hello, in may 2023, my girlfriend, 19 suffered a cardiac arrest due to a blood clot. She’s still in hospital in the ICU after receiving lots of attention and help from doctors. She has had her pacemaker coming up to 4 months now, but is still having horrible shooting pains, that without the help of OxyContin, she will pass out from.
I’m not sure if this is the correct place to ask but we’re both worried and scared that this will continue forever. Does anyone have any advice or has had this previously that we could talk to and discuss what we could do for her health?
Thankyou.
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RickyJ11
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I’m so sorry to hear you’re both experiencing this. Did they rule out the cause of the blood clot? Investigations into family history, lifestyle, and other things are important in determining the cause of why it happened which may help managing the condition in the long-term, especially considering she is very young.
I haven’t previously experienced this, so I couldn’t comment in terms of the blood clot itself and the pacemaker. It does sound like she needs further investigations.
I hope others will help with further advice based on their experiences.
Hi Tos, the blood clot came from having her having her bloods checked and the site not healing correctly. It moved from her inside elbow toward her lungs.
So sorry to hear that! What has her cardiologist said regarding the pain and what is causing it? Have they investigated the source of her pain and if it is coming from the pacemaker or if something else is contributing to it?
She is going to talk to her Cardiologist later today. They tried to do some tests to diagnose anything yesterday which usually take 30 minutes. But because of the pain she passed out 10 minutes into it and couldn’t continue.
Does she have anything to monitor her blood pressure and heart rate with at home? These can provide the cardiologist with some useful insights into her heart health. Anything that you are unsure about, you should make a note of and ask the cardiologist, no matter how small it might seem. Passing out because of pain definitely needs medical attention and the next time this happens at home, it might be safer to take her to the ER.
I am so sorry to hear what your Girlfriend has been through and so young it must have been a real shock and I have read your replies to what caused it she is lucky to have such a caring Boyfriend like you who has come on here to ask for advice
I have no experience in this but as members see your post they possibly will have and share their experience
Make a list of everything you want answering even what they are going to do next if anything and your fears to and when you speak to them try and get all the answers you need to your concerns hopefully that will help
Hi RickyJ11 , I'm so sorry to hear what your girlfriend has gone through and still going through. How distressing for the both of you and I hope the medical staff can get to the bottom of this soon so she can get home ASAP.
I was having sharp intermittent pain after a few weeks after my ICD (pacemaker & defibrillator) was fitted. The pacing clinic said it was because I was at the stage where I was now starting to move my left arm a bit more and my body was just getting used to it and having a foreign object there. I was reluctant to believe them at first, but it must have been the case as it eventually settled down. Your girlfriend's case maybe possibly something different though as she is actually passing out from the pain. Hopefully the cardiology team will locate the cause of her pain swiftly.
Hi PouchieLou, thankyou for the response. It’s reassuring to hear what you have said. They would like her to do a 30 minute exam, but we’re concerned because she tried to 2 days ago, and passed out within 15 minutes.
Examining your girlfriend is so important to see what is going on, so I hope the fainting is just a temporary thing. Have they given her pain killers to help with the pain so they can attempt again to examine her?
She’s currently one OxyContin, I don’t know the specifics sorry. But she can’t take the pill if she wants to do the exam. She was passing out frequently about 1 month ago for 2-3 hours at a time. So the risk of that happening again is scary to us.
Oh wow, that really must have been scary seeing her pass out so frequently and for such long periods. I'm sorry I can't offer more insight, but I sincerely hope your girlfriend gets well soon.
Same as the poster above was my experience of having an ICD/pacemaker fitted. I will say that the hospital (although wonderful) and the leaflets to go home with really did play down the after effects. It was definitely more than “mild discomfort” although at no point did I feel close to passing out from the pain and I am a fainter when it comes to pain.
I really hope she’s ok and gets checked out soon…..
In regard to this pain..it may be possible that one of the leads from the pacemaker may have to be positioned differently..this happened to patient at a hospital where I went for an angiogram..after taking this female patient back to the OP and placing one lead differently..she has been fine..worth looking into while she is still in the ICU where the patient also was..
The surgeon placed the leads where they normally go..but not everyone is the same..make sure they take this seriously..as she should not be having such pain with placement of device..whichever it is..
Thankyou, do you know how long this surgery would take if it is the case? It’s something we’re going to talk to the doctor to, but she is currently asleep due to the OxyContin.
I am not sure..the lady I speak about had it done an hour after the original surgery when her Doc came to check on her and she was in such pain which was not normal..he wheeled her straight back into surgery ..but not too long I imagine if they figure out which one it is..I really hope they can fix this..oxy not being the answer long term...
She has had hers for coming up to 4 months now, but because of all the other pain she’s experienced in this time, we have never noticed this. But thankyou for your responses, anything at all is helping us and trying to put together a plan to fix it.
Hi Ricky, Im so very sorry to hear what you are both going through it does sound really scary. The BHF nurses are part of this forum and you can ring them and ask for advice. I would suggest you grt in touch with them they may be able to shed some light on why your girlfriend is suffering such pain and suggest things you could check out with Doctors. Hope things improve soon. 🤞🏽
I am really sorry to hear what you & your girlfriend are going through. Can not add anything further as you have already had some very helpful posts, but would like to send you both my best wishes & hope there are better times coming soon.
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