Shoulder and elbow pain

[Farage]

Good morning allI had an ICD fitted some time ago and it has bothered me ever since. Recently I've been having extreme pain to my left shoulder and left arm and elbow. Cardiologist has said that the ICD is fine. Has anyone else had similar problems

[Hidden]

Dear Farage

On reading your last posts it is obvious that this problem has been going on for quite a while now, certainly well past the usual healing period set down.

The only ones that can help you are your rhythm team / cardiologist / Dr., I agree with you that there seems to be a problem how they sited your pacemaker.

I have one of the larger ones implanted, a CRT-D and like you had problems at the start, even at one point the unit turning 90 degrees almost and sticking out, but over time mine, like most has settled, but even now { coming up a year } it reminds me its there with a dull ache down my left arm.

Was told this was nerve damage.

It takes time to get used to the unit being implanted in you without the added pain that your suffering reminding you daily its there.

I really hope that it can be sorted for you

Take care.

[Farage in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. You are correct it has been a problem for a long while. Cardiologist has said that it is nothing to do with the battery and my GP is as useful as a chocolate teapot and has referred me to physio. I would like a diagnosis before physio get there hands on me. They are all passing the buck

[Hidden in reply to Farage]

I really hope you find those answers,

[Farage]

Thanks for your response. Other than taking painkillers do you have any solution for the pain?

[Cherrelleford]

Hey. I have a ICD that was fitted October 2021. I get the odd sharp pain across my collar bone or close to it. I was told that the device or wires could be pressing on a nerve at times

[Bloodredroses in reply to Cherrelleford]

makes sense huh?

[Swalecliffe88]

Hello Farage. I have only had my CRTD device implanted for 6 months and appear to have been very lucky and not had any of the problems that other people on this site report. I do get the odd little twinge that reminds me but I totally understand your frustration though with GP and for my heart I will only ever consult my trusted cardiologist. I did find him though by firstly researching him and initially paying to see him privately. He then had me put on his nhs list. I don’t like complaining anytime, but you are as far as I know entitled to seek a second opinion and if financially you could consider finding a more implant knowledgeable consultant you might be able to get a more satisfactory outcome. I agree with Blue 1958 after having by pass surgery 8 years ago. Nerve damage is a hidden and inevitable side effect. But quality of life for your long term wellbeing is also very important too. You could try talking to your Pacing team they again in my experience are very helpful too. It could be merely a wire that is causing your discomfort and not the device itself. I do hope you can find some relief soon. Take care x

[Bloodredroses in reply to Swalecliffe88]

nice Cardio huh? Switching You to NHS . Lucky .

[84green]

Hi Farage

I will share my experience with you in case it helps. I have heart disease (diagnosed three years ago) but haven't had a heart attack or any procedures beyond an initial diagnostic CT angiogram and stress echocardiogram.

For the last couple of years I have had regular pain in my left shoulder/ upper left chest. This sometimes radiates to my neck and face, and my left arm. My neck muscles on the left often feel sore. I have worried that this is heart related, although I am able to exercise without it getting worse. I have consulted a cardiologist who doesn't believe that the pain is heart related either.

I have recently had an MRI scan on my left shoulder which, together with an amount of age related degeneration (I am 60 and played a lot of rugby), shows some bursitis and significant tendonosis in my left shoulder. This is effectively a degradation of the My physio has said these findings are consistent with the pain I have reported.

Since my diagnosis, I have tended to attribute every ache and pain to my heart but, as the physio pointed out, it is possible to have several separate things going on!

Please don't take this as an attempt to diagnose your problem, rather an experience that may (or my not) be relevant to your ongoing shoulder pain.

Best wishes

[Bloodredroses in reply to 84green]

is it from just living sporty life and getting old ?

[84green]

In short, yes but in reality - who knows!

I wouldn't say a "sporty life" but the things I did - rugby, weights - have impacted the shoulders over the years. It's a combination of various wear and tear and age.

They physio divided the MRI into the stuff that you would expect to see at 60 and more specific damage that was causing pain and needed treatment.

I seem to have reached a point where physios and osteopaths tell me that "we can't make it better, but we can stop it getting worse!"

[Farage in reply to 84green]

Thanks to everyone for sharing there experiences. I will speak to my cardiologist again and hope to get this sorted. If the only solution is to remove the ICD it may be worth the risk

[Ken63]

Something I would not consider having my device taken out after my icd saved my life twice in one week when I went into vf mine been in 7 months I feel one lucky person