hurts, hurts, hurts

Hi, New Friends,
I received my dual chamber ICD on Feb. 5, 2013, four days after open heart surgery to remove the obstruction associated with my hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. More often than not, the incision pain, tight skin, and constant pressure from the ICD outweighs the pain from heart surgery. I can feel the entire outline of the ICD through my skin. The corners seem to poke an awful lot. Is this normal? Will it settle farther in and not be so everpresent???? What have you all experienced three months after surgery? Thanks!

2 Comments

My CRT-D

by fishfighter - 2013-04-14 06:04:37

Sticks out big time. From the weight I was at time on implantation to now, I lost over 40lbs. It took over a year before it stop hurting/itching.

CRT-P

by Many Blessings - 2013-04-14 10:04:57

I don't have a ICD, but do have a CRT-P. I'm petite and thin, so I do feel it a lot. My surgeon was able to do an awesome job implanting it so it doesn't stick up too much, but yes, I do feel the outline of the entire device, and to this day (almost a year later) it will hurt if it gets bumped. The outer edges do seem to bother me the most, but that will get a little better.

It has gotten a LOT less sensitive, but any time something bumps into me, or I hit it, it still hurts. Try as you may, it's going to get bumped (child playing, knocking into someone coming around a corner, hitting it myself when trying to do something and my hand slips, etc.)

Mine hasn't "settled in" at all, in fact, mine has come to the surface and moved a little because of some of the weight lifting and other exercises that I do (push ups, flys, etc.) I think it just depends on your body, how the device is implanted, where it's located, etc. I still do weights and push ups, but I'm a little more careful now that the device moved. It's not a bad thing, it just moved a little at first, and hasn't moved since. Others stay put, some move even more. I think it just depends.

Good luck with your healing! I really do think it will get better in the next few months!

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