I had a pacemaker fitted yesterday. I am in considerable discomfort as my left shoulder feels like I have been shot. I have a nagging suspicion it was pointless and I should never have agreed to the procedure.
I was having the usual symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and a feeling of pressure in my chest. ECG at rest was OK, but I had a stress test and, while I consider myself fit, I struggled quite early. I soon became distressed, the symptoms described arrived severely and my BP dropped in a three minutes interval from 160/90 to 60/40. The test was stopped and the nurse consulted a cardiologist, presumably on the telephone. The same nurse showed me the stress test ECG and said that, before the test was stopped, I was missing QRS complexes and that meant I needed a pacemaker. I was also referred for an echocardiogram, which I had last Friday - still awaiting the result.
Yesterday, I asked the cardiologist what had caused me to need a pacemaker. I assumed she would say I had a second or third degree block, or SSS. I don't think she had a clue. So far as the consultant was concerned, dropping QRS in a stress test equals need for a pacemaker. End of. After the procedure, the nurse told me the pacemaker was set to 50bpm. However, I wear a Fitbit and my pulse had never dropped below that to my knowledge. If anything, the issue is tachycardia, not the opposite. Even while walking out of the hospital, I was having exactly the same symptoms I described at the start.
Any houghts would be appreciated.
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Dogglebird
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I assume it was a biventricular pacemaker they’ve put in? The QRS complex is the ventricles contracting. If they’re not contracting then you’re definitely in trouble! A biventricular pacemaker will ensure the ventricles beat as they should. I have no idea why they’d set it so low but I have zero medical knowledge.
I have issues with the ventricles (the left to be precise) which beats slightly later and out of sync with the right due to a left bundle branch block. This cause me chest tightness, breathlessness and faintness. My stress tests all show the LBBB. I have been told I will also need a pacemaker. The way my conduction issues are deteriorating, I’m guessing it will be in the next 12 months that I get mine unless things pick up again
Thanks for your prompt and detailed reply. I can't fault the hospital for quickness. It's about a month since I reported the symptoms, and just two weeks since the stress test and I had the pacemaker fitted yesterday. I was told it was a "bundles issue", but that's all. It was a very painful procedure and it hurts now; I was just hoping I haven't gone through all this for nothing. I hope you won't be waiting too long.
I hope the pain subsides quickly. Happening so fast must be a bit of a shock too as you get used to the idea. I’m lucky, I’ve had 4.5 years of knowing it’s coming as my condition is progressive
I know a number of people with pacemakers but not many with a biventricular. There are so many different types. Most pacemakers have two wires - one to the atria and one to right ventricle. The biventricular (also known as CRT) wires to the atria and has a wire to each ventricle. There is also an ICD which is for dangerous arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia.
I’m sure someone will come long soon with personal experience to talk you through what’s occurred and what to expect in the future.
Thanks. I think the trouble is that the people involved in this have no clue about the memory, existing knowledge or cognitive abilities of their patients, so they keep it at the simplest level - and then inquiring patients like me are not receiving all the facts. I understand my PM is the biventricular type. Once my wound has healed, I will try walking some gentle hills and see what happens.
Oh dear you do seem to be unhappy, you are so lucky to have been treated so swiftly, and just because the nurses are not aware of the reason for your pacemaker , I feel certain that the fact you have leapfrogged the patiently waiting other folk is that your needs were considered urgent.
The proceedure is not really that painful , and any pain will subside in a day or two, so be grateful for your speedy life saving procedure and save your questions for a qualified cardiologist to answer
I know I was lucky to be treated so quickly. It's been about three weeks from presentation of the symptoms to having the PM fitted. I was given little information and that's why I explained my situation on here.
Give it a few days and will feel better and you wont even know its there after a while. Mine (twio lead) , is set to 50 and certainly stops the extra beats.. I had doubts but its now my friend.
My husband was diagnosed with LBBB in his 20s, but it wasn’t until he was 78 and his pulse rate was 20 one morning that he was rushed in for a pm. Now at 80, he’s fit and healthy again.
