pacemaker pain : Hi all can anyone... - British Heart Fou...

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pacemaker pain

abid123 profile image
16 Replies

Hi all can anyone please recommend cream for pain relief,i am getting a lot of pain from pacemaker surgery (left shoulder its been nearly 5 months since had pacemaker fitted been ok but now pain is really bad.doctor is saying it's muscle and nerve damge pain.

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abid123
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16 Replies
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Pop along to your local pharmacy for a word (I have found independents better than the chains) and they may be able to recommend something. Take a list of any meds you are on in case there are contra-indications. If a heat pad helps it does suggest muscle/nerve issues.

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to MichaelJH

Hi thank you for your reply have been given capsaicin cream by pacemaker clinic to try and numb the pain.

Your GP should be able to prescribe something. VOLTAROL is good but you need to check it is ok with other meds you take. Can you move your shoulder you may have frozen shoulder from when you were not allowed to lift your arm when your pacemaker was fitted. Good luck with sorting it. My pacemaker was fitted in November I am luckier than you I only have pain if I lie in the wrong position or press on the site of the incision.

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to HeatherForanSmith

thank you for replying to me Heather i have been to the pacemaker clinic they have given me capsaicin cream to put on there. i have been ok with it but snice last week i had the flu the pain around the pacemaker and incision is bad.lets try the cream and see what happens thank you.

Best of luck with it. It takes a bit of getting used to even without pain

I would ask to be referred to the EP that implanted it. It could be that the surgeon didn't quite create the correct pocket for the ICD.

I have had a total of 4 implants and none of them has caused this type of pain.

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to

thank you ogilvie i will try the capsaicin cream and if pain doesn't improve then will go back you have been really lucky no pain after 4 implants.

Don't get me wrong, it's still tender and always will be but I can sleep on it with the aid of pillows.

It has been suggested to me that the unit could be moved and placed deeper into the muscle but I just want to feel better before I start playing about with it.

I'm looking for some form of protection for the area. I have found a company that produces a T Shirt with a pocket on that side of the body for a soft gel shield. I just feel I need some other protection if I am working in garden.

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to

hi did you manage to get the t shirt i am also after some protection for the pacemaker.

in reply to abid123

This is the site - I haent ordered one yet, so cant comment.

vitalbeat.me/pacemaker-prot...

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to

thank you.

in reply to abid123

Your message propted me to get one - it costs £123.

Additional T Shirts are a lot cheaper

Ashleigh_BHF profile image
Ashleigh_BHF

Hi abid123

Sorry to hear you've been struggling with pain since your pacemaker insertion.

Good to hear you've been in touch with your pacemaker clinic and they have made a recommendation for you. It is always best to check medications with your pacemaker clinic and GP so they can check what medication you are on and know what new medication will be safe for you to take. Sounds like you have a plan to try and get on top of your pain, so best of luck!

Ashleigh

abid123 profile image
abid123 in reply to Ashleigh_BHF

thank you trying my best to get on top cricket session is around the corner lol

Andrew1966 profile image
Andrew1966

Sorry to hear about your discomfort, I had a pacemaker 23rd jan 2018 and also have pain and discomfort on my shoulder and top of my arm pacemaker side, I see my GP Friday and pacemaker clinic 20th march and will let you know if I get any answers

abid123 profile image
abid123

Hi Andrew a my pain is much better now with extra pain relief cream is helping, still feels sore and tender have been told its going to take time to hea all the best with your appointment

Regards Abid

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