Three days with my pacemaker!

Hey guys well it's only three days after the pacemaker came into my life .. And I know its so soon but I didn't expect the pain to be this bad! I have been through so much and has had pain worst than this but this is too much for me! I feel like its making it's on house in there ( as crazy as that sounds) every time I move my hand or arm I feel it rubbing against my muscle! I know it takes time to heal! It's probably more my mind knowing its in there and having alittle anxiety! How did you guys manage this? Is it suppose to be as painful as I'm explaining? Its such a life changing thing and I'm trying to stay strong! I'm more venting than anything so excuse my message just need people who understand me. I have a lot of friends and family by myside but they don't understand how much of impact this is causing.. Don't get me wrong this is something I'm grateful for it has giving me a new life.. Just trying to keep my mind positive! Thankyou for listening as always!

Stephanie

12 Comments

keep faith

by bottle - 2012-08-31 01:08:13

sorry u having so much pain i had my pacemaker 9 days ago pain not a problem now still giddy so taking medication for that starting to come to terms wiyh the idea im battery operated i was terrified when i came home and had lost all my confidence but feeling a bit better every day the drs dont realise how traumatic it all is and im no baby but this site has helped me a lot u will feel better and this will be in the past bottle.

pain or PAIN

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-31 03:08:01

Some pain is normal, especially after three days. If it's onesy twosy pain, I wouldn't be too concerned. If you start getting into 4 or 5 out of ten pain, you might want to call the doctor.

As for the "building a house in there" sensation, it just might be that you're not accustomed to your heart really beating; I mean REALLY beating. That's why they put in the PM. We get used to whatever is going on inside of us, even if it's abnormal. When we suddenly go back to normal, it feels abnormal. Your heart may take a while to adjust. Give it time.

It's easy after such a traumatic experience to see ghosts in the dark. The hard part is figuring out what's a ghost and what's a monster. Just remember, if the pain gets REALLY bad tell the doc and don't let him blow you off. I went to the ER three times and threatened to remove my OM with a box knife before they figured out that a lead had pierced my heart. Just got that fixed. Feel great now!

Stay calm and keep perspective. Talk to us when you get freaked out.

Best wishes - Dave

Sorry about pain

by Caguy - 2012-08-31 03:08:58

Stephanie sorry to hear that your going thought all this pain, I had my pacemaker put in Tue's also but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that have no pain. All I can say is we need this and in a few weeks this will be but a bad merory. Take care AL

you should be ok soon

by andrewpacemaker1 - 2012-08-31 04:08:42

got pacemaker put in at 15. it takes about a week for the pain to go away. dont lift your arm. and try not to worry about it it will go away trust me. if it doesnt after 3 weeks then bug the doctors. but still contact doctor to be safe

Andrew

Hi Stephanie...

by Tattoo Man - 2012-08-31 05:08:07

...the whole thing surrounding pain, both during and post-op is a hugely variable issue. Its quite normal to find out if your personal experience is,..well..Normal.

If your medical people are satisfied with your condition,...and lets face it three days is not that long, then its all about how You feel about this new thing in your life, as in, your emotional situation.

Pain can be controlled. Here in the UK the painkiller Paracetamol can be taken 8 times a day in a 500mg dose. I had open heart surgery a while back and that is all I ever took ,..and I'm no pain hero.

AL is right, in a few weeks time things will be very different. How about keeping a diary of how you progress. You will most likely look back and be surprised at what you read.

There are lots of great people on this Forum

Tattoo Man

How I managed Pain

by brucenj - 2012-08-31 05:08:18

When I got my PM, a prescription for a pain-killing medication was given that lasted for about 4 or 5 days after the surgery.

I don't recall any severe pain during that recovery time. Just some discomfort was experienced,

Tell your Dr that you need help with the pain and ask for a prescription.

Blessings to all,

Bruce

Where did you have that ...

by donr - 2012-08-31 09:08:37

...little sucker placed? Under skin or beneath muscle.

That can make a BIG difference in the pain level & length of time post op.

Don

Three days is not long

by Grateful Heart - 2012-08-31 10:08:53

But when in doubt, have your doctor look at it. It will take some time to get used to the thought of this little device helping your heart but the pain should start to ease. Any questions or venting, do it here. The knowledge and kindness of everyone on this site is so supportive. This group has been through it all.

Thankyou so much guys!

by Stephanie3 - 2012-09-01 01:09:02

Don I don't know where he placed it but it feels like its cut through my muscle! I don't know how to explain it .. It's not any better today .. Im not lifting it or anything heavy.. It's just not getting easier.. I called the doctor yesterday he said it was normal .. Im having a lot pain around the pacemaker and my arm.. Also my chest.. My ribs.. Sometime sob.. I don't know what to do.. Besides that I feel okay .. It's a big adjustment feeling my heart beating rather than before hardly feeling it at all! .. I'm trying to stay calm and hoping it will get easier.. I know I sound like I should be up and running so soon after the surgery but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I stopped taking the pain medication he gave me because it was upsetting my stomach.. So now I'm just taking motrin! Hoping tomorrow will be a better day! Thankyou again for everyone responding it means a lot .. Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

Motrin is hard on stomach too

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-09-01 02:09:32

A little nausea is commom with narcotic pain killers when you first start taking them. If you can get past that, they will help a lot.

Motrin is hard on your stomach too, You might reconsider and try again with the pain killers.

Praying for you - Dave

Lost resonse

by donr - 2012-09-01 08:09:18

Stephanie - I responded to you last night about 5 min after your update posted.

You have to find out WHERE they put the PM - sub cutaneously (SC) or below the muscle. The latter can really hurt for quite a while. the SC should be easing by now.

You do not deserve this pain - IF it's SC. IF it's under the muscle, at least you'll know it & that should ease your mind. It's a three day weekend - call the cardio's on call number & ask them to find out for you. Don't just sit around three days in misery.

Also, you need to post a question separately asking about womwn who have had the PM under the muscle & what the recovery was like.

Don

ice for the swelling

by arthur - 2012-09-03 03:09:02

I just had a replacement pm implanted; much bigger than the last one and a lot more pain associated with it with swelling. I stayed on Tylenol after dropping the oxycontin in the second day. Icing the area really helped with the swelling and the pain.
If it continues, see your doc.
Arthur

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