Sensation in neck/collarbone area (leads?)

Not sure if this is the best place to idenntify this topic, but does anyone else have an odd sensation in their neck/collarbone area? I'm guessing it's the wire running through my subclavian vein area and over to my heart. It's on the same side of where my pacemaker is implannted. It's hard to describe the sensation - not really a pain but more just kind of a discomfort...maybe slight dull ach or awarenness of presence that's right where neck meets collarbone area. 

I'm a little over a year out from my original implant. I've noticed it before but it seems to be a bit more pronounced in when it happens over the last several months. 

Curious to know if anyone else experiences this? Again - my assessment is that it's me actually being able to feel the wires/leads themselves. 

For what it's worth, I'm an active 37 year old who exercises a decent amount (nothing too extreme but run a few times a week and occassional workouts with pushups, etc.) Don't plan on giving that up and not convincned there would be any linkage to that either. 

Thoughts?

 

RS

7 Comments

Several posts

by Theknotguy - 2019-12-30 20:22:56

I've answered quite a few posts about pain sensations on the same side as the pacemaker.  The only thing I've been able to attribute problems to is the wires going under the clavicle and down into the heart.  For me it started out with pain going all the way up into my left jaw and into the left ear.  I also had muscle spasms in my neck on the left side.  At first, with the muscle spasms all I could do was just stand there motionless until the spasm finally released.  

I've also written on this forum where I went to a licensed massage therapist in order to relieve the spasms and the pain.  Key words were on licensed and therapist.  It's taken her six years but she's finally relieved most of the spasms and a lot of the pain. 

As I said, the only thing I've been able to point to as the possible problem is where the wires go under the clavicle and into the heart.  My EP says that isn't the problem but no one has been able to give me a better explanation.  While things do get better for some people it is worse than others.  

So I agree with your assessment of the problem.  Other than hot and cold packs, Tylenol, and massage therapy I don't have any other suggestions.  
 

Tight neck

by Kimmiee2 - 2019-12-30 23:51:30

My neck has been really tight. PT said it was because I restricted use of arm for so long. I get a headache and pain by collar bone not unbearable but annoying.

it didn't start right away probably about 5 months after.

good luck 

push -ups

by PV150 - 2019-12-31 07:11:50

My PM tech cautioned me against doing push-ups (pre-PM I used to do 30-45 push-ups as part of my exercise program).  Tech said that the push-up movement causes the pec muscle to flex thereby pushing/pinching the lead against the clavicle resulting in microfactures of the lead.  I haven't addressed the excercise issue with my EP, but will on my next visit.  Tech also cautioned me about doing pull-ups.

Same here.

by DampDog - 2019-12-31 12:42:35

I've had my device since March 2016 and it has never really got to the point where I don't notice it. It's always a little tender just where the leads dive in under my collar bone, most of the time it's no more than just slightly tender and not really a problem.

However it does have times where it becomes pretty sore and painful (It has actually been sore for a few days, just now) When I mentioned it to my cardiologist he said they pack quite a lot into a small space where the leads go in, so they can niggle. Raising my left arm above my head for any length of time is definitely one thing that always sets it off. As is pulling from the shoulder. It's just another one of those little things they don't mention prior to surgery to stop you running out of the clinic door.

I Like It

by NiceNiecey - 2020-01-03 10:28:49

Yes I also have the sensation near my PM and collarbone. After 6 years it has lessened significantly. The funny thing is, I like the feeling.

Neck discomfort

by Colombo - 2020-01-07 16:12:08

I have had my device foe 3 years. Last year I had a balloon angioplasty to clear a 100% occluded subclavian at the lead insertion site. Now, for the past month I have worsening ear/jaw, neck and sub-clavicle a achiness and neck stiffness on the PM side. I am on baby aspirin to prevent clots and will have another venogram to see if this is all due to re—occlusion. I may need to go back on Xarelto. I will keep you up to date as to what the PE and Vascular Surgion want to do. I hope this helps!

Shoulder pain/discomfort

by kurtM68 - 2020-01-20 13:46:15

I had an ICD implant in March of 2019 and have recently begun to feel the same pain and discomfort that many of you have posted about. Mine seems centered just above and to the left of my implant, and honestly, I was getting concerned! After nearly a year and suddenly I begin to have this pain.....

But, I found this group and have read several posts by you all and I realized that I'm not the only one this is happening to. Gives a little peice of mind. lol

I hope everyone has a great day. :)

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