Pacemaker recipients: Looking for support from others

@jc76 Thank you. You’ve always provided me with good advice.

@mauricepower
Got to remember you have a foreign device in our body. Yes over time the body will encapsulate the device and it usually results in less feeling of device and pain, etc.

However when placed below skin (mine is under chest muscle) movement of your muscles from your arm and chest can cause some irritation to the area around your device.

What I did when I first got mine was to remember when I felt pressure, irritation, etc. and what I was doing at that time and refrain from doing that.

I do water aerobics 5 days a week and we use our arms in all types of movements. I refrain from any exacerbate movements of my left arm that cause irritation or pain in the area of my device. I just do something else. I have found I know what is irritating the device or wires and don't even have to think anymore but remember to alter the movement.

I also found that sleeping on my left side put a lot of pressure in the area. I use a pillow to raise my upper body when sleep on my left side. I also use a pillow under each arm regardless of which side to prevent downward pressure onto chest.

@snc6007
When my EP was deciding on my surgery he chose to put my device below my chest muscle. He did this because I did not have enough skin and fat in chest area to put below skin.

I don't think devices are nickel. However you can check with manufacturer of your device (all of them have web sites) where you can asked questions. I have a Boston Scientific device and have gone on their web site to asked question many times.

My EP stated it takes a year for the body to encapsulate the device. This encapsulation is the body reacting to a foreign device. It will help with the feeling of something there but it does take time.

@jc76 My pacemaker is very close to the surface as I do not have a lot of fat to pad it. In addition, I am highly allergic to nickel which the pacemakers have from what I understand and I do itch often in that area. They had no choice because they didn't have the leadless pacemakers at the time. I went into complete heart block after my surgery. They had me on an external pacemaker for 4 days but my heart never started so...

I've discussed with my cardiologist and he doesn't like the risk of going in and replacing the pacemaker until it is absolutely necessary.

I was under the impression that the chest discomfort/pain might stop after the pacemaker becomes imbedded. It sounds like that is not case.

@snc6007
Have you compared your pacemaker pain to certain movements or pressure on it. I have had one for over 20 years. If I move my arms a certain way I get pain. Sometimes sharp sometimes dull. Your body will tell you when certain movements are the source. It is good to remember you have a foreign device in your body so you are going to feel discomfort if you aggravate the tissues and muscles around it. Again comes from my EP.

If you lay on your pacemaker you can also cause pressure on it and it will hurt. I do water aerobics 5 days a week. Even though I have had a pacemaker for 20 years (on my 3rd device) I still cannot do certain movements of my left arm without causing pain.

The mechanical heart you talk of is the device (heart bypass) that completely takes over of your heart pumping blood throughout your body. When you have any surgery of the heart you can disrupt normal electrical flow of your heart.

Your heart (per my HF doctor) has an automatic pulsing. It will beat at 82 bpm after heart transplants. Never goes up or down as the nerves going to brain are no longer connected. Why your heart would not start is another matter but could be from surgery have no idea as not a medical expert but a question you should have your cardiologist answer.

The biggest threat of AFIB is stroke. The strokes happen because blood will clot in atrium because is not pumping blood out. Then the clot can travel to your brain, lungs, etc. which is life threating not the AFIB. I think your cardiologist was trying to say this but not in a good way for your to understand.

A cardiologist will prescribed a blood thinner or anti clotting medications if you have sustained AFIB. I had AFIB on and off and not until I had sustained AFIB for 4 hours did they put me on Eliquis.

I have had a pacemaker and been on beta blockers for 3 years now. My pacemaker was due to open heart surgery, my heart would not start after taking me off the mechanical heart or whatever that is. I only take 25mg of Metoprolol succinate and my cardiologist took me off of it last year but I started with palpitations. He was like well if you start A-Fib we'll just put you on blood thinners. I was like umm, no thanks. Put me back on the Metoprolol succinate.

Also, 3 years and my pacemaker still is uncomfortable often and sometimes just hurts.

Yes please include me. 55 year-old female with no prior cardiac history or family history and after having three bouts of Covid have now come up with AV second-degree block, resulting in a pacemaker installed eight days ago. Looking for some support as I’m having some lasting effects that are not pleasant and have questions about beta blockers and the experience taking them.

@mauricepower
Having had those echocardiograms many times they can really push hard into your skin don't they.

Make sense if you have bruise on your chest as cause of pain.
Take care.

@jc76
Good morning,
The pain has disappeared today. I think it may have been a result of bruising on my chest from the paddle of the echocardiogram. There’s a significant bruise on my chest.
That’s my theory anyway.
Thanks.