Sore around pacemaker

I had my dual lead pacemaker fitted in April 2016 as an emergency, after blacking out whilst driving, and 'flat-lining' five times. I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, which came as a shock as I had no prior warning. After getting used to the feeling of something foreign in my body, and wanting to rip it out of my chest, I eventually got used to it, and was able to largely forget it was there. However, the past few weeks I have been experiencing a horrible soreness over the whole area which sometimes makes me feel sick. I am 61 and quite thin, so that the box is very prominant and visible. Has anyone else had this problem, and any ideas what I can do? Unfortunately I always lie on my left side when sleeping; could this be agravating it? I try to lie on my right side, but inevitably end up rolling over in my sleep! Any suggestions gratefully received!

4 Comments

Sounds Familiar too

by Fatty - 2016-08-22 09:26:46

I got my Pacemaker in June and also diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome.  I have began to exercise more to try to return to some strength and stretch. My exercise includes stretching the left arm and inside armpit where I am especially tight and sore  I have noticed that it feels like my Pacemaker is protruding directly into my left chest muscle (pectoral, I think?) and it hinders any stretching I try. When I sleep I have tried to sleep on my left side but I can feel the PM poke into my muscle and it hurts so I have pretty much abandoned sleeping on that side.  I sleep on my back and right side.I too am thin and am wondering if I am more sensitive to the placement of the PM.  My incision is still red and when I touch the left side of the PM it is very sore.  I was just thinking this morning that I need to discuss this with both my doctor's nurse and the exercise physiologist. I am glad you wrote and will hope that others have some ideas.

Sore

by Cabg Patch - 2016-08-22 12:12:32

I would suggest you contact your Electrophysiologist or Cardiologist immediately and elt them know. This could be the sign of an infection and if caught early can be cleared up post haste...if not, well you could wind up looking like me. FYI infections have manifest themselves as long as 2 years after implant, and frankly they are becoming more common place...safe or sorry

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2016-08-22 12:19:05

Please follow Patch's advice and rule out infection! That's not something to mess with.

As for sleeping, yes you can aggravate it by sleeping on your side. I found a rolled up towel behind my back helped when sleeping on my right side, or try sleeping on your back while hugging a small pillow with the left arm. The soreness went away eventually, now I sleep on my left again. 

Experiencing the same

by Gkcmxx - 2016-08-24 09:54:06

Hi I'm currently experiencing the same and I too have sss. I've had made you complications with my pacemaker and wires mainly with my veins. I've had blood clot after blood clot in my subglacial vein and had my wires replaced for smaller ones but the last few days I've not felt myself and have soreness around my pm site area plus all my veins are very prominent. This has been an ongoing problem for me and every time I seek medical attention everything shows I'm fine. I'm going the doctors again at 3.30 because I don't feel right and know my own body. Can anybody advise me please 

Many thanks 

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