Life with pacemaker

Hi,

Its been a year since I had my pacemaker. I still have occasional pain in the pacemaker area when driving, running, etc.  And I aways feel like the pacemaker is moving when I come across any bumps during driving.  Is this common for everyone?  Is the pain due to the pacemaker being screwed to chest bones and for any pressure we feel the pain?

I can feel the shape of the pacemaker with my hand. Is this common?  Please share your thoughts? As even after 1 year with these complications I feel very frustrated as why I have undergone an ablation procedure for atrial flutter.

EP performing the ablation has ablated av node by mistake as he didn’t analyze av node position prior to ablating the fluttering.

I share my thoughts to everyone in this forum who are in the same state as I am having to cope with a pacemaker for the rest of our lives due to doctor negligence.

Thanks,
SR

2 Comments

Understand

by DC Pacer - 2011-01-16 09:01:06

I understand your frustration - I too am 100% paced due to an ablation that nicked the AV node. I was aware this was a possibility due to the fact that my SVT location was positioned right up against the AV node.

It is not uncommon that you can feel your PM; it is likely not screwed to your bones but secured in a pocket on your chest.

I get where you are coming from, but I would encourage you not to operate from a position of anger or regret the rest of your life. Was I angry that I ended up paced - absolutely. Every situation is different, and I would be lying if I didn't say that a PM was an eventuality in my life - the doctor and I chose to take an aggressive treatment approach and it didn't pan out.

SR I hope you find some peace of mind in your second year with a PM. You have my support.

Feel your PM

by donr - 2011-01-22 01:01:51

Get used to it. I've had a PM for nearly 8 yrs, now & STILL feel it. No big deal - I'm just a skinny guy w/ little body fat to hide the PM & its wires.

Having seen what it looks like, I can feel every ridge & shape change on the thing. In summer, it itches when I sweat.

BTW: it does move w/i its pocket. It wiggles, etc. you will get used to it. Takes a while. You will learn what is normal for you & start to not realize it's there. Then when something new & different happens, you will notice it.

A couple further thoughts - It can make you a cardiac cripple if you get too concerned about it. Decide that it is going to go where you go, do what you do, whether it likes it or not. I just draw the line at climbing a TV tower & hugging the antenna . You will learn what its limitations are through experience. It will tell you when it is unhappy - it'll make you feel like garbage for a short while. Like the time I climbed through my rafters in the shop; got too close to the 220 volt cable connected to my water heater & that shut it down till I got out of the way. Surprised me so much I nearly fell off the ladder.

Hey - it beats all the alternatives, which start out w/ looking at grass from the wrong side.

Don

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.