I had an emergency pacemaker fitted last year due to Tachy - Brady Syndrome. My arm felt like a lead brick for a day or so and discomfort around the wound but this all soon passes and, for me, every day was a bit better than the day before. Now I hardly notice it at all.
I live in a flat area, so I will be keeping on those for at least a month. Then some gentle inclines. I am not an expert, but I would have thought your resting 25-30 bpm is extremely slow. My pacemaker supposedly kicks in at 50bpm - I can't say I have noticed it yet.
Hi Dogglebird, sorry to hear you are in considerable discomfort after your pacemaker implant. It was suggested to me I needed a pacemaker due to LV impairment, LBBB, and an EF of 25%. In Nov 2022 a pacemaker implant was attempted but the third lead pierced my heart and emergency OHS was performed to remove the lead and repair the hole. The pacemaker was withdrawn and as it was a bit traumatic I won't try again for an implant. I take great medication and feel really well. I know I would benefit from a pacemaker but I'm happy to just take meds. Wishing you well. Take care.
Hi Parkhome, I take Carvedilol 12.5mg twice daily, Entresto 24/26mg twice daily, Eplerenone 25mg once daily, furosemide 20mg once daily, and Empagliflozin 25mg once daily which is for type 2 and heart failure. I feel really well on these. Wishing you well.
Thanks for the response PinkKizzie. I think I would have been happier taking meds but I was told that wasn't an option. Glad you are feeling really well.
I am sorry to hear you have been unwell. I had a pacemaker fitted in Dec 23 as my Garmin watch kept sending me alerts that my heart rate was dropping. When it got to 30bpm called GP and cardiologist contacted. I had bradycardia with2nd degree heart block. By the time I had op my bpm had dropped to 18bpm but strangely, although breathless did not faint or anything. First op was a cock up as developed awful cough which was because leads had come loose. Second op worked. But incision site remained sore and uncomfortable for at least three months. At the time of the op my blood pressure was very high. I am normally 80/60 and I went up to 170/100 . The doctor said that was to compensate for my very low heartbeat. Since I feel better and my heart rate has stayed at around 50 which is what pacemaker is set at. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks. My heart rate problems tend to be the opposite of yours - a racing heart. It's now less than 48 hours since my implant and I am already feeling better - no breathlessness since arriving home. The site of the implant is still very sore, but I guess that's to be expected. Looks like you have yours sorted out 🙂
I can’t advise on the need for the pacemaker but having had a cardiac arrest, my pacemaker/ICD offers me so much comfort. The initial pain that you describe is how I felt- being shot in the chest. It will take a few weeks to settle down and a bit longer to get used to the weight (although tiny). I can only assume the hospital wouldn’t have put you through this if there wasn’t a need.
I was surprised how brutal the implantation surgery was and it's left me with extensive bruising. Sleeping isn't easy as it's hard to maintain a comfortab position, but I imagine that gets better. It's still early, so I'll see how things pan out. Thanks for your response.
I was surprised too. I feel the hospital underplayed how much pain I would be in afterwards and for how long. Even 2 years on I get a big ache if I fall into a deep sleep on my left side. My young daughter affectionately calls it Bob and I have come to really appreciate this little machine for the peace of mind it gives me. Hope you heal/feel better soon 💪🏼😀
Good morning. I had a pacemaker fitted 4 weeks ago. It is uncomfortable for a few weeks but the pain does ease. I was not expecting to have a pacemaker fitted. But the found my heart had a habbit of stopping. I am now getting use to it being there.
Hi! Heart stopping sounds scary - never had that. Mine is usually racing. It is a bit of a shock to be told you need a pacemaker; I wasn't expecting that either. Looks like yours is settling in.
My wife had a pacemaker fitted last year for syncope (heart stopping for 20 to 40 secs as detected by an ILR). It took her a few weeks to fully accept the need for a pacemaker. There was some initial discomfort after the procedure which was eased by paracetamol. She still gets occasional contractile fibroblasts which doctors believe is due to contraction of scar tissue around the wound.
