Artificial Pacemakers

I may need to have my pacemaker and leads removed because of infection. Because I am pacemaker dependent, the doctor said I will need a temporary pacemaker until the infection is gone. Has this happened to any of you? Will I need to stay in the hospital during that whole time? My last infection took a month to clear up (I did not have the PM removed). I know I should have asked that at the appt this am and I will be going back tomorrow, but I wondered if anyone here knows.

6 Comments

Ro

by Chrissie2116 - 2010-04-02 03:04:05

Dear Ro,
I do not have unfortunately the answer for you. Nevertheless, I just wanted to send you all my positve waves. Everything will be ok. We are with you.
Take care and keep us updated,
Chrissie

Yes

by DC Pacer - 2010-04-02 04:04:00

I had a temporary pacemaker, and my experience is, yes, you will need to be in the hospital. It was inserted through the right side of my neck and run down to my heart.

It was not fun, as I had to remain in bed and keep my head relatively still.

Just remember that if this is what you have to do to beat your infection, you can do it.

temp pacemaker

by sam78 - 2010-04-02 07:04:46

Temporary pacemaker = being in hospital!!! No way around that one.

Ro

by Pookie - 2010-04-02 09:04:37

Hi.

I don't know anything about temporary pacers but it does seem to make sense that you would have to stay in hospital. But, better be there and safe...right?

Keep us posted (please) and all the best to you.

Take care,
Pookie

Yep

by ppt - 2010-04-03 09:04:24

It goes thru the neck to the heart as DC Pacer said. I had one before they implanted the permanent PM. You'll be in hospital ! Best of luck ...

Temporary PM

by roy haycock - 2010-04-07 06:04:28

Three years ago one of the leads in my ICD failed and so I had to go into hospital to have a temporary PM fitted whilst they waited for a consultant to become available to remove the failed one and replace it.

I had the temporary one inserted in a vein in my thigh and had to stay lying on my back for ten days. It was inconvenient , but much better than the alternative as I am 100% dependent on my pm/ICD. !!

Please do not worry too much about the procedure as it is much the same as the origninal insertion.

Unfortunately you will need to wait until the infection is cleared, but they will probably give you intravenous anti biotics to speed up the process.

Be patient and all will be well in the end.

Roy H

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