recovery

I have a pacemaker and difibulator, which I received March 2009. My question is that the area where i was cut on my upper chest is still painfull, I can't wear a bra trap on that side, even a shirt hurts over it, is there anyone else that has this problem or had. I would really like to hear form you. I am also getting shocked frequentlyby my device. I am a 40 years old and a female.

8 Comments

Where was...

by ela-girl - 2009-06-29 01:06:35

...your pm/icd placed? Under the muscle? If so, it takes more time for the area to heal because of cutting through the muscle to place the unit.

Are you getting shocked frequently because you need to? Or is it a possible problem with settings or a possible defect in the unit? Have you mentioned these concerns to your doctor? When do you go in next? When were you last checked?

We are all different, so healing times can vary. A lot. How does your incision look? It's not red or oozing or something else that might indicate an infection? Have you tried icing the site? This helped me when I had general soreness in the area while I was healing.

Keep us posted...
ela-girl

Dealing with Incision Pain

by Yasmin - 2009-06-29 03:06:39

Hi,

I had my ICD put in in 2006. It took me a good 6 months not to have daily pain in the incision place and even today I cope with the pain I get around the device by buying bras that have straps closer to my arm and away from the actual placement site. I have only recently gone back to exercising and I find that after rigorous arm exercises the area around my pacemaker is sore. Since it isn't accompanied by any cardiac signs I sometimes take an Ibuprofen to see if it's just pain from working out. Last night the pain did go away and this morning I feel I am back to normal. I've asked my cardiologist and he told me he doubts any pain I have in the area is cardiac-related. He just asked me to keep an eye on the area in case it gets inflammed or shows any signs of infection. In time I think you will find the pain is also less pronounced and choosing the right bras will also help to make it more comfortable.

Y

me too

by newbiegal5 - 2009-06-29 12:06:04

i had my dual lead pacer implanted in april 2009, shortly after you. i also have this issue. my doc told me it was 'all part of the healing process' and doesn't really take any of my questions seriously. i think that because they had to cut into nerves, that that is what's causing the pain and discomfort on the site: the nerves are trying to heal. i agree about the shirt thing too. it also will just out of the blue have a sharp pain around it, then go away in a few minutes. this is my own theory so..
it does make sense though.. they had to cut into that area, and there's a lot of nerves they had to cut through and they also need time to heal. i've heard this can take a long time, but eventually feels less intense. i can't wait for those days myself :)
hope this helps a little. at least you know you're not the only one feeling this. best of luck!
kristin

me too

by newbiegal5 - 2009-06-29 12:06:05

i had my dual lead pacer implanted in april 2009, shortly after you. i also have this issue. my doc told me it was 'all part of the healing process' and doesn't really take any of my questions seriously. i think that because they had to cut into nerves, that that is what's causing the pain and discomfort on the site: the nerves are trying to heal. i agree about the shirt thing too. it also will just out of the blue have a sharp pain around it, then go away in a few minutes. this is my own theory so..
it does make sense though.. they had to cut into that area, and there's a lot of nerves they had to cut through and they also need time to heal. i've heard this can take a long time, but eventually feels less intense. i can't wait for those days myself :)
hope this helps a little. at least you know you're not the only one feeling this. best of luck!
kristin

me too

by newbiegal5 - 2009-06-29 12:06:07

i had my dual lead pacer implanted in april 2009, shortly after you. i also have this issue. my doc told me it was 'all part of the healing process' and doesn't really take any of my questions seriously. i think that because they had to cut into nerves, that that is what's causing the pain and discomfort on the site: the nerves are trying to heal. i agree about the shirt thing too. it also will just out of the blue have a sharp pain around it, then go away in a few minutes. this is my own theory so..
it does make sense though.. they had to cut into that area, and there's a lot of nerves they had to cut through and they also need time to heal. i've heard this can take a long time, but eventually feels less intense. i can't wait for those days myself :)
hope this helps a little. at least you know you're not the only one feeling this. best of luck!
kristin

sorry

by newbiegal5 - 2009-06-29 12:06:49

something happened w/ my computer.. didnt mean to post 3x. my bad
~kristin

I understand

by Tabbycatmeow - 2009-06-30 11:06:33

I am a 42 yo female. My PM was implanted in March 09. I am still dealing with itchiness, pain and irritation. I bought a maidenform strapless bra at Kohl's. It has an underwire. Surprisingly it is comfortable and does not fall down. It is sooo nice not having the straps to irritate the area. I have also been using a cream that has benzocaine in it. That helps to numb the top of the skin at least for a little while. I felt like I was getting shocked frequently as well. However, when I had my check up, the readout said that I was only being shocked 3% of the time. Have you had your check up yet?
Hope that you heal quickly!

Incision Pain

by 60bpm - 2009-08-26 10:08:24

I had a burning sensation within a week of implant. It felt like they had poured rubbing alcohol into my chest. I finally convinced my EP to take it out. The leads were totally corroded even though they had only been implanted 6 weeks. I would persist in going back to have your pm and leads checked out. Mine were manufactured by St. Jude Medical. I don't mean to scare you but wanted you to know it happened to me.

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