Bruises

Now that I have two leads (still attached thank goodness...LOL), the leads leave bruises on my skin. I haven't been really sore, and am already sleeping on all sides. I was just wondering if it hinders anything me sleeping an all positions this soon after my implant (9 days ago). The other night I slept on my stomach and when I woke up the next morning, realized I had two bruises from where my leads had been pressed against my skin and left marks.
I've never heard of such a thing, just thought I'd put this out there for ya'll to comment on. This pacemaker is significantly bigger than my last one.....I'm ust surprised that I now have two bruise marks where my leads are. Wondering if it'll always be this way.....hmmm.

5 Comments

Bruising

by pacergirl - 2009-10-05 05:10:58

Hi Angelie, I had bruising not only over my leads, but on my arm as well. When I was asleep I would roll to my left side and the pacer would bruise my arm and the skin over the leads. It took some time but it did stop. It actually hurt and was sore from the metal under my skin. I was not very "hefty" at the time. I have gained some weight since and I have had the pm since 2005. I am due for a replacement this winter so we will see if I have to deal with this again. Oh, before I forget... when I would reach across my body with my left arm to reach for something it would bruise me then as well. Ughhhhh... anyway it did stop after awhile.
Hope you are feeling better soon, we missed you.
Pacergirl

Wow

by Pookie - 2009-10-05 07:10:52

Angelie,

I am surprised that you can sleep in any position so soon after your procedure. It took me 2 months before I could sleep on my left side which happens to be my favorite side.

Just a thought; are you on any meds that would cause that much bruising?

It's amazing to me all the different things that can happen to us after we get pacers.

I'd love to hear what your doctor has to say about this.

Pookie

Sleeping positions

by ElectricFrank - 2009-10-05 10:10:14

The only problem with sleeping in some positions like on the stomach is that it is very easy to put your arm over your head for comfort. This could pull on the leads.

I had the reaching across problem for about a year. The pacer would ride up over my clavicle and sometimes get caught standing its edge. It wasn't painful, but felt weird. I just flipped it back into place. I just realize recently that it wasn't happening any more. I've even tried reaching over my right shoulder.

I've never had any bruising from the leads, but I can see how it could happen with thin skin.

frank

Thanks ya'll

by Angelie - 2009-10-06 09:10:53

Seems like a silly question, but I was still wondering if anyone else out there experienced this.
Frank, interesting, with my first pacer I would often feel it on it's side as well. Didn't hurt me either, but just felt bizarre. And although I'm able to sleep in all positions, I still tie my arm up in a sling, and thread a rope through that's tied around my waist. This contraption keeps me from raising my arm. I love raising my arms while lying down. It helps with my back...which now is suffering since I'm so lopsided.
Thanks for the input ladies. I'm fairly thin, and the pacer pokes out quite a bit more than the last one did. I guess since the cephalic vein is bigger holding two leads- that it must cause a big enough bulk to press up against my skin and leave a bruise. It's still bizarre though.

I did the same thing

by ElectricFrank - 2009-10-06 10:10:37

I also used a sling to keep me from waking up and taking a big stretch.

frank

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