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Neck And Back Muscle Spasms After Pacemaker Insertion
Hello, my name is Lisa, I am 46 years old and am two and a half days post pacemaker insertion. While I had no cardiac history, I did experience occasional syncope throughout my life, a week ago I went into cardiac arrest with a 12 second pause, hence the pacemaker. My question is this, is it normal to have continuous muscle spasms in the neck, upper back, shoulders, around the trachea , very painfull, and... what causes these spasms? Thank you so much for your reply.
Wed, 6 Jul 2011
Hello.
Thanks for writing to us.
The muscle spasms you are having post operatively is due to use of a drug succinylcholine by your anaesthetist while inserting an endotracheal tube. These spasms will subside in 4-5 days post operatively.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Regards,
Dr. Rakhi Tayal
drtayalrakhi@gmail.com
Thanks for writing to us.
The muscle spasms you are having post operatively is due to use of a drug succinylcholine by your anaesthetist while inserting an endotracheal tube. These spasms will subside in 4-5 days post operatively.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Regards,
Dr. Rakhi Tayal
drtayalrakhi@gmail.com
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
Lisa's
Response
Hello all,
In answer to my own question, I finally went to ER when the pain became unbearable. the doctor there suggested post pacemaker surgery emphasema. He said this is a common occurence with any sort of surgery to the chest area where air pockets form due to opening of the dermis and manipulation of the equipment, what he checked for is air pockets that felt like rice krispies under the skin... they were definitely there, they were the reason for part of the pain, while their stimulating the muscles in back and neck were the reason for part of the pain, recieved Percocet, took a total of 3 doses 2tabs, slept well, and I think, the good sleep allowed my body to relax, thus, pain is gone.
In answer to my own question, I finally went to ER when the pain became unbearable. the doctor there suggested post pacemaker surgery emphasema. He said this is a common occurence with any sort of surgery to the chest area where air pockets form due to opening of the dermis and manipulation of the equipment, what he checked for is air pockets that felt like rice krispies under the skin... they were definitely there, they were the reason for part of the pain, while their stimulating the muscles in back and neck were the reason for part of the pain, recieved Percocet, took a total of 3 doses 2tabs, slept well, and I think, the good sleep allowed my body to relax, thus, pain is gone.
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