PACEMAKERS

[Sharpglo]

Hi there. I would be interested to hear from others experienced with having a biventricular or other pacemaker fitted.

I had one fitted last Friday. Half way through the operation I experienced an awful pain within my throat/neck. Was administered more painkiller. It persisted after the operation whereby I could not lay down. The surgeon had no idea what had caused it…. Had no hesitation to send me home. Even to get some pain killers involved a great discussion…. Needless to say it took some time for me to be able to lay down with less than 3 pillows and the pain is subsiding all of the time.

I have since googled this problem and found many have had it, I will place the best answer below. (If it does not come out clearly I will type it out myself and re-post)

I am interested to know how long the pain on the shoulder will last, when you were able to lay on your side or stomach. Thanks.

“PACEMAKER CLUB

by Shroselo - 2024-01-09 15:46:30

Since this is #1 on Google when searching for an answer and I recently had the same issues, I decided to consult my cardiologist. When they implant the pacer or ICD they go through one of two veins. The Auxiliary Vein or the Subclavian Vein. (At this point Google an image of those veins)

They ideally want to use the Auxiliary vein but in cases like mine that was not an option so they went with the subclavian. Either way both sides of the veins and their corresponding arteries run right up the neck. Both veins branch out to the shoulder region where the pacer is implanted. I really wish I could use a picture this but I will do the best I can with words based on what was explained to me.

The veins in which they use resemble a lower case ‘r’, on the curved part of the ‘r’ is where the shoulder is and where the lead for the pacer starts. The lead moves down to the bottom of the ‘r’. When you shift or are very active or simply going through any kind of stress whether it be just standing up, running or your emotional the blood pressure rises causing blood to pump through those veins which are used to having a lot more room since the top side of the ‘r’ doesn’t have a lead in it the pressure tends to seek relief there, in the region between your upper sternum moving up to the base of the throat or for a male, the bottom part of the Adam’s apple.

It is also possible that the lead is tugging the artery downward creating even more pain or discomfort. This is why we also don't lift our arms. Our leads need time to bond to the heart and or veins or arteries need to work around having a wire through them by essentially stretching.

I was assured that over the course of the next three months the sensation would be less common and potentially gone completely, and was also recommended light cardio and exercise to speed up the adjustment time.

Hope this helps future and present pacer recipients. I googled it and thought it was SVT and nearly freaked out but it wasn’t and everything is normal despite its challenges.”

[EMBoy]

I don't know about biventricular pacemakers as I only have a double lead, but I understand that the procedure for biventricular pacemakers is more complicated.

For me, there was only a small amount of pain during the procedure, but a little extra anaesthetic sorted that out.

The pain started about 12 hours afterwards, but it was manageable with a couple of paracetamol every 4 hours or so. I had to sleep sitting up for the first week as it was too sore to lie on my left side, and I couldn't travel in a car with the seatbelt over my left shoulder.

However, it soon healed up and I haven't had any major problems, but did take about three months to settle down. We all recover at different rates, so it may be longer or shorter for you.

Just a couple comments about the post from "Shroselo" in the Pacemaker Club : There is a third vein that they can use (and which was used in my case) - the cephalic vein. I think that he/she means the axillary vein, not the auxiliary vein. I haven't heard about the shape of the veins causing pain, but it does sound like a good explanation.

Good luck on your pacemaker journey - it will change your life.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi Sharpglo, firstly, I hope everything is settling down for you and you feel well.

My story : An echo highlighted that I had EF 25%, LV impairment and LBBB, and in Nov '22 a pacemaker implant was attempted but was unsuccessful when the third lead pierced my heart and emergency OHS was performed to remove the lead and repair the hole. The pacemaker implant was halted, obviously. I remain at the top of the list should I wish to try again, but it was a bit traumatic and to be honest I don't think I would cope with a pacemaker. I know I would benefit grately from having one and I'm on the best medication and feel really well. Anyone reading this should not be afraid to have an implant as there is only a 1% chance of this happening. Take care.