgery the pain needs to be addressed as to why not just that the device is working okay.

Over the years I have found what aggravates my device and can cause irritation and pain and try not to do those. I do water aerobics 7 times a week. Anything with my arms over my head (especially left side where device is) it aggravates my pacemaker area and it will hurt and feel irriated. I just stopped raising my left arm above my head. Some times I find myslef reaching back with my left arm and will feel some pain in device area. Also if I sleep wrong will also feel it.

Do you have a Pace Clinic where you are getting treated? I go to Mayo Jacksonville and they have an excellent one. They from time to time will have me do arm exercises to see if wires are affected by the movement. I also advise them on any discomfort and they check the device location for any swelling or signs of irritation.

That was an old message. I am fine and my pacemaker is functioning well.

@dorothynoz45 @dlo56
Are you seeing a cardiologist or an Electrophysiologist? If you are not seeing a Electrophysiologist do you have access to one.

From what you are describing and my own experience with now my 3rd ICD/Pacemaker it does not sound right to have pain after so many years.

When you first get your device the body will see it as a foreign object and you will experience discomfort not only from bodies response but from the surgery itself. However, per my EP the body will start to encapsulate your device and discomfort and irriation should go down.

If you have every looked at a ICD/Pacemaker you can see at the top there are several external nodules to connect wires. They protrude outward as well as wires leading to your device. If thes nodules are not flat they can rub against your skin and or muscle. My device is below my chest muscle as I did not have enough skin per my EP to put under skin.

When a cardiologist or EP just looks at functioning of the device they are not looking at patient first philosophy. If you area having pain find out why and treat it. If you are experiencing pain years after device surgery the pain needs to be addressed as to why not just that the device is working okay.

Over the years I have found what aggravates my device and can cause irritation and pain and try not to do those. I do water aerobics 7 times a week. Anything with my arms over my head (especially left side where device is) it aggravates my pacemaker area and it will hurt and feel irriated. I just stopped raising my left arm above my head. Some times I find myslef reaching back with my left arm and will feel some pain in device area. Also if I sleep wrong will also feel it.

Do you have a Pace Clinic where you are getting treated? I go to Mayo Jacksonville and they have an excellent one. They from time to time will have me do arm exercises to see if wires are affected by the movement. I also advise them on any discomfort and they check the device location for any swelling or signs of irritation.

I had a Medtronic pacemaker implanted four months ago. I’m having problems with shortness of breath and discomfort at the implantation site. My doctor says it’s not related to the pacemaker and that it is just something that is probably has to do with my age. I’m 76 years old, I didn’t have it before And I don’t know why it would just show up since the implantation of my pacemaker.

@kb49
The discomfort at implantation site is going to take some time to heal. Do you have any pressure over the implant site? If so go to remove that as the skin and muscle below it are going to be very sensitive.

Over time your body will emcapsulate the device and this irritation should to away. You still need to keep any pressure off of it so you don't create irritation.

The shortness of breath is another matter. I would have suggested you bring this to your doctor attention ASAP but you already have. Can I asked if you are under a lot of stress or worrying? It can cause you to have anxiety which can cause shortness of breath.

That does not come from me as medical professional but I have had a device now for 20 years. Several times over those years when I got shocked I developed anxiety/panic disorder.

You are 76 I am 78. Prior to your surgery, during and after how long did you refrain from exercise, walking, etc.? If several months remember if you now start moving your body at our age is quickly out of shape and you can feel the shortness of breath.

I don't know if you know about oxygen finger device that shows your oxygen level. My wife needed one as she had shortness of breath and they wanted to check on it at home as well. Since I have heart failure I too use it.

The norm for the oxygen level should be 95% and above. To show you why I mentioned it was when she was having shortness of breath hers was in 80s. We found out by just talking and talking that she was really worrying and was breathing fast and short which anxiety can cause. We (doctors advise) went over deep breathing techniques and the oxygen level went up.

Now we find she was responding to pain in her chest caused by a return of her hianial (spell) hernia and she was shallow breathing.

Four months is not very long after your surgery. What have been your restriction given to you? Keep an eye on your surgery site and keep bugging your doctor if continues.

I am on my 3rd device and I have had the present one for 7 years. I was in office at pace clinic talking about irritation I was having at the site. WE discussed my activities. I had recently increased my exercise routine to doing more water aerobics. The one instructor had our arms above our head and doing a lot of arm movements. The pace clinic tech said try alterning your arm movements lower and not as hard on your left side. Sure enough the discomfort stopped.

I mentioned that as you just have to be aware of your arm movements especially with you being so soon after your surgery.