About pacemaker (pain, implant, surgery, arm)

[nikos]

My wife had a pacemaker put in 6/9/07. From right after the surgery, her arm is in intese pain when she moves it certain ways or holds it in certain position. This has not left and seems to be worse. She is limited in what she can do as she cannot put much strain on the arm. It pains between the elbow and shoulder. She cannot move her arm straign out even a matter of 2-3 inches as it causes intense pain. She had tried to move it some in an effort to exercise it but nothing works. She now uses tylonol to be able to sleep. What should we do? Our cardiololgist is 100 miles away and hard to get to. Is this something serious or will it eventually leave? Thanks for you help.

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by nikos

My wife had a pacemaker put in 6/9/07. From right after the surgery, her arm is in intese pain when she moves it certain ways or holds it in certain position. This has not left and seems to be worse. She is limited in what she can do as she cannot put much strain on the arm. It pains between the elbow and shoulder. She cannot move her arm straign out even a matter of 2-3 inches as it causes intense pain. She had tried to move it some in an effort to exercise it but nothing works. She now uses tylonol to be able to sleep. What should we do? Our cardiololgist is 100 miles away and hard to get to. Is this something serious or will it eventually leave? Thanks for you help.

You may need to telephone her Dr. I had a Pacemaker 'implanted' a little over 3 yrs. ago. I was warned at that time to NOT raise my left. It takes time for the 'leads' from the Pacemaker to the heart to 'heal' at the site. she really should not be exercising that arm. Again, please contact her Dr. at least by telephone. she should have received instructions from someone at the hospital prior to her release and going home.

Some pain,, in my case, was normal. But I did follow orders and even when showering or just doing anything, I made sure that I kept my left arm lower than my heart and never straightened the arm out to the side or over my head. You might want to check adn see if there had been some type of written orders. I wish her good health. Please check w/Dr.

Or you may want to research on the internet for some info while you wait for other info from Dr.

[nikos]

Thanks so much, Northwoods, for your comments. Yes, we received the instructions about not raising her arm, and my wife was very careful not to raise her arm. She did not sleep on that side and really watched carefully not to do anything that would harm it. Of course she now can't use it much at all. This pain was there after the surgury but has intensified and is worse now. I will call the doctor today.

Thanks for you good advise!

Nikos

[I LOVE PA!]

My Dad has been in the hospital for one month now. He had a pacemaker put in about 2 weeks ago. He had some discomfort for a day or two, but has no pain whatsoever now. His Physical therapist has been having him do excercies with weights with his arms and he has had no pain or problems at all.
Maybe just a trip to your local Dr could determine if it is necessary for the cardiologist visit. Good Luck!

[tawna6988]

Nikos:
I was wondering if you had any more info on your wifes arm pain. My Mom just had her 2nd set of leads put in 4 months ago and has terrible pain when she drives or hold her arm down straight. Her doctor is not much help. She will see a neurologist in Feb but you never know what he will say. Sometimes it takes others experience to help more. My e-mail princessraeannem@hotmail.com

[cb at sea]

Something must be "out of whack"--one of the leads infringing on a nerve---the pacemaker shouldn't cause any pain.