Recovery

I had a pacemaker implanted 10 days ago. I still feel some discomfort or tightness in the upper part of my chest when I take a deep breath and short of breath. Is this normal and does this last for awhile? Bob

6 Comments

give it time...

by Jean S - 2010-04-13 05:04:00

I had my dual chamber pacemaker implant on March 19 and I still have the tightness in my arm and can feel it also when I take a deep breath. I'm sure this is all normal as part of the recovery process. The thing that has helped me the most is arranging pillows on the bed so that my neck and shoulders are supported and I have a small pillow under my left arm. I place the pillows so that the bottom one is horizontal, and then I place two side by side on top of that in a vertical position. It really helps and you are not quite as sore in the morning. Good luck on your recovery - I'm sure in a few weeks you will start to be pain free.

Me too

by The Fish - 2010-04-13 09:04:54

Hi
I am at week 4 and still have a little tightness in my implant area. Each day is a little better though. Hang in there and "patience is the key". :)
Howard

same here

by cruz - 2010-04-13 11:04:01

My daughter thought I would like like someone who just had an energy drink and that's not the case. I'm still sooo very tired I was asleep during procedure except for one startling moment, which I think must have been when they "turned me on" to the mechanical implant. I've been trying to get back to sleeping on my side and now the soreness is very bad. I'm still not sleeping good. No real pain and I'm beginning to think I will never be able to forget the device is there. I'm on week 5 after PM. I thought I would be back to normal after a few days. Guess I should have found this board earlier.
CC

Recovery symptoms

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-13 12:04:39

Particularly if you were sedated during the procedure they can put you in some stressful positions during the implant. I chose to remain totally awake and during my original implant someone decided to use my chest as an elbow rest. If I hadn't objected I would have had chest soreness afterwards.

There is also the impact of surgery on your chest. Any of these can be uncomfortable when taking a deep breath and being apprehensive can bring on the short of breath feeling. My suggestion is to go ahead and breath deeply and slowly every hour or so to loosen up any tightness in your chest wall.

After both my implant 5 yrs ago and replacement in Jan I started right away doing gentle stretches to keep my body from getting stiff. Just avoid anything that raises your arms above shoulder height.

frank

Time ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-04-13 12:04:53

Give yourself some time Amarillo. Ten days is not very long for such a procedure with stitches involved.

You might want to consult your Dr., but ten days is a "twink of an eye" in healing from an incision and a "stranger" under your skin. Your body is probably asking what that "lil fellar" is doing in your skin pocket?

Give your body some time. Listen to your body. Your body will need the healing period and abide by the rules your hospital/Dr./Nurses gave you.

Your PM rep may be able to help you with any questions you might have in the future, also.

Keep us posted on what your Dr. says, but do give you and your body time to accept your newest, bestest friend, the PM.

Remember, all your friends her on the PM Club are here for you if you want to talk, ask or just chat.

Take Care,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ LOVE those TEXAS Mosquitoes

getting better

by nbarton - 2010-05-04 01:05:13

I am 4 days into my PM. I can tell that the pain is getting lesser and the stiffness is getting better. I am 36 yrs old and I have had the same concerns and its good to know that we are only 6 days apart. I would like to chat sometime to see how you are doing. I have found that the last two nights I have slept better but really conscious of my wife sleeping to my right so the sleep isn't that sound of sleep. But on the other hand I woke up this morning ready to go back to work. I am glad to have found someone that is close to my new birthday. HAHA! Keep in touch... Nate

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