For those of you that don't know, I've been having some complications with my pacemaker site.
I had a upgrade from single to dual chamber in Sept. '09. Just a week after that, they had to go back in and revise the right atrial lead because it had dislodged. (Right in time for the big Tampa event-....my timing is always perfect...lol)

Anyways, January 20th, I sent a picture of what my pacer site looked like (I live 4 hours away from him) so that he would know what was going on, and we could talk about it at my scheduled visit in March. Well, within 20 minutes of seeing the pictures I sent him- his nurse was on the phone with me pleading with me to travel to them so they could look at it.
The next day, I traveled to see my doctor and he put me in the hospital for 6 days. They decided that my pacer site was infected, but hadn't yet progressed to the internal pocket yet. Regardless, I was being treated with IV antibiotics, and they refused to do my surgery until my pacer site was completely healed without any open areas.
They sent me home on IV antibiotics, that I administered to myself through a right internal jugular catheter placed in my neck. Fun........
Every week for the last 2 weeks, I have traveled over 400 miles a week for my follow-up care. Just yesterday, after living with tubes coming out of my neck for the last 17 days, they took the catheter out. YAY! I'm free.....
Next week.......almost one month after I made my doctor aware of this "tiny" problem, I will finally have surgery to place my pacemaker under my muscle.

Folks, please pay attention to what your pacer site looks like, and tell your doctor if anything looks of feels unusual to you. I could have avoided a lot of what I went through if I had just told my Electrophysiologist about the "tiny" sore over my incision before it progressed to what it had become when I finally made him aware of it.

I thought it was just a tiny little scrape, but in fact it was my pacer trying to erode through my thin skin.

Maybe this will all be over with soon. I'm still worried about my pacer being put under my muscle, eventhough I know it will be best for me in the long run.

 

 

Now, I feel like a real fool for complaining about my pacer problems! I'm realy sorry this has happened to you and you'll be in my prayers

 

You are such a slut for attention.... :o)

Glad to hear it's finally healing and you've got a surgery date.

 

well I guess that dispels all those nasty rumors floating around about you and a certain doctor Andy. We'll think up something new. By the way, no need to post those photos of your festering, gaping wound in the Members Gallery, we'll take your word for it.

Glad you're back to normal, whatever that is for you

 

Hi Angelie, Don't kick yourself around as my Cardiologist wouldn't pull my PM until he could see the metal. "You come back in few months and we look at it". Well it took a year when he finally loaded me with Cipro and fortunately I didn't get infection in the site after PM removal. So, again don't fret over your delay. At least I had someone else to blame. The main thing is that you're OK and continue doing well. donb

 

Hi - with some of the things posted - how did so many drs. become cardiologists? I can't imagine putting your own antiobiotics in a line through your neck and being 4 hrs. away from your dr. I'll pray your surgery goes well. I had mine on Nov. 24th and I have been doing I guess what I am supposed to be doing. I really don't want this thing with me anymore - a real interferance in life for me. I am grateful in many ways and feel limited in others - maybe after 6 months with it I will feel better about it.
Take good care and is there another dr. closer who can just check it for you?
Be well. Sugar

 

Hi Angelie - Wow, I cannot imagine going through what you have!! I know I could not had injected the antibiotics by myself. You are a true warrior and testament to your character. Hopefully, it is all good going forward...Hang in There!!! - Tom

 

Ok, Angelie. Enough is enough!!! I haven't been on the site lately, so I wasn't aware this was going on. I hope you were able to have the replacement surgery and are healing nicely. I'll be thinking about you!