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So good to hear from folk who know.
- by Malley
- 2021-02-25 23:26:09
- Surgery & Recovery
- 848 views
- 3 comments
In January this year, I had a 2:1 partial heart block, which saw me taken to hospital, then an op (for a dual chamber pacemaker implant), very quickly performed. I had 3/4 hour notice; my heart rate had been 33 BPM.
I had complications and a further week in hospital (total of 9 days), due to vomiting and post procedure pericarditis/pericardial effusion (fluid around heart). I have made slow, but steady progress, but last night slept on my right side and awoke with awful pain in left chest area, up my neck and into left arm. I don't know if this is a common thing, or something to be in any way to be concerned about; and would appreciate any helpful comments. I had always understood that a pacemaker insertion was a "walk in the Park", but this has not been my experience. I feel I should be well on my way to normal life again but, as I haven't done this stuff before, I really am a novice, and am not really sure what to expect.
3 Comments
I do understand how you are feeling
by Gemita - 2021-02-26 05:27:28
Malley,
Yes you have been unlucky and I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties. Pacemaker implantation is generally a low risk procedure but not without some risk as you have unfortunately discovered.
My husband and I both have pacemakers. They were implanted the same year (2018). My husband had emergency surgery. I did not. My husband also had a traumatic injury which caused bleeding/fluid build up left side of his lung (called a pleural effusion) which required drainage. It took months of healing but the discomfort has now almost dispersed. He had many unpleasant symptoms ranging from sharp pain, sudden pain, to a worsening of his breathlessness and cough (he also suffers from COPD). He was very poorly for months and I was very concerned for his well being, but his doctors were confident that he would heal . . . and he has.
Unfortunately all of this can take a long time to settle and any inflammatory condition (like pericarditis - swelling/inflammation of tissue surrounding the heart) may need a course of an anti inflammatory to help settle it down or a long period of recouperation. You cannot rush this process and you need to get lots of rest, good medical care, and look after yourself with good food, fluids, relaxation. Like with my husband’s condition, pericarditis pain may be felt in other areas too (left shoulder and neck). However if you are at all concerned, I would do as AgentX86 suggests and seek early medical advice. We cannot mess with the heart and I would far rather err on the side of caution than to be sorry.
Good luck and I wish you an early resolve to your very unpleasent introduction to the pacemaker world
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by AgentX86 - 2021-02-26 01:12:20
Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to.
You've had terrible luck but things will look up. You'll soon all but forget that you have a PM. However, if you have that much pain, seek medical help immediately. It coul be nothing but pain is nature's way of telling you that something isn't right with the world. No, that sort of pain isn't common, though you aren't all that far from your surgery an you did have complications. Make sure it isn't something serious.