Day 8 - Some swelling in arm

I'm still very anxious about my 85-year-old husband who had his PM implanted 8 days ago. For the past 4 days he has been moving about more, drinking fluids and eating his normal amount of food, good attitude. He still tires easily. His blood pressure is good, pulse rate is about 65. Tonight I helped him with his first full bath (he was afraid he would fall in the shower, so it's been sponge baths up until today). I noticed some slight swelling in his arm, just above the elbow. No pain, no throbbing. Temperature is 98.5. I can feel a good pulse at his wrist. Is some swelling normal? I have tried to call the NP almost an hour ago and have not received a call back. Is this something that I should take him to the ER for and risk all of the flu bugs that will probably be present there? Thanks for any advice. I will be so happy when he is completely well. Just hearing from someone who has "been there, done that" relieves my anxiety.

4 Comments

swelling in arm

by EV1 - 2014-01-11 09:01:43

At 85, with the swelling in his arm, I would take him to the ER just to get it checked out.

Might just be normal swelling might be something more serious.

Been There !!

by donb - 2014-01-11 10:01:01

Hello Mrs. Bill, Looks like you're doing a great job of caregiving. I also know how you feel about going into ER while "flu" risk is there. Over the 62 years of pacemakers, I have had lots of worries. As I'll be 82 years old this next Monday I should be able to give a "veteran" advice. I had a Pic-Line put in for infection this past summer & also had slight swelling from having blood clotting. I was given an Echo test which showed some clotting. Prior I was putting warm compress on my arm.
As you mentioned in your last post about other members dealing with new implants, I would invite you to check out my past history by Clicking into Search in the upper right corner.
I have "BEEN THERE". But also I have been way too active as my (6) pacemakers have been doing a great job. I still have not learned to believe my age, possibly because my mother lived till age 101. Also sounds like Bill is going real good after just a short time. Forgot to mention, I would normally go in to get checked out but probably wear a face mask & gloves for peace of mind.
DonB

Sorry!!

by donb - 2014-01-11 10:01:34

I've had pacemakers since 1992 which will be 22 years this summer (not 62 years) "Yup Old Age"
DonB

Not Normal

by donr - 2014-01-12 12:01:00

Not normal at all. If no call back from NP, bundle him up & get to ER in AM.

There are several members who have had this hapen & it turned out to be the arm equivalent of the Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) that us older folks get from sitting still too long on airplanes. Needs to be checked out by an expert.

Don

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

Member Quotes

The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.