swelling, pain and redness

I have had my pacemaker for almost years with no problems. For the past couple of days I have and a cough related to an upper resp infections. Now my pacemaker site is swollen and tender. It turned red overnight and is a little warmer than the rest of my chest. The red area is about 4 times the size of the pacemaker. Could this be the result of internal abrasion because of the cough or is there something else going on. This is the first problem I have had with the pacemaker, other that the battery life indicating a new for replacement next year (after on three years) which disappoints me a little.

4 Comments

oh yes

by jessie - 2010-12-01 03:12:08

please do go at once to your family doctor or a clinic or e.r. make sure you tell them about the sudden spread of red. please let us know the outcome. jessie

Totally agree..

by Pookie - 2010-12-01 11:12:17

Hi. I totally agree with the above posts, matter of fact, I would go to the ER immediately, like Blake said "It is better safe than sorry."

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Pookie

See your doctor

by admin - 2010-12-01 12:12:31

From what you have said, I recommend you see your doctor. It is possible the infection has spread to your pacemaker site. It is not raal common (especially after a year), but can happen.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Please let us know what your doctor says.

Blake

Update

by fweber - 2010-12-02 01:12:07

The swelling and redness were much reduced this morning, but went to the Dr anyway. She said that I did not have an infection and the symptoms were more than likely a response by my immune system to the URI. Basically, the immune system was on hyper-drive because of my other illness and that it caused the inflammation. She said to watch it and it any of the symptoms returned or worsened that we would go with a course of antibiotics. She did say that it is not uncommon for an infection to set in around any foreign object inside the body (pacemaker, hip, etc), so the rule of thumb it not to be a hero and fight an infection without meds, because it can spread and have greater consequences.
Anyway thanks for all the input.

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