Pacemaker surgery pain

[SaraTwycross]

Hi everyone

So i had my crt pacemaker fitted it will be two weeks thursday and still inpain is this normal its been so long since i had a battery chamge i cant remember. Also i was in A and E the other day when i had comstant AF for 6 hours. They changed my drugs and the setting on the pacemaker and so far so good. Just a little concerned about the pain. Hope everyone is safe. Hugs sara

[Ava68]

Dear Sara

I had a CRTP fitted in January and it took several weeks for the pain to subside. I was not prepared for the after pain as had read much about PM implants being a relatively simple/straightforward procedure which it is but I assumed that also meant relatively painless. My cardiologist afterwards said it is an invasive procedure (because of them inserting two leads particularly the left lead can take longer) and so after pain often common.

Are you able to call the clinic nurses to confirm? I did which gave me reassurance it wasn’t anything that wasn’t expected.

I kept up the paracetamol and took something stronger for the evenings. Also accepted that I was going to have to rest up and listen to my body. I hadn’t prepared myself or work for being off longer than a week but thankfully everyone was understanding.

I know it’s really not comfortable but my experience was it took about 4 weeks to go away properly just in time for my first clinic check but first two weeks were indeed the worse.

I hope that is of some comfort and is of course only my experience. Apologies for long response!

Take care and stay safe

X

[SaraTwycross in reply to Ava68]

Thank you ye s this helps. Mi e was. An update and they just had to insert one extra lead. I too wasnt prepared for the pain lasting so it helps to know it will take a while. I shall phone my guch nurse ( grown up congenital heartdiese team) thanks for the reply, hope you are well and safe hugs sara

[bantam12]

Yes it's normal to have pain for many weeks, I'm about 6-7 weeks post implant and still get pain and aches around the site.

If you can get hold of your arrhythmia nurse or pacing tech it would be best to tell them.

[SaraTwycross in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for the reply. I feel reassured hope you feel well and safe hugs sara

[Hidden]

I had my ICD fitted at the end of November and wasn't warned about the pain & discomfort I would experience for months afterwards. It is only thanks to the BHF leaflets that I found things out. A month after the operation I ended up in A&E twice, due to the pain from the bruising and then finding out that the weird sensation I felt was due to the device self testing. I haven't seen a cardiologist since and don't have any appointments booked, my doctor checked. She is good but clueless when it comes to pacemakers so i have found more help on this site than I have fromm medical professions at Kings. Yesterday I had a bad day from the pain in the shoulder & around the device which I have christened 'The Alien'. The check up due today is now in October. Take care & good luck.

[SaraTwycross in reply to Hidden]

Thats where my pain was. Its fine today well i say fine its not bad enough for me to take painkillers. Hope your feeling better stay well and safe hugs sara

[Johnsman]

Hi Sara

My pacemaker was fitted 6 months ago and I still get twinges in my arm on occasions I find gentle exercise helps

[FeetheBookworm]

Mine took about 4 months to heal as I got an infection which took ages to clear up. I had to have mine on RH side as have a reconstructed breast LH side following treatment for cancer.