Did anyone have lumps in neck or arm after surgery

Hi. I'm new to the Pacemaker Club and very thankful to have found you. I had my pacemaker inserted August 14 after an ablation on the 13th apparently stunned my heart. I believe things happen for a reason, but I'm still sad about it all and a little scared. I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer. Last week I developed chills and a fever. My doctor put me on antibiotics and my fever broke yesterday. I also noticed that my left arm was very swollen. My doctor gave me laxis for two days which helped. But now I have a lump on my neck and a hard painful lump under my arm. My shoulder has also been painful since the surgery. I was just wondering if anyone else experienced this and is it something to be concerned about.

6 Comments

shoulder ok, lump not ok

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-25 07:08:14

A sore shoulder is normal. Once you get past 4 weeks you can begin working it out and loosening it.

The lumps sound like lymph nodes and is a sign that you still have an infection.

I agree that everything happens for a reason! Sadly, god's not real big on telling us that reason right away. :o)

A bit of the blues and some fear is perfectly normal. Know that with time you will feel perfectly normal again, probably better than before, and the pm just becomes a part of you. Don't be shy about asking questions and venting with us. We've all been there!

Painful Lymphnodes

by Cycledoc - 2008-08-25 09:08:47

Painful nodes may indicate infection but can also be a sign of non specific inflammation perhaps related to the placement of the pacemaker and the healing process.

If related to infection that is under control the nodes should slowly become painless and start to soften and shrink in size.

You'll know more when you finish the course of antibiotics.

lymphnodes

by jensmom - 2008-08-26 05:08:20

I spoke to the triage nurse today regarding my lumps and bumps. She and my dr. don't think it's an infection, but said they put me on the antibiotic as a precaution. However, my fever has returned, my left arm is swollen again and turning reddish purple. And of course my shoulder is still very painful which from what Ilve learned here could take about 4 weeks to heal. I do believe it's an infection and I'm concerned about where the infection is. How do you know if it's a heart or lung infection or where the source is? Also what is the chance that any of these "lumps" could be a blood clot? I really am trying to stay positive about this, but today I had my first big cry since I feel so helpless about what to do. The nurse basically said I should be back to my normal activities by now. I really am trying but I'm just not there yet, not even close. I almost passed out yesterday while taking a shower, something I have never done. I still need a pain pill to dull the pain so I can sleep. I think the only thing that isn't giving me trouble is the pacemaker itself. It sometimes feels like it's weighing my chest down a bit, but that's it. After reading so many other comments, I'm surprised at how many of us have doctors who don't seem to respond to our pain and concerns (I think my dr. is good at what he does, but it seems to end after the procedure.). Thank you all for being there. You are a blessing!

demand to be seen

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-28 07:08:19

Don't settle for a phone call and them telling you you're fine, ask to be seen by the doctor (not the triage nurse) so they can see the problems for themselves. A fever is not normal, neither is the swollen, purple arm. How much longer are you on the antibiotics?

Don't beat yourself up if you're not feeling back to normal yet, everyone heals at their own pace. I think that nurse is being insensitive, telling you what she tells everyone without listening to what you are saying. And just because she says the doctor agrees doesn't mean he does! Hear it from him, don't take her word for it.

why I say this... when I was pregnant the nurse practitioner gave me prescrip that I was sure was not safe for my heart after I read the warning label. The nurse said it was fine, everyone can take it. The second nurse said the doctor said it was fine and everyone can take it. I annoyed half the staff by continuing to call back until someone put the doctor on the phone. I finally talked to him and - guess what!- he said I was correct, it was not safe for me to take it. When they told me the doctor said it was ok, they were going by what's ok in an ordinary situation, none of them actually talked to him about ME, he's busy and they assumed they knew enough to answer my question and didn't want to bother him. Moral of the story... support staff in an office can be excellent but I still want to hear it from the horse's mouth :o)

Have they checked the settings on the pm? Coming close to passing out is not normal either.

Finally went to the Dr.

by jensmom - 2008-08-29 10:08:40

Thanks TraceyE. My left arm swelled up twice the size of my right arm and my hand was turning blue. I went in to see the dr. today and had an ultrasound of my arm. I have several blood clots which they will be treating with coumadin. Although they told me I don't have to worry about the clots traveling to my heart, lungs or brain, it still concerns me. I will be on the coumadin for six months which tells me that I will have this problem for awhile. It looks like the infection I had is improving but I still don't know what was infected. My pm is doing it's job and I don't have many problems with it at all which is great. I can see that I have to be a bit more assertive. I had a feeling I had blood clots and told them so, but I should have insisted on tests being done earlier. I'm learning. I just want to get back to my normal life again so I'm a bit frustrated that I have yet another thing to deal with. Thanks again for your encouragement.

oh good!

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-31 07:08:59

I've been wondering how you are! It sounds like you're finally on the mend.

I think 6 mos on the coumadin is normal, more preventative of future clots than strictly necessary to clear up the clots you have now.

Dealing with heart problems is a lot easier when you're educated about your condition and you are assertive. It's sad that it has to be that way, but if we don't look out for ourselves, no one else will either.

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