Pacemaker Anyone?

[Pooker]

Exactly a week ago I had a pacemaker installed and have been in some serious pain ever since. Everyone said "piece of cake", outpatient procedure, so I wasn't prepared for how long it would take to recover (for instance, can't drive for 6 weeks, no swimming for however, etc.) and how painful it would be. Since I'm left handed and the incision is on the left, life sure is getting restricted. In addition to the wound area, the pain goes under my left armpit and down my left arm to my elbow and I'm only allowed to take Tylenol every 6 hours. Actual site is very, very sensitive and sore. I go to the doctor's office this Friday but only to see the nurse to remove staples. When I messaged the doctor's office, the answer was that some people were more tolerant of pain than others. Excuse me! I've had 3 children and 3 abdominal surgeries - I think I'm no stranger to pain!

Have any of you had a pacemaker put in? Was the recovery like this? Think I had unrealistic idea of what I could expect.

Evie

[BirdbyBird]

Evie...reach out to Birdie. I believe that she may have a pacemaker......she may be on her second....

[Shirlv]

Vie, sorry the peacemaker was necessary. My son in law had a pacemaker/defibrillator combination installed. He is back working full time. Hopefully things will settle down. Being left handed probably lends to your pain. ((Hugs))

[JudyJB]

I am so sorry to hear of your pain. It reminds me of a book I read a very long time ago. It was written by the heart surgeon who had to have heart surgery. And, surprise, surprise, the main point of his book was how much it hurt!!

I have never had heart surgery or had a pacemaker implanted, but they are cutting into a sensitive part of your body and should be more sympathetic to your pain. The "some people feel more pain than others" is blowing off how you feel, which is wrong for anyone, let alone a medical person.

And, I am not a medical person, but it seems to me that you need stronger pain meds, not just tylenol.

Also reminds me of when my ex-husband, while we were still married, had a bladder infection and was surprised that it "really hurt!" (Personally, I was gleeful at his pain since he had previously made comments that my bladder infections were all in my head.)

[Shirlv]

Edie, thinking about my reply and it didn’t sound sympathetic. I was offering hope that it would get better. Contact you GP and see they can offer some pain relieve.

[Bethers]

I can't speak from personal experience but I'm so sorry you're experiencing this and really hate when doctors pooh pooh what you're saying. If they won't give you stronger pain meds I'd change how often you can take those Tylenol to 3 or 4 hours for a few days.

Hugs to you.

[snowball]

I am so sorry Evie that you are going through this.... each person reacts differently to procedures.. and then to get the not so sympathetic response... my nephew has one but he has had his for years was 15 I think when he got it and is now in his 40's.... hopefully you can get some better pain pills... it may help when they take out the staples... will hope it helps but I would really talk with the nurse if you haven't been able to talk to someone by then...
feel better
sheila

[Pooker]

Thanks for the input, guys. It's such a good thing to know one has friends who are right there for you even if they are scattered around the country. I think that's the best part of this forum. We cover a whole lot more than RV travels. Only two more days until I go to have the staples removed, so I guess I can tolerate that. Should have read the owner's manual the first day, but I wasn't feeling up to it. Lots of info in there. Again, thanks for all you caring gals here.

Evie

[Shirlv]

Edie, my daughter said son-in-law slept in a recliner for awhile because laying in bed pulled on the incision. Said he didn’t need heavy duty medication. I think everyone should get a power recliner for their 65th birthday. Lol

[SoCalGalcas]

Every, I sympathize with you. Although I did not have a pacemaker, I have had severe nerve pain. One Doc I saw poo pooed my pain. I will NEVER go to him again. My suggestion to you is to really complain to the nurse when you see her. I have taken Tylonal and it does absolutely nothing for me. Ask about another NSAI. Some doctors are such asses.
Best of luck to you. Lyn

[SoCalGalcas]

Every, I sympathize with you. Although I did not have a pacemaker, I have had severe nerve pain. One Doc I saw poo pooed my pain. I will NEVER go to him again. My suggestion to you is to really complain to the nurse when you see her. I have taken Tylonal and it does absolutely nothing for me. Ask about another NSAI. Some doctors are such asses.
Best of luck to you. Lyn

[OregonLuvr]

Evie if you can take Motrin/Ibuprofen/Advil etc all the same thing I used to give my patients this cocktail 2 extra strength Tylenol and 2,Motrin(400 mg) every 4hrs, 3 Motrin(600mg) every 6 hours or 4 Motrin (800mg)every 8 hours, depending on your level of pain. I take Tylenol 2 tabs and Motrin 2 (400 mg) every 4 hours usually does the trick. Just a suggestion as I dont know if you can take Ibuprofen or not but it works good for most people.