PM too close to shoulder bone w Update

Update 2: Two hours prior to surgery, Dr's office called and said insurance hasn't approved the repositioning yet. Cancelled until further notice. Yet, I'm supposed to continue living in this pain. The US medical system/insurance is broken.

Update:  Saw my dr today and they said it looks like the first surgeon implanted the PM too close to a nerve bundle causing the intense shoulder/arm pain. I will be having a revision tomorrow (12 days after original surgery)  and they will keep it on my left side, just moving it bit lower and a couple of inches over, I pray no infection will come out of this and that it won't be as painful. Thanks for all of your support.

 

First post. 63 y/o female. Went into asystole after a clean heart cath 10 days ago. Good echo before the cath as well. Doctors said have no idea why. Was just getting cardiac clearance to have a hand surgery. They highly recommended a pacemaker before leaving icu. That was done 8 days ago.
 

Recovery has been extremely painful. It's on my left side, under clavicle bone but VERY close to my shoulder/arm joint to where it feels like it's butted right up against it. I don't know why they put it there. My husband's is not near as close to his shoulder. 
 

I see the cardiologist in a couple of days. Is it out of line for me to request a repositioning, or is this pain like it is for many people? At times, the pain catches my breath and I feel like I could pass out. Easily a 10+. At other times, if I hunch over a little and lean slightly forward, it's about a 4. Today's a bad day as I can't seem to get in the right position. As a result, I am really struggling emotionally. Taking acetaminophen and occasional norco. 
 

I have few answers as to what happened, why, what kind of Pm, why it's placed where it is, as it was the weekend (had on-call dr) and I was barely there. Will ask more on Wednesday with my regular cardiologist.

If it is indeed the positioning, will I regret asking for another surgery to reposition it? Is it too late/ too early? Do others here have it so close to their shoulder/arm joint? Am I just a wimp?
 

Thank you for your help.

5 Comments

sorry you are going though this much pain

by new to pace.... - 2024-07-29 19:01:30

It would help me an maybe others if you filled in your profile as to make, model and your location.  as sometimes our answsers might be different.

new to pace

Profile completed.

by Mickey22 - 2024-07-29 19:13:29

Thanks. I've just completed doing the profile.

Placement

by piglet22 - 2024-07-29 19:18:29

Most people have a few weeks or days of discomfort before things settle down.

If you get the opportunity, then don't hold back on your concerns.

They do get it wrong.

FWIW, my device is well below my collar bone and causes zero discomfort.

In fact, in 19 years and two devices, I've never had more than an itch around the scar.

Ask your cardiologist

by Lavender - 2024-07-29 22:11:21

Don't be intimidated to ask about the position. It's early on and you're most likely swollen in there but mine isn't close to my armpit. It's a bit more than an inch from my sternum and doesn't bother my armpit area at all. 
 

I was told to take 650 mg tylenol every four hours for pain. Ice packs really helped-make sure to put a dish towel between the ice pack and your skin. 
 

You are not a wimp! 💗🌺

ouch

by Tracey_E - 2024-07-30 11:56:10

Definitely bring up repositioning! They may want to wait and see if it settles more but make sure they are aware it's an issue now. It can take 6-12 months to fully settle and heal, but if it's that bad they may be able to do it sooner. 

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