Hi,
I am wondering if anyone has info on the Heart, or problems with "Phanthom pains" .
My father has a pacemaker and has had open heart surgery in 1971.
He has just has his Gallbladder removed thinking that it might be the answer, but wasn't and he has been experincing pains that feel like a heart attack, but more like shooting pains the heart ,wall area ?

I am trying to find some help ion this issue, if anyone has maybe something close to his please let me know.

Thanks,
Valerie

Hi Dolfinz,

I would strongly suggest that your FIL go see his cardiologist as soon as possible. I have heart disease and had a heart attack two years ago with a stent being put in. He shouldn't hesitate to get it checked out. It's possible that the pacemaker needs replacing or something in that order but nonetheless, try and convince him to get it checked.
Love,
Linda

Sorry about that Dolphinz, I just realized it's your father and not your FIL. I apologize!
Love,
Linda

Hi there.. He has seen every Dr. he has a great Cardio, and they say it is NOT the heart. But the pains are around the heart area. I was told the Pacemaker couldn't be removed once in place ? I was wondering about chest wall inflamation??

That is very possible. I had that once and I hurt so bad and thought I was having a heart attack at the time and actually went to the ER. But, ER doc said it was chest wall inflamation. So, it's very possible he has that. I am sorry as I know the pain and it really hurts. It hurt almost as bad as when I did have my heart attack. Good Luck to all of you.

Love,
Linda

Thanx for the insight, I still feel it is the chest wall also maybe aggrivated somehow... It is so hard for my Dad because he lives in Fl and I am in Mass. But, I thought I would try to see if anyone elase suffers or heard of this..

The pain can be coming from myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle and or connective tissue) in the chest.
Take a look at the following link
http://www.triggerpoints.net/_sgt/m1m1_1.htm

Front of Shoulder Pain
Specifically: Sternalis, Scaleni, Pectoralis major (2nd picture), and Pectoralis minor.
You can try to push lightly with one finger tip on the areas with the X and hold for 30 seconds to see if this reproduces the pain. If so hold until the pain reduces. You may also seek out a qualified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist or trained massage therapist.

Good luck.

Hi all.. Pain free, thanx for the link also,Cyrstal thanks Ihave checked into that.
There is an update and more to the story.
My father suffered a fall off a short ladder 2 months ago, had a head injury ( did CAT and was neg. bad contusions and shoulder pain of course !)
Well, yesterday, He saw his Cardio and the Ortho: the shoulder pains is a torn Rotator Cuff: BUT, the Phantom Pains have been there before this fall, and this fall just aggrivated the chest, arm, pains.The Cardio swears it is not the heart causing the pains. He does still have dizzy spells from the fall. (to be expected)
I know I am reading into alot becasuse he is my father, but I am the only one (Child) and being so far away (not for long) makes me crazy.
He was one of 10 of the first in the country to have Open Heart Surgery perfromed at Mass. General in Boston(1970: 27 yrs. old ) and they told him that he wouldn't live much longer than 10-15 years back then.. Wonderous how we have all made strides in that area, my dad is still alive and he is strong...

HI Dolphinz,

Thank you for updating us! I'm so sorry your father has a torn rotator cuff. I had this in my right shoulder and had surgery two years ago and this past May, I had surgery on my left shoulder for the same thing. Both surgeries were a complete success, so I am hoping the same will go for your father. I'm glad the cardio checked again and made sure the chest pain wasn't his heart. We can be thankful for that. I do wish him all the best.
Love,
Linda

Dolfins...

These pains your father has. Are they always localized in the exact area of the heart itself, or do they seem to move from place to place?

Are they very sharp pains that come on suddenly, or dull ones that build up gradually?

Does the act of swallowing, especially taking very small sips of water, seem to alter or alleviate the pain?

I ask this because there is a condition where it is possible to get a type of hernia in the chest cavity where tiny air bubbles can actually get inside the chest wall and cause sharp, almost excruciating pain. It usually comes on suddenly and can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Drinking a glass of water in VERY small sips usually helps. The act of working the esophagal muscles works the air bubble around until it finally finds a way out. I know it sounds strange, but it's a condition I've lived with off and on for nearly my whole life, and it can seem scary sometimes.

Whatever it is that's ailing your father, I hope he finds some answers soon and rids himself of his pain.

Best of wishes...
Idealist