Why does it still hurt?

Hey there! I'm new to the pacemaker club and I hate it. I had my pacemaker put in on 4/24/17 after I went into cardiac arrest twice from sudden onset sick sinus syndrome. I'm a 23 year old female and they placed my pacemaker very far over on my left chest area. It's so far over that it sticks out under my armpit. It's extremely uncomfortable and even painful at times even now 3 months later. I still have to sleep with my left arm resting on a pillow and I can no longer lay on my left side without pain. Is this normal? I'm thinking not but my cardiologist INSISTED that everything was fine and it would grow into place and it sticks out because I'm on the thinner side. I'm so frustrated and exhausted with the pain and I want it OUT! Anyone else? 

3 Comments

Get a second opinion ?

by IAN MC - 2017-07-26 08:48:33

I assume that you would like to become a 24 year old female so do you really " want it OUT " 

Two previous cardiac arrests would seem to me to be a very good reason for keeping it IN.

A problem for Drs implanting PMs must be that we are all slightly different anatomically . "Normally"  the convenient pocket by the clavicle is almost custom-designed to take a pacemaker , and " normally" people don't have the problems that you are experiencing

But you are,  and you must be really fed up. It does sound as though you would benefit from the box being re-positioned and you need to discuss this with  a doctor who does implants . 

Best of luck

Ian

position

by Tracey_E - 2017-07-26 09:12:33

It sounds like they tried to make it less conspicuous but ended up making it less comfortable. Generally they like to wait at least 6 months, preferably a year, before making the decision to move it because it can settle in more as it heals. Mine is in an unconventional position, also, it took a good 4-5 months after the first one before I could sleep on my left side, but it did eventually settle in. I got #5 last year and they moved it closer to my armpit. It's been a year and it still bugs me if I sleep on my left side for too lon, however it doesn't bother me enough to go to the trouble of having another surgery so I'll deal until it's time for #6.

If you decide to have it moved, talk to your surgeon about consulting with a plastic surgeon to do it. Making things look and feel good is what they do.  

Second opinion

by doublehorn48 - 2017-07-26 14:26:03

I would get a second opinion from a Dr. at a heart hospital.  I wouln't put up with pain, a second opinion is too easy to obtain.

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I just want to share about the quality of life after my pacemaker, and hopefully increase awareness that lifestyles do not have to be drastically modified just because we are pacemaker recipients.