Hard time dealing

I had my PM placed in May 2024. It was a fast process from the diagnosis to the placement I didn't have much time to process anything. Since the surgery my QOL has decreased. I'm in constant pain at the incision site, my body rejected the stitches and started "spitting" them (imagine fishing line coming out of your chest, terrifying) Feeling of pressure, pulling, pinching, ect... I work as a nurses aide and it's physically demanding, the cardiologists office gave me 4 weeks off but I had to go get it extended because I can barely get myself dressed without being in pain. They acted annoyed when I saw them, said my incision looked fine but gave me 1 more week told me to take tylenol and lightly work out my arm/shoulder (none of which made a difference). I simply cannot return to work, I physically cannot do the job and my employer cannot seem to wrap their head around that fact either, and just want to throw me back into the wolves. I feel so lost and don't know what to do anymore cause I'm going to have to quit the job. I've tried to tell them I cannot do physical work and they just schedule me for more hours. Guess I just want to know if anyone else has had this pain, issues with going back to work or advice in general.

Thank you sorry so long winded.

3 Comments

sorry you are having so much pain

by new to pace.... - 2024-07-08 20:29:04

if you are able to might try acupuncture on your incision to take the pain away.  Worked for me.

new to pace 

Hi💗

by Lavender - 2024-07-08 21:03:18

I'm sorry to hear the difficulties you've suffered through. It's so hard when you're rushed through and end up with a pacemaker, only to have unexpected complications. 
 

I have had mine almost 2.5 years. My stitches stuck out in a couple places too but eventually they came out and things healed. 
 

Nurse aids work very hard with physical demands. I wouldn't be lifting patients etc if I were you.  I'm wondering if you can get other work at your facility in a different capacity such as feeding residents, assisting with paperwork or transports, etc.. You could perhaps seek employment as a home health care companion. You need something easier on the body that still utilizes your skills.  
 

You are not that far along in healing. It takes time. If your incision site is not infected and you're approved for light exercise, then it's probably just something that will heal in time. Can you get a therapeutic massage? I ended up doing that to deal with the lingering left arm/shoulder pain. 
 

How you feel now is not how it will always be. You will improve. 

Employer

by piglet22 - 2024-07-09 04:49:28

Doesn't sound as though your employer is very sympathetic. Maybe they seem to be hard-nosed if they are health providers and judge you differently.

Five weeks off if I read it right is quite a while, but maybe not given your history.

Have you approached your GP so you can explain the whole problem?

I'm lucky and healthy quickly, but if you physically can't do the job, then they should be able to give you light duties.

It's still early days, but if your discomfort persists, go back to the original clinic or see your GP.

It will resolve itself.

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

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