Pain

Hello everyone.

I had my pacemaker fitted 8 weeks ago. All is fine except I am still suffering from pain in the shoulder and around the area of the pacemaker. It is worae6at night when in bed. Is this normal.? I would have thought the pain would have gone by now. All bruising has disappeared but the pain remains. Any help would be good. Thanks. Myles.

3 Comments

Sleeping Position?

by MinimeJer05 - 2021-10-15 09:12:02

Hello Myles,

That doesn't sound "normal" to me, but one thing you learn on this forum is that we all have our own version of normal. I know for me (5-6 weeks out of surgery), I still can't fully sleep on my left side with my left arm under the pillow -- I sort of have to sleep at an angle when I try moving to my left. It doesn't bring me severe pain if I try it, but it does feel tender and irks me somewhat.

How are you sleeping? Are there certain positions that make this pain worse or is it still there even if you're just lying on your back? 

Have you tried a Tylenol or some sort of over-the-counter low-dose pain med to see if that improves things?

My left arm and shoulder still feel very weak -- I think a combination of not using them much these last few months and just the healing. It can bother me more when lifting things or driving or doing something that puts more focus on the left side -- I have been told that returns to normal in time.

I just bought some small weights online (10lbs) and am going to try doing some at-home workouts with them to see if I can rebuild my arm strength. Maybe that could help you as well?

Best of luck!

Jer

healing

by Tracey_E - 2021-10-15 09:59:58

Sometimes the soreness keeps us from moving adequately and we end up with new problems. If that's the case, a visit with a PT should get some exercises to loosen it up.

Have you tried icing? I found that helped with lingering pain. 

 

soreness

by Julros - 2021-10-15 10:41:05

I had continuous pain for a year after implantation. It was still swollen at 4 months. Initially I underwent an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot, which was negative. I was advised to alternate tylenol and ibuprofen (didn't help) and use ice (made it worse). Cardiology said they had nothing to offer and referred me to my primary care provider, who gave me a medical marijuana card, Didn't help. I started applying gentle heat (helped) and got physical therapy (helped the most and the swelling finally abated).

At 2 1/2 years the site is still tender to touch and aches at night. 

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I, too, am feeling tons better since my implant.