Seventeen Moths later

I am fifty two years old. My PM was implanted in Feb. of 2009, only 5 days after my oldest daughters funeral. She took her on life at the age of thirty four, ten days befor her thiry fifth birthday.
I started passing out. My legs became limp, and I couldnt stand up. I was admitted into the hospital the day after my daughters funeral. Several test and a week later I came out of the hospital with a PM. My heart rate was dropping below 40. The site stayed infected for two months after the implant. Here I am seventeen months later, the PM site still sore. Cant stand for anyone to touch it. It feels like needles are poking through my skin. When my grandchildren sit on my lap and lay their head on the PM site, I about come out of my chair. It takes forever, every night to get comfortable. I have to sleep with a pillow under my PM site. Cant run anymore for falling flat of my face. I am now disabled. Before the PM, I could out run my 14 year old granddaughter. But... through all of that, I am so glad to be alive.
The moral of this story is, if you are like me and you have been searching web sites and wondering why you are the only one who is having problems, rest assured your not. Some of us just take longer to heal than others. And just because we cant get back to our normal lives doesnt mean life is not worth living. Life is worth living. We just have to find new hobbies, and thing to do that doesnt hurt us.

6 Comments

6 months

by cruz - 2010-08-05 01:08:19

My PM/defib was implanted 6 months ago. I still have some of the sensations of needles periodically. I avoid any sort of bump to the PM because it is a little painful. I've rather gently gotten bumped on the PM when reaching through my car window, such as at a ATM and it does cause you to jump. I've discussed with my EP and cardiologist. The device is working properly. I'm slim with not much excess skin to protect the device and they said sometimes it depends on our physical build. The PM is still clearly visible and they said that it's as deep as they could get it so that might account for it being more sensitive to a bump. I still have soreness if I sleep in certain positions. Prior to the diagnosis, I was able to outpace both of my daughters and had always enjoyed excellent health. I haven't had the problems you have endured, both physical and emotional so I admire your courage and perseverance. I would speak to the doctors and let them know how sensitive the area is and ask if that alone indicates a problem.

3 years

by lady4law - 2010-08-05 08:08:05

I had my PM implanted 3 years ago and shortly thereafter was dx with Breast cancer. Up until then, only a few months, my PM continued to hurt. Now, since the mast and reconstruction, I have constant pain. I think the PM is pushing on a nerve or muscle.

Like you, originally I could not find a comfortable position to sleep in, but since the mast - it has grown worse. My PM was relocated from the left side (my cancer side) to the right. it seems to me it has moved slightly and as I stated above, now pushing on a muscle of nerve. At times it feels like a knife or needle is in there.

I hope yours gets better, my cardio surgeon said she coudl go back in and relocate it - again, but that would be major surgery as opening me up could infect my reconstructed breasts and I'd (most likely) would have to have a re-do on the implants.

Jean

Learning to aceept

by martinb - 2010-08-05 08:08:12

I've had my pacer for 5 years and still have times when it feels sore like I've pulled a muscle and I have to sleep with a pillow under my arm. They tried to put mine in on the left side, but after 4 hours gave up, sent me to a heart center and they put it in quickly just about 45 minutes on the right side. That creates another problem because now it hurts on both sides. I feel it more when I take my bra off, being heavy chested doesn't help when the bra comes off and the weight pulls down and strains the muscles around the pacer. I've gotten used to what I have to do to get comfortable and it's much better now. Yes it really, really hurts sometimes, but that's when I know I can't reach up or pick up anything heavy and just cool it for a while. Take care and best wishes. Barbara

Welcome

by mike thurston - 2010-08-05 11:08:05

Welcome to the site and you have my admiration for persevering through such a terrible experience. I certainly don't think you should have pain around the implant area and maybe you could talk to the folks at the Cleveland Clinic or another EP to see what is going on and get it corrected. If you only have a low heart rate and the Pm is working properly than you should be good to go. There must be something not working correctly. Please get some second opinions and find out if they can fix things.
Best wishes.
Mike T

Thank You

by NLayne - 2010-08-06 11:08:37

Thank you all for your replies. My PM was put in at Magnolia Regional in Mississippi, where my daughter lived. I dont think the doctor there was all that great. I am from Nashville Tn. Once I got home after the PM implant I chose a heart doctor that is supposed to be one of the best. In the beginning he thought he was going to have to move the PM from the left side to the right, but finally he got rid of the infection. I did tell him about the stings, the sharp pains and tenderness at the site. He said we could move it, but I might still have the same problem because of my build. I do, however plan to go back and see him really soon because it looks as if on corner of the PM is about to break through my skin.
Jean, I am so sorry to hear about your breast cancer. I hope that you are doing better and with each passing day that you continue to get better. Best wishes to you.
And again, I am so glad that I found you all.

Living

by wenditt - 2010-08-12 08:08:39

I feel awful for your loss and the tough road you have traveled. But what a wonderful optimistic statement....

And just because we cant get back to our normal lives doesnt mean life is not worth living. Life is worth living. We just have to find new hobbies, and thing to do that doesnt hurt us.

This is something I really need to get a hold of!

Thanks for your post

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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