Can pacemaker move?

Is it possible for my pacemaker to shift to the right? Yesterday my sports bra strap dug into the pacemaker when working out and really hurt. Then it seemed to bulge a little more than normal. And today I noticed that my seatbelt wasn't bothering the site as it usually does. So I think it shifted, but not sure if it's possible or if I should be concerned. My implant was 6 months ago, under the muscle.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

6 Comments

possibly

by kcruz - 2010-02-19 09:02:19

depending on the physician, some will stitch it to the pectoral muscle, others tend to not to allow for "floating". I would just keep an eye on it if it is tender and becomes bothersome talk to your physician

Yes

by Pookie - 2010-02-19 09:02:25

Yes, your pacemaker can move.

Like Tracey said they should be sutured into place, but for whatever reason, some docs don't do this. OR they just migrate. Mine made a path right into my armpit and stayed there for 6 months until I requested another surgery to reposition it.

If it is bugging you, contact your doctor.

Take care,
Pookie

sometimes

by Tracey_E - 2010-02-19 09:02:56

Does it still hurt today? If yes, call the doc to be checked.

Theoretically they are sutured into place and won't move, but in reality sometimes they don't get sutured, sometimes they do but the sutures don't hold, sometimes over the first months they settle into place as the swelling goes away and the scar tissue builds up to form a pocket so it feels like it moved. And sometimes they just plain shift! If it's not hurting you, I would not be concerned.

Thanks

by wynbent - 2010-02-19 10:02:21

Thank you for your responses. It actually doesn't hurt at all, it's just a bigger bulge a little to the right of where it was. In fact, it is more convenient since my bra strap isn't irritating it now. I appreciate your input!

Suturing

by tcrabtree85 - 2010-02-19 12:02:31

I was told by two different EPs they don't suture them down but create a pocket. I just went this myself. My pm moved around and would get stuck in a spot and would hurt like no other. The most pain I ever felt.
If it starts hurting I would go into your Dr for a visit. When attached to the muscle it is pretty painful in my book but I hate pain. I have it stitched down inside a little bag so it can only move a tiny amount and not hardly at all. My muscle does not like something resting within it and has been spasming like crazy since.
I hope and pray that yours is just settling in place. Oh and also if you have lost any amount of weight which happened to me is what caused it to move. Good luck!

Tammy

Mine is moving too

by lynnrk - 2012-07-25 06:07:29

Back in 2001 I had a difib put in but it was taken out like 5 years later. In March of this year I went into 3rd block and had to have a pacemaker put in. About a month a go I noticed it moving a little but then last week when I lay on my right side you can see it bulging out. It looks so gross and it hurts a lot! It doesn't help that I am left handed and move that arm around alot! My doctor doesn't want to a have to put me under to move it. He told me to wear a sling and take ibufiren for the pain. Well of course I wasn't listening to him because I type all day at work. But the pain has gotten so bad that I started wearing my sling today. I hope that helps!!!

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