struggling with pain from pacemaker and costochondritis

[Westie2012]

I had my pacemaker in 2020, it was repositioned last year as I was getting lots of pain from the left side of it , for the first few months i was pain free but gradually it’s started to cause discomfort which has now developed into pain . There’s no sign of any infection but at times I can’t cope with how much pain I get on a daily basis . To make it worse I have costochondritis which has also got worse over recent months , I take codeine and paracetamol but being in pain every day is getting difficult . Do others who have pacemakers get much pain from theirs ?

[Junehope]

Sorry to hear that you are struggling so much with the pain, discomfort... I had mine fitted last April and so far pretty good. I do get twinges and days when a bit sore but generally it seems to be if I ve done some exercise using the arm on that side more than normal or slept on it in a weird position.... I definitely think it's worth speaking to the pacemaker, cardio team and or your gp about this. Good luck and hope you get some relief soon. X

[Westie2012 in reply to Junehope]

thank you ❤️

[Bingo88]

Good morning Westie2012. I had my first pacemaker in 2019 and have had no real pain or problems since it was put in. Hope you can get your pacing clinic to get the pain sorted out because there's nothing worse than pain. Especially when you haven't slept as well. Take care. Brian

[Westie2012 in reply to Bingo88]

thank you , I did mention it to the paving team and they say if it looks ok then there’s no problem , guess I’ll just have to put up with it .

[Bingo88 in reply to Westie2012]

That's sad that you just have to put up with pain. I shouldn't mention it again and see if you get a more Sympathetic person to help. Hope your day goes well. Brian

[Westie2012]

thank you BeKind ❤️

[Hidden]

Hi Westie2012, I've had my pacemaker coming up 10years without any problems, so I can't really relate to what you're going through.

I must admit I'd no idea what Costochondritis was so I've had to look it up, and one of the symptoms that struck me is that it can radiate to arms and shoulders. Presumably, the medics have considered the possibilty of a link between the two, with the pacemaker resting in an awkward position. I'm probably clutching at straws, but, at the end of the day, you shouldn't be having pain from a PM. Has anyone taking ownership of your concerns, more from a surgical viewpoint, rather than the pacing team who's main interest is if it works or not.

Best wishes.

[Hylda2]

Mine was put in last September and my left shoulder really aches. Think leads are touching collar bone. Told by EP that they had so much trouble getting leads in, they wouldn’t do anything! 😢🙄