Does the "raised feeling" of a pacemaker implant ever go away?

My intraocular lens implant, a small plastic lens put in place of a cataract, even has a label and a serial number, which were handed to me as I stepped out of the surgery. So, I agree, if this patient was not handed a sheet of paper with guidelines or instructions, it's not very ethical in my opinion.

I agree all pacemaker patients should be given written instructions for the care of their pacemaker/ICD incisions following surgery. I know I was.

They also gave me the pacemaker monitor and a temporary pacemaker card showing the name, model and serial numbers of the pacemaker generator and the two leads A permanent card came in the mail in a few days showing this information, also the name and contact information of the doctor who was managing the pacemaker.
It may be that not everyone gets the specific pacemaker information ( ie, model and serial numbers) when they leave the hospital, but they should get it either from their pacemaker clinic or the manufacturer in the mail shortly after the implant

Thanks for the info re seat belt. I did not know I could adjust it like that. I called re the information I should have about the PM - they apologized that I did not get it at the time of discharge. The did kind of blow me off about my opinion that I was discharged without proper instructions. My site is still a little sore and it is quite prominent. I had a check-up at the 4 week mark and no one indicated that I had any problems. I did mention that it is still uncomfortable but no response. I will be seeing my regular cardiologist in another week and have him check it out. Just to make sure everything is ok. I am grateful for the the PM....I no longer pant or have trouble breathing.

Got mine in 2018. It will always be a bump on your chest unless it was inserted under the muscle.

I was never given the option and I am still angry about it. It is far more deforming than what I was led to believe. What i use when my chest will be exposed is a three dimensional transfer tattoo and at least is more visually deceptive.

I am on my 3rd ICD/Pacemaker. Had my first one implanted in 2006.

Mine was put under my chest muscle. Why? The EP surgeon found that I did not have enough skin to make putting under the skin desirable. He also knew I was highly active and thus put my ICD/Pacemaker under my chest muscle.

It does take getting used to. My EP said it would take about a year to not feel like a splinter and body to encapsulate it. The area where my device is, is slightly raised. It will always be slightly raised. I am fine with that. It has saved my life about 8 times now. I am glad it is there. It also pulses my heart 70 times a minute. If not because of medications I am on my pulse would be in the 30s.

Recently I have been experiencing some discomfort in the area. I assume this is from weight gain. But I also do water aerobics 6 times a week. Very aggressive arm movements with water weights. I may be doing too much in that area and will be talking to my EP soon about it.

I have had my ICD / Pacemaker 6 years and it is still raised since it was placed above my chest muscle. After a bit over a year, it was no longer bothersome.

I hope this is something you'll get a notification for, as you're the first person I've come across that also has a sub-pectoral pacemaker in a "pocket" made by their doctor! haha it's nice to finally find someone else.
I honestly am replying because I have one question, and with my endless googles searches I can't find any answers.
If you try to reach your left hand behind your right shoulder, do you get a charlie horse/cramp in your pec muscle above your pacemaker?! Or have you heard of anyone having this?
It's horrible for me and I'm hoping someone has a remedy.

@beautifulgiraffe
I am on my 3 ICD/Pacemaker. My first was in 2006. I have posted many times that all three of my device were placed below my chest pectoral muscle. I have the pocket which keeps if from moving around.

I have issues with using my left arm above my head, to far backward, and across body. It hurts and causes discomfort. I have learned to not use my left arm in those extreme positions. I do swim and do not reach out as far with left arm as I do with right. When doing water aerobics I do not raise my left arm above my head.

I had to give up tennis as I had a lead come out after first implant. My Pace Nurse said from her experience (10 years) that she has found those who play avid tennis or fish a lot have had issues with leads coming out. However, my EP said he wanted me to go back to playing tennis as one of the reason to put device in so could play. But wire came out the first check after I had the surgery and was back playing tennis.

So I took up doing Sprint Triathons although usually at end of the pact when finishing.

I don't feel cramp or Charlie horse but will feel a strain around the device area and if continue will start to cause slight pain. I stop at the earliest sign of pain. I still forget sometimed but my chest muscle will remind me very quickly.

I too have found very few that have had their devices put below their chest muscle. What my EP surgeon told me was my skin was not sufficent to do below skin and also wanted to do the below chest muscle because I was so active.

Hello beautifulgiraffe

I am afraid I am going to disappoint you. I just tried what you described - reaching behind my right should with my left hand - and, well, I did not experience any discomfort.

You don't mention how long you have had your implant. If you received very recently, as in the last 2 months, it is not advised to do any reaching either above your head or behind your back, as per your recovery protocol.

However, if you have had it for sometime and are still experiencing limitations in your range of motion, I do remember that it took a good 24 months or so for all the aches and sharp twinges to go away. And it took about that long to fully regain my range of motion. But if you have had the discomfort for some time, I am wondering, if scar tissue - or fibrosis - isn't the culprit. If so, perhaps some guided physical therapy , teaching you targeted controlled stretching exercises, might help to increase your range of motion. I found such therapy helped me.

Another thing I do, because it does provide some gentle stretching exercise for my arms and shoulders, is tai chi. There is an excellent short (as in 7 minutes) video on YouTube, that I find to be very helpful with gentle arm movements. I could send you the link if you are interested.

I continue to do the stretching exercises I was taught. I do not believe that internal scar tissue ever goes away but with some gentle exercises, you may be able to reach behind your back with your left hand. And let me know if you are interested in the YouTube link.

All the best.