staph infection

i am new to the group by just a few minutes. i had my dual chamber pacemaker installed on aug. 30th. of this year. i took 4 weeks off work as my job requires lifting. the week i returned to work, now it seems i have contracted a staph infection at my pacemaker site and my dr. wants to remove it and put it on the other side. has anyone else had a similar experience?

6 Comments

Hi.

by Pookie - 2010-10-03 10:10:20


Welcome to this awesome site.

There are a few members that have had the same thing happen, so you are not alone if that makes you feel a bit better:) I’m hoping some of them will respond to your post.

Actually there is a search feature on the site if you want to peruse what has already been written...upper right hand corner of this screen. just type in "staph infection" and I’m sure you will see several postings on the subject.

Are you presently on antibiotics???? If they work, perhaps they wouldn’t have to relocate your pacer???

I didn’t have much luck with my initial implant either, I had 5 surgeries in total. The initial implant surgery. Then an emergency surgery to save my life...heart sac filled with blood = heart stopped beating twice!! then the lead fell 2 more times then the pacemaker migrated into my armpit. Now the staff at the pacemaker clinic call me "lucky"!!!!!!!!!!!

The first 4 surgeries were within 10 days and the 5th surgery was 5-6 months after that.

All of this happened back in 2004 and now I feel okay. It took them a very long time to get my settings adjusted to my needs, but again, now I am feeling better.

I hope things go well for you.

I’m also glad you found us, as the members on here are very supportive and compassionate....and if ever you have ANY type of question, don’t be shy.....this is a real great group of people.

Take care and good luck.

Perhaps you can keep us posted.

Pookie

staph infection

by sherman - 2010-10-03 10:10:39

pookie, thanks for all the info. wow. i guess i was pretty neive (sp) to think you get the pacemaker implanted and everything is great. did your dr. tell you about how those things that happened to you could happen? I have been on antibiotics for 5 days. the swelling and warmness and pain have gone down but then the blood test came back. i see the dr. tomorrow morning. thanks again.

Ugh

by Heather1234 - 2010-10-04 02:10:55

Welcome! I am sorry to hear of your infection. I know how you feel. I didn't get a staph infection, but the actual incision site became infected when the stitch didn't dissolve all the way. It would puss smelly brown stuff and became very swollen and red and sore. There was discussion to remove the pacemaker, clear the infection and put another one in, but antibiotics cleared the infection up before we had to that.

I don't think my Dr. went over the risks and complications as much as they did the benefits. I am sure they are trained to do that and don't get me wrong my Cardiologist is great.

But hang in there. It gets better. I wish you the very best with getting rid of that infection. Keep us posted.

SORRY

by donb - 2010-10-04 12:10:17

I named the drug wrong, it was the oral (pill) version called Vancocin. I believe Vancomycin is only in IV form. donab

Welcome

by donb - 2010-10-04 12:10:47

Hello, I want to welcome you to this site also. I had to have my 3rd pm removed after being a PM patient since 1992. Erosion started and with the risk of infection I put was put on Cipro as precautionary before removal, during, and after. Tests showed no infection but later learned that these hospital bugs don't always show up on tests.

2 months later I had a complete new right chest implant with new leads which wasmy 4th PM. At this time it was determined that I really did'nt have any infection. As my old site was a complete mess I needed restoration surgery twice along with antibiotics. Well the hospital big got me and it was C-Diff. After months of failed treatment I was put on the very last of antibiotics, Vancomycin, very expensive and not given veary much.

As I had major back surgery 10 years prior when this bug first appeared and was able to shake it with conventional drugs, these wouldnt do the job, hence the Vancomycin. I thought you might through this around.
This C-Diff is bad stuff as it attacks bowel. if you have Any questions, send me private message if you like. donb

risks

by #1grandma - 2010-10-06 09:10:30


Is there such a thing as everything going ok with the first implant?????? I'm schedualed for my first on the 12th.

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