Listen to your body

I had my dual chamber pacemaker inserted last September and posted a comment then about problems I was having - I was experiencing what felt like extremely strong heart beats from time to time but ended up thinking that it was just nearby chest muscles being activated. Even a discussion with the cardiologist's nurse (wasn't able to speak to him) resulted in no action. To cut to the chase, I finally fronted up to the practice in November and a check found that the ventricular lead was not positioned correctly and what I was feeling was the extra strong current the pacemaker was sending out to try to stimulate the ventricle. I was told it was nothing to worry about but as it would use up the pacemaker battery more quickly, I would have to have the lead repositioned. That happened last Tuesday and by Wednesday afternoon I knew the same thing had happened again - the lead was positioned wrongly and I had the same symptoms. However, this time had chest and shoulder pain as well. So another trip back to the doctor and found that the lead had perforated the wall of the heart and I had bleeding into the pericardium. So yet another lead revision on Friday - this time with a different type of lead - and so far so good. Now keeping my fingers crossed I don't develop any infection in the wound site. Has anyone else had problems like these?

3 Comments

our bodies

by cfritza - 2010-01-18 04:01:15

I totally agree with you that you need to listen to your body and if something doesn't feel right and doesn't go away and just gets worse we need to have it checked out even if the medical people say it's fine. They dont live in your body so they dont see it like we do and the good ones WILL listen and check things out. I am so glad you got it taken care of and wish you the best of luck with NO more problems!

It happened to me too!!!!

by Pookie - 2010-01-18 05:01:35

Hi Robyn,

Yes, it happened to me too.

Nov 2, 2004 = initial surgery, kicked out of hospital
Nov 3, 2004 = at home crying because of pain
Nov 4, 2004 = called 911 (died twice at hospital)
Nov 4, 2004 = emergency surgery for pericarditis
Nov 7, 2004 = lead fell, surgery again
Nov 9, 2004 = lead fell, surgery again
April 7, 2005 = surgery for migrated pacemaker

Some of us just have NO luck.

Also, my left shoulder & arm has never been the same since all of those surgeries, so after complaining for the past 5+ yrs, I finally had a CT scan & Ultrasound of my shoulder and have found out that my rotator cuff is torn by 50%; just waiting for appointment with specialist.

Also, after having my pacemaker, I have NEVER felt better only worse day by day. Finally, after 5 yrs I got to see an EP, he changed some settings on December 14 and now I feel worse.

Just waiting for an appointment date to see him again.

My story is much much longer, but I'm known to write really long posts....lol.

Good luck and always listen to your body!!!!!!!

Oh, by the way, when my lead fell twice, the last surgery to fix it ~ the surgeon used another type of end on the lead so it would adhere to the heart a bit better and it worked !!!!

Best of luck,
Pookie

Time to be selfish

by PM4LIFE - 2010-01-18 08:01:15

I agree that we have to listen to our bodies. I listened for years but as I am not a complainer I never went for a check-up. I got a dog to force me to walk everyday so I can get exercise, as I was feeling tired all the time. For two years we walked and walked and I didn't feel any better but worse until I couldn't walk around the block. Finally I was so out of breath that I felt i was passing out. Finally I took my heart rate and found I was at 40bpm and could not get up the stairs. So hours later I was diagnosed with Heart Block Stage 3. After the PM implant I felt strong beats banging in my chest. Went in and they did a EKG/ECG strip and had me walk the halls fast. Well they told me I have PVC's and that I have to go on Med's. I was not happy - but I have no option. Taking the Med's has not been worked out and NOW I am listening and acting on my feelings I've trying various doses to get a day without the thumps. All I can say is you are right and we have to step-up and do something when we don't feel right.

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