help please very scared don't know what to do

hello everyone, i had a metronics pace maker installed on 12/30/09,after surgery i was told that everything went fine. even though it took almost 4 hours to have it done,after about 3 weeks i was getting ready to go back to work, i have a physically demanding job, so i started useing some light weights 10 lbs, to get my self ready for work, well as soon as i started to do a few curles my left arm started to swell,long story short is that i developed a deep vein blood clot,so they started me on coumadin treatments for the clot, during my time at the center the dr, informed me the the reason i developed the clot was the fact that there were some sort of an issue with the leads and they had to remove and replace with new,,,,i was wondering if i am the only lucky one to develope this prob. also i went back to my cardiologist yesterday because i am having problems with chest pain and pain in my left arm, during the evaluation i mentioned what my other doctor said, my cardiologist said " no no don't listen to him". well i am wondering why he said that, because my regular doctor told me that the reason i have the clot is without a dobt a direct result of what happen during the surgery. is there a way for me to find out what really happen cause if this doctor is missleading me on purpose i am going to be very upset not to mention that my confidence in this cardiologist is shattered and i'm in the middle of issues, going for a stress test on tuesday and just don't know,,,,, very very scared

4 Comments

So sorry

by tcrabtree85 - 2010-03-30 02:03:52

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I recommend that you get your medical records and take a look at what happened yourself. It may cost you some money for the copies but it sounds like it would be worth it. If he is really misleading you then you have a law suit on your hands.
I also suggest that you fine a different cardio Dr I would recommend a EP. I am so sorry you are going through all of this.

Tammy

That's Tough

by SMITTY - 2010-03-30 03:03:54

Hello Geeo14,

Having two doctors in disagreement over the cause of your problem truly puts you between a rock and a hard place. So my suggestion is that you find you a new location, or more explicitly, get a new doctor. My first choice is an electrophysiologist because their specialty is diagnosis of problems with the heart's electrical system and device implants. Second choice would a cardiologist that does pacemaker implants.

While problems such as yours are rare they do happen. It is not necessarily your fault, the doctors fault or the fault of anyone. It just happens. On the other hand it could be that your exercise caused the problem, or it could be the doctor simply screwed up. Whatever the cause you need the problem corrected by a doctor in which you have confidence.

Good luck,

Smitty

Weights after 3 weeks???

by cruz - 2010-03-30 06:03:52

I had my first PM installed 4 weeks ago. I was told that for the first 6-8 weeks, not to lift anything weighing more than 5 lbs; so reaching above my head, elbow no higher than shoulder, to allow the leads to graft. They said if the leads came loose they would have to go back and do the whole procedure again. All the phamplets and information I've read say for at least 6 weeks, there are restrictions on use of the arm. I think one (or more) of your leads isn't connected, but I'm not the doctor.

Wishing you well

by The Fish - 2010-03-30 07:03:34

Hi
That is so scary and terrible you have to go through that. I just had my PM implant 2 weeks ago and worried about those kind of things. It was stressed to me by the docs not to overdo it or lift more than 5 pounds for 6 weeks. Wishing you well and hope it all gets resolved quickly.
All the best to you.
Howard

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

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