Huge swelling after ICD insertion

Do you see progress?

by Grateful Heart - 2018-02-11 10:45:35

At 4 weeks out you shouldn't be lifting your arm completely overhead yet.  But do use your arm normally, just do not raise it above shoulder level for now. 

Pain tolerance is different for everyone so very hard to tell.  It shouldn't be strong pain but feeling uncomfortable at this point is normal.

If you are seeing progress each week then you are going in the right direction.  If concerned, talk to your doc.  It can take 6 months to a year for the device to completely settle in. 

It took a long time for my left arm to reach completely across my body when compared to my right arm.  Certain arm movements in the gym will still pinch the device against my skin...after 9 years.        

Physical therapy may help as well.

Grateful Heart

Icd

by maryellen - 2018-02-11 17:21:20

Thank you so much for the comments.  I try every day to move my arm more and more.  I can’t tell you how exhausting it is to have to struggle to get things done.  The area where my ICD was implanted was about 5 inches high and the size of my entire hand could spread over it.  the swelling has gone down a lot, but it is still very sore.  In addition to everything else I had a collapsed lung when pacer was taken out and the ICD was inserted.  

Sore Arm

by Ozzie - 2018-02-13 12:23:05

Hi ,

  I know what your symptoms feel like. Don't worry though the healing process can take up to 6 to 12 months following the procedure. Little by little the pain will dissipate and normal use of your arm will return.

Ozzie

Sore Arm

by Ozzie - 2018-02-13 12:23:07

Hi ,

  I know what your symptoms feel like. Don't worry though the healing process can take up to 6 to 12 months following the procedure. Little by little the pain will dissipate and normal use of your arm will return.

Ozzie

Sore arm

by Alyson - 2018-03-12 21:01:35

Maryellen you have my sympathies...I'm going through pretty much the same thing.  I had a CA while at hospital for a stress test on 17th January and and ICD fitted the following day as a precaution.  Everything went well and my recovery was brilliant.  I do kickboxing and was told by my surgeon not to lift my arm above shoulder level for 2 weeks but after that I could do what I feel my body was capable of.  I left it 3 weeks before returning to the gym, did a couple of sessions no problem and then on the 12th Feb I did a move which I didn't think about which ultimately meant I'd pulled the wire out.  I found this out the next day as my 'alarm' was going off every 4 hours. 2nd surgery on 13th Feb to replace it.  Was instructed not to do any kickboxing for 4 weeks this time.

I couldn't if I wanted to.  The implant is so sore all of the time and I am constantly aware of it.  Even walking I can feel it and it feels like it's moving.  I can feel the wire, it's awful.  I have no pain as such moving it and would say I have 90% motion - after all I was told only to keep it below shoulder level or 2 weeks!!!  It was a below shoulder level but reaching backwards movement that caused my mishap after my first op.

I hope we both start to feel better soon.