Be wary of what you see on any smart devices. My wife has an Apple Watch which occasionally shows a heart rate below her pacemaker setting. Her pacing team confirmed that this was due to way that these devices record heat rates.
I am lucky in that I am well stocked with 30/500 cocodamol and that takes the edge off the discomfort and helps me sleep.
I have heard that devices like my Fitbit are not always reliable. I have an oxymeter and a blood pressure reader, both of which show pulse. So far, my Fitbit's readings accord with those devices, so I have at least some faith in it.
I'm sorry to hear to hear you are having issues with you pacemaker and there is nothing I can add to what has already been said, but on the matter of your use of your Fitbit, well I wouldn't trust it.
It's been reported that Fitbit is only 88% accurate for monitoring your heart rate and Apple watch is accurate to +-10 BPM. If you want and accurate heart rate reading, then considur getting a Polar H10 Heart Rate monitor. It has been reported to be 99.6% accurate.
I had a Fitbit and had no end of issues with, and when I was assesed by the Cardio Rehab Team at hospital, they used Polar H10 sensors. I bought one, use it all the time when I exercise and it's pretty much been issue free.
Hope you find this helpful and things start to settle down for you.
Thanks. I had a Fitbit before and it wasn't terribly accurate. I replaced it a few months ago and the one I have now shows readings which are approximately the same as my oxymeter and blood pressure monitor. I looked at the Polar one and, while it looks very good, it is quite expensive. I'll keep cross-checking with other devices and if my Fitbit starts to deviate, then I'll look at investing in a Polar H10.
This pain and discomfort will soon pass and hopefully you will start to feel better. The should pain and arm discomfort I felt after pacemaker fitting was awful for a good few weeks but then started to get better after about 5/6 weeks. Everyone may heal differently though and at different lengths of time. If you become very concerned please speak with your medical advisers as they are all medically qualified to deal with your concerns. Hope you start to feel better soon.
I had imagined a bit of mild soreness for a few days and then back to normal. From the comments on here, it's now clear those expectations were unrealistic. It's just 48 hours since mine was done and I can already feel the area calming down.
I had a pacemaker fitted in 2017 due to a total heart block, I remember the first few days after the op and it was very sore and uncomfortable but gradually it will get better, you need to give it time and rest. I can’t really comment on the reason why you were given one but the way the nhs is now, I can’t imagine that it given lightly. Good luck in your recovery .
I’m guessing that you have been given instructions on what and what not to do during healing? My worse problem was not being able to lift that arm, being a woman I found it really difficult to blow dry my hair, among other things
The only instruction I have had is to not raise my left arm above my head, and to replace the dressing after four days. Drying my hair would be a luxury. What bit of hair I have left dries on its own five minutes after walking out of the shower.
Ok, did they tell you how long you had to do that for? I can’t remember but a month sticks in my mind, I ended up buying a contraption that I could stand my hairdryer in while I used the brush in my bright hand, it worked pretty well tbf 🙂
I had a pacemaker fitted mid February for heart block. It was uncomfortable for about 4 weeks or so. I was told not to raise my left arm above my shoulder for 4 to 6 weeks and then gradually build up. My top wire moved slightly and they decided not to go back in because of the risk of infection. I seldom notice my pacemaker now and sleep on my right side. I do all that I had been doing before ….housework, gardening etc. with no repercussions. I hope you find that it will settle and you will no longer notice it’s there.
When I had my pacemaker fitted,I also had pain in the left shoulder.Visited by an orthopedic
surgeon ,he said it was quite normal ,due to the position ,you have ,whilst having the op it wore off after a couple of days,never had the problem again,I since hve had a replacement pacemaker ,without any shoulder pain.
