Chest pain after ICD

Hi guys,
My mom received an ICD unit about 8 days ago. About 3 days ago she started having chest pains and at time these pains get very severe. The pain starts from the location of the ICD unit but then travel towards the heart. My mom said the the pain is almost like a pinch.

Her pain was unbearable yesterday, so we took her to the ER. They did blood work, x-ray and scan. After several hours of waiting for the cardiologist, he came in for 10 seconds and said everything was normal and the pain is common.

My mom is still in unbearable pain this morning, even after taking the pain medication.

Is the pain really that severe after an ICD implant?

thank you,

6 Comments

Second Opinion

by terrymac12345 - 2014-12-27 07:12:01

The EKG can not really pick up on problem pacemakers. Go back to emergency and insist on a rep from the pacemaker company coming and tresting it properly.
That kind of pain is abnormal.

2nd opinion needed

by Spunky_1 - 2014-12-28 07:12:25

So first of all good for you for believing your mother!

Secondly get a second opinion.

Thirdly - Yes, it is entirely possible to hurt this much after a pacer / ICD implant. I know this because I did. I have been through 4 previous surgeries including an abdominal surgery with a 7" scar... and holy heck! My pacer surgery blew them all out of the water.

For the first 2 weeks I was on Norco (7.5 / 325s) every 4 hours. And I am a toughie. The third week I started to improve a lot. The fourth week I went downhill rapidly.

In my case it was the disturbing of the tissues to create a pocket that caused a tremendous amount of swelling initially. I found that sleeping / lying down caused the pain to get worse as it allowed the fluid to collect in the new pacer pocket and surrounding rib area. I started sleeping in a recliner and did much better.

Unfortunately, for me this swelling turned into costochondritis about a month post-surgery. It has now been 5 months and I am STILL in pain. I am on lots of NSAIDs, prednisone and painkillers.

I also have some autoimmune diseases which complicate this.

Other things that can cause pain like this could be fluid collection in the stitches, an infection or even "pocket pain" a condition which my surgeon warned me about prior to implantation. I hope your mother feels better soon.

Spunky

I agree

by NiceNiecey - 2014-12-28 12:12:38

With Terry Mac. I do NOT have an ICD so this isn't based on anything firsthand but I suspect that kind of pain IS cause for alarm and I like Terry's suggestion about the ICD/PM rep. There are several causes of serious pain so I'd keep digging. And please take note: MANY of us went to the ER multiple times after getting a PM (myself included). Problems arise (I was an active 55 y/o and developed a blood clot in arm pit for one example). Don't be embarrassed or afraid to go in again.

thank you

by rsingh - 2014-12-30 12:12:38

Hi guys,
thank you for your advice.

Doc did prescribe my mom more pain meds and she seems to be doing a little better now. She says, although the pain is there, but its a little more bearable and not as frequent.

She said, the paid goes away completely if she lays down in a certain position, I guess it's similar to what Spunky alluded to in the above post

we will continue to watch her closely and keep you guys posted.

Thanks for your support guys.

Rocky

First ICD

by gabscameronxo - 2015-01-18 10:01:24

I got my first ICD in October 2014, the pain might just be normal form the operation as when I got home, anything from trying to sit down stand up sit up and even bend down the pain was just unbearable for me and I was taking the strongest pain meds I could every 4 hours, if the pain isn't starting to die down after a couple of days then go back and see your doc for xrays and an ICD tracing were they can tell you if her heart rhythm is normal and if any shock therapy has been delivered, hope all goes well for her!

update

by rsingh - 2015-01-19 12:01:49

Hi guys,

quick update, apparently one of the leads had broken off and that's why my mom was having severe pain. She went through a second surgery last week and she is doing much better now. The pain is now is more of a "normal" pain which is to be expected after a surgery.

thank you

You know you're wired when...

Airport security welcomes you.

Member Quotes

Today I explained everything to my doctor, he set my lower rate back to 80 and I felt an immediate improvement.