Hi I had a PM fitted end of Feb. Contrary to 99.9% of experiences, mine was BAD, and I was in a bit of shock (mine is the two wire one), after the 6 week check, which showed all ok, and it is a case of getting used to it, I did wonder if mine was necessary, but have decided it was. I now sail, have Pilates twice a week, and feel generally pretty good, except when I look in the mirror. In the early days I used Arnica Cream (and also tablets) for bruising, and Comfrey oil for healing. Things can only get better.
I wasn't prepared for the brutality of the procedure or the soreness which followed. It's just 48 hours since mine was done , so it's only fair to give it time.
I had a CRT-P fitted about 14 yrs ago because I had a pace and ablate due to certain arrhythmias and heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.
When my heart function fell to 10% 6yrs ago because I was due a battery change, I was fitted with a CRT-D. The first time it was very painful and I was dreading having it done again, but the 2 nd time it wasn’t as bad maybe because the leads were already there and it was just a box change.
It does take a few weeks to heal, but most of the time I don’t even remember it’s there. And it was the same with the first one.
Hi, I had a cardio resync pacemaker fitted last June. I have systolic heart failure and a wide QRS. I have no doubt this procedure has saved my life. Yes, at first it’s uncomfortable but it gets better. Only know I can sleep on my left side! 12 months later. The benefits more than outlay the procedure. Also the support of the device clinic is invaluable. If I feel unwell I do a tracing. Then ring and check to see it’s not my heart. Also if I go away for a fortnight I have done a tracing to check with them I’m ok to go. They are always fab and Iv never had a problem. I don’t overuse this. I think they are a lifesaver mentally as much as physically.
Thanks. I just had my echocardiogram result and that's normal, so my heart plumbing is fine. The problem was just the electrics and hopefully the pacemaker has sorted that. Looks like you have had a scary time with yours - way more serious than mine. Glad you are sorted.
Seems, I was super lucky. CRTD two wire type to sync the ventricles and overcome brachycardia. I had a bit of discomfort around device, and some rainbow bruising. I had some miscellaneous pains somewhere between chest and back, upon walking (lasted a couple of days) but that was it. Works a treat, excersise tolerance improved, pulse doesn't drop below 50. My life was hardly disrupted at all. Based on my experience would thoroughly recommend
Thanks. Identical to me by the look of it. Hoping to get back into my gardening in September with a new lease of life.I just found out my echocardiogram was fine so, now the electrics are sorted, it should be do-able. Glad you seem to be sorted.
I also had a pacemaker fitted yesterday and like you feel as though I have been shot, was kept in hospital overnight because my blood pressure had dropped to dangerous levels the doctors have said I can go home today as my blood pressure has risen overnight due to intravenous fluids, but I have to have another heart scan first and because the operation was quite difficult for the surgeon’s because I have very narrow veins and there was a lot of pushing and pulling and it took over 30 minutes longer than usual, my wound site is very inflamed today so I have extra antibiotics with the advice if it gets worse to ring the hospital. The reason I had one fitted was that I had a ILR fitted 12 months ago and this picked up that I was having pauses with my heart beat, causing most times for me to faint and to feel extremely ill, I have experienced the feeling again since the pacemaker was fitted, but the surgeon has said just to give things to settle and already my heart rate is so much better. I hope you are more assured as time goes on and start to feel better
In most countries, an overnight stay in hospital is the norm after having a pacemaker fitted and I can understand why. I guess you are now home - hope you are beginning to feel better. I can empathise about the "pushing and pulling" as that was my experience. The cardiologist was quite brutal and she's left me with heavy bruising and the whole area is extremely sore. I had done quite a bit of bodybuilding in the past and I have quite a lot of pectoral muscle. I'm also a bit scared that I might pull the wires out inadvertently, e,g. while in bed or half asleep when I wake up. I have had high blood pressure for 30 years controlled with medications but, since having the PM, it's dropped substantially. I think a review of my meds will be in order once my body adjusts. I think you should just enjoy a restful week or ten days as I am trying to do, allow things to settle and the healing to take place. Looking forward to getting back to full fitness in September. Good luck with yours!
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CAD and OMT/STATINS
Pain under arm pit area following by pass surgery.
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